The Skoda Kodiaq rival is available to order from today with prices starting from £37,605.
Cupra has revealed that its latest SUV – the Terramar – has gone on sale with prices starting from £37,605.
The Terramar will rival cars such as the Skoda Kodiaq and Volkswagen Tiguan, and is set to give a little bit more of a sporty driving experience and well as keeping up with Cupra’s performance-focused image.
Under the bonnet, there is a choice of six different engines ranging from a 1.5-litre mild-hybrid petrol up to a 261bhp four-wheel-drive 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol. There will also be the option of two different plug-in hybrid variants that utilise the same 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol unit with a choice of either 201bhp or 268bhp.
It will be rivalling the Skoda Kodiaq and Volkswagen Tiguan. (Cupra)
There will be four trim levels to choose from, running from V1, V2, VZ1 and the flagship VZ2. Further standard specifications are yet to be announced at this time.
Marcus Gossen, director of Seat and Cupra UK, said: “We are delighted to announce that Terramar is now available for order in the UK. We thrive on pushing boundaries, and the Terramar is redefining what it means to be a sporty SUV.
“The new model embraces our refreshed design language and all-new plug-in hybrid technology to bring a thrilling combination of design, performance and emotion. I can’t wait to see it on UK roads and to witness the continued success of the brand with our all-new line-up.”
A choice of mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid choices are available. (Cupra)
Order books open today, with the 2.0-litre 201bhp four-wheel-drive model available from January 22 2025. Prices start at £37,605 and rise to £51,790.
The AA Driving School asked drivers whether they would pass the practical driving and theory test if they had to retake it again.
Three-quarters of UK drivers think that a lack of Highway Code knowledge would cause them to fail their driving theory test if they had to retake it today, a AA Driving School survey has found.
The AA asked 10,232 of its members about retaking their practical driving and theory test. It found that 86 per cent of them would be confident in passing the practical test and 58 per cent were confident in passing the theory test.
In comparison with men and women, only 50 per cent of females were confident in passing their theory compared to 62 per cent of males. Compared with the practical, it found that 82 per cent of women were more confident compared to 88 per cent of men.
Additionally, the respondents were asked the most common cause of failing either their theory or practical driving test. Some 75 per cent said that it was a lack of knowledge of the Highway Code, followed by a fifth saying it was their lack of road sign knowledge or rules of the road.
When being asked about the practical driving test, 34 per cent said it would be their nerves that would get to them, but 56 per cent said that they’d picked up too many bad habits since they had passed their test originally.
Camilla Benitz, managing director of AA Driving School, said: “Knowledge of the Highway Code is fundamental to driving and with so many people believing their knowledge isn’t up to dae is really concerning, not just for their ability to pass a theory test but for them being safe on the roads now.
“We know that after people pass their test they tend to slip into bad habits, however, it’s alarming that over half of those who responded thought their bad habits would cause them to fail a test now.”
Sales of EVs have started to dwindle with 94,000 fewer sales than expected, totalling an 18.7 per cent market share, according to SMMT.
Britain’s transition to EVs has started to raise concerns after analysis has shown the ZEV mandate has led to a total of £4 billion worth of discounts for EVs.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) analysed data taken from one of the country’s leading used car marketplaces – Auto Trader. It looked into its EV discounts as well as its own estimated fleet discounts and investigated data from the EV car market data, too. This has resulted in an estimated £4 billion worth of EV discounts to allow manufacturers to hit the ZEV mandate targets. To achieve these ambitious goals, the government needs to urgently review the state of the problem and rethink how the UK is going to move over to electric vehicles.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “We need an urgent review of the automotive market and the regulation intended to drive it. Not because we want to water down any commitments, but because delivery matters more than national targets. The industry is hurting; profitability and viability are in jeopardy and jobs are on the line. When the world changes, so must we. Workable regulation, backed with incentives, will set us up for success and green growth over the next decade.”
