Category: News

What is it?

What you’re looking at here is a prototype version of the Toyota Yaris, with the fourth generation of the Japanese supermini set to arrive on the market in September.

Although the light masking would suggest otherwise, it’s a way off dealer forecourts for now, but Toyota has let us behind the wheel of this not-quite-but-very-nearly-production-ready version of the hybrid hatchback as it heads into its final phase of testing. With a new platform underneath its skin, a fresh development of the firm’s hybrid powertrain and more technology on board, there’s a lot of potential for the Yaris to be a success.

So, how is this Ford Fiesta and Volkswagen Polo rival shaping up? We find out…

What’s new?

Playing a crucial role in this fourth generation of the Yaris is Toyota’s GA-B platform. A development of the TNGA underpinnings that its latest models (excluding the Supra) are sitting on, it’s said to offer hugely improved torsional rigidity and a driving position set lower in the car without growing too much outside.

What that theoretically means is a better driving car, as well as a more comfortable one. Also new here is its hybrid powertrain with an engine derived from the latest Corolla, as well as a lithium-ion battery pack. There’s a complete visual change from its predecessor on the outside, too.

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I know it may be difficult to see beyond all that camouflage, but yes, that is a Toyota Yaris. #Toyota #Yaris #carsofinstagram

A post shared by Ryan Hirons (@rth42) on Feb 3, 2020 at 7:52am PST

What’s under the bonnet?

Put simply, Toyota has taken the 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine from the Corolla, knocked it down to three cylinders – which has dropped capacity to 1.5 litres – while linking it up to a new lithium-ion battery. Like the Yaris Hybrid before it, power is delivered to the front wheels via a CVT gearbox.

With the car in pre-production phase, Toyota is holding off on full details for now, but we do know the system produces 114bhp and sends the car from 0-60mph in 10.1 seconds. The firm also claims 80 per cent of urban driving can be done on electric power alone, and although official fuel economy figures are some way off yet, we managed about 60mpg over our test run.

It’s apparent off the bat that this powertrain is leaps and bounds ahead of the one preceding it. Power delivery is much smoother, refinement is up across the board and the CVT no longer tries its best to let the power unit imitate an elephant in pain.

Take criticism with a pinch of salt until we get behind the wheel of the production-ready version, but we did find uphill driving to confuse the gearbox into a whirlwind of droning revs on occasion.

What’s it like to drive?

Toyota has gone in big on its claims of an improved drive thanks to the increased torsional rigidity and the minor alterations to the driving position to enhance the behind-the-wheel feel.

What doesn’t need to be put in numerical terms is the actual improvements. Immediately noticeable is how much more agile the car feels, which doesn’t translate to just more fun but crucially a car that’s very well-suited to tackling the urban jungle.

That said, it still feels off the pace of the thrills a regular Fiesta will deliver, and our prototype machine had something of a tendency to crash over bumps, though we’re told that’s something its engineers are looking at. We’ll wait to see if that’s a resolved issue down the line.

How does it look?

We know, that thin line of camouflage may make it incredibly hard to see the Toyota Yaris, but we can assure you it is indeed there.

Joking aside, the relatively exposed body means we’re well-positioned to deliver a verdict on the hatchback’s look. A more aggressive approach to design is one that has worked impressively well here, with its angry face delivering more on-road presence and a smart rear end that puts it at the forefront of the supermini beauty contest.

What’s it like inside?

Toyota’s efforts to improve the overall feel of the cabin have proven effective. The increased space up front between driver and passenger is an instant welcoming factor, while the newly engineered driving position is leaps and bounds ahead of its predecessors’ imitation of driving a lorry that has offset pedals.

Boot capacity weighs in at 286 litres, which puts it a fair way off the Ford Fiesta and Volkswagen Polo, though space in the back row is sufficient for the average-sized adult to cover a reasonable journey in.

