Latest news with #crossoverSUV
The Verge
17-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Verge
The Nissan Leaf is finally getting the makeover it deserves
Nissan revealed new details about the upcoming 2026 Leaf, which will return as a crossover SUV with up to 303 miles of estimated range, dual charge ports, and Google's software built-in. The reborn Leaf will reach dealerships in the US starting this fall at a yet-to-be-announced price. The first-gen Leaf was somewhat charming — in a ugly kind of way. The second gen was not much better, with bland styling and an outdated CHAdeMO charging port that practically screamed 'obsolete.' The 2026 Leaf is a significant improvement over previous generations in almost every way. Gone is the frumpy hatchback, replaced by a sleek, stylish crossover with improved aerodynamics (0.26 drag coefficient, down from 0.29) and an estimated range between 259 and 303 miles (up dramatically over the current maximum range of 212 miles). The new Leaf will also set itself apart with dual charge ports, one a standard CCS-compatible port and an additional NACS port that allows access to Tesla's extensive Supercharger network. This is sure to make refueling the 2026 Leaf a better experience than it was with the old CHAdeMO-equipped models. 'We have completely reconstructed the values of the next-generation Leaf,' said Tase Nobutaka, program design director at Nissan, in the press release. 'We made it simple and clean, yet with a more energetic feeling. We ensured the all-new Leaf has a dynamic shape, testing it time and time again to reach our ambitious aerodynamic targets.' 'We have completely reconstructed the values of the next-generation Leaf.' It's a huge step up from the current Leaf, which was last refreshed in 2023. Despite its status as a pioneering EV with its zero-emission powertrain and affordable starting price, the Leaf was teetering on the brink of discontinuation as Nissan struggled with low sales and declining relevancy. Now it has been resurrected and revived with a set of specs more compatible with the current era than the one from which it emerged. Car buyers, especially Americans, have soured on hatchbacks, preferring anything resembling an SUV. Even the frumpy Toyota Prius has been reimagined as a sleeker, sportier sedan — so it only makes sense that the Leaf would get its own glow-up. The 2026 Leaf sports a new 75kWh, liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery pack paired with a 214-horsepower electric motor. It can fast charge at up to 150kWh, and its dual ports will provide a level of flexibility that doesn't require an adapter — although fast charging is only allowed through one. On the driver side above the fender is a J1772 charge port that's compatible with most home and public Level 2 chargers. On the passenger side, a NACS port will allow fast charging at any Tesla Supercharger. The new Leaf will also be Nissan's first EV with Plug and Charge, which allows drivers to just plug in and start charging without the need to submit payment information or sign up for a third-party app. Nissan estimates that fast charging from 10 to 80 percent will take 35 minutes. The Leaf S will be the base trim, while the S Plus and SV Plus trims offer upgrades like a bigger battery and 18-inch alloy wheels. Nissan is also adding a fourth trim level, Platinum Plus, which features 19-inch wheels and a 10-speaker Bose system with built-in front headrest speakers. The base model S trim, which won't be available until spring 2026, will come with a smaller 52kWh battery and 174-hp motor, and will likely get an estimated 255 miles of range. And enhanced battery thermal management system and a heat pump will also make the Leaf the ideal EV to charge in winter. The Leaf's battery pack is sealed by a resin cover, helping keep out cold air, snow, and slush during winter driving. The Leaf will also capture 'wasted heat' from the drive motor and the onboard charger, and repurposes that heat to help warm the battery to its ideal temperature range. An onboard heat pump, which comes standard on all trims, will efficiently warm the cabin during colder months. And a battery heater can help bring the pack to the optimal temperature for fast charging when the mercury drops. Dual charging ports will provide a level of flexibility that doesn't require an adapter. Dual charging ports will provide a level of flexibility that doesn't require an adapter Nissan says its engineers tested the new Leaf over 1,500 days in both the deserts of the Southwest and