Latest from Auto Express
Auto Express
an hour ago
- Automotive
- Auto Express
Cheap electric cars are more appealing than ever
We had a fascinating day recently, driving half a dozen of the cheapest electric cars around and covering plenty of miles to see how far these baby EVs can go on a charge in the real world. The six were split into distinct groups. The two most affordable cars feel very obviously cheap inside. I don't think I'd want to cover big miles in the Leapmotor T03 or Dacia Spring, but they are capable, low-cost options for an urban runaround second car that'll cost pennies to run. Advertisement - Article continues below When I checked Auto Express's marketplace, you could get a Spring for under £11,500, or £143 a month, or the Leapmotor T03 for less than £14,500. I'm not sure either will emerge from the Government's Electric Car Grant chaos with anything more off, but that still puts them among the cheapest cars you can buy. The other four cars feel notably more grown up and complete. The BYD Dolphin Surf, Fiat Grande Panda, Hyundai Inster and Renault 5 are all compelling options that, if you can charge at home and don't frequently cover big distances, have plenty of appeal. The Panda and 5 in particular have bags of character, whereas the Inster is a different, more sensible car that prioritises impressive cabin space (a well documented weakness of the Renault) over style. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below A big criticism of electric cars has long been that they are not affordable enough to encourage people to make the switch. But setting aside the new Electric Car Grant, we now have a whole spectrum of sensibly priced EVs. Panda apart – it's so new, we had to borrow a left-hand-drive car for our test – any of these models can be had for under £250 a month on lease, depending on size of deposit. Low prices don't mean there's no discount for buying outright, either – unless you want the 5, because right now Renault is selling every car it can get its hands on. In the Auto Express marketplace, the average saving on a new BYD Dolphin Surf is £1,300-plus, more than £2,000 on a T03, and over £3,000 on the others, so there are some hugely enticing deals around. But the key thing is that these aren't for glorified milk floats. With home charging, you can do all the urban running around you like, in a well equipped, stylish and perky performer, for not much more up front – and a load less on fuel – than with the equivalent petrol supermini. Fancy a low-cost EV on your driveway? Our Find a Car service has thousands of new, used and leasing deals to choose from... Find a car with the experts Hyundai reduces prices across its entire EV range Hyundai reduces prices across its entire EV range Korean brand acts swiftly to cut prices on all its electric cars, amid confusion over Government's grant scheme New Citroen C5 Aircross SUV undercuts the Volkswagen Tiguan by a huge £7k New Citroen C5 Aircross SUV undercuts the Volkswagen Tiguan by a huge £7k Citroen's revamped flagship C5 Aircross SUV is available to order now with hybrid or electric power Car Deal of the Day: Polestar 4 is a head-turning EV for a super cool price Car Deal of the Day: Polestar 4 is a head-turning EV for a super cool price The 'car with no rear window' is looking seriously cheap on lease right now. It's our Deal of the Day for July 28
Auto Express
2 hours ago
- Automotive
- Auto Express
Hyundai is toughening up the Tucson
The first images of the next-generation Hyundai Tucson have appeared ahead of its release in the second half of 2026. This crucial new model will introduce a tougher and more rugged exterior design, a hi-tech interior and fresh hybrid powertrains, giving this all-new generation the ammunition it'll need to take on its key rivals – many of which have recently been updated themselves. Advertisement - Article continues below Hyundai has been tight-lipped about information specific to the Tucson, but the brand has released lots of broad details about new technologies that'll go into this next model. And given that it has now been seen testing with production-relevant details, the new Tucson's development appears to be further along than previously thought. Are you in the market for a new family SUV? Check out the Auto Express marketplace for some great deals on your next daily driver… The changes start with the car's exterior, which we can already see will look completely different to the current model's. Instead, it'll introduce a more rugged and blocky aesthetic, using the new hydrogen fuel-cell Nexo SUV as a starting point. Hyundai's chief exterior designer, Simon Loasby, told us: 'Art of Steel is our next-generation [design language] that we launched last year, and you will see that on multiple new models. We don't like to do nesting dolls, but you will see how that is developed across a range of products. We've got a busy two years of new stuff coming.' Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below He continued: 'We deliberately want to turn the volume up on the capability and SUV-ness. You don't need to be a rocket scientist to see that every region in the world is becoming more comfortable with SUVs and wanting to be [sat] up.' Advertisement - Article continues below This is obvious in elements like the much more upright nose, clamshell bonnet and chunky cladding around the wheelarches on the car in the spyshots. Look closely at the front bumper and you'll see daytime running lights coming down from the bonnet, with the main headlight units sitting low on the bumper. The windscreen has a wraparound style thanks to the use of blacked-out pillars. These also frame large side windows that create a more upright silhouette than the current generation. This more overtly rugged and SUV-centric design is in harmony with the latest Santa Fe, and is a distinct departure from the current Tucson's dramatically rising windowline and complex body. The rear of the car our spies caught has much more camouflage, so it's tricky to get a sense of many details, but the tailgate will probably be more upright than the current model's, leaving a more open and versatile boot space behind the second row. This prototype looks to be sitting on a set of large and intricately styled wheels, sitting in completely round wheelarches beneath the blocky cladding. Inside, we expect to see a brand-new technology package that informs the overall interior design. Loasby continued by telling us: 'On the interior space, it'll be a much more calm and comfortable space than a tech fest. That's been our balance with the product. Advertisement - Article continues below Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below 'Over the next two years you'll see our next generation of interiors coming out. We described internally as we presented it. The safest way to drive is to keep our customers' eyes on the road, so you build your philosophy around that. You quite quickly realise that the centre screen is actually just a distraction.' This suggests the new Tucson will balance the use of screens and physical controls, and avoid the integration of oversized digital interfaces. Instead, we expect there to be new displays high up on the dash, with key physical controls for the most-used controls and commands. 