The ZEV mandate is a government policy that is in place to help transition the UK into battery electric vehicles (BEVs) by the end of the decade. The current target for 2024 is for all major car manufacturers to sell 22 per cent of electric vehicles from its sales fleet. Next year that will increase to 28 per cent and by 2030 it will be 80 per cent.
If the manufacturer doesn’t hit the target it will be fined £15,000 for every vehicle that it sells that does not comply with the mandate.
Today, the government is reviewing the situation with the ZEV mandate after recent backlash from the industry and Vauxhall announcing yesterday that it will be closing its Luton-based van factory, putting 1,100 jobs at risk. Plus, last week, Ford announced that it would be laying off 800 workers in the UK due to the slow demand in EV sales and production.
To date, a total of 94,000 fewer EVs have been registered this year at 363,000 units compared to 455,200 units in 2023 – creating a 18.7 per cent market share – despite a 30 per cent increase in BEV models entering the market compared to December 2023.
We’ve seen a flood of SUVs making their way over from China, but did you know there are a few on the market that come with petrol or hybrid power?
The new car market is starting to change, and this year we have seen a very steep increase in Chinese car firms making their way over to the UK.
As the industry is focusing more towards decarbonising our roads and looking into a sustainable future, it’s no wonder that a lot of these new brands are producing electric vehicles.
But, even though a majority of Chinese car brands are selling electric SUVs, they also sell a selection of combustion-powered models that are wrapped in a family-friendly package.
We’ve compiled a list of the Chinese SUVs on sale in the UK that come with either petrol or hybrid power.
BYD Seal U DMi
The Seal U DMi is the firm’s first plug-in hybrid to be sold in the UK. (BYD)
BYD began selling cars in the UK just last year, and the Seal U is the first and only model with a plug-in hybrid option.
Known as the Seal U DMi – which stands for ‘Dual Mode Intelligence’ – it comes equipped with a 1.5-litre petrol engine and there is a choice of either an 18.3kWh battery pack, or a larger 26.6kWh unit.
The former can travel up to 49 miles on electric power, and the latter can manage up to 77 miles.
The Seal U also is very practical with lots of interior space and has a premium feeling cabin with lots of standard equipment. It may not be the most dynamic car to drive with a lot of pitching and rolling in the corners, but if you want an efficient and spacious SUV that represents good value for money, then this BYD is well worth a look.
MG HS
The HS is now bigger and offers a plug-in hybrid option. (MG)
Once a pillar of the British automotive industry, MG is now owned by the Chinese and is probably one of the most recognisable marques from all the recent China-based start-ups.
The HS has been around since 2019 and has just been morphed into its second generation – which now offers a petrol and a plug-in hybrid option.
The new car is bigger and more luxurious than the model it replaces and the PHEV can do a claimed 32 miles on electric power alone. With prices starting at under £25,000, the HS also comes with affordability and value for money, as well as featuring a spacious interior and 507 litres of boot space, or 448 litres if you opt for the plug-in version – making this new SUV even more attractive for young families.
Omoda 5
The Omoda 5 represents great value for money. (Omoda)
Omoda is a new Chinese start-up brand, and the 5 is the first model to be launched here on our shores. It features a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine that produces a total of 187bhp and comes fitted with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
The 5 comes with plenty of space up in the front as well as decent rear legroom. Its interior also features lots of storage space and cubby holes – making it great for young families. Also, prices start at just over £25,000 making it an exceptional value compared to its rivals from Hyundai and Kia.
Jaecoo 7
The 7 is Jaecoo’s first car to be offered here in the UK. (Jaecoo)
One of the latest new SUVs from China is the Jaecoo 7 – which will be a rival to the Omoda 5 and more mainstream models like the Skoda Karoq and Hyundai Tucson.
Available with a choice of either a front- or four-wheel-drive 1.6-litre petrol engine, there is also a front-wheel-drive-only plug-in hybrid variant that gives a claimed 56 miles on electric power alone.