Fairbanks, Alaska, to gauge how well charging holds up in extreme heat and extreme cold. The design of the new Leaf is a lot cleaner and more streamlined, with retractable door handles (a first for Nissan), concealed rear handles in the C-pillar, an illuminated logo in the front grille, stacked rectangular lighting, and an optional full-width light bar. The 2026 Leaf is built on the modular CMF-EV platform that also undergirds the Ariya EV. This platform features Nissan's '3-in-1' powertrain setup that combines the motor, inverter, and reducer into a single unit. With Google built-in, the Nissan Leaf seamlessly integrates apps like Google Assistant, Google Maps, and Google Play into a vehicle's infotainment system. Google Maps, for example, will show the vehicle's range and battery capacity, and on certain routes it'll suggest charging stops when the destination is beyond the battery's capacity. S and S Plus trims will have dual 12.3-inch screens that connect wirelessly to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. On SV Plus and Platinum Plus trims, those screens expand to 14.3 inches. All trims feature ProPILOT Assist steering assist, lane centering, and adaptive cruise control. The new Leaf also comes with a Nissan-first safety technology called Secondary Collision Mitigation Braking, which automatically applies the brakes after the airbag is deployed to help reduce the severity of a crash or prevent a secondary crash into another vehicle. Nissan is promising more details on the new Leaf, including price, before the end of the year. The company also recently announced that new ICE and plug-in hybrid versions of its Rogue SUV, and refreshed models of its midsized Pathfinder SUV and Sentra sedan, would be coming soon. Ideally, the new Leaf will provide a much-needed boost to Nissan. The automaker has been going through a particularly rough patch, with declining sales and the collapse of a merger deal with Honda. It definitely needs some fresh products to help boost its overall image. And while the Leaf certainly isn't fresh, its new look is sure to turn a few heads.
News.com.au
11-06-2025
- Automotive
- News.com.au
2025 BYD Atto 2 review
There's a gap in the BYD line-up, and the Atto 2 is coming to fill it. This new compact crossover SUV will sit above the current-cheapest model in the BYD EV range, the Dolphin (from $29,990 plus on-roads), but below the popular Atto 3 (from $39,990 plus on-roads). That leads us to confidently speculate that it'll start at $34,990 plus on-roads, and it could make sense to a lot of customers at that kind of price – about what you pay for a mid-spec Toyota Corolla hatch. There will be two models sold here – Essential, and Premium, with some spec differences between them. It's a little shorter than a Corolla hatch at 4310mm long, but has a bigger boot at 345 litres. Its boxy body offers a great amount of interior space – I could fit behind my own driving position with room to spare, including a great amount of headroom and shoulder width in the second row. Up front there's the typical BYD-style experience, meaning you get some interesting materials like perforated fake leather and colourful finishes including a crystal gear selector, and a rotating 12.8-inch touchscreen media unit with smartphone mirroring and sat nav. The base car in Australia will come with a 10.1-inch screen with a reversing camera, while the top-spec model will get a surround-view camera. There's a few physical controls as well as those on the screen, and the driver gets a flat-bottom steering wheel and an 8.8-inch info display which is configurable with a few different displays. A wireless charging pad is standard too, and a panoramic sunroof with a shade is available as well. 'DRAGON FACE' CONCEPT It follows big brother Atto 3's 'not too offensive' approach to styling outside, with the so-called 'Dragon Face' concept, a roof that looks like it's floating, and a full-width tail-light bar. The only dorky thing about the design is the wheels – a bit dull and conservative, at least on the test cars. It doesn't look budget-focused, but the powertrain expected to be offered is on the modest side in a few ways. There's a decent 130kW and 290Nm from the single electric motor, with power going to the front wheels. Australian models are expected to be sold with a 51.3kWh LFP 'blade' battery pack, with a range of approximately 400km, though no specifics for Aussie models have been confirmed. The version driven in China had a 45.1kWh battery with a claimed 401km of range on