'We believe nine is the best number of both legal and physical, regular interactions,' Loasby said. 'They're all physical buttons and they will stay physical buttons because they are things that I want to adjust without looking away [from the road].' Beyond this, the new Tucson should retain its versatile five-seater interior, with plenty of rear legroom and a decent boot. With such a wide remit as a key model around the world, the Tucson will be available with a range of powertrains, but the hybrid options will take precedence in the UK and Europe. As such, expect a range of mild and plug-in hybrid options, with a new generation of full hybrids the most important addition. Advertisement - Article continues below Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below Developed in-house by Hyundai for its next-generation models, the new hybrid system will combine a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with two e-motors – one large one mounted in the gearbox, and the other acting as a starter generator. Hyundai says this powertrain improves efficiency by more than four per cent compared with the previous system, while offering more torque and better driveability. Peak power is yet to be confirmed, but torque will be rated at 380Nm – 13Nm more than the brand's previous hybrid system in this segment. There won't be a full-electric version, because that option will be covered by the forthcoming Ioniq 4. There's also a good chance we'll see a high-performance N model, likely utilising similar hybrid technology, albeit with even more power – possibly borrowing from the 2.5-litre hybrid system in the larger Hyundai Palisade, which isn't sold in the UK. It'll pack its own unique hardware, plus a more aggressive design and chassis set-up. The Hyundai won't have an easy ride attracting buyers in the mid-size SUV market, because rivals are both numerous and very competitive. This is the biggest single segment in the global car market, so every mainstream brand has an offering. The Kia Sportage will be the Tucson's key rival in the UK, but it'll soldier on with older technology until it's eventually replaced. Instead, the Toyota RAV4 might be a big new threat because it's also been totally redesigned for 2026, as has the Mazda CX-5. Meanwhile, Volkswagen's new Tiguan features an excellent plug-in hybrid model with an impressive electric range, plus the wider group also offers Cupra's closely related Terramar and the slightly higher-class Audi Q3. Stellantis' Citroen C5 Aircross, Peugeot 3008 and Vauxhall Grandland also represent fresh options in the segment, and each can be specified with an all-electric powertrain as well as in hybrid guise. Our dealer network has 1,000s of great value new cars in stock and available now right across the UK. Find your new car… Find a car with the experts Hyundai reduces prices across its entire EV range Hyundai reduces prices across its entire EV range Korean brand acts swiftly to cut prices on all its electric cars, amid confusion over Government's grant scheme New Citroen C5 Aircross SUV undercuts the Volkswagen Tiguan by a huge £7k New Citroen C5 Aircross SUV undercuts the Volkswagen Tiguan by a huge £7k Citroen's revamped flagship C5 Aircross SUV is available to order now with hybrid or electric power Car Deal of the Day: Polestar 4 is a head-turning EV for a super cool price Car Deal of the Day: Polestar 4 is a head-turning EV for a super cool price The 'car with no rear window' is looking seriously cheap on lease right now. It's our Deal of the Day for July 28
Auto Express
2 hours ago
- Automotive
- Auto Express
Electric cars driven until they die: the truth about EV range
Another torrential summer rainstorm sweeps across the motorway, making the BYD Dolphin Surf's wipers swipe from side to side like a feverish Tinder user. The back one would be doing the same but, annoyingly, the Dolphin Surf doesn't have one. I'd quite like to get home, which Google Maps tells me is 39 miles away. The thing is, the Surf's trip computer tells me I have only 37 miles until the battery is dead. Great. Advertisement - Article continues below Welcome to our range test of the six cheapest electric cars on the market, three from European brands, two from Chinese ones and a Hyundai from Korea. We're driving them until their digital displays flash up zero battery remaining, to prove how far you can actually go in these budget babies, and how they behave when driven to the point of no return. Not so long ago these tiny cars were strung out across the M1's lanes like jelly beans spilling across a sweet shop's counter. There's the bright green car of the moment, the Renault 5, the radiant yellow BYD and Fiat Grande Panda glowing like the intermittent sun, the dark Hyundai Inster (probably blackcurrant flavour), murky blue Dacia Spring and white Leapmotor T03, the result of a joint venture between Stellantis and China's Zhejiang Leapmotor. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below One by one they've headed back to base to recharge, leaving me alone in the rain and praying I can make it to the kerbside charger just around the corner from my home. Especially in this rain. There are more budget-friendly EVs to choose from than ever before, and the Auto Express Find a Car service is here to help. Click here to find the very latest electric car deals … Advertisement - Article continues below Ten hours ago, the BYD was hooked up to Osprey chargers in a Bedford roll call of the six cheapest electric cars on the UK market. Truth be told, the Citroen e-C3 would sneak into the top six but given that it's mechanically identical to its Fiat sister car, we've switched it for the Hyundai Inster, which starts at £23,505. Our cheapest EV is the Dacia Spring, which costs from £14,995 in the UK. Affordability is – along with the unreliable charging network, despite charging app Zap-Map saying the UK has 82,000 plugs to choose from – the biggest issue holding back the electric revolution. But all of these six cars, bar the Chinese-built Dacia – have entered the UK market in 2025, giving budget-conscious buyers unprecedented choice. It's an issue that's demanded Government action: within days of our test it announced a fund offering discounts of up to £3,750. But it's unlikely any Asian-built cars will qualify on environmental grounds. At present you can get £1,500 off the T03's £15,995 list price as part of Leapmotor's reaction to the Government's Electric Car Grant. And it's in one of them – the Hyundai Inster – that I start the day. The company's design team is on a bit of a roll at the moment, and the Inster looks like nothing else in the class. Even in the rather subdued matt paint finish of our test car, the round LED lighting signature combined with boxy arches, pixel-light indicators and four-spoke alloy wheels manages to mix an element of cutesy looks and scrappy toughness at the same time; a little like a Japanese kei car that's spent winter working on its gains at the gym. Advertisement - Article