It also comes very well equipped with only one trim level and a host of extras fitted as standard including a panoramic glass roof, a premium eight-speaker Sony audio system, a head-up display and a wireless phone charger.
Prices start at £29,495 and order books are open now with first deliveries arriving in January 2025.
MG ZS
The ZS is one of Britain’s best-selling cars. (MG)
Another MG that makes this list is the HS’ smaller sibling, the ZS. The ZS is one of the most popular small SUVs in the UK and that’s because it represents excellent value for money, while being available with a large amount of standard equipment.
Now, for 2024 the new Hybrid+ version has been revealed and is now on sale for £21,995 – making it one of the cheapest hybrid SUVs on the market. This new car offers more technology, better build quality, plusher interior materials and an updated exterior design.
The Chinese SUV will be competing with the likes of the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson.
The Chinese firm, Jaecoo, has announced prices and specifications for the 7 – its first model in the UK.
The C-Segment SUV will be rivalling cars such as the Ford Kuga and Kia Sportage. Plus, there will be a choice of two different powertrains.
The entry-level unit is a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine that develops 145bhp and 275Nm of torque. This model is available with a choice of front or four-wheel-drive.
A plug-in hybrid version will also be available with front-wheel-drive only and will come fitted with the same 1.6-litre as the base car but with the added benefit of an 18.3kWh battery pack that Jaecoo claims can allow the car to travel up to 56 miles on electric power alone.
Adventure is calling. Answer with the J7🛣️
Ultimate performance, sophisticated design. The SUV that turns every journey into an adventure🚀
On front-wheel-drive cars, there will be a choice of seven different driving modes including sand, mud, snow and off-road settings.
There is only one trim level available and all cars come with a good deal of standard equipment including a 14.8-inch touchscreen, a 10.25-inch LCD instrument panel, a head-up display, a panoramic glass roof, an eight-speaker Sony audio system and a wireless phone charger.
All cars come equipped with a seven-year or 100,000-mile warranty and the 7 scored the maximum five-star safety standard in recent Euro NCAP tests.
Prices start at £29,495 for the front-wheel-drive petrol and rise to £35,065 for the plug-in hybrid. Order books are open now, with deliveries expected to commence in January 2025.
As Audi has a long history of making SUVs, how will its latest one stack up against the competition?
The premium coupe SUV market is on the rise, and that’s because people like the idea of a taller driving position in a car that has a sleeker, more aerodynamic profile.
The latest Q5 Sportback is offered with a choice of petrol and diesel engines that all utilise 48V mild-hybrid technology to help boost economy, efficiency and above all else, lowering CO2 emissions.
Audi’s design language has matured gracefully over the years with subtle changes to make it still unmistakably an Audi but continuing to be modern.
But, what if the new Q5 Sportback is too sober for you? Or do you want something with a little character? We’ve compiled a list of some of its main rivals to compare their practicality and overall image.
Mercedes GLC Coupe
The GLC Coupe is a premium and well equipped SUV that is a direct rival to the Q5 Sportback. (Mercedes)
One of Audi’s biggest competitors is Mercedes’ GLC Coupe which, as you might expect, is another coupe-styled SUV.
The interior design is very stylish with lots of plush-feeling materials used throughout and the central infotainment screen is slick, intuitive and has high-end graphics.
Interior space is also good with excellent levels of head and legroom, despite the car’s sloping roofline.
Just like the Audi, there is a trio of mild-hybrid engines that offer decent economy and efficiency.
It may not be the sportiest car in this class and the ride is firm, especially when you opt for the larger alloy wheels. Rear visibility is also poor due to the letter-box style rear window and prices start at a rather steep £60,000 – which is nearly £8,000 more than the Audi.
BMW X4
The X4 is an X3 SUV in a coupe body. (BMW)
Another German alternative is BMW’s X4 – which has been around since 2014. It may have been around for a while, but the latest version packs more onboard technology and better driving dynamics.
The X4 is essentially a coupe-derived version of the more practical X3 SUV. Inside, the interior quality is excellent with lots of high-end materials used throughout and it gets the firm’s latest iDrive system which is easy to use and has very high graphics.