the lenient Chinese test cycle. The charging specs should be okay, but not exceptional – AC will either be 6.6kW or 11kW, while DC is expected to be capped at 65kW. Modest, you might say. But it will have vehicle-to-load capability, which is a plus. PACKED WITH SAFETY TECH On paper, it looks like it'll compete spec-wise against the just introduced MG S5 EV, which is one of the most approachable new EVs on the market (priced from $42K drive-away). That car is a bit bigger, though. The drive experience in China was somewhat limited. We had a carpark with a smattering of safety cones in the shape of a slalom, tight corners, a 'bumpy road' with speed bumps, and a few full-speed start and stop moves. And in all instances, it seemed okay. Not that fun. Not that exciting. Not that fast. But just okay. Maybe it'll feel better on Aussie roads in real driving situations, and I hope that's the case. As with all BYD models it promises to come packed to the hilt with advanced safety tech, including forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking, a speed limit warning system, lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, and a surround-view camera system. Nice and democratic, too, with all versions offering a full set of safety stuff. Finer details – including pricing and specs – are still to be confirmed, but if BYD gets it right, this one could be a top option for urban-dwellers or those hunting for an affordable additional car. As I said earlier – a potentially good gap filler. 3.5 stars BYD Atto 2
The Independent
02-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Independent
Living with the Mini Aceman: It's a hit with Gen Z
Over the past twelve months, Mini replaced its entire range. The hatchback has been renamed Cooper, the Countryman SUV has got bigger and the Aceman has slotted into the sweet spot between the two of them. Both the Cooper and Countryman have electric options, but it's only the Aceman that's exclusively fully electric. I've got one on my driveway for the next few months to see how living with what Mini calls a 'crossover SUV' is really like. We already have one Mini on our driveway, a 2015 five-door Mini hatch that belongs to my daughter, Gemma, and was once the star of an episode of Hollyoaks – the Mini, not Gemma. Gemma now has the digital keys to the Aceman, too, and has been using it instead of her own MINI to see how she fares with electric driving. We'll be updating my review as I drive and get to know the Aceman better, so check back in to see how the fully electric Mini measures up in the real world. Mini Aceman SE Sport Base price: £35,405 Options: Legend Grey paint (£550), 19' wheels (£550), Level 3 option pack (£6,500) Total price: £43,005 Battery size: 54.2 kWh Maximum claimed range: 244 miles 0-62mph: 7.9 seconds The Mini Aceman after week ten Much as I love the Aceman, I haven't been driving it much recently. The odd trip away has seen my 26-year-old daughter, Gemma, grab the keys to see how it measures up to her 2015 Mini Cooper and to see how she fares with an all-electric car. She even took me out in it to the opening of a new fruit yoghurt shop (called Frurt - how did they come up with that?!) that she'd been invited to. I always find it a bit odd being driven by my daughter, but she's been well trained! It did give us a chance to have a chat about the car and what she likes and doesn't like about it. We'll get the one negative she talks about out of the way first, and it's amazing what some people find in a car that just would never occur to me. 'When I'm driving in the dark and there's a car behind me with its lights on, the door mirrors seem to dim a bit,' Gemma told me. 'I really don't like that!' Like her father – and so many new car buyers these days – Gemma doesn't like the constant beeping if, by chance, she happens to exceed the speed limit by a couple of miles an hour. But she was pleased to see that BMW has given you the option of setting a 'fast button' on the steering wheel to help you deactivate the warning, or set it to control something else you might do regularly, like changing radio channels. But what about the drive? 'I love the way it feels like my own Mini - and I really get what Mini says when it talks about 'go-kart handling',' said Gemma. 'It's quick, I love the instant reaction you get when you put your foot down a bit, and I really like the noise that you get, too – I know it's a fake noise, but it just sounds appropriate and fun.' Gemma's a big fan of the new Mini interior, which goes into all three of the new Mini models. 