continues below Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below At 3.8 metres long, it's not fully kei-compliant, but it's still tiny on the road, making it all the more impressive that Hyundai has found so much space inside. It's really huge for such a small car. On the drive up to the charging station, it feels a little more grown up than the firm's smallest petrol car, the Hyundai i10, mainly because the electric motor delivers much more punchy performance. It's not a car that'll win any drag races, but the 113bhp and 147Nm on offer give sprightly speed away from the traffic lights, and it remains respectable at the national limit. There aren't many downsides, but the light steering – a boon around town – becomes a little vague towards motorway speeds, and road and wind noise aren't particularly well isolated from the cabin. On paper, it's got the most compelling specs, here, too. At 49kWh, it has a larger battery than any of its five rivals in this test, and that translates into a WLTP-claimed range of 229 miles. However, it's already fighting an uphill battle (never good for range). It's the most expensive of our six – the car pictured here in 02 trim costs £26,755. There's a smaller-battery model at 42kWh, which costs £23,505, but that would still rank it as the priciest here. It'll need to really sparkle against the rest of the competition. But there's plenty of talent set to arrive at our meeting point, and that point is hammered home by news reporter Ellis Hyde, who is next to show up in one of the most desirable cars – never mind electric vehicles – of 2025: the Renault 5. Advertisement - Article continues below Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below Ellis has brought along the entry-level Evolution edition, complete with a smaller 40kWh battery and 118bhp motor (down from 148bhp paired with a 52kWh battery on the higher trims). At £22,995, it's the entry point to the 5 line-up. There's no doubt it looks fantastic even beside the quirky Inster, but I'll have to wait until later to drive it. As everyone plugs in to ensure that all the cars start this trip with 100 per cent charge, we confirm some ground rules. First and foremost, we must drive completely 'normally.' There will be no concessions towards hypermiling, overly slow driving when the range starts to run low, or any other shenanigans that would set us apart from a typical driver on a normal day. So aside from a couple of dynamic rural runs – all in the name of testing – we'll all be on our best behaviour. We stick to the speed limits, and the air-con remains set to 21 degrees or – in a car that doesn't have a temperature reading – in the middle of their temperature range. Ambient temperatures generally floated around the 20-degree mark for most of the day, which started in patchy cloud and gradually got worse, ending in torrential rain. Advertisement - Article continues below Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below With everyone assigned cars for the first leg, I hop into the model which, if the stats are to be believed, should run out of juice first: the Dacia Spring. The Spring has been around for some time in mainland Europe, but the UK has only got it since a mid-life facelift, which brought a more distinctive look inside and out. Despite the jazzy new design, the Spring isn't exactly shy in hiding its budget feel. Yes, there's a smart touchscreen and digital driver's display, but it sounds and feels more like a 15-year-old supermini than a brand-new car. Much of the ergonomic design is very much like a 15-year-old supermini's, too – but that's not a complaint. The big, round dials for the air-conditioning, chunky switches in the centre of the dash, and large steering wheel shortcut buttons all feel incredibly easy to use; few electric vehicles are so easy for newcomers. There's even a manual handbrake and a key to turn the car on. As the convoy rolls off from the charging bays, the Spring is reading 132 miles on its trip computer. And immediately it's clear that, rather than slick aerodynamic trickery or clever energy- management systems, simplicity and light weight work in its favour. At a time when so many EVs splurge to well over two tonnes, the dinky Dacia weighs just 984kg. That can be felt in all that it does; it feels light and nippy like small cars used to, with its narrow body letting it squeeze through tight gaps. There's not much power to play with, so the aim is to conserve momentum – working hand in hand with its efficiency aims. Advertisement - Article continues below Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below Unfortunately, there's one thing that works against conserving momentum, and that becomes clear as soon as we turn off for some rural driving. The Spring runs on Linglong tyres, and there's no way to put this delicately: they're awful. Even on warm, bone-dry roads, the budget rubber struggles to generate much grip. There's little feedback, either, so not only does the front axle scoot sideways sooner than you'd expect, but it's only the disconnect between steering angle and direction of travel that gives the game away that something is up. And no, nobody is demanding sports-car levels of cornering ability, but the Spring makes the next car I hop into, the Fiat Grande Panda, feel like a sports car through the same set of turns. In reality, the Panda is just a perfectly acceptable supermini to drive, with decent grip and keen steering, but it feels so much more secure – a big plus in the unlikely event of having to take emergency action to avoid a hazard. The Panda shows the Dacia that there's room for improvement. As it turns out, the Fiat reveals there's plenty more that its rivals can work on. All of these cars are built to a budget, but the Fiat will leave you feeling harder pressed than most to discover where Stellantis has pinched the pennies. The top-spec La Prima cabin is a joyous place to sit; the wood-effect trim on the dash contrasts with the clear yellow Perspex and the blue seat upholstery. It makes every other cabin here feel rather dull. Advertisement - Article continues below Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below Well, almost every other cabin. We roll into Milton Keynes and I hop inside the Renault 5. We've banged on plenty about just how fantastic the new 5 feels, but with good reason; it, like the Panda, delivers a huge feelgood factor. But the 5's talents lie far beyond its retro-modern styling inside and out. It's fair to say that a motorway isn't the natural habitat for these pint-sized EVs, but owners will expect to drive on them from time to time. So our convoy carves around Milton Keynes' famous roundabouts and hits the M1 northbound, to test the cars' efficiency and motorway-speed cruising. The Renault 5 feels like the most complete model here. Refinement is top notch for a small EV; in terms of tyre roar, wind noise and stability, it feels like a clear step above its five rivals. Despite being the base model, performance is great, leaving most of the competition behind, and it handles sharply without being unduly firm. Our only criticism remains that it isn't the