Estate

Hatchback

Saloon

Munich-based BMW is most famous for its sports saloons, in particular the 3 Series and 5 Series. However, it actually builds almost every type of car imaginable: everything from two-seat convertibles to seven-seat MPVs.

The cheapest model in the BMW range is the 1 Series hatchback, which is a rival to the Audi A3, Mercedes-Benz A-Class and Volkswagen Golf. Meanwhile, at the other extreme is the M8&nbsp;grand tourer, which costs more than £120,000.

BMW was also quick to capitalise on the rise of the SUV and now has ten in its range: the X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X6, X7 and XM, plus the electric iX3 and iX.

All of this makes it one of the big three German prestige brands, along with Audi and Mercedes-Benz.

Hyundai has transformed itself from a maker of oddball hatchbacks that sold in small numbers in the UK, to a major rival to the likes of Ford, Vauxhall and Volkswagen.

The Korean firm’s Ioniq Hybrid is particularly impressive, having beaten the trend-setting Toyota Prius when we tested the cars back to back.

Meanwhile, at the extremes of the Hyundai range you find the tiny i10 city car – a four-time What Car? award winner – and the stylish yet family-friendly Santa Fe SUV.

As a bonus, all of these cars come with the reassurance of a five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty, whereas most of Hyundai’s rivals offer only three years and 60,000 miles of cover.

HYUNDAI

Jaguars are consistently among the best-handling cars of their kind, with the firm’s model range encompassing the XE, XF and XJ saloons, the F-Type sports cars and multiple SUVs.

Jaguar was actually relatively late to launch its first SUV, the F-Pace, but it quickly followed it up with the smaller E-Pace and the all-electric I-Pace.

That SUV range will keep growing, too, with larger and more luxurious SUVs planned to take on the Porsche Cayenne and the Range Rover from sister brand Land Rover.

JAGUAR

Buyers seeking value for money should have Kia towards the top of their shopping list.

Although once a niche brand in the UK, today Kia outsells many more established brands, helped by its market-leading seven-year warranty and a strong reputation for reliability; in fact, Kia regularly finishes towards the top of our reliability surveys.

There are plenty of models to choose from, too, ranging from the small Picanto city car to the Ceed family hatchback and the Sorento large SUV. The Picanto was the first Kia to win its class at the What Car? Car of the Year awards.

Nissan turned up early to the SUV party, with its Qashqai paving the way for the countless models we see today. The Qashqai continues to sell in big numbers in the UK, too, and was also our overall Car of the Year in 2014.

Don’t think Nissan is just about SUVs, though. As well as the Qashqai, the smaller Juke and the larger X-Trail, the Japanese brand has the Micra hatchback, GT-R sports car and Navara pick-up truck.

Nissan was also one of the first big car makers to launch a fully electric car, with its latest Leaf being one of the best on the market.

Despite being based in Japan, Nissan has long committed to building cars in the UK, making several of its best-selling models at a huge factory in Sunderland.

NISSAN

Hatchbacks, SUVs, hybrids, electric cars: Renault makes them all, in a variety of shapes and sizes, meaning&nbsp;it has a line-up designed to tempt pretty much everyone.

From the roadside, the standout feature of all its cars is design, with them instantly recognisable as members of the Renault family, without being so similar that they fall&nbsp;into the Russian doll trap. However, in terms of ability they're a mixed bag,&nbsp;ranging&nbsp;from very good to no better than average.

Models that fall into the former camp include the Clio small hatchback and Megane E-Tech electric car, while the smaller Zoe electric car is also impressive in most respects; it's just a pity Renault omits key safety kit.

On the other hand, the Captur, Arkana and Austral SUVs are all outclassed by several rivals.

Renault has some exciting new models planned, including a new Scenic (this time it will be an electric SUV instead of a conventionally powered MPV) and two cars that reimagine classic Renaults: the 4 and 5.

RENAULT

Tesla is a US brand&nbsp;that revolutionised&nbsp;the car industry, putting <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-electric-cars-2022/n17000">electric cars</a> in the limelight&nbsp;for the first time – helped by the personality and profile of boss Elon Musk.

Today, Tesla has a broader&nbsp;line-up than ever, with the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tesla/model-3/saloon/review/n19010">Tesla Model 3</a> saloon&nbsp;and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tesla/model-y/hatchback/review/n23624">Tesla Model Y</a> SUV the company's cheapest models. For those with bigger budgets or a need for more space, there's the larger <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tesla/model-s/hatchback/review/n150">Tesla Model S</a> saloon and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tesla/model-x/hatchback/review/n161">Tesla&nbsp;Model X</a> SUV.&nbsp;A&nbsp;new Roadster, complete with supercar-beating acceleration, is also in the works.

