Car Reviews

The new Ford Focus Electric is distinguishable from the standard Focus in a few ways: Naturally, it’s cheaper to run, but it’s also more expensive to buy. And while it’s got more standard kit, it doesn’t handle as well. Lots of pro and cons for buyers to assess, then.

Want a premium EV but got a case of serious range anxiety? The new BMW i3 Rex is a lot like the i3 electric car - but crucially, it has more range. As such, it’s a hugely compelling proposition for buyers who want an upmarket EV so that they can do their bit for the environment, but who have lingering range anxiety issues.

The smiley new Volkswagen e-Up! Hatchback might be a bit unfortunately named (hey up!), but it’s based on one of the most popular city cars around. It’s a lot like the standard VW Up!, except it’s quieter and cheaper to run. That said, it’s also a lot more expensive to buy and depreciates badly. Is it worth making the switch from petrol to electricity? OSV takes a closer look at what it’s all about with our 2018 Volkswagen e-Up! Hatchback review.

If you love Hyundai as a brand, you’ll no doubt be keen to find out what their first ever fully electric car is all about. Fortunately, they haven’t bodged it, and the new Hyundai Ioniq Electric is ideal for families who want to do their bit for the environment, and who want to keep costs down at the same time. It emits zero CO2, offers plenty of usability and is even fun to drive.

If you love the regular and super popular VW Golf but fancy making the switch to electricity, there’s no reason why you couldn’t love the new Volkswagen e-Golf Hatchback, too. It’s got all the hallmarks of a traditional Golf - including top-notch build quality and reliability - and emits absolutely no CO2 and gets energy-saving regenerative brakes as standard.

The new BMW 6 Series Gran Diesel Coupe is elegant, fairly economical and has sporty pretensions. If you want something a bit more luxurious than the 5 Series, it ticks a lot of boxes. It’s a lot like the two-door 6 Series in many ways but gets two more doors and more length. It also boasts more space in the rear as well as a larger boot. Overall, it’s one of the most accommodating if expensive BMW’s on the market.

Every one of the highlights of the auto calendar, the Geneva Motor Show always gets our engines going here at OSV. Last year, highlights included the blistering Ferrari 812 SuperFast, the McLaren 720S and the Lamborghini Aventador. Catching the eye and capturing the imagination this time around is a brand new Skoda gas hybrid, Porsche’s stunning rival to the Tesla X - and, um, a Volkswagen school bus that drives itself. There’s more too, including a brand spanking new Aston Martin that’s so fast the brand themselves aren’t letting us know quite how fast just yet!

Long journeys with the kids have never been so easy. The new seven-seater Renault Grand Scenic Estate is an impressively stylish offering that’s well-equipped, affordable to run, and super spacious. In many ways, it’s the perfect family car in 2017. It’s the biggest MPV sold on these shores, but despite its size it looks visually compelling. There are plenty of engines to choose from, including a hybrid, while its cabin is a pleasant place to spend your time on the road.