most spacious small car, but it's kind of average in the supermini segment - a little less than a Renault Clio, offering closer to Toyota Yaris levels of space. Advertisement - Article continues below Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below We continue up the M1 to Northampton services, and stop there to check the state of play. The short higher-speed hop has seen a couple of cars use up plenty of their juice, and unsurprisingly, the Dacia is the one that's feeling the heat the most. Even though it's proving to be the most efficient so far, at 4.3mi/kWh, its battery level is dropping, so it's time for its chaperone to turn around and head back to Bedford, where we can run its battery down in close proximity to a charger. Next for me is the Dacia's closest rival, the Leapmotor T03, and we head north again. The T03 has already impressed us – enough that in a previous road-test encounter with a Dacia Spring, it emerged victorious. On that occasion, we felt that the margin of victory would have been much greater were it not for the fact that the Leapmotor's touchscreen-focused user interface was so poor; the tiny on-screen controls and fiddly sub menus are a pain to use, which is an even greater issue when basic functions such as the Leapmotor's lights and windscreen wipers are confined to the display. It doesn't take many miles on the road to work out where the T03's strengths lie compared with the Spring, though. It feels more sturdy, the cabin is more hushed and its slower, slightly heavier steering adds a sense of security on the road. It's still not exactly stunning through the corners, and sidewinds can catch that tall, narrow body, but at least it does wear some proper tyres – from Continental. Advertisement - Article continues below Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below It appears our first contender has made it back to base. Ellis posts in the group chat: 'The Spring is dead! After 109.1 miles, it hit 0 per cent battery.' The final car I'm hopping into has 72 miles of range remaining. Saying that, I'm also 70 miles from Bedford, our targeted regroup point. The model is another Chinese newcomer: the BYD Dolphin Surf. We firmly believe it's the best the brand offers in the UK. While much of the BYD proposition is merely good rather than outstanding, the Dolphin Surf fights any shortcomings with really punchy pricing. The range starts at just £18,650 – barely any more than the Spring for a well equipped Fiesta-sized car – although that does only get you a modest 30kWh battery and 87bhp. We've got the top-spec Comfort, complete with 154bhp, a 43.2kWh pack and a starting price of £23,950. The generous standard kit is immediately apparent, with electric seat adjustment a novelty in this group. Despite the range estimate, I set off for base, with the air-con whispering gently in the background. While I don't want to drive too keenly, that 154bhp motor lends the Dolphin Surf some of the most punchy performance on this test – 0-62mph takes 9.1 seconds. Yet sometimes it's too punchy; in the rain, a heavy right foot can cause bursts of wheelspin before the traction control system reins things in. Advertisement - Article continues below Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below The rest of the drive is a mixed bag. Refinement and ride are okay – not on the 5's level, but a bit more hushed at a cruise than the Inster. Instead, it's the steering that needs work; a sticky self-centring feeling means that you constantly make corrections without ever feeling it's where you want it to be. But that's nothing compared to the frustration of the driver-attention warning system. Peering slightly to the side to look around an approaching corner, looking close to the front of the car's nose when squeezing through a small gap, even a quick glance in the rear-view mirror; all of these things caused the car to demand attention with the grammatically incorrect instruction, 'keep eyes on road!' I soon turned it off and was instantly happier. Happiness turns to a little stress as the miles wear on, however. Another jaunt or two on 70mph dual carriageway roads has cut the range so that it's touch and go to make it back. When you just want to complete the journey after a long day, you're acutely aware of the constant battle raging between estimated range and the distance to go. There's 25 miles to home but only 24 miles of range remaining. Every hill causes a mild disgruntled chunter as it chips previous mileage from the range, while downhill stretches leave you with the merest hope that it can be recovered again. A mix of anticipation and willpower keeps as many lights green as possible, because braking and accelerating again will waste more mileage. I see other messages pop up from my colleagues – Rich is in the Panda, Phil in the Renault, Paul in the Leapmotor – suggesting all of those cars have lost their energy before the BYD. It's now only the Dolphin Surf and Hyundai Inster vying for the long-distance medal. Advertisement - Article continues below Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below In the BYD, there's 10 per cent charge remaining. A warning light pops up on the dash. But it's not until the charge hits five per cent that it becomes a little twitchy. The mileage estimate disappears off the driver's display; the automotive equivalent of a car shrugging its shoulders and saying "you're on your own now, mate' and the power is restricted. Three miles from home, I have a choice: either take a straight dual carriageway that's right on the limit of that three miles, or take a shorter route that takes the form of a slower, twisty road that climbs steeply uphill. I go for the latter, and it proves to be the right decision. I make it to the chargers with just one per cent remaining, leaving the Dolphin Surf enough juice to circle the block a couple of times until its range turns to nought. So which car went furthest on a charge? That prize goes to the Inster, which covered 184 miles before running down to zero per cent. The Dolphin Surf was second, at 168 miles. Up next is the Renault 5, at 143 miles, beating the T03 by one mile. Not only did the T03 get closest to its WLTP range, its trip computer also recorded the most accurate data. The disappointment of the group was the Panda, which averaged just 3.1 miles/kWh on its way to a distance of 134 miles; motorway driving decimated its range. The car that covered the shortest distance was also the most efficient by some margin; in covering 109 miles, the Spring and its tiny battery averaged 4.4 miles/kWh. But distance wasn't the main consideration for this test – we wanted to find out how these EVs react when they reach zero, how easy they would be to live with every day. We've even worked out which costs the least money per mile not only to run, but to buy outright, based on its overall range. Advertisement - Article continues below Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below On that first point, running these cars to the limit really helps to take your mind off the concerns over range. They all estimated their ranges impressively accurately, something