'I really like the fabric across the dash and the way the lighting inside the car can be changed to give different themes,' she says. 'You've always been able to change the colour of the lights in Minis and this just takes it on to a new level.' However, it's the central, circular OLED screen that she's really fallen for. 'It's crisp, clear and I love how you can even personalise it,' said Gemma. 'I think there are probably too many themes or driving modes, but I love the sounds you get when you change them. 'It's a good job we've got a head-up display in this car, though, otherwise the only speedo you'll see would be the one on the display in the centre. Oh, and if I'm being picky, I wish Apple CarPlay would go across the whole screen rather than just a square in the middle of the circle.' Charging hasn't been a problem, either – although Gemma does benefit from our charger at home. She's used the public charging network only once, but the range of the Mini has been enough for her trips from our home in South Bucks to her friends in Cambridge and in Bicester. So, when the Aceman has to leave the Fowler family, how will Gemma feel? 'It won't be a hardship to go back into my Mini, but I've loved the Aceman. It's a nice size, great to drive, I love the fact that it's electric and zero emissions and the tech is fantastic. I'm a Mini fan and would seriously consider buying an Aceman as I prefer to have five doors.' From my point of view, the Aceman is the car I jump into most, because it's just so easy to live with and so much fun to drive. It's the perfect car to drive into London. not least because I don't have to pay the congestion charge but it's so easy to nip in and out of traffic and easy to park. And just lately I tend to have been keeping the car in go-kart mode, as much for the sharp throttle response as the fact you get more of the fantastic synthesised noise when you accelerate. Call me a geek, but that's one of the things I really love about electric Minis. The Mini Aceman after week five Test cars may come and go on my driveway, but my Mini is still the one I jump into most because of its fun and easy-going nature. Even after time away from it, the Mini is always a pleasure to drive again – it just fits in with life so easily. It's small enough to park anywhere – with cameras relaying their images to the big, circular, OLED screen in the centre of the dash – while the car will park itself quickly and efficiently, too. Many cars' self-parking systems are just too difficult to use and, frankly, you can do it quicker yourself. But the Mini's is great, and I do love a bit of tech. Admittedly my car comes with the pricey 'level three' option pack, but there's nothing I'd need to add to the Mini's roster of kit. I love the crisp head-up display and the Harman Kardon audio system, but best of all is the digital key that uses my iPhone to control the car. The Mini-supplied key, with its keyring that mimics the cool strapping across the dash and on the steering wheel, is chunky and cumbersome. So being able to leave that behind and just use my phone is a real boon. As I approach the car, it unlocks and plays its fancy light animation, and the car will then start once it knows my phone is inside. It's another Mini feature that just makes life easy – other than making me forget my house keys because there's no longer a need to visit the key box as I leave the house. I don't think there's another car that blends three important things: snappy acceleration, fun and secure handling (Mini calls it go-kart handling, and that pretty much sums it up), and the synthesised noise you get as you accelerate that just fits perfectly with the spirit of the car. Sure, that firm ride is still there, but it's the price I'm paying for those sexy 19in wheels. One other thing I like is the Mini App, which will let me open the car remotely, check on range and charging status, set the climate control to get the car to the right temperature before my journey, and tell me where my car is. Why would I need to know where my car is? Well, my daughter Gemma tends to leave her own Mini on the driveway and take mine instead. That's fine – but it would be nice to know beforehand. In Gemma's hands the Mini has been up to her friend in Bicester and her other friend in Cambridge, to her work and back on numerous occasions and even a 150 mile round trip to see her grandad. More on Gemma's thoughts in the next report, other than to say she loves the Mini, but just wishes it had a little more