Description

On the bright red cover of the February 2025 issue of Diesel&EcoCar we announce the return of the Mazda6 to the UK lineup in 2026, albeit in electric guise this time around. In addition, we’ve got news of Toyota’s new Urban Cruiser, first pictures of the facelifted Skoda Enyaq, Tesla Model Y and Genesis GV60 and GV70, as well as a first look at the new BYD Atto 2, the Alfa Romeo Junior Q4 and the Leapmotor C10 REEV, a range extender SUV.

This month we test the facelifted diesel Mercedes-Benz V-Class, the Kia EV3, Skoda Superb iV plug-in hybrid estate, Vauxhall Grandland Electric, the Skoda Elroq, and the Fiat 600 Hybrid. We also welcome an MG ZS Hybrid+ to the long-term fleet and wave goodbye to our SEAT Ibiza.

We examine BMW’s new iDrive Panoramic screen, explain how Traffic Jam Assist works, and discuss whether more should be done to kerb road rage. In our packed used car section, we deliver an invaluable guide to buying a used Ford Kuga diesel, look at three generations of the Hyundai Santa Fe, and we look back at the Rover Streetwise, which in hindsight was probably ahead of its time.

Tested:

• Fiat 600 Hybrid La Prima (99bhp) Automatic
• Kia EV3 Long Range GT-Line S Automatic
• Mercedes-Benz V 300 d Exclusive Extra Long Automatic
• Skoda Elroq 85 SportLine Automatic
• Skoda Superb Estate iV Laurin & Klement 1.5 TSI DSG Automatic
• Vauxhall Grandland Electric Ultimate Automatic

Long-term test reports:

• Alfa Romeo Tonale 1.3 PHEV 280 Q4 Veloce Automatic
• DS 4 Etoile Hybrid 136 Automatic
• Fiat 600e La Prima Automatic
• Genesis GV60 Premium RWD Single Motor Automatic
• MG ZS Hybrid+ Trophy Automatic
• Renault Scenic E-Tech Iconic Automatic
• SEAT Ibiza FR 1.0 TSI
• Skoda Kodiaq SE L 2.0 TDI DSG Automatic
• Suzuki Swift 1.2 Ultra

Features:

• Bright Spark
• Current affairs – Who is Osprey?
• Day trip to… Coventry Transport Museum
• Gadget Inspector
• Motorgrump
• Techzone – BMW iDrive Panoramic Screen
• Technology explained – Traffic Jam Assist
• The Doctor – advice column
• You, the jury – Should measures be taken to kerb road rage?
• What’s on

Buying, selling and maintaining

• Best Buys – Chinese-made cars
• Generation Game – Hyundai Santa Fe – three generations examined
• Hero or zero – Alfa Romeo MiTo
• Product watch – Windscreen wiper blades
• Remember this – Rover Streetwise
• Secondhand shootout – Kia Stinger 2.2 CRDi vs Peugeot 508 BlueHDi

Used Car Buyer’s Guide

• Ford Kuga EcoBlue (2020 to 2021)

Data Files

• Denied Hybrid – Renault Espace
• Forgotten Concept – 2003 Jaguar R-D6
• Joy of Lists – Cars built on the Volkswagen Group MLB and MLB Evo platform
• Megafactories – Stellantis, Melfi, Italy
• The most comprehensive and up-to-data in the business

Regulars

• News and views
• News in pictures
• Motoring Morsels
• Refuelling Costs
• Day trip to…
• What’s On
• Gadget Inspector
• The Doctor
• This Month
• Current Affairs
• Techzone
• You, the jury
• Fully equipped
• Motorgrump
• Bright Spark
• DM@il
• 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