that wasn't a certainty on EVs in the past. With some forward planning, it makes even longer journeys easier to work with. But it's time to conclude the final running order. Bringing up the rear is the Spring. It's cheap and its efficiency is superb, but that range will limit it to second-car only status for many, and the slightly cheap feeling in places makes us wonder if a used EV could offer more for less cash. The T03 has recently become more appealing, thanks to a £1,500 discount, which means, in terms of miles per pound of retail price, it's by far the best-value car here. But the same used versus new car debate remains. If it wasn't for the infuriating touchscreen, it likely would have fared much better. Fourth place doesn't look great for the Hyundai Inster, but it runs the two cars above very close. Its versatile cabin is the most spacious here, and its real-world range also led the way. Yet it's expensive compared with rivals, and the cabin finish and overall refinement don't quite align with that price. There's a tie for second place between the Fiat Grande Panda and the BYD Dolphin Surf. The Panda is a very likeable car, it's roomy (with a generous boot), great to drive and very desirable, but it's let down by poor efficiency here – especially at higher speeds. In this company, the Dolphin Surf delivers superb value for money, with plenty of kit, space and comfort. It was second best overall in terms of range, so it could realistically be used as an only car. Advertisement - Article continues below Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below All six of us unanimously agreed that the Renault 5 should take top spot. It's priced competitively among this group of EVs and its efficiency isn't far off some much more basic and less powerful rivals, yet it also feels like a significantly more expensive car than anything else here. Its cabin design, refinement, quality, handling and in-car tech feel a significant cut above this competition. As far as cheap, small EVs go, it's a clear winner. Ranking Car Price Net battery capacity Distance covered Official range % of official range achieved DC charge rate Indicated mi/kWh Calculated mi/kWh Pence per mile at 70/79p/kWh Retail price per mile 1 Renault 5 E-Tech Evolution 120hp £22,995 40kWh 143 miles 193 miles 74.10% 80kW 3.9 3.6 1.9/21.9 £160.80 =2 BYD Dolphin Surf Comfort £23,950 43.2kWh 168 miles 200 miles 84.00% 85kW 4.3 3.9 1.8/20.3 £142.56 =2 Fiat Grande Panda La Prima £24,000 43.7kWh 134 miles 199 miles 67.30% 100kW N/A 3.1 2.3/25.5 £179.10 4 Hyundai Inster 02 £26,755 49kWh 184 miles 229 miles 80.30% 85kW 3.9 3.8 1.8/20.8 £145.41 5 Leapmotor T03 £15,995 36kWh 142 miles 165 miles 86.10% 48kW 3.9 4 1.8/19.8 £102.08 6 Dacia Spring Extreme 65 £16,995 25kWh 109 miles 142 miles 76.80% 30kW 4.2 4.4 1.6/18.0 £155.92 Price: £23,950 £23,950 Powertrain: 43.2kWh battery, 1x e-motor 43.2kWh battery, 1x e-motor Power/torque: 154bhp/180Nm 154bhp/180Nm WLTP range: 200 miles 200 miles 0-62/top speed: 9.1 seconds/93mph 9.1 seconds/93mph Size (L/W/H): 3,990/1,720/1,590mm Tester's notes by Dean Gibson The lurid yellow paint won't be to all tastes, but get beyond that and the Dolphin Surf offers a lot of car for the money. The kit is on a par with far higher-spec machines – it even features BYD's trademark rotating infotainment touchscreen. There are a few ergonomics that take some getting used to. The drive selector is on the end of a bank of rotary controls and is somewhat hidden away, while putting it into park needs a press of the end of the row of controls, so you're trying to press something you can't actually see. Advertisement - Article continues below Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below The touchscreen is the hub through which everything is controlled, but it's not the most intuitive set-up, and the safety systems are extremely over-zealous in their activation. While the BYD is fine to drive, the snappy throttle response seems unnecessary. The power delivery is quite punchy, and even in a straight line the front wheels can torque steer as the tyres scrabble for grip. Latest BYD Dolphin Surf deals Price: £16,995 £16,995 Powertrain: 26.8kWh battery, 1x e-motor 26.8kWh battery, 1x e-motor Power/torque: 64bhp/113Nm 64bhp/113Nm WLTP range: 142 miles 142 miles 0-62/top speed: 13.7 seconds/78mph 13.7 seconds/78mph Size (L/W/H): 3,701/1,583/1,519mm Tester's notes by Ellis Hyde 'Flimsy' is the best and most polite word I can use to describe the Dacia Spring. It's immediately obvious from the tinny sound as you close the doors. Its compact size means that few gaps are too small in town, but the tall, narrow body means you'll have to brace yourself from any crosswinds if overtaking a lorry on the motorway. In windy weather, the Spring can feel a bit unsettled at times. At least there's little concern about the lane-keep system getting unsettled by the gusts though, because unlike so many of its rivals here, the Dacia makes it incredibly easy to disable the driver-assistance tech. Advertisement - Article continues below Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below Where the Chinese competition forces the user to dive into touchscreen menus to switch off the lane-keep assist and speed-limit warnings, a simple physical shortcut button does the trick in Dacia's smallest model. Latest Dacia Spring deals Price: £24,000 £24,000 Powertrain: 44kWh battery, 1x e-motor 44kWh battery, 1x e-motor Power/torque: 111bhp/122Nm 111bhp/122Nm WLTP range: 199 miles 199 miles 0-62/top speed: 11.0 seconds/82mph 11.0 seconds/82mph Size (L/W/H): 3,999/1,763/1,629mm Tester's notes by Richard Ingram Despite sitting on the Stellantis group's most basic 'Smart Car' platform, the Fiat felt more grown up to drive than most of the cars here. It's still susceptible to the odd crosswind – this is a relatively upright vehicle, with not a lot of weight to hold it down – but it feels substantially more car-like than both the Dacia and Leapmotor, if not quite as deft as the Renault 5. It's comfortable, too; I did the longest of my various stints in the Grande Panda, and despite being subjected to some pretty dire weather and heavy rain at times, I wasn't desperate to get out and into something else. Latest Fiat Panda deals Price: £26,755 £26,755 Powertrain: 49kWh battery, 1x e-motor 49kWh battery, 1x e-motor Power/torque: 113bhp/147Nm 113bhp/147Nm WLTP range: 229 miles 229 miles 0-62/top speed: 10.6 seconds/93mph 10.6 seconds/93mph Size (L/W/H): 3,825/1,610/1,575mm Tester's notes by Alex Ingram Advertisement - Article continues below Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below Unlike the flattering WLTP test cycle, our efficiency test included some dynamic rural road runs and long motorway stints, but the cars were all treated equally so we can use those results to gauge a relative rating between them all. With that in mind, the Inster scored a solid mid-table result in terms of energy use – almost a match for the BYD Dolphin Surf, and slightly behind the two dinky city cars: the Dacia and the Leapmotor. The Hyundai's trip computer calculated its efficiency rating more accurately than all but the