With some of the cabin plastics in our test prototype said to be a way off production standard, we’ll wait to get behind the wheel of a market-ready car before passing judgement on overall quality.

What’s the spec like?

With its market arrival still some way off, exact pricing for the new Toyota Yaris is still a guess at this point — though Toyota has thrown around the word ‘competitive’ when pressed on the issue.

Keeping that in mind, plus a little extra for its hybrid guts, we’d speculate around £18,000 when it does go on sale later this year, though we’ll know for sure much closer to the time.

What we do know is that it’ll feature the firm’s Safety Sense suite of assistance technology across the board for no extra cost as it pursues a five-star Euro NCAP rating. Keep your eyes peeled to see if that comes to fruition.

Verdict

It may only be early days for the fourth-generation Toyota Yaris, but signs of the hybrid hatch being a real contender for the supermini crown shine through.

Drivability is much improved over its predecessor both around town and when things get a little twistier, and the overhauled powertrain has taken the hybrid from testing the waters in the last Yaris to a genuinely recommendable option over petrol rivals.

We’ll have to wait until later in the year before making a definitive verdict on the new Yaris, but things are looking good.

Facts at a glance

• Model as tested: Toyota Yaris prototype
• Price: TBA
• Engine: 1.5-litre petrol-electric hybrid
• Power (bhp): 114
• Torque (Nm): TBA
• Max speed (mph): TBA
• 0-60mph: 10.1 seconds
• MPG: TBA
• Emissions (g/km): 84 (provisional)

The government has announced plans to bring forward its ban on selling new petrol and diesel vehicles to 2035.

Its original plan was to do this by 2040, and continue to allow hybrid models to be sold. However, the new plan is much stricter, banning all but fully electric models from being sold on the new market.

What does that mean for the average motorist, though? Let’s take a look…

What is the government proposing?

Nothing is set in stone, but Boris Johnson plans to use the COP26 climate conference being held in the UK in November to encourage other countries to set ambitious emissions reduction targets.

As part of this drive, the government will consult on bringing forward the planned ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles from 2040 to 2035 – and earlier if possible.

Will hybrid vehicles be banned as well?

Originally, it was expected that any model with an electrified element of its powertrain would still be allowed on sale.

However, under the new proposal, hybrid vehicles would be banned from sale in the new car market – only fully electric and hydrogen fuel cell-powered vehicles would be exempt.

Can I still buy a used petrol or diesel car when the ban comes into effect?

Once the ban comes into effect, the only petrol and diesel vehicles that will be on sale will be in the used market. This will include hybrid models.

Will electric cars be suitable for people who live outside cities?

Range anxiety is a legitimate concern for EV buyers. It occurs when the number of miles left in the battery gets low and the driver isn’t sure if they can get to a charging port in time. For this reason, EVs tend to be marketed to city dwellers who have easy access to charging and travel fewer miles per journey.

However, a recent study by Honda found that EVs are also popular with those in rural areas. This is because these people are more likely to have a house with a driveway and can easily refill their battery.

Phil Webb, head of car for Honda UK, told the PA news agency that “people are going down the electric route because their nearest petrol station is 15 – 20 miles away, but all they want to do is pop to the shops or take the kids to school… They’re in control of when they charge it – overnight for example – and no longer have that inconvenience of having to go out of their way to a petrol station.”

Will I have to get rid of my petrol or diesel car when the ban comes into force?

No. For now, there are no plans to force people out of their older petrol and diesel cars and into electric versions. However, given that bans on petrol and diesel vehicles in city centres are becoming more widespread, it’s likely that it’ll become harder to drive your traditionally powered car throughout the UK without issue. We’ve got no indication as yet whether incentives for drivers to buy electric cars will be increased or decreased, either.

Why is the ban happening at all?

The ban on petrol and diesel vehicles in the UK is all about addressing climate change and driving down the country’s emissions.