range – or at least wishes it got closer to the claimed maximum of 244 miles. Around 200 seems to be the current average. The Mini Aceman after week one Although the new Aceman is definitely compact at 4,079mm, that makes it about a meter longer than the original classic Mini and 221mm longer than today's three-door Mini Cooper. It's still dwarfed by the Countryman though, which is 366mm longer still. What does that mean in the real world? Well, the Mini has just taken three of us – including my 88-year old dad – for a weekend to his club in central London, the aptly-named Union Jack Club. My Mini doesn't have a Union Jack on its roof, but the tail lamps still sparkle with a Union Jack style. My wife was relegated to the back seats, where she had no complaints about space, just the bumpy ride, which I'll come back to. She did love the panoramic glass roof, which is ideal for sightseeing around London. The glass roof is part of the £6,500 Level 3 pack – Mini certainly knows how to charge for options. The boot easily coped with three cabin bags plus a few other things, and the Mini was a joy to drive around London where the sharp acceleration from the 215bhp electric motor made nipping in and out of traffic great fun. Being zero-emissions, I didn't have to pay London's Congestion Charge once the car was registered. The crossover SUV style also made it comfortable for my dad, who's not as nimble as he once was, to get in and out. One thing he loved was the big 9.5in OLED screen in the centre of the dash. I'm a fan, too, although I wish Apple CarPlay could go full screen rather than just appearing as a square in the middle. Driving in and around London in stop/start traffic is where the Aceman is at its best and its most efficient. Mini says a range of 244 miles should be possible in my car, but 200 has been the maximum so far. However, driving around town has seen efficiency jump above the four miles per kWh mark and a full charge is now showing 218 miles. If I reduced the number of motorway miles I've been doing, I reckon 230 miles or more will be easily achievable on a single charge – and I haven't yet felt short of range. The only slight issue we've had with the car so far is the ride comfort. When I'm driving alone, I'm fine with what Mini refers to as 'go-kart handling'. Driving the Aceman always puts a smile on my face with its snappy acceleration and just as quick reaction to steering inputs. However, my passengers report that the ride is firm and even worse in the back. Part of that is probably down to the optional 19in wheels my car came with rather than the standard 18in wheels, which would probably be a little more compliant. I'm fine with the way the car drives, the impressive quality, the style and the tech on board too. Not only that fabulous circular screen and its impressive usability, but little things like being able to use my phone as the key rather than the chunky one that came with the car. So it's an impressive start to life with the Mini Aceman. Let's see how the rest of the family get on with it in the coming weeks and months.
Forbes
24-05-2025
- Automotive
- Forbes
Smart #5 Electric SUV Proves That Size Really Does Matter
The #5 is the biggest Smart yet, and definitely not just a city car. Once upon a time, not so long ago, Smart cars were tiny. But the brand has well and truly moved on from that era. The #1 was still urban in focus, despite being a more traditional crossover hatchback size, and the #3 took that in a more coupe-like direction. But now we have the Smart #5, and it's very much in a different league to any Smart that went before. The #1 and #3 are still 'city first' cars, but with more extra-urban capabilities. The #5 is much more general-purpose and mainstream than that. This is a mid-size crossover SUV with some resemblance to a Jeep Renegade from the front, albeit with a much more contemporary spin. Smart is pitching the #5 as an outdoor-capable 'adventure' vehicle, and there's even an offroad mode available with some versions of the car. While the #1 and #3 have a distinct family resemblance from the front, so it could be easy to mistake them unless you see the side profile, the #5 is a noticeable divergence. Smart calls it a design evolution, but it feels like more than that. The row of lights along the front and rear add to the rugged look. However, this isn't a huge car – it's less than 4.7m long, making it shorter than a Tesla Model Y. Definitely not a small city car. The range of versions is greater with the #5 than previous Smarts, too. The