Leapmotor too, which makes it easy to trust on the occasions that you do need to make a longer journey – something the Inster's decent range makes it the best for here. Latest Hyundai Inster deals Price: £15,995 £15,995 Powertrain: 37.3kWh battery, 1x e-motor 37.3kWh battery, 1x e-motor Power/torque: 94bhp/158Nm 94bhp/158Nm WLTP range: 165 miles 165 miles 0-62/top speed: 12.7 seconds/81mph 12.7 seconds/81mph Size (L/W/H): 3,620/1,652/1,577mm Tester's notes by Paul Barker In some ways, you get what you pay for, in others the Leapmotor impressed. At less than £17k (pre-discount), you're never going to get a car that feels as welcoming or characterful as the Panda or Renault 5. The T03 feels functional and cheap inside, because it is cheap even in this company, but you really feel the difference in terms of how the cabins look, feel and welcome you. The exterior is ungainly with a narrow body sitting on those skinny wheels where its rivals have some style and character. Advertisement - Article continues below Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below But the T03's range performance is impressive. That's a very decent result versus its official range figure, and gives confidence in the tech. In excess of 150 miles would easily be possible in the right conditions. Focus on what it is – cheap, no-frills, reliable and sensible transport – and this car can really work in the right circumstances. But we'd wait for the mooted styling overhaul. Price: £22,995 £22,995 Powertrain: 40kWh battery, 1x e-motor 40kWh battery, 1x e-motor Power/torque: 120bhp/225Nm 120bhp/225Nm WLTP range: 193 miles 193 miles 0-62/top speed: 9.0 seconds/93mph 9.0 seconds/93mph Size (L/W/H): 3,922/1,774/1,498mm Tester's notes by Phil McNamara Europe vs China: the car industry's battle for supremacy underscores this test. Renault and Fiat used the same heritage-led approach to create desirable EVs with superb interiors. Designer Francois Leboine shaped both of them, working on the R5 before becoming Fiat's head of design. With its beautiful grey fabric armchairs, grooved surfaces and minimalist controls, the Renault creates a beautiful, living room ambience. It's the complete opposite to the impressive BYD, with its cockpit's bank of stylish but fiddly rocker switches and zany exterior lines. And the less said about Leapmotor's Noddy-car looks, the better. I spent a lot of time tailing the Panda, whose blocky design has so much road presence, topped by that exquisitely retro 'PANDA' script on the boot. The Europeans trigger warm nostalgia, a powerful sentiment to fuel commercial success. Advertisement - Article continues below Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below Latest Renault 5 deals Unlike some of the other cars in the test, which warn of a low battery when the charge drops to 20 per cent, the Dolphin Surf saves its alert until it hits 10 per cent. Keep pushing through the rest of the battery energy, and at five per cent the estimated range display goes blank and – despite no obvious warning – power becomes limited to a maximum output of 50kW – that's the equivalent of 67bhp – to maximise the remaining charge. Running out of battery in the Dacia Spring was about as dramatic as a school nativity play. The only hint of concern was a suggestion that we could use Eco mode as we hit 13 per cent charge remaining. Once we reached 2 per cent, the instrument panel stopped showing a range estimate but didn't bring our attention to that fact. By that point we felt the Spring was struggling to accelerate even to 20mph, but it probably wasn't that much quicker when it was fully charged. We had 24 per cent energy remaining when the Grande Panda first warned us of its low range – a small orange battery light popped up on the driver's display to alert us. At around four per cent energy, the Fiat's range estimate readout turned blank and the battery warning light switched from orange to red. At this point the Grande Panda's climate control system switched off and couldn't be turned back on again. At one per cent, the warning 'Battery level critical: Performance reduced' appeared on the digital display. Our first on-screen warning came with the Inster's battery at 20 per cent, with the charge bar turning amber and accompanied by a polite request to visit the nearest charging station. At 10 per cent capacity, the bar turned red and made the same request. With the battery gauge down to zero and no range showing, a tortoise icon appeared on the display with a 'Power limited' sign, but the car's responses didn't alter. At zero capacity and range, the display read 'Charge immediately Power limited'. battery demise in the T03 was pleasantly manageable and gradual. A light on the dash popped up with zero fanfare when 20 per cent of the battery remained. When we got below 10 per cent, the car felt sluggish and reluctant to accelerate, but there were no major warnings. Advertisement - Article continues below Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below At four per cent, a 'Low battery please charge immediately' warning repeatedly appeared on the dash, and then the miles to empty went blank to reinforce the point. Although power was severely limited, we cruised into Brewpoint's car park to charge. The Renault 5 treats your impending marooning with a Gallic shrug. The French manufacturer's newcomer doesn't bat a headlamp until there's only 15 per cent battery left, at which point the icon goes amber and politely enquires if you've entered Eco mode. At five per cent and with 12 miles remaining, the battery icon starts flashing red and the projected range remaining evaporates. That was unlike the power, which wasn't throttled back at any point, even when the electric supermini reached zero battery remaining. Alex Ingram - chief reviewer 1. Renault 5 2. Hyundai Inster 3. BYD Dolphin Surf 4. Fiat Grande Panda 5. Leapmotor T03 6. Dacia Spring Richard Ingram - deputy editor 1. Renault 5 2. BYD Dolphin Surf 3. Fiat Grande Panda 4. Hyundai Inster 5. Leapmotor T03 6. Dacia Spring Paul Barker - editor 1. Renault 5 2. Fiat Grande Panda 3. Hyundai Inster 4. BYD Dolphin Surf 5. Leapmotor T03 6. Dacia Spring Phil McNamara - editor-at-large 1. Renault 5 2. BYD Dolphin Surf 3. Hyundai Inster 4. Fiat Grande Panda =5. Dacia Spring =5. Leapmotor T03 Dean Gibson - senior test editor 1. Renault 5 2. Fiat Grande Panda 3. Hyundai Inster 4. BYD Dolphin Surf 5. Dacia Spring 6. Leapmotor T03 Ellis Hyde - news reporter 1. Renault 5 2. Fiat Grande Panda 3. BYD Dolphin Surf 4. Hyundai Inster 5. Leapmotor T03 6. Dacia Spring Making the switch? Our Find a Car service has plenty of top EVs ready to go with new, used and leasing deals to choose from... Find a car with the experts Hyundai reduces prices across its entire EV range Hyundai reduces prices across its entire EV range Korean brand acts swiftly to cut prices on all its electric cars, amid confusion over Government's grant scheme New Citroen C5 Aircross SUV undercuts the Volkswagen Tiguan by a huge £7k New Citroen C5 Aircross SUV undercuts the Volkswagen Tiguan by a huge £7k Citroen's revamped flagship C5 Aircross SUV is available to order now with hybrid or electric power Car Deal of the Day: Polestar 4 is a head-turning EV for a super cool price Car Deal of the Day: Polestar 4 is a head-turning EV for a super cool price The 'car with no rear window' is looking seriously cheap on lease right now. It's our Deal of the Day for July 28
