Description

The dazzling front covers continue, this month with the exciting new Fiat Grande Panda emblazoned across it, as we finally get behind the wheel of the Italian brand’s new small car. We’ve also been trying out the new Mazda CX-80 diesel seven-seater, the Volkswagen Golf Estate, Audi Q6 e-tron, Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate, Renault Rafale and facelifted Isuzu D-Max pickup. In addition, we’ve been driving the new Citroën C3 Aircross, the Leapmotor T03 city car, GWM Haval Jolion Pro hybrid and the sixth generation Subaru Forester.

In our used car section, we have an invaluable buyer’s guide for the Peugeot 5008 BlueHDi and look at three different generations of the Land Rover Discovery. This month’s Hero or Zero is the Renault Twingo, and in our Secondhand Shootout we pitch the Hyundai Kona Hybrid up against the Toyota Yaris Cross Hybrid. We welcome a Cupra Tavascan Electric to the long-term fleet and wave a sad goodbye to our Skoda Kodiaq Diesel.

We compare the costs on running an electric, diesel and petrol car in a range of scenarios, examine the 2024 new car registration figures in great detail, take a look at the world of personalised number plates, and talk about electric vehicle exhausts, which could be the answer to dangerous fires.

Tested:

• Audi Q6 e-tron S line quattro Automatic
• Citroen e-C3 Aircross Max Automatic
• Fiat Grande Panda La Prima Electric Automatic
• GWM Haval Jolion Pro Ultra Automatic
• Isuzu D-Max Double Cab V-Cross Automatic
• Leapmotor T03 Automatic
• Mazda CX-80 Exclusive-Line 3.3 Skyactiv-D automatic
• Mercedes-Benz E 300 de Urban Edition Estate Automatic
• Renault Rafale Atelier Alpine Plug-in Hybrid Automatic
• Subaru Forester e-Boxer 2.0i Touring Automatic
• Volkswagen Golf Estate Style 1.5 eTSI Automatic

Long-term test reports:

• Alfa Romeo Tonale 1.3 PHEV 280 Q4 Veloce Automatic
• Cupra Tavascan V1 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
• Skoda Kodiaq SE L 2.0 TDI DSG Automatic
• Suzuki Swift 1.2 Ultra

Features:

• Bright Spark
• Current affairs – How do the recharge costs for electric compare to petrol and diesel?
• Day trip to… Dover Transport Museum
• Gadget Inspector
• Motorgrump
• Technology explained – Drive by wire
• The Doctor – advice column
• Tomorrow’s World – EV exhausts
• You, the jury – Raising the age to drive
• What’s on

Buying, selling and maintaining

• Best Buys – diesel medium SUVs
• Generation Game – Land Rover Discovery – three generations examined
• Hero or zero – Renault Twingo
• Product watch – Dashcams
• Remember this – BMW ActiveHybrid 5
• Secondhand shootout – Hyundai Kona Hybrid vs Toyota Yaris Cross Hybrid

Used Car Buyer’s Guide

• Peugeot 5008 BlueHDi (2020-2024)

Data Files

• Denied Hybrid – Alfa Romeo 156 Q4 Crosswagon
• Forgotten Concept – 2011 Suzuki Regina Concept
• Joy of Lists – Diesel saloons with luxury nameplates
• Megafactories – Subaru, Ota, Gunma, Japan
• 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
• Tomorrow’s World
• Roadwatch
• 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