"If the UK is to lead the global zero emissions agenda, we need a competitive marketplace and a competitive business environment to encourage manufacturers to sell and build here. A date without a plan will merely destroy value today"@MikeHawesSMMT https://t.co/zmGBk5ZTDK pic.twitter.com/dq5zfGRyQc

— SMMT (@SMMT) February 4, 2020

Not only that, but air quality targets will be more easily met if combustion-engined cars are taken off sale.

Are other countries following suit?

It’s not just the UK that is planning to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars. Norway is looking to achieve the goal by 2025, and India is planning to do the same by 2030 – if it’s economical. Israel has pledged to ban the import of all petrol and diesel-powered cars by 2030, with only natural gas and electric cars permitted, and all new vehicles in the Netherlands will need to be emission-free by 2030, the same time scale France is aiming for, too. Germany hasn’t set a timeline as yet, but it’ll most likely be in line with the UK and France’s plans.

What does the car industry have to say about this?

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, an industry body that represents car manufacturers, accused the government of ‘moving the goalposts’.

Chief executive Mike Hawes said: “With current demand for this still expensive technology still just a fraction of sales, it’s clear that accelerating an already very challenging ambition will take more than industry investment.”

Hawes also pointed to the fact there’s still no clarity on the future of the plug-in car grant and the fact that the UK’s charging network is ‘woefully inadequate’.

Aston Martin’s hypercar collaboration project with Red Bull is set to continue, despite the pair concluding their partnership in Formula 1 at the end of the 2020 season.

The British luxury car maker announced today that Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll had bought a £182 million, 20 per cent stake in the company, which will see his Racing Point F1 team rebranded Aston Martin from 2021.

It will bring an end to the four-year-old Aston Martin Red Bull Racing partnership that has achieved 12 F1 race wins and 50 podiums.

However, Red Bull Advanced Technologies (Red Bull Racing’s technological and engineering department for external clients) has announced that it will continue to work with Aston Martin on the Valkyrie hypercar project.

The ultra-exclusive road car is in the final stages of development, with the first batch of 150 road cars due to be delivered to customers at the end of the year. It will feature a Formula 1-inspired hybrid powertrain, with an electric motor and battery system developed by EV experts Rimac mated to a 6.5-litre V12 petrol engine, promising a combined output of 1,160bhp and 900Nm of torque.

Stroll’s investment in the company has put an end to weeks of speculation. Chairwoman Penny Hughes said Aston Martin’s “difficult trading performance in 2019” put severe pressure on its liquidity and left the company with “no alternative” but to secure significant investment.

UK motorists will continue to be able to drive in the EU after Brexit and until the transition period is over.

The existing rules allow motorists to drive in EU countries on a full UK licence, but there had been concerns that permits would be required to drive on the continent after January 31.

However, in a statement to the PA news agency, the Department for Transport (DfT) said: “Under the withdrawal agreement, arrangements for drivers (both commercial and private motorists) will remain as they are now during the transition period.

“This means that UK motorists will be able to continue to drive in the EU as they do now, until 31 December 2020. UK motorists will therefore not require an International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside their UK driving licence when driving in the EU as a visitor during this time.

“Whether IDPs will be required to drive in the EU from 1 January 2021 will be subject to future relationship negotiations.”

After numerous delays, January 31, 2020 will be the day the UK leaves the EU after MPs voted in favour of the Withdrawal Agreement Bill. After that date, the UK will enter a transition period, where many of the existing agreements with Europe will remain in place. From January 1, 2021, any new deals that have been negotiated will come into force.

Under current rules, when driving in countries outside the EU, UK motorists may need an IDP, which is a small booklet that can be bought for a small fee.

Iconic off-roading nameplate Hummer will make a return later this year as an all-electric vehicle.

Parent company General Motors had killed the brand off in 2010 for a variety of reasons, including the 2008 global recession, growing environmental issues and a failed Chinese acquisition of the brand.