Out on the road, the car handles very well and feels how a BMW should do with a sporty edge. It may not have the smoothest ride due to the larger alloy wheels, but it won’t be too uncomfortable for most.
However, its looks are fairly divisive, a problem with a lot of BMW designs of recent times and it’s not as spacious inside as the taller X3 with less headroom and boot space in comparison.
Skoda Enyaq Coupe
The Skoda Enyaq Coupe is one of the best cars in its class. (Skoda)
Another alternative – but with a less premium badge – is Skoda’s Enyaq Coupe. It may be an electric option, but this big friendly Skoda is an excellent all-rounder that offers a decent electric driving range and interior space.
Under the bonnet, there is a choice of two different battery packs. Things start with a smaller 62kWh unit while a larger 82kWh version unlocks more range.
The latter offers a greater claimed electric range of up to 353 miles of range and can be DC rapidly charged from 10 to 80 per cent in around 28 minutes.
The Enyaq’s boot space is rather impressive at 570 litres and with the seats folded down, it transforms to 1,610 litres.
There’s also a sport vRS model in the range that provides an even better driving experience thanks to its sports suspension.
Volvo XC60
The Volvo XC60 is a sensible and comfortable alternative. (Volvo)
The Volvo XC60 is a practical comfortable Scandinavian choice that gets forgotten about in the world of premium SUVs.
It may not have the coupe-esque look but it’s still a great alternative for those who may want the added practicality and reassurance of a Volvo.
It may not have the same commodious boot space as the Q5 Sportback, standing at 483 litres and 1,410 litres with the rear seats folded, but it still offers plenty of passenger space, class-leading safety technology and some of the most comfortable seats around.
Range Rover Velar
The Velar is a stylish and classy SUV. (Land Rover)
One premium SUV that kind of has been forgotten about is Range Rover’s Velar, which has been on sale since 2017.
The Velar is a svelte and good-looking SUV that comes with bags of off-road pedigree and still offers a great amount of luxury as well as practicality.
Available with a selection of petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid powertrains, the Range Rover offers a lot of permutations for a wide audience of buyers. Plus, it has a lovely well-screwed-together interior with lots of standard features as well as having a boot space of 568 litres – which is nearly on par with the Q5 Sportback.
This year, 2024, has been a very exciting 12 months for new cars and these are the ones we want Santa to bring us this Christmas.
Over the last 12 months, we have seen an eclectic mix of new cars that come fitted with either batteries or an internal-combustion engine.
The year has seen the kickstart of the affordable EV, the electric car dedicated to the petrolhead and updates to some of our favourite driver’s cars with petrol engines.
If you think that modern cars are becoming more and more boring, then looking back at the last year may make you think twice.
With Christmas just around the corner, in an ideal world, we would love Santa Claus to bring all of this exciting metal and place it under our Christmas trees, but even though it may be a dream, there’s no harm in imagining the thought.
We’ve compiled a list of the most exciting new cars this year and the ones we would like to see unwrapped this Christmas.
Hyundai Ioniq 5N
The Ioniq 5 N is one of the best EVs on sale. (Hyundai)
It’s a hard one to fathom, but to see the day that an electric Hyundai became one of best cars to drive on the market to date still confuses a lot – but it’s true.
The Ioniq 5N really has created a stir in the automotive world with its artificial engine notes, razor sharp handling, fantastic acceleration and overall good looks and performance. This car really is one of the major highlights in the world of new cars this year.
Under the bonnet, there is a 84kWh battery pack and dual electric motors that pump out a total of 607bhp and 770Nm of torque. Inside, there is a ‘boost’ button’, which for 10 seconds turns 607bhp into 640bhp, taking the car from 0-60mph in just three seconds. Furthermore, the car features illuminated ‘N’ bucket seats and a ‘Racing blue’ matte paint finish all to single out the car from the traditional cooking variant.