entry-level model is the Pro. It sports a single motor driving the rear wheels and delivering 250kW (335hp) and 373Nm of torque, allied with a 76kWh gross (74.4kWh net) LFP battery. All the rest of the range have a 100kWh gross (94kWh net) NCM battery. The Pulse allies this with all-wheel drive delivering 432kW (579hp) and 643Nm of torque, as does the Summit. The Premium and Pro+ use a single rear motor with 267kW (358hp) and 373Nm of torque. The range-topping Brabus, which I drove, boasts a potent 475kW (637hp) AWD system and 710Nm of torque. Smart has been a joint venture between Geely and Mercedes-Benz since 2020. The cars are also available in China (the #5 was the main act on Smart's stand at Auto Shanghai last month), and the powertrain comes from Geely. That means it uses the Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA), variants of which can also be found in cars from Polestar, Volvo, Zeekr, and Lynk & Co. But the exterior and interior styling have been created by Mercedes-Benz, so you have Chinese EV technology underpinning a European design, which Smart reckons gives its cars a unique selling point in both regions. While the trim options of the first couple of hashtag Smarts were relatively easy to choose between, the six different versions of the #5 provide more confusion because the equipment level varies too. All versions have a panoramic sunroof, powered tailgate, adaptive cruise control, powered seat adjustment and front heated seats. There's wireless phone charging plus Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This is what you get with the Pro and Pro+. Dual infotainment screens are only included with the higher trim levels. There's a 10.25 instrument display and a 13in infotainment screen on these two trims, too. The Pulse, Summit, Premium and Brabus have a second 13in infotainment screen on the passenger side, which enables that occupant to enjoy media while driving. The Pulse adds off-road driving modes (being all-wheel drive), plus a heat pump and leather seats. There's a PM2.5 sensor with air quality control. Summit then provides a powered trailer hitch, hands free access to the tailgate, a head-up display, and a second wireless phone charger. Premium has all this, lacks the all-wheel drive, but adds ventilated front seats and heated rear ones, plus an enhanced 20-speaker Sennheiser sound system. Apart from the extra power, the Brabus mostly adds design elements, although you get the additional Brabus driving mode, launch control, and simulated engine sounds (of which more later). All the new hashtag Smarts have minimalist but high-quality interiors – this is part of what Mercedes-Benz brings to the joint venture. There are leather upholstery options, and the front seats are very comfortable. I drove the #5 for nearly five hours in one day, with a break after three, and felt perfectly fine. There is a strong sense of roundness about the interior trim, with the dashboard, screens, vents and other features echoing the C-shape in the Smart logo. The Smart EQ fortwo only had two seats, while the #1 and #3 are credible five-seaters, but the #5 has an almost unfeasible amount of room in the back given how big it is. Sitting behind the driver's seat, adjusted for my 5 ft 10in self, there is a lot of legroom, with plenty of headroom too. The panoramic sunroof makes the space feel even greater. Although the middle seat is more child-only, this is a car that four adults could travel long distances in with comfort. There are also two movable internal cameras above the rear doors. Nobody was able to tell me what these were for, but I suspect they will be used for some kind of occupant-monitoring system. There is plenty of space for rear-seat passengers. There are some opaque methods for opening car tailgates, but Smart's must be one of the most obscure. Hidden within the hole of the letter A of the brand name on the back is the button to release the door. Considering how much rear seat space there is, the fact that you also get 630 liters of cargo capacity with the seats up is commendable. Fold them forward, and this increases to 1,500 liters, which isn't quite so class-leading but certainly adequate for a car less than 4.7m long. There's a 72-liter frunk as well with the rear-wheel drive cars, although the all-wheel drive Brabus, Summit and Pulse have motors where this space would have been, so only offer 47 liters. The infotainment system for the #5 has matured compared to previous models. While the #1 and #3 are packed with software features, the