It’s not returning as an independent manufacturer however, rather coming under the GMC (General Motors Company) brand in America. Details on the electric car are scarce at the moment, though a series of teaser videos hints at 1,000 horsepower, 0-60mph and 13,000 lb-ft of torque.

Get ready, the Quiet Revolution is coming. All-Electric. Zero emissions. Zero limits. The First Ever #GMCHummerEV https://t.co/faER1I7gRp pic.twitter.com/YWKkp6xxlD

— GMC (@GMC) January 30, 2020

A number of American reports have cast doubts on that last figure though, saying the figure is calculated in a different manner to one which cars typically have their torque measurement worked out.

At the end of each video, a glimpse of the front end of the car is seen. Little is given away, though a seven-slot grille and an LED lightbar stretching across the fascia is clear to see. It has also been confirmed the GMC Hummer will be revealed on March 20 this year, with an Autumn 2021 market introduction in North America.

No confirmation has been made on if or when the GMC Hummer will arrive in the UK, though previous Hummer vehicles were officially sold on these shores. That said, General Motors currently has no presence in the UK and has never marketed GMC vehicles here either.

The UK has a longstanding history of creating cars. Throughout the years it’s produced all manner of vehicles – both good and bad – in sites across the country.

But with a lot of car manufacturing sites moved overseas, there are fewer vehicles rolling off the production lines here in Britain than before. We’ve looked at some of the car companies which are still building in Blighty.

Aston Martin

Aston Martin is as British as they come, and continues to build its high-end sports and supercars at its plant in Gaydon, Warwickshire. Cars like the DB11 AMR and DBS Superleggera roll out from production lines here.

Aston has also developed a new site based in St Athan, south Wales, where it will be producing the upcoming DBX SUV.

Bentley

Bentley has been building cars in Crewe for many, many years, stretching back to the time when the firm was owned by Rolls-Royce and needed a relatively secluded location – German bomber teams were unlikely to trouble it during World War Two.

Fast forward to the modern day, and Bentley still produces cars like the Continental GT, Bentayga and the upcoming Flying Spur at the Crewe site.

Caterham

When it comes to small-volume sports car manufacturers, Caterham is one of the best-known. Creators of the iconic Seven, Caterham produces some of the craziest and most mad-hat lightweight sports cars around.

They’re made in the firm’s Dartford production site, with each car hand-built on location.

Honda

Honda has been building cars in the UK at its Swindon factory since 1992. It was used by the Japanese car maker to spearhead its supply to the European market, and it’s currently where the Civic hatchback is built.

However, Honda announced last year that the factory would be closed down in 2021, citing ‘unpredecented changes in the global automotive industry’ and a need to switch its electrification strategy towards markets where consumer demand is higher.

Lotus

Lotus follows a similarly lightweight ethos to Caterham, but has started producing more grown-up, road-friendly cars from its site in Hethel, Norfolk. The iconic Elise is still produced, as well as more hardcore versions like the Exige and the larger Evora.

It’s also building a 1,972bhp electric hypercar called the Evija – and that too will be built in Hethel.

Morgan

Traditional craftsmanship doesn’t come any more old school than at Morgan, a company which has been creating sports cars by hand since 1909. Based in Malvern, Worcestershire, it still uses traditional methods to build its vehicles.

But that doesn’t mean Morgan is afraid of the modern age. Its latest car – the Plus Six – uses an all-new turbocharged straight-six engine from BMW, and even features – shock horror – LED headlights.

Jaguar Land Rover

Jaguar Land Rover is rooted in the UK, with its main operations taking place in Halewood, Solihull and Castle Bromwich. Creating cars like the Land Rover Discovery Sport, Range Rover Sport and the Jaguar F-Type, it employs thousands and creates thousands of cars, too.

Though recently rocked by several announcements of job losses, it remains one of the UK’s most well-known car manufacturers.

LEVC

The London Electric Vehicle Company is based in Coventry, where it creates the current electric black cab. A common sight in many cities and towns, the black cab has been brought into the modern age by LEVC through its hybrid-electric powertrain and high-tech cabin.