&nbsp;

TESLA

E-NIRO

I-PACE

IONIQ

LEAF

MODEL 3

jaguar-i-pace-owner-review

Land Rover

Defender

Car: Jaguar I-Pace EV400 SE 90kWhOwner’s name: Jack Burnford“I’ve had my <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/jaguar/i-pace/estate/review/n122">Jaguar I-Pace</a> for six months now, and even with <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/class/coronavirus-advice-for-car-drivers">lockdown</a> we’ve covered about 4000 miles. “The biggest revelation is that I don’t just love this car because it’s electric, I love it because it’s a great car: the driver’s seat is exceptionally comfortable, I have great visibility of the road, the materials are top-notch and the sound system is incredible. Sure, it’s an expensive car, so you have high expectations, but I would say it has surpassed mine.“Above all, though – and to my surprise – it is fun to drive; the feedback through the steering wheel really lets you know what’s going on with the wheels, and it is really composed and sure-footed when you need it to be, but also so refined when you just want to potter along. It is possibly the best all-rounder I have ever driven.

“Downsides? There are only niggles, really. I wish it had a rear windscreen wiper, and even in good weather better visibility through the small back windscreen. The camera makes up for it a bit, but it’s a bit laggy and very wide angle, so it’s not great for manoeuvring. The infotainment system isn’t fast enough either. From turning the car on to being able to press start on a destination in the sat-nav takes far too long. “The range has never caused me problems, although I was nervous of longer journeys at first. The truth is that the vast majority of my driving is over short distances, and having a home charger means I can always be fully charged when I need to go further. If I had one piece of advice for an owner it would be to plan ahead and be realistic; do that, and there’s no reason to ever be caught out.

“That said, I do pity people when they first come to research <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/electric-car-charging-guide/n18056">electric vehicle (EV) charging</a>. Away from home, there are so many apps to choose from – and so many providers. The terminology all needs explaining too - from <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/types-of-electric-car-plug/n18057">Type 2</a> to Chademo, whether you can charge at motorway stations or in other places and so on. Even now I meet owners who’ve had their cars for months but who are still struggling to work it all out. It shouldn’t have to be so hard. “Also, I think EV buyers should remember that, although an EV can’t match the convenience of being able to stop for five minutes and fill up, I do start every day with it having essentially filled itself while I sleep. It’s also cheap to run – if not buy – and while that gap may narrow, right now it does a lot to offset the additional upfront purchasing costs. The flipside to that is that some of the public charging costs are huge – a potential owner doesn’t just need to work out if the charging infrastructure is there to support them, but also if it makes economic sense.

“I do have a second car, but it’s a beautiful <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/land-rover/defender/4x4/used-review/n761">2010 Defender 90</a> – the polar opposite in every way to the I-Pace, but so much so that it compliments it perfectly. I do use it now and again when the distance I’m travelling goes beyond what’s simple with the I-Pace, and if I’m honest “I do find it hard to contemplate an EV-only life at the moment – my commute is irregular and can be a long way, so having that flexibility is crucial, but I can say with certainty that I can’t contemplate not having an EV in my life now.”For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter <a href="http://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">here</a><hr /><h2 dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/jaguar/i-pace/estate/review/n122">Read What Car?'s Jaguar I-Pace review &gt;&gt;</a></h2><h3 dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tag/electric-car-owner-reviews">Read more electric car owner reviews &gt;&gt;</a></h3>

Jaguar I-Pace: owner review

<h2>What we're looking for </h2><ul><li>Long range and ultra-fast charging capability</li> <li>Luxurious and comfortable interior</li> <li>Smooth ride and capable handling</li> <li>Lots of high-tech driver aids</li> <li>Strong performance and great refinement</li></ul>

Large Electric

what-i-love-and-hate-about-my-tesla-model-3-owner-review

Car: Tesla Model 3 PerformanceOwner’s name: Grant BrowningI’ve had my <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tesla/model-3/saloon/review/n19010">Tesla Model 3</a> for seven months now, and driven 9100 miles even with lockdown – so that should give you some kind of measure of how much I am willing to use it.What stands out? The acceleration is intoxicating, but somehow doesn’t feel as anti-social as burning rubber in an engined car. The everyday quietness and ease of use are a joy. The audio system is also excellent, and I think the in-built dashcams are a great idea. The over-the-air updates also standout: since I’ve had the car, it’s power has been increased twice, which is quite special.But I’m also keen to be balanced, and it’s fair to say that Tesla’s sales service is varied in the extreme. My car was delivered to the wrong side of London, and so little care was taken over rectifying this mighty cock up that I was in two minds whether to accept the car at all, especially as after a 1.5 hour Uber ride from Dartford to Heathrow they still hadn’t managed to charge the car up for me. In contrast, Tesla’s aftersales team have been a delight. Only Toyota have exceeded them in terms of attitude, helpfulness, and attention in my experience.