Toyota GR Yaris
The GR Yaris is one of the greatest hot hatches of all time. (Toyota)
One of the best hot hatches ever to hit tarmac is the truly fantastic GR Yaris, which this year gained a heavy facelift to improve it even better.
Homologation specials are a rare sight nowadays, but Toyota insisted on making it happen with the GR Yaris. This latest version of the GR has only gone and ironed out all the imperfections of the old car, too.
There is more power, standing at 276bhp and 390Nm of torque. The suspension has been tweaked and the chassis stiffened further with more spot welds to make it more rigid.
A new front bumper design with different sections allows for cheaper repair costs and at the back the Toyota logo has been deleted and the rear tail lights have been refreshed alongside the third stop lamp moved from the spoiler into the rear light bar.
Also, Toyota has given this new GR an updated interior with a digital driver’s display, lower driving position and a new squared and angled dashboard – that gives off a 1980s vibe without feeling old-fashioned.
Out on the road, the car feels even more stable and planted at speeds and there is an immense amount of grip in the wet.
The car is also now available with an eight-speed automatic gearbox as well to sit alongside the six-speed manual option
BMW M5
The new M5 is a great all-rounder and is available as a Touring estate. (BMW)
It’s not very often a new BMW M5 comes along, but this year one arrived and it’s more powerful than ever.
Now, this performance model also comes with the option of an estate variant and is powered by a plug-in hybrid drivetrain.
Under its bonnet, there is a 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 and 18.6kWh battery pack and electric motor that gives a total of 737bhp and 1,000Nm of torque. The electric motor allows the car to go up to 42 miles on electric power alone and acceleration stands at 0-60mph in 3.2 seconds.
For those looking for a practical, fast and efficient performance car, it doesn’t get much better than an M5.
MG Cyberster
The Cyberster is the only two-seat electric sports car on sale. (MG)
We never thought the day would come, but MG has finally put its electric two-seater open-top sports car into production with the Cyberster.
It features electric scissor doors and a choice of either a single motor or dual motor setup. The latter comes with 500bhp and 725Nm of torque allowing the car to go from 0-60mph in three seconds.
The interior features four screens and plenty of standard equipment, however, the driving position won’t be to everyone’s taste as you sit rather high and the two outer screens are obscured by the steering wheel.
Its exterior design stands out and especially if you go for the yellow paint finish, it certainly turns heads.
Porsche 911 S/T
The 911 S/T is one of the most driver-focused cars on sale. (Porsche)
Regarded as one of the best supercars in the world, the 911 S/T is a GT3 RS in disguise as all of the garish spoilers, wings and stickers have gone for a more discreet and stealth look.
Under the bonnet, you’ll find a 4.0-litre flat-six engine that produces a total of 518bhp and 465Nm of torque. It’s capable of reaching a top speed of 186mph and can do 0-60mph in just 3.5 seconds. It also features a manual gearbox, bucket sports seats and one of the best soundtracks that comes from any car. It may be a little on the expensive side, but this is a wishlist where price isn’t really an issue here.
Renault 5
The R5 harks back to the original car from 30 years ago. (Renault)
On the more sensible front, one of the best-looking cars to come out of 2024 was the Renault 5 – which has made a return after three decades.
This new baby EV will feature a choice of two battery packs – a 40kWh or a larger 52kWh.
The former can do a claimed range of up to 186 miles and the latter can do up to 248 miles. The car also comes with the option of a baguette holder and it utilises Renault’s latest 10-inch infotainment screen with Google Built-in.
It looks very retro and harks back the car of yesteryear with its yellow or green pop paintwork and there is even a hot Alpine A290 version that will be available to buy from early next year.
This new car receives a fresh interior makeover, a redesigned exterior and a choice of three different engines.
Audi has unveiled the second generation of its Q5 Sportback SUV, to rival cars like the Mercedes GLC Coupe and BMW X4.
From launch, the car will come with a choice of three different engines with all boasting 48V mild-hybrid technology.