Owned by Chinese company Geely, the London Electric Vehicle Company first started building cars in Coventry back in 2017.

McLaren

McLaren Automotive is based out of Woking, Surrey, where it creates some of the sharpest supercars on the road today. Cars like the 720S, 675LT and GT are all crafted in a clean, almost lab-like production facility.

Back in 2017 McLaren announced the creation of a new Composites Technology Centre, where the firm’s carbon-fibre chassis will be made. It’s due to fully open this year.

Mini

The original Mini was British born and bred, but the BMW-made remake managed to stay on our shores too. Built in Oxford on the site that was previously owned by British Leyland, the company produces both the Mini hatch and the Clubman estate.

They arrive alongside other Mini products that are produced at the firm’s secondary location in Bonn, in the Netherlands.

Nissan

Nissan’s huge Sunderland plant accounts for one in every three cars that are built in the UK, building over 400,000 vehicles alone. It’s a hugely influential site, where cars like the Qashqai, Juke and all-electric Leaf are created.

There’s a fair amount of uncertainty surrounding Nissan’s future in the UK – and the future of the Sunderland site – but for now, models are still rolling off the production lines.

Vauxhall

Vauxhall is another UK-based car manufacturer that has been clouded with uncertainty following the country’s decision to leave the EU. However, the Ellesmere Port site continues to produce the Astra – one of the UK’s most popular cars.

Sadly, the production of the Astra Estate has been moved away from Ellesmere Port to Russelheim, meaning that things aren’t plain sailing for Vauxhall’s involvement in the UK just yet.

Rolls-Royce

Another brand that’s synonymous with being British, Rolls-Royce has its headquarters within the grounds of another British motoring icon – the Goodwood Estate.

The luxury car manufacturer built a new factory near Chichester in the south of England, which opened in 2003, and has been building tailor-made cars such as the Ghost, Phantom, and new Cullinan SUV ever since.

Toyota

Another Japanese car manufacturer with important manufacturing bases in the UK is Toyota, which has a vehicle manufacturing factory in Burnaston, Derbyshire and an engine manufacturing plant at Deeside, North Wales.

In the vehicle plant, Toyota builds the Corolla Hybrid, Corolla Hatchback, Corolla Touring Sports and the conventional Corolla.

With the electric revolution underway in the motoring world, more and more manufacturers are introducing EVs to the market.

From practical hatchbacks to high-performance hypercars, and everything in between, there’s at least one electric option in nearly every segment today. Can you recognise them, though? Take our quiz to put your knowledge to the test.

No matter if it’s a first car, second car, weekend runaround or something that’s just there to hop to the shops and back, it’s hard to go wrong when choosing a supermini.

Even with the rise of the SUV, this compact class continues to be the favourite for UK buyers and as a result, there is a vast range of choice in both the new and used market. We’ve laid ourselves out a generous £15,000 budget for the latter to see what options are out there…

Ford Fiesta

We’ll start with the car that’s established itself as the UK’s best selling car time and time again, and by a comfortable margin, too. Now in its seventh generation, the Fiesta continues to be a favourite in terms of driving dynamics, while offering a load of kit and quality too. Plus, its latest 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine is one of the best-in-class powertrains.

With our budget, you can find yourself behind the wheel of a light-used, well-specced ST-Line X. New examples of this command a price of just under £20,000, so you can save a fair bit of cash for a car with just around 10,000 miles on the clock.

Audi A1

Audi introduced a new version of its popular A1 last year, meaning an influx of high-spec, low-mileage variants of the outgoing car fresh from the clutches of PCP deals on the market. A mixture of petrol and diesel options can be had, though we’d opt for 1.4 variants of the former if you’re an urban commuter.

Our budget brings high-spec S Line models with around 20,000 miles into the mix, bringing a partial leather interior and features like Bluetooth and DAB radio.

