Description

It may not be arriving in UK showrooms for 20 months, but we’ve got the first information and pictures showing the brand-new Renault Clio, which will be here in May 2027. The petrol and hybrid small car continue the great work of its predecessor in a more grown up and tech-laden package.

In the October 2025 issue of Diesel&EcoCar, we’ve also got the first pictures of the BMW iX3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC – both featuring pure electric power, as well as news of the sexy Polestar 5 and the shapelier Audi Q3 Sportback, including a diesel version of the latter. Peugeot’s updated 308 and 308 SW are revealed within the news pages, alongside Volkswagen’s second-generation T-Roc. Audi takes the wraps off its distinctive Concept C, that sets the tone for future models, and Hyundai unveils the Concept 3, pointing to a future Ioniq 3. Skoda’s has un its new estate car concept, the Vision O, and the Leapmotor B05 is revealed for the first time.

Our testers have got behind the wheel of the Hyundai Ioniq 9, the BYD Atto 2 and brand-new Nissan Micra, as well as the Renault 4 E-Tech, the Lexus LM 350h MPV limousine, and Range Rover D350 in seven-seat long-wheelbase guise.

In what is one of the biggest issues of the year, the Diesel Top 50 counts down and features the very best diesel cars on sale today. If you’re thinking of signing on the dotted line for a new diesel motor, you really can’t miss it. Check out our 15-page comprehensive coverage to discuss what the hottest diesel models are this year.

This month’s used car buyer’s guide is all about the Honda Civic e:HEV, and we look at three different generations of the Kia Sorento diesel. In this month’s Best Buys, we recommend the best plug-in hybrid estate cars to purchase.

This is in addition to all of your other favourite features including The Doctor, Motorgrump, Fully Equipped, Bright Spark, and the most up-to-date data section in the magazine business. Don’t forget to check out one of the newest columns, Grand Designs, that looks back at a groundbreaking concept car, as well as an interesting look at past prototypes, clay models and design sketches, some or all of which you may never have seen before. Finally, don’t forget to read the column from our resident legal expert, in The Legal Lane.

Tested:

• BYD Atto 2 Boost Automatic
• Hyundai Ioniq 9 Calligraphy Performance AWD Automatic
• Lexus LM 350h Takumi 4-seat Automatic
• Nissan Micra Evolve 52kWh Automatic
• Range Rover HSE D350 AWD 7-seat Long Wheelbase Automatic
• Renault 4 E-Tech Iconic Comfort Range Automatic

Long-term test reports:

• Abarth 500e Turismo
• Citroën ë-SpaceTourer XL You! 75kWh Automatic
• Cupra Tavascan V1 Automatic
• DS 4 Étoile Hybrid 136 Automatic
• Honda CR-V e:HEV 2.0 i-MMD Advance AWD Automatic
• Mazda CX-80 PHEV Homura Plus Automatic
• Renault Rafale E-Tech Iconic Esprit Alpine Automatic
• Skoda Superb Estate SE L 2.0 TDI DSG Automatic
• Toyota Prius Design 2.0 VVT-i plug-in hybrid Automatic
• Vauxhall Grandland Electric Ultimate Automatic
• Volvo V90 Plus T6 AWD Automatic

Features:

• Bright Spark
• Current affairs – Where does UK electricity come from to power your EV?
• Day trip to… Bubblecar museum
• Gadget Inspector
• Motorgrump
• Technology explained – tyre pressure monitoring systems
• The Doctor – advice column
• Diesel Top 50 – counting down the best diesel cars on sale in the UK
• You, the jury – ban incentives for buying new EVs?
• What’s on

Buying, selling and maintaining

• Generation Game – Kia Sorento diesel – three generations examined
• Hero or zero – Mercedes-Benz G 580 EQ power
• Product watch – MoT
• Remember this – Peugeot 806
• Secondhand shootout – SEAT Ibiza 1.0 TSI vs Skoda Fabia 1.0 TSI

Used Car Buyer’s Guide

• Honda Civic e:HEV (2022-onwards)

Data Files

• Denied electrics – Nissan X-Trail NISMO
• Forgotten Concept – 1999 Vauxhall/Opel G90
• Joy of Lists – 10 most flamboyant car colours
• Under development – JLR Whitley
• 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
• Roadwatch
• You, the jury
• Motorgrump
• Fully equipped
• 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
• Grand Designs
• The Legal Lane