Description

On the front cover of the May 2026 issue of Diesel&EcoCar, we’re charting the next stage of BMW’s reinvention, with the launch of the i3 saloon in pure electric guise. Forget its quirky predecessor, this newcomer is designed to eat the Tesla Model 3 for breakfast. We’ve also got the first photographs of the new DS N^o7, a radical new electric Nissan Juke and facelifted editions of the Mercedes-Benz GLE, GLS and EQS luxury saloon. In addition, we reveal the Cupra Raval small car, have the first details of the Toyota Yaris Cross facelift, feature the new 2.2-litre diesel engine in the Isuzu D-Max and show off the Volkswagen ID.3 Neo. There’s also pictures of the Lepas L6 and first details of the Honda Super-N.

We drive the brilliant new Kia EV2, the charismatic Fiat Grande Panda Hybrid, the super smooth Volvo ES90 and the capable Jeep Compass, as well as blasting around in the Hyundai Ioniq 6 N, drive the excellent KGM Torres Hybrid, test the Audi A3 S line TFSI e plug-in hybrid and the frugal seven-seat Volkswagen Tayron 2.0 TDI. We welcome a Cupra Terramar to the long-term test fleet, just as we wave goodbye to the Peugeot 3008 and Vauxhall Mokka.

The Peugeot 308 is the subject of this month’s used car buyer’s guide, and we also look at three different generations of the Audi A3 Saloon. We discuss whether the MINI Roadster was a hero or zero and take a step back in history to remind ourselves about the Ford Escort Mk4 diesel. This is in addition to all of your other favourite features including 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 our newest columns, Grand Designs, that places a spotlight on the Volvo SCC concept car from 2001, 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.

Tested:

• Audi A3 S line TFSI e Automatic
• Fiat Grande Panda La Prima 110 Hybrid Automatic
• Hyundai Ioniq 6 N Automatic
• Jeep Compass First Edition Electric 210 Automatic
• KGM Torres K40 Hybrid 1.5 Automatic
• Kia EV2 First Edition Automatic
• Volkswagen Tayron R-Line 2.0 TDI DSG Automatic
• Volvo ES90 Ultra Single Motor Extended Range Automatic

Long-term test reports:

• Abarth 600e Scorpionissima Automatic
• Cupra Terramar VZ2 e-Hybrid Automatic
• Jeep Avenger 4xe The North Face Edition 1.2 e-Hybrid Automatic
• Mazda 2 Hybrid 1.5 Homura Automatic
• Peugeot 3008 GT 145 Mild Hybrid Automatic
• Renault Symbioz E-Tech Iconic Esprit 160 Automatic
• Skoda Octavia Estate SE L 2.0 TDI DSG Automatic
• Toyota Yaris Cross GR Sport Hybrid 1.5 VVT-i Automatic
• Vauxhall Mokka Electric GS Automatic
• Volvo XC90 Ultra T8 AWD Plug-in Hybrid Automatic

Features:

• Bright Spark – Trump has a lot to answer for
• Current affairs – Why don’t all electric cars qualify for the electric car grant
• Gadget Inspector
• Motorgrump – Significant birthdays
• Technology explained – What is ISOFIX?
• The Doctor – advice column
• You, the jury – is it time for a minimum speed on motorways?

Buying, selling and maintaining

• Generation Game – Audi A3 Saloon – three generations explored
• Hero or zero – MINI Roadster
• Product watch – DPF Cleaners
• Remember this – Ford Escort Diesel Mk4
• Secondhand shootout – Ford Kuga EcoBlue vs Kia Sportage CRDi

Used Car Buyer’s Guide

• Peugeot 308 and 308 SW (2021 to 2026)

Data Files

• Denied diesels – Renault 25 Diesel
• Forgotten Concept – Volvo SCC Concept from 2001
• Joy of Lists – Diesel cars and vans made at Halewood, Merseyside
• Under development – Renault Group, Guyancourt
• 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
• 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