Auto Express
3 hours ago
- Automotive
- Auto Express
The smallest Hyundai Ioniq model yet is almost here
The new Hyundai Ioniq 2 has begun testing, just weeks before the brand pulls the covers off a small electric concept car at the Munich Motor Show in September. The concept will point to the production car seen here, which itself is due in 2026. Thought to be an alternative to cars like the Renault 4 E-Tech and Ford Puma Gen-E – as well as the forthcoming Kia EV2 – the Ioniq 2 will be a practical, supermini-sized EV with subtle SUV styling cues. Even though the car in these images is heavily clad in camouflage wrap, we can make out a few key design features – including Hyundai's familiar pixel lights, a sloping roofline and tall boot lip. We expect the front end to be inspired by the recently facelifted Ioniq 6, with a similarly low nose and lower-grille treatment. However, these spy pictures suggest the Ioniq 2 will adopt a set of combined LED headlights and daytime running lights – rather than the saloon car's split-lamp set-up. Advertisement - Article continues below While we don't expect a particularly tall ride height, Hyundai will use clever cladding along the sills and wheelarches to give an SUV-like look – similar to what you'll find on the brand's Bayon and Kona family cars. A set of front and rear scuff plates will complete the car's crossover-esque appearance. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below Hyundai is clearly being clever with that roofline; notice how the rear side window dips away towards the back of the car, while the top stays tall – helping emphasise that coupe-like shape without sacrificing space inside. That tall rear end should give the Ioniq 2 a decent-sized boot, albeit one that isn't as obviously boxy as the squarer Renault 4. With the small-EV market hotting up, we've got a host of great deals available via Auto Express's Find a Car service. Sticking with the rear, one of the images shows the car with its brake lights illuminated, giving away what looks like a broken light bar that stretches to the centre of the tailgate. Expect 'Ioniq 2' badging to sit proud on the bootlid – much like it does on the latest 6 and flagship 9 models. We haven't been given a clear look inside, although we can make out a raised central screen and a lower, smaller digital instrument cluster. The Ioniq 5's steering wheel, which swaps the Hyundai badge for a row of illuminated LEDs, also features. The 2's long front overhang hints at the car's front-motor layout; we expect the smallest of Hyundai's dedicated EVs to sit on the same E-GMP platform as the Kia EV3, as well as the future EV2. That means a 400-volt electrical architecture with a choice of 58.3kWh and 81.4kWh batteries – possibly for up to 400 miles of range. Maximum charge speeds of up to 135kW should allow for a 10-80 per cent top-up in a little over half an hour. As mentioned, a concept previewing the Ioniq 2 is due for reveal at the Munich Motor Show in early September. Hyundai has a long history of producing show cars that clearly pave the way for production, meaning we expect much of what we've mentioned above to be evident on the concept when the covers come off in a few weeks. Prices and specifications won't be revealed for some time, but given its positioning, the Ioniq 2 will almost certainly start from less than £30,000 when sales start in summer 2026. Long-range models, with the bigger battery and a few choice options, should still start from under £35k. Did you know you can sell your car through Auto Express ? We'll help you get a great price and find a great deal on a new car, too . Find a car with the experts Hyundai reduces prices across its entire EV range Hyundai reduces prices across its entire EV range Korean brand acts swiftly to cut prices on all its electric cars, amid confusion over Government's grant scheme New Citroen C5 Aircross SUV undercuts the Volkswagen Tiguan by a huge £7k New Citroen C5 Aircross SUV undercuts the Volkswagen Tiguan by a huge £7k Citroen's revamped flagship C5 Aircross SUV is available to order now with hybrid or electric power Car Deal of the Day: Polestar 4 is a head-turning EV for a super cool price Car Deal of the Day: Polestar 4 is a head-turning EV for a super cool price The 'car with no rear window' is looking seriously cheap on lease right now. It's our Deal of the Day for July 28
Auto Express
3 hours ago
- Automotive
- Auto Express
Used BMW i4 buyer's guide (Mk1, 2021-date): one of the very best second hand EVs
BMW has led in many ways for decades in the ICE world, whether it's efficiency, driving pleasure or ergonomics, while its cars' build quality has invariably been exceptional. So it shouldn't come as a surprise that in the brave new electric world, the German marque should also make a range of cars that appeal in all of those areas and more. The BMW i4 was good enough to scoop Premium Electric Car of the Year at our 2022 and 2023 New Car Awards, and bagged Best Electric Company Car with our sister website DrivingElectric in 2022. But whether you're a business user or a private buyer, the i4 is a brilliant family model that just happens to be an EV. Advertisement - Article continues below Back in 2019 BMW only had one electric car in its range (the i3); now it has half a dozen distinct models in its armoury, with more on the way. Such is the pace of change in the new-car market, with the marque one of the brands that has embraced this transition the most enthusiastically. Just as Covid-19 arrived in 2020, BMW started to unleash an array of electric cars, and so far they've all been worthy of your consideration. One of the best all-rounders is the i4, which offers low running costs, superb ergonomics, hatchback practicality, an excellent driving experience and the sort of build quality that we've come to expect from BMW. As a new buy you pay handsomely for all of this, but as a used car the i4 is a lot more affordable, and therefore even more desirable. Fortunately, you can configure your perfect BMW i4 through our Find A Car service. Alternatively, check out the best deals on a new BMW i4 from stock or top prices on used BMW i4 models. The i4 was launched in the UK in November 2021, in 335bhp eDrive40 form, priced at £51,905 in Sport spec, or £53,405 with M Sport trim. There was also a 469bhp M50 edition for £63,905, which came with a 10-second 537bhp overboost function. For those not needing quite so much power, there was a 278bhp eDrive35 option from summer 2023, which started at £49,995. Advertisement - Article continues below Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below View I4 View I4 View I4 View I4 A facelifted i4 went on sale in spring 2024, but the changes weren't exactly far-reaching. As well as a minor update for the exterior lighting, there were fresh steering wheel designs, new upholstery options and the