Description

The cover of the February 2024 edition of Diesel&EcoCar announces the facelifting of one of the biggest selling SUVs in the UK, with the Ford Kuga getting a mid-life update. The update encompasses a new Active model, as well as enhancements to the interior and exterior, and features revised hybrid and plug-in hybrid drivetrains.

We’ve also got the first photographs of the Nissan Ariya NISMO, a sneak preview of the exciting new Abarth 600e and updates for the Citroën E-SpaceTourer and Vauxhall Combo Life Electric. There’s news of Honda’s future EV plans and Kia announces a move into the world of vans, previewing some concepts.

This month’s twin test sees the Audi Q5 Sportback face the brand-new Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupé, and we’ve also been driving Honda’s e:Ny1, the facelifted Volkswagen ID.3, the latest Toyota C-HR and the revised MG HS PHEV. The updated Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake is driven in diesel guise, we get behind the wheel of the Isuzu D-Max V-Cross and try out the Peugeot E-308 SW, the updated Vauxhall Corsa Electric and the Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer Electric.

In the Buying, Selling and Maintaining section, this month’s buyer’s guide is all about the Kia Stonic 1.6 CRDi. As well as all of your favourite features and columns, we wave goodbye to three members of the long-term fleet as the Honda Civic, Hyundai Tucson Hybrid and Skoda Fabia move on to pastures new.

Tested:

• Honda e:Ny1 Advance
• Isuzu D-Max V-Cross Automatic
• Mercedes-Benz CLA 220 d AMG Line Premium Plus Shooting Brake Automatic
• MG HS PHEV Trophy Automatic
• Peugeot E-308 SW GT 156 Electric
• Toyota C-HR Hybrid Excel 1.8 VVT-i Automatic
• Vauxhall Corsa Electric Ultimate Long Range Automatic
• Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer Electric Ultimate Automatic

Long-term test reports:

• Citroen E-C4 X Shine Plus Automatic
• Cupra Formentor VZ2 e-Hybrid 245 DSG Automatic
• DS 7 Rivoli BlueHDi 130 Automatic
• Genesis GV70 Sport 2.2 AWD Automatic
• GWM Ora Funky Cat First Edition Automatic
• Honda Civic E:HEV Advance Automatic
• Hyundai Tucson Premium 1.6T Hybrid Automatic
• Mazda CX-60 AWD Takumi e-Skyactiv D
• Peugeot 408 Allure Premium Plug-in Hybrid 225 Automatic
• Skoda Fabia Colour Line 1.0 MPI

Twin Test

• Audi Q5 Sportback S line 40 TDI quattro S tronic vs Mercedes-Benz GLC 220 d AMG Line Premium Plus Coupe Automatic

Features:

• Current affairs – are EVs sustainable considering they use so many precious metals?
• Gadget Inspector
• Techzone – Renault Scenic solarbay roof technology
• Technology explained – emergency e-call systems
• The Doctor – advice column
• You, the jury – footballer’s cars

Buying, selling and maintaining

• Generation Game – BMW 5 Series Touring – 2014-2017, 2017-2020, 2020-2023
• Hero or zero – Jaguar I-Pace
• Product watch – Engine oil
• Remember this – MG ZT
• Secondhand shootout – Ford Focus vs Skoda Octavia

Used Car Buyer’s Guide

• Kia Stonic 1.6 CRDi

Data Files

• A-to-Z – How many cars still registered on each registration plate
• Forgotten Concept – SsangYong C200
• Joy of Lists – Peugeot 106 special editions
• Megafactories – Stellantis Rennes, France factory
• The most comprehensive and up-to-date in the business

Regulars

• News and views
• News in pictures
• Motoring Morsels
• Refuelling Costs
• Gadget Inspector
• The Doctor
• This Month
• Current Affairs
• Techzone
• Roadwatch
• You, the jury
• Motorgrump
• Bright Spark
• DM@il
• Tuning Torque
• Tuning specialists directory
• Buying. Selling and Maintaining
• The Generation Game
• The Doctor’s Hero or Zero
• Marketplace Statistics
• Marketplace In The Pipeline
• Marketplace What’s New
• Data Files
• Next month