Behind the Wheel of the 2023 Fisker Ocean: An Honest Look at the New EV Contender
Our Rating 4.5/5 Pros Strong emphasis on sustainability Competitive price point Cons Handling nuances Lack of adaptive suspension. Introduction Delving into the electric SUV space, Fisker’s latest entrant – the Ocean – is making waves, promising to be an eco-warrior on wheels. Coming from a company that had a bumpy start with the Fisker Karma, we're keen to uncover whether lessons from the past have culminated in a masterstroke for the future. Exterior Design and Styling The Fisker Ocean's exterior [...]
2023 Honda e:Ny1 – Bridging The Gap in Electric Mobility
Our Rating 3.5/5 Pros City-Friendly Design Modern Tech Interface Cons Limited Boot Space Rear-Seat Accessibility Introduction Just three years after the UK debut of the Honda e, Honda pulls the curtain off its fresh electric entrant, the e:Ny1 SUV. With a pronounced name “e-en-why-one” and a pricing tag starting at £44,995, it's clear that Honda is aiming to reel in a new crowd, primarily younger families. But does it stand tall amidst its competition? Exterior Design and Styling Honda's electric [...]
Toyota bZ4X Review: A Bold Entry into the EV World by Toyota
Our Rating 3/5 Pros Robust Build Quality Practical and spacious interior Cons Slightly on the pricier side Complicated infotainment system Introduction The Toyota bZ4X is one of Toyota's ventures into the all-electric vehicle segment. The name "bZ" stands for "beyond Zero," which indicates Toyota's commitment to creating a carbon-neutral future. The bZ4X is an all-electric SUV that represents the company's strategy to broaden its electric vehicle lineup as part of its larger aim to offer a range of electric and electrified [...]
Vauxhall Astra Electric 2023: Green Transition or Simply Trending?
Our Rating 3.5/5 Pros User-friendly Tech Subtle Electrification Safety Features Cons Performance Lag Mixed Interior Quality Introduction The Vauxhall Astra, a household name for many, takes a bold step into the electric age. But does it capture the spirit of the new era while holding onto its iconic legacy? Performance The 2023 Vauxhall Astra Electric attempts to marry its rich lineage with the demands of modern-day electric motoring. Starting with the heart of the vehicle, the 54kWh battery sends [...]
Mazda MX-30 Electric SUV: A Bold Approach to EVs
Our Rating 3.5/5 Pros Distinctive Styling Engaging Drive Eco-Friendly Battery Approach Cons Limited Range Tricky Door Access Introduction The electric vehicle (EV) market has been expanding rapidly, with every major automaker trying to carve a niche for itself. Enter the Mazda MX-30, a distinct entrant in this burgeoning market. Neither a conventional family SUV nor a dedicated city car, the MX-30 seems to straddle the space between the two, offering a unique take on electric mobility. It's a brave step [...]
Cupra Tavascan: A Peek into the Latest Electric Coupe SUV
As the electrified streets buzz with more and more electric vehicles, Cupra throws its hat in the ring with the Tavascan. Cupra, Volkswagen Group's performance arm, is readying its sophomore EV launch after the Cupra Born. So, let’s break down the ins and outs of the Cupra Tavascan. What is it? The Tavascan is Cupra’s take on the electric coupe SUV genre, trying to etch its mark in an increasingly crowded field. Positioned a notch above the Cupra Born, it promises to blend zesty performance with electric thriftiness. It's gunning for the discerning driver who desires flair and [...]
Mercedes EQS 2023 review
Our Rating 4.5/5 Pros Advanced Electric Powertrain Luxurious interior Impressive range Cons Premium price point Size and Maneuverability Interior Overwhelming for Some Introduction As the electric tide continues its surge, Mercedes-Benz wades in deep with its opulent flagship offering: the EQS. The Mercedes-Benz EQS, an embodiment of luxury and innovation, comes at a premium. Delving into its cost and trim options offers a clear picture of what to expect. The range begins with the EQS 450+ AMG Line, setting [...]
BMW i4 2023 review
Our Rating 4/5 Pros Elegant Design Swift acceleration Premium interior Cons Compromised rear headroom Uninspiring in the corners Voice control system requires refinement Introduction The wave of electrification is washing over the automotive sector, reshaping the contours of vehicular luxury and performance. BMW's i4 is a beacon in this transformation, marrying the brand's signature driving prowess with eco-friendly momentum. Designed for aficionados who yearn for the BMW hallmark of driving ecstasy while treading lightly on the planet, the i4 [...]
Peugeot e-2008 2023 review
Our Rating 4/5 Pros Great interior Comfortable ride Stylish looks Cons Quite expensive Some rivals have longer ranges Not especially spacious Introduction Peugeot has become one of the key players when it comes to more affordable and accessible electric cars. There’s the best-selling electric e-208 supermini, and above that, the e-2008 crossover. Sold alongside petrol models, Peugeot has sold 75,000 of these compact electric SUVs since its introduction in 2019, helped by its stylish design and premium-feeling interior. Peugeot [...]