Suzuki Swift Sport

Most nearly-new hot hatches fall out of our budget, but the Suzuki Swift Sport is one that just comes within. Powered by a 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine, the Swift Sport boasts a spritely 138bhp. That complete with its playful chassis creates a fun driving experience and one that’s arguably unrivalled at this price point.

£15,000 will secure an example with as little as 1,000 miles on the clock, a bargain considering factory-fresh examples start at £17,249, while standard equipment includes adaptive cruise control, a touchscreen infotainment system and a suite of safety kit.

Renault Clio

Though the new Renault Clio has just recently arrived on the market, a handful of used examples are already available fresh from demonstration fleets. That may mean they’ve seen a fair few people get behind the wheel, but that’s unlikely to have left any lasting damage.

These are typically low-spec Iconic models with around 5,000 miles on the clock, meaning top-end Dynamique S Nav examples from the previous generation may offer more equipment, though that comes at the cost of an older-looking car, higher mileage and an interior sorely lacking compared with the new version.

Hyundai i20

In a class full of impressive offerings, it’s inevitable that a few cars in the supermini segment are going to be overlooked by the masses. It wouldn’t be unfair to call the Hyundai i20 one of these. That’s not to say it’s a bad car by any means – in fact, it’s rather quite good – it’s more the likes of the Ford Fiesta and Vauxhall Corsa are household names and that shows in sales.

In the i20 though, there’s a lot of value for money to be had. At £15,000, an almost brand-new high-spec Premium Nav model can be easily had with a spritely 99bhp 1.0-litre petrol engine, with the car covered by a five-year warranty from the factory.

Mini Cooper

Few names are as iconic in motoring as the Mini Cooper, which would be reason alone to stick it on this list. More than that though, it’s a genuine contender to consider when shopping with a £15,000 budget.

Its nimble chassis and trademark cutesy looks make it one of the more desirable options in this part of the car market, and there’s no shortage of examples to be had at our price point. You could stump up for a more potent Cooper S, but our pick of the bunch would be the regular Cooper — offering nearly as much driving fun but with tidier examples falling into the budget.

Honda Jazz

Alright, so a Honda Jazz may be your nan’s car, but she has good taste if so. It’s not exactly going to get your pulses racing, but for a car that’s able to effortlessly get you from A to B without concerns of reliability.

As a new generation approaches, prices for the existing Jazz are ever-tumbling and that’s perfect on the value for money front. As this is written, £15,000 brings practically-new, range-topping Sport models just about into the fray — though expect that asking price to tumble further as the latest model comes to market.

Vauxhall Corsa

Though lagging ever so slightly behind the Ford Fiesta for UK supermini dominance, the Vauxhall Corsa is one of the go-to recommendations in any supermini budget. With a new model out recently too, there’s an array of deals to be had on the outgoing car.

If you really fancied, a boggo-spec brand new variant can be had in a £15,000 budget from a handful of dealers, but our money would be going on a high-grade example of the outgoing car. Ex-demo cars in Limited Edition cars fall within this bracket with less than 3,000 miles on the clock.

Skoda Fabia

Though the Skoda Fabia is a car that proves its talent at the lower end of its trim levels, its high-spec Monte Carlo grade offers a lot of bang for the buck if we’re shopping with a £15,000 budget.

A facelift came to the model in 2018, bringing with it improved tech and a sharper design headed up by new LED headlights. Though at new its range-topping form has a £17,475 starting price before options, an example loaded with kit at around 1,000 miles can easily be had in our budget.

Seat Ibiza

Arguably the most exciting-looking of the non-hot hatches on this list, the Seat Ibiza brings Spanish flair to proven VW Group underpinnings. The latest generation was introduced in 2017 and laid way for a new platform that also sits underneath the newest versions of the Audi A1 and Volkswagen Polo.

Its sporty-looking FR trim is commonly available within out £15,000 budget at mileage as low as 3,000, with a potent 113bhp 1.0-litre petrol engine sitting underneath the bonnet.