latest iDrive 8.5 software. But there were no mechanical changes, and no adjustments to the model line-up, which still consisted of the eDrive35, eDrive40 and M50. From summer 2025, the first two are being fitted with slightly more efficient semiconductors, which are claimed to add 15 miles to the achievable range. Meanwhile, the M50 is being replaced by the 593bhp i4 M60 xDrive, capable of 0-62mph in just 3.7 seconds. Did you know you can sell your car through Auto Express ? We'll help you get a great price and find a great deal on a new car, too . The i4 weighs a lot more than an equivalent 4 Series Gran Coupé, but you wouldn't know it from the driving experience. True to BMW form, the i4 is engaging to drive, with great steering, superb stability, plentiful grip and excellent performance even in eDrive35 form. This entry-level edition can despatch the 0-62mph sprint in just six seconds and is restricted to 118mph; the M50 is limited to 140mph. Many BMWs suffer from a harsh ride, but not the i4, because air suspension is fitted as standard across the range, and buyers could upgrade it to an even more accomplished adaptive set-up. Even the entry-level i4 eDrive35 has all of the performance and range that you're likely to need, although the eDrive40 is a better all-rounder if you do a lot of long-distance journeys. The twin-motor M50 has a huge amount of power, but it's also the only version to come with four-wheel drive, which is just as well, because its peak torque figure is 795Nm. Advertisement - Article continues below Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below All i4s are well equipped and feature LED headlights, artificial-leather trim, heated front seats, climate control and a reversing camera. M Sport versions add a bodykit, unique upholstery, electrically adjustable memory seats and privacy glass. The i4's rivals are generally cheaper to buy new, and also more affordable as a used buy. However, the i4 is a better car to live with than any of those alternatives, including the Tesla Model 3, which trumps the BMW in terms of performance, efficiency and charging, but its driving experience, build quality and ergonomics aren't as good. The Volkswagen ID.7 is an impressive all-rounder that's more comfortable than the BMW, while the Hyundai Ioniq 6 has a long range and great dynamics. The BYD Seal is also worth a look, while the Polestar 2 is another strong contender, due to its long range, superb performance and great build quality. Size matters The eDrive40 and M50 have an 83.9kWh battery, whereas the eDrive35 has a 70.2kWh item. BMW claims a range of 367, 316 and 299 miles respectively in ideal conditions; owners are finding these achievable. Safe word We've come to expect five-star Euro NCAP awards for new cars, especially with premium brands, but the i4 was rated at just four stars when it was tested. It's very strong, but some tech, such as AEB in reverse, isn't fitted. Advertisement - Article continues below Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below On the pull Many electric cars aren't approved for towing, but the i4 is. All versions can pull up to 1,600kg (750kg unbraked), from the eDrive35 up to the M50. The car's 2.2-ton kerbweight ensures great stability. Common faults Software glitches can be a pain, especially with the sat-nav and Apple CarPlay. There's also the odd complaint about some of the driver-assistance systems, but that's about it so far. Interior design and quality have long been stand-out features for BMWs, and they are here. The twin-screen dash is modern, with clear graphics and intuitive menus, while material quality is excellent. Rear-seat space is a bit tight, but there's hatchback practicality and the boot is big, at 470 litres (1,290 seats down), but there's no front boot. It's the usual story with EV costs: charge at home and you'll potentially spend very little on electricity, but use the public charging network and you'll have to fork out a lot more. Insurance tends to be pricey, with even the entry-level eDrive35 sitting in group 34; the eDrive40 is in group 38, while the M50 is in group 43 or 44. Those are typically four or five groups above the equivalent 4 Series Gran Coupé, but on the plus side, the maintenance costs should prove to be lower – potentially quite a lot lower. Advertisement - Article continues below Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below As with all BMW cars, the i4 has condition-based (variable) servicing, so there's no set schedule for when some parts need to be replaced. However, the i4's mechanical simplicity means that a typical service costs between £148 and £181 (plus £120 for fresh brake fluid), and this is due potentially only every two years. It's clear that BMW is having to quickly find its feet with the transition to electric, because five of the six recalls issued for the i4 so far are related to its powertrain. The first campaign, in January 2022, was because crash pads hadn't been fitted to the battery packs of some i4s; the second action, in October 2022, was because of faulty battery packs. The next two recalls came in 2023, the first in May because of poorly installed circuit boards in the battery packs, and the second in August because of sub-standard charging units having been fitted. Faulty batteries were behind an action in February 2024, with the most recent campaign coming four months later, because some i4s suffered damage to their chassis rails during the production process. Thanks to the fleet market, there's no shortage of used i4s. We found nearly 700 for sale, with most of the earliest i4s being on a 22-plate, although there is the occasional 71-plate example being offered. Of the eDrive editions, one in six is a Sport model, while the rest are M Sports, and of the i4s for sale as a whole, one in four is an M50. Check the price of a BMW i4 with our free car valuation tool... So far, the only BMW EV to appear in a Driver Power survey is the i3, which was last included in 2023. Back then it came 13th out of 75, which is impressive for a car launched a decade earlier. This year's survey contains six BMWs, the highest-scoring car being the 4 Series Mk2 in seventh place, while the X3 Mk4 was the lowest-rated, in 39th. Several owners have left reviews on our sister website all own eDrive40 editions and have awarded the BMW EV the full five stars. View i4 View i4 View i4 View i4 View i4 View i4 View i4 View i4 View i4 Hyundai reduces prices across its entire EV range Hyundai reduces prices across its entire EV range Korean brand acts swiftly to cut prices on all its electric cars, amid confusion over Government's grant scheme New Citroen C5 Aircross SUV undercuts the Volkswagen Tiguan by a huge £7k New Citroen C5 Aircross SUV undercuts the Volkswagen Tiguan by a huge £7k Citroen's revamped flagship C5 Aircross SUV is available to order now with hybrid or electric power Car Deal of the Day: Polestar 4 is a head-turning EV for a super cool price Car Deal of the Day: Polestar 4 is a head-turning EV for a super cool price The 'car with no rear window' is looking seriously cheap on lease right now. It's our Deal of the Day for July 28