Hyundai Ioniq 6 2023 Review
Our Rating 4.5/5 Pros Great electric range Stunning design Generous equipment levels Cons Seating position could be lower Not as practical as rivals Flawed digital mirrors Introduction Hyundai is now considered one of the key players in the world of EVs. Its Kona Electric was the first affordable model to boast a range of 300 miles, while the futuristic Ioniq 5 showed a much bolder side to this South Korean firm that really wowed. There will soon be a [...]
Abarth 500e 2023 Review
Our Rating 4/5 Pros Fun to drive by EV standards Great styling Interior is a big improvement over petrol Abarths Cons Not as engaging as petrol models from the firm Range could be better Can get expensive Introduction Abarth has become well known for its small and fun hot hatches. With a policy of taking a Fiat 500, giving it a bigger engine, improved mechanicals and a more aggressive look, the Italian firm has developed a very loyal customer [...]
Citroen Ami 2023 Review
Our Rating 3/5 Pros Low running costs Unique styling Simple to drive and own Cons Only suitable for cities Small electric range Safety concerns Introduction Many accuse cars of all looking very similar these days, but Citroen has set out to make sure that’s not the case with its funky Ami. Different to everything Citroen sells, and pretty much any model on the market, the Ami isn’t really a car at all, but rather an ‘electric quadricycle’, which can [...]
Mini Electric Convertible 2023 Review
Our Rating 3.5/5 Pros Fun to drive Premium interior Good to drive Cons Limited range Expensive Limited options to personalise Introduction Mini’s Electric hatchback has proven a key addition to this British brand’s line-up and is now the firm’s most popular product. Mini is now looking to broaden its horizons with an electric version of its well-loved Convertible, aiming to combine the top-down feel with zero tailpipe emissions. Arriving as the first genuine electric cabriolet (if you discount the [...]
BMW i5 Prototype Review
Our Rating 4.5/5 Introduction The 5 Series is one of BMW’s core models, with more than 10 million examples being produced since its original introduction in 1972. It’s adapted successfully to the times, gaining the latest technology and powertrains. The outgoing model’s plug-in hybrid setup has proven especially popular, and BMW is hoping to improve that further with this new eighth-generation 5 Series, due to hit the roads in 2024. That’s because, alongside petrol, diesel and hybrid versions, there will be the new i5 – an electric version of this saloon, and Touring [...]
Alfa Romeo Tonale PHEV review
Our Rating 4/5 Pros Great handling Stunning looks Roomy interior Cons Powertrain can be noisy Quite expensive Cabin quality could be better in places Introduction The Tonale is the most important Alfa Romeo in some time. It arrived in 2022 with a mild-hybrid powertrain, though the star in the line-up was always going to be the plug-in model. Now available in the UK, it’s the Alfa that can be plugged in and aims to challenge the popular hybrid versions [...]
Nissan Ariya Electric 2023 Review
Our Rating 4/5 Pros High-quality interior Decent to drive Generous equipment levels Cons Ride is a touch firm Quite pricey in top-spec trims Rivals have bigger boots Introduction Nissan was one of the first mainstream manufacturers to develop a mass-market EV with its groundbreaking Leaf which first arrived in 2010. For a number of years, it was the most popular electric car, and it was only recently knocked off the table by Tesla. It took Nissan quite a long [...]
MG5 EV 2023 Review
Our Rating 4/5 Pros Good value Practical Much smarter inside and out Cons Not the fastest-charging EV Rivals are a bit more fun to drive Dip in range for top-spec car Introduction MG has found itself a nice gap at the affordable end of the electric car market, with a range of well-priced EVs that are going down especially well with buyers. Things started in 2019 with the ZS EV crossover, with the MG5 arriving a year later as [...]
Skoda Enyaq Coupe iV 2023 Review
Our Rating 4/5 Pros Sleek styling Long electric range Remains very practical Cons Expensive optional extras Sportier vRS model isn’t as fun as it could be Not quite as roomy as standard Enyaq SUV Introduction Skoda introduced its first bespoke electric model in 2021 with the Enyaq iV – an SUV that quickly became a huge hit owing to its practicality, long electric range and great value for money. It’s already a key part of Skoda’s range but now [...]
Vauxhall Astra GSe 2023 Plug-in Hybrid review
Our Rating 4/5 Pros Smart styling Modern interior Generous equipment levels Cons Not as sporty to drive as you might hope Quite pricey to buy Tight rear seat space Introduction If you look back at Vauxhall’s past, it nearly always offered performance models. More recently there has been VXR and GSI, but if you look back a few decades there was also its GSE nameplate. And it’s that latter nameplate that’s now making a comeback. But whereas the ‘E’ [...]
Citroen e-C4 X 2023 Review
Our Rating 3.5/5 Pros Good value Very comfortable Lots of standard equipment Cons Saloon bodystyle won't be practical for everyone Some may find the styling a bit awkward Infotainment has a few glitches Introduction Citroen is rapidly growing its line-up of models, and its only models now not available as either a hybrid or EV in the UK are the C3 and C3 Aircross. The firm is finding a lot of success with its new C4, too. Introduced in [...]