home screen is very busy. The #5 is much more sedate and easier to navigate as a result. You still get a pet lion hanging out on the home screen (each Smart has its signature animal, with the #1 getting a fox) but it's far less active than previous cars. It's a tamer big cat. I would still have liked a few more discrete buttons for air conditioning settings, however. The Brabus version of the #5 I drove has serious grunt. By default, this car operates in Comfort mode, which still feels quick. There's an Eco mode below that for squeezing out the most range. But then there are Sport and Brabus options. Dial in the latter, and you get the full power and torque. This enables a sprint to 62mph in just 3.8 seconds. That is incredibly fast for any car, let alone a reasonably sized SUV. Most impressively, if you're doing motorway speeds there is still plenty left to go beyond the limit very quickly. Don't ask me how I know that. If you want a bit more drama to your drive, there is even a selection of fake engine noises to turn on, although only with the Brabus version. The non-Brabus #5s are still perfectly fast enough, however. Even the Pro only takes 6.9 seconds to hit 62mph, while the Pro+ and Premium require 6.5 seconds. The Pulse and Summit drop further to 4.9 seconds. This is a quick SUV whichever version you go for. The Brabus is almost too quick, and you'll probably not use Brabus mode most of the time. I saw the efficiency drop very noticeably in this mode. The handling on windy mountain roads is more engaging than most midsize electric SUVs I've tried. It's not a BMW iX, but it's definitely one of the best in class, while handling rough road services almost as well as a car with air suspension. That's a seriously impressive achievement. The Smart #5 Brabus is monstrously quick in a straight line. The electric range of Smart cars has come a long way since the EQ fortwo, which would make you nervous driving anything beyond your local urban area. The #1 and #3 are much more comfortable travelling between cities, but the #5 takes that another step further with its huge 100kWh battery. The all-wheel drive Pulse, Summit and Brabus offer 338 miles of WLTP range, while the Premium extends to 369 miles. The 76kWh battery in the Pro and Pro+ is still quite big, so delivers a reasonable 291 miles of WLTP range. I drove the Brabus for nearly five hours and 274.5 km (171 miles) at the European launch. This included a lot of steep and windy hill roads, some urban driving, and at least a couple of hours of highway. Most of this was in Comfort mode, with about 20% in Brabus mode and very little in the other two options, but my driving style was generally what you might call 'vigorous', within legal limits. My overall efficiency was 2.4 miles per kWh, implying a real-world range of 226 miles. That's not stunning, when the Tesla Model Y Performance (last generation) went further with a smaller battery when I tested it in 2023. The new version is even more efficient. The Smart #5 cars with 100kWh batteries boast incredibly quick 400kW charging. However, the #5 has another trick up its sleeve - 400kW charging, thanks to an 800V architecture. You won't find 400kW charging in many places yet, but if you do, lightning-quick replenishment is on the cards. During the launch, the car was demonstrated going from 8% to 82% in under 15 minutes. That's not really any slower than refilling with dinosaur juice, when you factor in having to go into the fuel station to pay. The LFP battery in the Pro/Pro+ only offers 150kW charging, however, thanks to having a 400V architecture. Smart hasn't finalized UK prices for the #5 yet, although UK CEO Jason Allbutt hoped to set the entry-level Pro around £40,000 ($53,500) and the Brabus 'early to mid £50,000 ($67,000)'. That would be very reasonable, particularly for the more premium versions of the car. If the #5 can be introduced at this level, it will be competitive with the Tesla Model Y and a strong contender against Chinese entrants like the BYD Sealion 7 and XPENG G6. The quality is high, the driving experience commendable, and the practicality strong. Will Smart ever return with a smaller car? Sylvain Wehnert, Head of Design Creation at Smart, says the company has been working on something called Project #2 for 18 months, but there's still no concrete date for release. Until then, Smart cars are getting bigger, and in the case of the #5, more mainstream. Judging by how many boxes the Smart #5 ticks so well, that means we could see plenty of them on the road.