The continued employment of Franz von Holzhausen as lead stylist at Tesla also continues to mystify me. His design is awkward and, at some angles, downright ugly. The best way to view it is to crouch down.  At that height and angle the awkwardness seems to resolve itself (it’s like he’s created an MC Escher drawing) and only then does the Model 3 become a half-decent looking car. The fact that it’s best viewed from the perspective of an 8 year old boy probably says quite a lot about Tesla as a company. The design also has a few practical flaws: rain water pouring into the car when you open the door is not a great look, while rear visibility and boot access are massively compromised by the styling, without any obvious benefit to the car’s looks. The absence of any kind of solution to getting a puncture - beyond ringing Tesla and bracing your wallet - is also a serious flaw in my view. You can’t even jack the car up without having special protective pads.While I love owning the car, I have also grown to hate the community of ‘Tesla fans’. I’ve never known a more blinkered owners community. The fact is the Tesla is a good car, but it has glaring flaws. Stamping your feet when someone criticises the car doesn’t improve the breed. I’m also frustrated by how much Tesla charges for some of the nigh-on unusable-in-the-UK technology (the full lane assist package, for instance) and by the company’s determination to do things differently for the sake of it; I love the cleanliness of the all-screen design, but sometimes a simple, easy to find button is the best solution.

But I said I’d be balanced, and I have to reflect on the fact that, for all of these issues, I love the car. It is an electric car that you can own without compromise. Not only don’t I worry about range, but I also don’t have to drive like a snail, or live without air-con or heating, to preserve the battery - I just use the car as a car, and have never had any second thoughts about it because I was worried I wouldn’t make it somewhere. In my mind, it’s a car first and foremost, and an electric car as an aside, boosted of course by the fact that Tesla’s charging network is so well set up and so easy to use.I do own a second car - a characterful <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volvo/c30/coupe/used-review/n729">Volvo C30</a> - but I hardly drive it now. I can happily live without it, and have only kept it because my wife is working from home for the foreseeable future and needs an occasional car. Moving between the Tesla and that is pretty jarring - the Model 3 just does so much to make life easy. In technical terms I might as well be driving Stephenson’s Rocket as an engined car when I step out of the Tesla. I’d also urge prospective buyers to really look at the maths when they are weighing up costs. Yes, an electric car is usually more expensive up front, but the savings soon stack up, from fuel savings to tax savingsI’m no electric vehicle evangelist, but I will never buy an everyday car with an engine again. The Tesla is capable of doing almost everything: it’s spacious, practical, long legged, comfortable, and mind-bendingly quick. What it lacks is the precision and fun of a proper hot hatch, or the grin factor of a small lightweight sports car, so those are the sorts of cars I might buy. But not for everyday driving.For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter <a href="http://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">here</a><hr /><h2 dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tesla/model-3/saloon/review/n19010">Read What Car?'s Tesla Model 3 review &gt;&gt;</a></h2><h3 dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tag/electric-car-owner-reviews">Read more electric car owner reviews &gt;&gt;</a></h3>

What I love - and hate - about my Tesla Model 3: owner review

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Sufficient range between charges to fit in with most people’s lifestyles – and in the real world, not on some far-fetched official test </li> <li>Quick charging times and compatibility with the most ubiquitous types of public charging points </li> <li>Priced to be within the grasp of more than just the privileged few </li> <li>As with any car, ride comfort, practicality and ownership costs can’t be ignored</li></ul>

We define an electric car as one that runs purely on battery power and has no tailpipe to puff out nasty chemicals.

The best of the breed offer sufficient range between charges to fit in with most people’s lifestyles – and in the real world, not on some far-fetched official test cycle.