The entry-level 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol produces a total of 201bhp and 340Nm of torque – while power is transmitted to the front wheels, but a Quattro all-wheel-drive system is available as a cost option.
The Q5 Sportback is a direct rival to the Mercedes GLC Coupe. (Audi)
There’s a 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel variant that gives out the same power as the former, but its torque increases to 400Nm. Meanwhile, the sporty SQ5 model comes equipped with a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 petrol that generates 362bhp and 550Nm of torque.
Its exterior styling utilises Audi’s latest design language with wraparound front headlights, a sporty sloping roofline and digital OLED rear tail lights.
The interior utilises Audi’s panoramic MMi infotainment screens. (Audi)
Inside, the car incorporates Audi’s latest infotainment MMI panoramic display, which includes an 11.9-inch digital driver’s display, a 14.5-inch infotainment screen and an optional 10.9-inch screen in front of the passenger. A lot of the cabin is made from sustainable materials such as Cascade upholstery Dinamica microfiber – which is made from recycled polyester.
In the back, the Q5 Sportback has a total boot capacity of 515 litres or 470 litres for the SQ5 model. Fold the rear seats down and the former extends to 1,415 litres and the latter has 1,388 litres of space.
The new Q5 Sportback and SQ5 will be available to order as of January 2025 with prices starting at £52,350 and rising to £76,900.
Storm Bert hit certain parts of the UK this week causing damage to buildings, 55 per cent of drivers weren’t concerned about flooding.
The UK this week got a battering from Storm Bert affecting certain parts of the UK. However, a total of 55 per cent of drivers still weren’t concerned of flooding in their areas according to a survey by breakdown service company AA.
A total of 11,329 responses from AA members between November 12 and November 19 2024 were asked their opinion on some of the potential risks caused by the storm.
In Wales, a total of 57 per cent of members were not concerned over potential flooding.
Out of the 11,000 members, 36 per cent said that they felt confident that there are sufficient flood defences to protect local roads while 23 per cent said they were confident that there are enough defences for rural roads, too. In addition, 49 per cent think it is main roads with the most defences and 51 per cent say A roads and motorways have adequate protection from flooding.
In comparison, the study also surveyed peoples’ views on flooding from a regional perspective and found that Northern Ireland had the highest percentage of members with the least concern at 63 per cent, followed by London at 62 per cent.
Meanwhile, 62 per cent of people in the survey say they are confident that there are adequate flood defences in place to protect homes.
Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for the AA, said: “As we have seen across the weekend and today, flooding can cause serious damage and disruption. The randomness of torrential rainfall leading to flood damage perhaps leads people to hope against hope that they are not the next victims. However, particularly with driving, torrential rainfall can be dangerous wherever people travel, not just in areas prone to flooding.”
The British firm will enter into the 2026 Dakar season with its most capable and toughest car in its line-up.
Land Rover had revealed that it will be entering into the 2026 season of the famous Dakar rally with a Defender.
The firm has undergone a partnership agreement that will supply a fleet of support vehicles for Dakar rally officials and VIP media from 2025 until 2028.
The Defender is the firm’s toughest and most capable off-roader. (Land Rover)
But, in the meantime, the company is undergoing work for an official Land Rover Defender Dakar rally car that will compete in one of the toughest rallies on earth – starting at the beginning of 2026. Further details on the car are yet to be announced.
This will be the first time the British firm has entered the Dakar rally and it should lean into the Defender’s strong and capable off-road nature in one of the world’s toughest environments.
Mark Cameron, the Defender’s managing director, said: “Our partnership begins in 2025 when Defender will showcase its capability and durability as the official car of the event, but we are already looking to the future and entering a Defender Dakar Works team from 2026.
“That Defender Dakar works programme will be led by James Barclay, JLR Motorsport managing director, and I know James and his team are inspired by the challenge that lays ahead.”
The official Land Rover Defender Dakar rally car will be revealed during the Dakar 2025 season – which commences from January 3 to January 25.
