Description

In the September 2023 issue of Diesel&EcoCar, we have a big SUV shootout that sees the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid face the Nissan Qashqai ePower and the Renault Austral E-Tech. Which one wins in the battle for medium SUV supremacy? We’ve also got behind the wheel of the BMW i7, the Honda ZR-V hybrid and Mercedes-Benz EQE on UK soil, and also driven the Peugeot 5008 with mild hybridisation and put Vauxhall’s new Astra Electric through its paces. Finally, Toyota’s Hilux pick-up in flagship GR Sport trim is on test.

We also welcome a couple of newcomers to the long-term test fleet, with the Mazda CX-60 diesel and the GWM Ora Funky Cat adding some extra flair. Volkswagen’s Arteon is the subject of this month’s used car buyer’s guide, and the news section is jam packed with hot new metal, including the Hyundai Ioniq 5N, the rugged new Toyota Land Cruiser, the Ineos Quartermaster pick-up, Caterham V electric sports car and a preview of the Peugeot E-3008. There’s also news of the new Hyundai Santa Fe, the latest news on JLR’s new battery plant in Somerset, and Ford’s Mustang Mach-E Rally that made its debut at Goodwood Festival of Speed. There’s also spyshots of the Skoda Superb, all the details on Vauxhall’s Experimental Concept and the first photographs of the facelifted versions of the Skoda Kamiq and Scala.

Tested:

• BMW i7 xDrive60 M Sport Automatic
• Honda ZR-V e:HEV 2.0 i-MMD Sport Automatic
• Mercedes-Benz EQE 300 AMG Line Premium Automatic
• Peugeot 5008 GT 1.2 Hybrid 136 Automatic
• Toyota Hilux Double Cab GR Sport 2.4 D-4D Automatic
• Vauxhall Astra Electric Ultimate Automatic

Group Test

• Hyundai Tucson Premium Hybrid 1.6T vs Nissan Qashqai Tekna e-Power vs Renault Austral E-Tech Iconic esprit Alpine

Long-term test reports:

• GWM Ora Funky Cat First Edition Automatic
• Honda CR-V Hybrid EX 2.0 i-MMD Automatic
• Mazda CX-60 AWD Takumi e-Skyactiv D
• SEAT Ateca FR 2.0 TDI DSG Automatic
• Skoda Fabia Colour Line 1.0 MPI
• Vauxhall Astra Ultimate 1.6 Plug-in Hybrid Automatic

Features:

• Current affairs – Is buying a new EV better for the environment than running your current car until it dies?
• Avoid falling foul of the law with private plates
• What to do if your number plates have been cloned
• Hints and tips on getting the best value when buying a private plate

Used Car Buyer’s Guide

• Volkswagen Arteon

Regulars

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• The Generation Game
• The Doctor’s Hero or Zero
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• Marketplace In The Pipeline
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