Electric

why-i-bought-a-renault-zoe-and-a-hyundai-ioniq-electric-owner-review

Renault

Seat

Leon

Car: Renault Zoe and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/ioniq/hatchback/review/n17205">Hyundai Ioniq</a> EVOwner’s name: Kevin BookerYou might say that my wife and I ‘get’ electric cars now: we started our journey with a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/zoe/hatchback/review/n152">Renault Zoe</a> Q210 (22kwh battery) back in December 2015 for my wife’s small daily commute as a way to test the feasibility of an electric vehicle and have grown in confidence from there.Over the past four and a half years we have covered more than 42,000 miles, and I’d say that our experiences have only been positive. What’s not to love? The ease of driving, the quietness, the power and instant torque and the cheap running costs all stand out.

We’ve had adventures all over England and Wales and always been surprised and delighted by the number of people that want to stop for a chat about the car, with lots of questions, around its range and how long it takes to charge.If there are frustrations, they are not down to the car. We love driving the Zoe, but there are issues with the charging infrastructure, which lags behind what you would find in many other countries.We have, on four separate occasions, been stuck having to wait for recovery because chargers have been broken on the motorway. That situation is also often compounded by the large number of charge point providers, all with their own separate memberships, cards and apps. Some don’t provide the required charging standard for the Zoe (AC rapid), either, making  charging on long journeys more difficult than it needs to be.That in turn forces perhaps the only compromise that electric car ownership imposes - forward planning. We always ensure the car is charged the night before long journeys and that we have a plan A and plan B of charge points mapped out just in case. It’s also evident that as more such cars are sold, there’s more demand at chargers.

However, I can underline how that has become less and less of an issue by telling you that we originally had a diesel-powered <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/seat/leon/hatchback/review/n89">Seat Leon</a> as a back-up car, for longer journeys. However, over time we found we simply enjoyed the calm progress of the electric car more, and when we found ourselves opting to take the Zoe on even 400-mile trips we switched to a Hyundai Ioniq Electric. The car's 38KWH battery means that I can now comfortably complete my daily commute of 70 miles without having to worry about range.Finally, it’s worth stressing that we didn’t choose an electric car to be eco warriors; in fact, we just wanted something that wasn’t mainstream that we could have fun adventures in, with the added novelty of not having to use petrol stations (in fact, fuel costs are about 20% of what we were used to, although we also offset the cost with solar panels). If you are thinking of <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/category/electric">buying an electric car</a>, our experiences would suggest you do your research first, but have an open mind. Remember that winter range will be at least 20% less than summer range. Make sure you can charge easily at home or work and weigh up the cost of different energy tariffs. We don’t regret it one bit - and we will never go back to owning a car with an engine.For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter <a href="http://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">here</a><hr /><h2 dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/zoe/hatchback/review/n152">Read What Car?'s Renault Zoe review &gt;&gt;</a></h2><h3 dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tag/electric-car-owner-reviews">Read more electric car owner reviews &gt;&gt;</a></h3>

Why I bought a Renault Zoe and a Hyundai Ioniq Electric: owner review

<h2>What we're looking for </h2><ul><li>Generous enough real-world range to fit most lifestyles</li> <li>Plenty of charging options and quick top-up times </li> <li>Usable space and strong practicality</li> <li>Comfortable ride that isn’t hindered by a heavy battery</li></ul>

With so many electric cars now on offer, we've split the smaller models from the larger ones to ensure that we're able to compare direct rivals.

As well as being adept at coping with city life, small electric cars need to be roomy enough for a couple of adults and able to drive a decent amount of miles between charges.&nbsp;

There are some great small electric cars to choose from. The affordable Seat Mii Electric proves you don't have to have break the bank to go green, the Renault Zoe has been improved in every area, making it a great small EV prospect, and the Kia e-Niro was named our overall 2019 Car of the Year.

Small Electric

renault-zoe-owner-review

Car: Renault Zoe ZE40 i Signature Nav R90Owner's name: Matthew Roberts"I’ve had my <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/zoe/hatchback/review/n152">Renault Zoe</a> for coming up for three years, during which time I’ve covered around 21,000 miles – running an <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-electric-cars-2020/n17000">electric car</a> hasn’t limited my mileage at all."The only change I’ve made is planning a short stop and drinks break if I drive more than 170 miles. Before I would just drive on and get tired and hungry, so having to take a break can’t really be considered a negative."I love so much about the car, but most of all that it is cheap to run (free, if I top up at the supermarket), quiet (all the better to appreciate music through the Bose stereo) and so smooth to drive, thanks to the linear acceleration.