The Sun
13-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
I'm a used car expert, this is my review of the MOST popular car on Sun Motors right now
BUYING a used car involves lots of decisions. What size and style do you want? Are you petrol, diesel, hybrid or EV? Should you buy as cheaply as possible or invest as much as you can? We can't answer any of these questions, but we can tell you what the UK's most popular car for sale on Sun Motors is. It is, of course, the ever-reliable Nissan Qashqai. When it was launched, this compact crossover SUV pretty much defined the category. It's nearly 20 years old but remains as popular as ever. I've driven the Nissan Qashqai and I'll give you my honest opinion of its good points, bad points and anything else I can remember that's relevant. What are the most popular used cars? Sun Motors is a nationwide marketplace that connects thousands of buyers and dealers. We keep track of every purchase and can reveal our list of the 10 most popular used cars in the UK. You already know that at the top of the charts is the Nissan Qashqai. Here's a list of the rest… Nissan Qashqai VW Golf Mercedes A-Class Mini (all models) Kia Sportage BMW 1 Series Ford Kuga BMW 3 Series Audi A3 Hyundai Tucson Buying a used car? Find cars for under £200 on Sun Motors here. Nissan Qashqai used car review The Nissan Qashqai may have a name that you'll struggle to spell, but its appeal isn't hard to spot. It's a crossover SUV, which means it looks like a car that's capable of running off-road and has an elevated driving position, but in reality, it's a pretty refined and reliable city car. We're going to talk about the second-generation (and subsequent) models that launched in 2013. With this version, Nissan ironed out all the faults and created the UK's favourite (sort of) SUVs. It's now beloved by middle managers, school-run mums and dads and anyone for whom a MINI was just a little bit too small. Modern versions are even more aggressive-looking but, for our money, don't look as good. 5 The high-up driving position offers great visibility, and the responsive handling makes the car manoeuvrable enough to slide into that supermarket parking spot. OK, so it's not going to knock your socks off or make you smile too much, but it's a family car, so we never expected it would. There have been far too many engine variations (including petrol, diesel, hybrid and the latest e-POWER powertrain) for us to run through them all. Reviewers seem to favour the 1.3-litre DIG-T 140 mild-hybrid petrol engine, and we won't argue. Bad points are, as you'd expect, few and far between. The Qashqai is quite expensive as a used car, with other makes and models perhaps a little cheaper to buy, run and insure. The Qashqai is, like lots of crossovers, a bit of a fake too. It's not really an off-roader like the Range Rover, but not many people need that sort of performance (or can afford the price). Are Nissan Qashqais reliable? The Nissan Qashqai isn't quite as reliable as the bullet-proof Nissan cars of old, with the 2014-21 diesel models in particular suffering from engine and exhaust problems. Overall though, it's a sturdy family motor that shouldn't leave you stranded by the roadside. Try to buy one with a full service history, ensure all recalls are done and check receipts for any work. How much is a Nissan Qashqai? Nissan Qashqais start from £5,000 for a 10-year old (2015) model with over 100,000 miles on the clock. Nearly new models, including the e-POWER version, can cost over £35,000. As a ballpark, expect to pay around £15-17,000 for a 2020 Qashqai. It's not the cheapest car on the market, with some used models that are as expensive as a new Dacia Duster, for example, but it'll hold its value. Is Nissan Qashqai a 4x4? The Nissan Qashqai isn't a true 4x4 like a Land Rover, Range Rover, etc, but you can find both front-wheel drive (FWD) and four-wheel drive (AWD) models on the market. In off-road mode the 4x4 Qashqai will tackle difficult terrain like mud and gravel, more much more confidently than the 2WD version. Most drivers who really need 4WD performance should look elsewhere. In the end, they probably already were. Used Nissan Qashqais for sale We've scoured Sun Motors to find three top used cars for sale. You'll need to get in quick to secure these… Bargain basement: 2020 Nissan Qashqai Acenta Premium 5 FIND USED NISSAN QASHQAIS This isn't the cheapest Qashqai on the market, but it's arguably one of the best-value used motors we've seen. Don't let the 60,000+ miles on the clock put you off. This Acenta Premium model comes with 17' alloys, a good touchscreen and parking sensors. It'll do 55mpg all day long, too. That's why this is our bargain buy. Awesome auto: Nissan Qashqais SUV 1.3 DIG-T Tekna Reviewers love the 1.3 litre DIG-T petrol engine for its power, control and reliability. This automatic Qashqai is in Tekna trim, featuring cool 18-inch alloy wheels, a Bose sound system, and a head-up display. Nice. High-class hybrid: Nissan Qashqai 1.5 E-Power Acenta Premium 5dr Auto 5 The 2024 Qashqai is a thoroughly modern car. Its petrol/electric hybrid motor produces an impressive 188bhp. It's quiet, quick and has the mean look of the new Qashqai. This particular car has fewer than 5,000 miles on the clock, so it's as nearly new as it gets. Buying a used car? Check out Sun Motors and find your next vehicle today. Whether you're looking for automatic, manual or electric, use Sun Motors to decide on your next model.