If you’re wanting a slice of the electric car action, then it can often be an expensive prospect. Though the price of new electric cars is starting to fall, you’ll still be looking at spending tens of thousands of pounds upfront – or a fair amount per month – if you want to get behind the wheel of one.

But what if you’ve got a more regimented budget of, say, £10,000? Is it even possible to find a plug-in electric car on the used market for under that price? We’ve taken a look at the classified to find some electrified options which fit the bill.

Nissan Leaf

It’ll come as little surprise that the Nissan Leaf features on this list. It’s been in production – in one form or another – for some time now which means there are plenty of used examples available. Part ways with £10,000 and you’ll get a pretty decent example, too.

This budget is enough to net a 2016-year model, which means a 155-mile range. This was claimed when the car was new, but it’s still likely to get quite close to that figure even now.

Renault Zoe

Renault’s Zoe is a car which is ideally suited to those who live in urban environments and don’t want to use their vehicles to travel too far afield. Why? Well, for one, the Zoe is quite compact, so it better alludes itself to getting in and out of traffic or nipping into small spaces rather than long, cross-country jaunts.

Official figures on early Zoe models claim an all-electric range of up to 135 miles between trips to the plug, though this is more likely to be closer to the 100-mile figure. More than enough for shorter journeys, but it could be limiting for those who need to travel further.

Mitsubishi i-Miev

Much like Renault’s Zoe, the Mitsubishi i-Miev is an electric car which has been designed with the city in mind. It’s got a claimed range of between 80 and 100 miles, which is more than enough for zipping around town. Again though, cross-country drivers may be steered more towards the longer-range Leaf.

It wasn’t immensely popular – it was one of the very first all-electric cars available – but there are a surprising number of them available on the used market, and many for well under our £10,000 budget.

Citroen C-Zero

If the Citroen C-Zero looks familiar, there’s a reason for that; it’s based on the same platform as the Mitsubishi i-Miev. It just means that there’s another electric option for our budget, and secures another car with a 100-mile range.

It’s compact and easy to park, and though it may be one of the older electric models currently available on the used market, it’s still a great option for many.

Renault Fluence

Renault’s Fluence is a standout option for those who need a little more space and comfort. It’s a medium-sized saloon and, as a result, has a little more in the way of boot space and cabin room.

Renault claims up to 115 miles on a single charge. Though this isn’t exceptional for the size of the car – and certainly far behind what ‘current’ electric cars can offer – it’s plenty enough charge for most journeys. Plus, there are a handful available for under our £10,000 budget.

What is it?

For many, the Ford Puma is a compact sports car that was an affordable coupe in the 90s. But with crossovers now dominating the market, the American firm has decided to repurpose the name on a new compact model with SUV styling.

This Puma shares a lot with the latest Fiesta, but now comes with an all-new look that sets it apart from most other Fords. It joins the Kuga, Edge and Ecosport in the SUV/crossover line-up for the American brand in the UK, but can this new option be as successful as its larger siblings? We went to Málaga to find out…

What’s new?

Although the name isn’t new, pretty much all of this car is. Unlike the supermini it’s based on, the Puma will be offered with mild-hybrid powertrains from launch – with the Fiesta receiving one later this year.

As well as that, there are segment-first features, such as the option of a hands-free tailgate and massage seats. The Puma also gets a series of sensors, radars and cameras to facilitate Ford’s range of Co-Pilot360 driver assists.

The new Local Hazard Information system is also included in the Ford Connect service, which warns drivers of any disruptions and hazards along their journey. But we also have to mention the innovative storage solutions, with an 80-litre box integrated under the boot floor, which comes with a removable plug so you can wash items and let the water out afterwards.

What’s under the bonnet?

On the Puma launch event, we exclusively tested the new mild-hybrid petrol systems, which are based on the 1.0-litre, three-cylinder EcoBoost petrol engine. Paired to a 48V battery setup, customers have the option of 123bhp and 153bhp outputs – and we’ll be focusing on the latter.