"Some aspects of ownership have taken a bit of getting used to, but they have all quickly passed. Perhaps the biggest was understanding the strength of the regenerative braking, but I actually enjoyed learning that the sooner and gentler you brake the more the engine can turn into a big dynamo and recoup some of the energy back into the battery pack. "My biggest challenge is finding charge points that are both free and fast enough to run at up to 22kW per hour. There are loads of 7kW chargers, but they are really too slow to be very effective for public charging now that battery capability has moved on so far. Even if I have to pay though it is only about £3 for a full battery – so it is remarkably cheap."The best advice I could give a would-be electric car buyer is to get the fantastic Zap-Map app and check there are chargers where you need them to be; there’s no shortage in pure number terms, but you need to know they are where you want to go.

"After that, drill down to which suppliers are providing public charging where you want to go – because some provide one-off monthly subscriptions that give you access to as much charging as you want, which can save you a lot of money."Finally, I’d urge owners to get over their fears of 12-hour charge times. First, you rarely charge from empty, and second, if you are charging at home the car just fills up while you are asleep."Would I go back to a car with an engine? Perhaps if I tell you that my next car will be a Renault Zoe ZE50 you’ll understand where my loyalties lie. I had to drive a hire car with an engine recently and I was surprised by how much of a step back it felt; it smelled of petrol, the gearchanges felt clunky and the stop-start system was an irritation that was out of step with the smoothness of an electric car."The Zoe is capable and priced for the real-world as opposed to at the premium end of the market. I’d recommend the car to anyone, although I would encourage them to shop around, because the competitive marketplace mean there are some <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/renault/zoe/hatchback/deals">terrific deals</a> out there."For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter <a href="http://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">here</a><hr /><h2 dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/zoe/hatchback/review/n152">Read our full Renault Zoe review &gt;&gt;</a></h2><h3 dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tag/electric-car-owner-reviews">Read more electric car owner reviews &gt;&gt;</a></h3>

Renault Zoe: owner review

hyundai-ioniq-electric-owner-review

Car: Hyundai Ioniq Premium, 28kWhOwner’s name: Robert York"I bought our ‘68-plate, 28kWh <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/ioniq/hatchback/review/n17205">Hyundai Ioniq</a> Electric Premium second hand in May 2019 – and since then we’ve driven it 17,000 miles. It’s fair to say we use it a lot, then, and most of my driving is on the motorway."I knew what I was getting into because our previous car was a new 22kWh <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/zoe/hatchback/review/n152">Renault Zoe</a>. I’d run it since 2016, and it had actually brought me back to car ownership after a period of about 10 years of living without one."The Ioniq stands out to me for its real-world efficiency, even compared with <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-electric-cars-2020/n17000">other electric cars</a>. In the summer, when it holds more charge than in colder weather, I get 150-160 miles before I have to plug in, even if I drive on the motorway. And even in winter, when I put all-weather Michelin Cross Climate tyres on (increasing the rolling resistance) I still get 100-110 miles.

"I love driving the Ioniq, and I’d simply echo what almost every EV [electric vehicle] driver says about the benefits of electric cars being quiet, smooth and relaxing to drive. People should try them because the upsides are quite considerable in my opinion. I will do everything I can to avoid buying a combustion engined car again – it would be like turning the clock back on the progress I’ve made."Of course, there are compromises; on long journeys, I have to stop and fill up more often and for longer than I would in an engined car. It’s worth noting, though, just how far the charging infrastructure has come in the past four years. I've enjoyed a driving holiday in Scotland, covering 2000 miles in two weeks with no trouble, for instance."And, against the compromises, I can balance the running costs of around 1p per mile when I charge from home. The slight inconvenience of waiting for a charge is paid back in running cost savings that I’d estimate to be a few thousand pounds a year. I reckon my <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/the-true-cost-of-going-electric-revealed/n21008">total costs of ownership</a>, including the lease, are around half what I’d pay for an equivalent petrol-engined car.

"A final point I’d like to make – which will make me unpopular in some quarters – is that electric cars aren’t the right choice for everyone. I know evangelists will disagree, but I think it’s worth highlighting that charging can be hard, and expensive, without a home charger; that the initial purchase cost can outweigh the savings if you don’t drive long distances, and that there’s real thought required before you buy.You also need to know just how many people you'll need to carry frequently, and how far you will need to drive; our mindset tends to be towards buying the longest range we can, to avoid anxiety, but actually the lower--range EVs will suit many buyers and save them a lot of upfront cost."For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter <a href="http://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">here</a><hr /><h2 dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/ioniq/hatchback/review/n17205">Read What Car?'s Hyundai Ioniq review &gt;&gt;</a></h2><h3 dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tag/electric-car-owner-reviews">Read more electric car owner reviews &gt;&gt;</a></h3>

Hyundai Ioniq Electric: owner review