Even with the electrical support, the engine remains very characterful, with it happy to rev well over 3,000rpm and pull you along nicely. But when you decide to settle down into a cruise, it feels smooth and doesn’t make a lot of noise. The six-speed manual gearbox can be notchy at times, but on the whole, it’s a smooth partner for the powertrain. A seven-speed automatic is joining the line-up later this year, though.

The electrical assistance will also make a big difference in terms of fuel usage. Ford says these units will come with cylinder deactivation to help reduce your fuel bill and it claims figures of 51.3mpg and 126g/km CO2 – not bad for a small crossover. But creating a potential dilemma for customers is the fact a diesel unit is on the way, which is set to be even kinder on your wallet than the top-end petrol mild-hybrid.

What’s it like to drive?

To contextualise our driving impressions, we tried the Puma on smooth Spanish roads, and it handled them superbly. With the larger alloys on our ST-Line X model, we didn’t feel too many bumps in the road being transferred into the cabin and it felt settled almost everywhere. There is a lack of feel through the steering wheel and it isn’t the most engaging car in the world, but it certainly isn’t a bad car to drive.

That said, the front end always feels secure, even on twistier roads, and even though it’s a larger vehicle than the Fiesta overall, body roll was handled just as excellently thanks to the sports-tuned suspension. We also have to say that even though there were Eco and Sport drive modes – as well as Trail and Slippery options – there was only a small difference between them, so you’re better off leaving it in Normal.

How does it look?

Ford has said that the Puma comes with a more laidback approach to design, and you can see where it’s coming from. The ‘anti-wedge’ design has a flat line stretching from the headlight to the rear to complement the sloping coupe-like roof – drawn from the previous Puma.

The headlights come with a design inspired by the GT supercar, and they certainly help the Puma stand out. To enhance that, Ford has given the crossover flared wheelarches, while the sporty ST-Line X model we tested came with some stylish 19-inch alloys that complemented the look of the Puma very well.

What’s it like inside?

With its base a rather practical supermini, the Puma has been extended further by Ford, with a longer wheelbase and higher body making for more interior space. Even the tallest drivers in the front will find the head room to be more than ample, while the large windscreen helps the cabin feel airy. The visibility could be improved, but it’s to be expected with the coupe-like styling.

There’s actually a lot of innovation in terms of storage on the Puma. Under the moveable boot floor is a unique 80-litre compartment that has a plug in the bottom to let water out. That extends the Puma’s boot space to 456 litres, which is a class-leading figure by a significant margin, and the opening is squared-off to make it easier to put things in and take them out. The parcel shelf is also attached to the boot lid instead of behind the seats, which Ford says allows for more practicality.

What’s the spec like?

At the event, we tried the top-spec ST-Line X model, which is joined by the Titanium X trim. The main features included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, the Sync 3 infotainment system, wireless smartphone charging, rear parking sensors, a B&O sound system, sports-tuned suspension and the FordPass Connect services setup.

For additional comfort and style, the Puma also came with the Driver Assistance, Design, and Winter packs, which took the overall price of the vehicle close to £27,000 – a fairly sizeable amount for a car of this size and quality.

Verdict

Although the market wasn’t calling out for another crossover, Ford has managed to put itself towards the forefront of the compact end of the segment. The Puma is practical, comfortable and on the whole, good to drive.

The mild-hybrid setup, which Ford expects to be popular with UK drivers, is a good step in the right direction towards electrification – but we would like to see this car with a plug-in option of some sort. However, as it currently stands, the Puma is a great option as a small family car, and could become even better.

Facts at a glance

Model as tested: ST-Line X
Price: £24,695
Engine: 1.0-litre mild-hybrid petrol
Power: 153bhp
Torque: 240Nm
Max speed: 127mph
0-60mph: 8.8 seconds
MPG: 51.3
Emissions: 126g/km