What Car? January 2022

welcome

During lockdown, my wife started talking about how nice it would be to have a dog around the house, but in normal times we’re both out at work during the day, so I can’t help thinking that a cat would suit us better. And there’s a parallel with electrified cars. ‘With hybrids and plug-in hybrids, you don’t need to rethink your routine’ You see, today’s best fully electric models are fantastic in the right circumstances. However, they don’t fit seamlessly into all lifestyles, whereas hybrids and plug-in hybrids promise many of the same benefits – reduced running costs and air pollution, for starters – without the need to rethink your routine. There’s now a huge variety to choose from, too, so in this issue we’ve rated them all. Plus, we’ve pitted Honda’s new,…

target price

The What Car? Target Price is the maximum you should pay for your new car and is set by our team of mystery shoppers. Every day they haggle to see what discounts are available across the UK, and those savings form the basis of the deals offered by our free New Car Buying service. In a lot of cases, however, you can save even more. Just head to whatcar.com/new-car-deals and select the car that you’re interested in, and participating dealers will compete for your business. It’s all done through our website, so they won’t see your details until you’re ready.…

mercedes-benz c300e

Not quite ready for an electric car but keen to embrace electrified motoring? Here’s our guide to every new hybrid and plug-in hybrid you can buy IF YOU WANT to look flash while saving cash, the Mercedes-Benz C300e is definitely worth a place on your shortlist, because it’s officially the most economical version of the new C-Class executive saloon. A mini-me to the latest S-Class limo, it features smooth lines and jewel-like headlights on the outside, and a plush interior that’s dominated by a sizeable, 11.9in infotainment screen. The plug-in hybrid C300e’s relatively big, 25.4kWh battery brings an excellent electric range of up to 68 miles – double that of the previous model. But more significantly, it’s nearly twice as far as its closest rival, the BMW 330e, can go, and places it…

skoda octavia iv estate

SAVVY CAR BUYERS know that when it comes to value for money, you can’t do much better than a Skoda, and the Octavia Estate is a prime example. Indeed, it has our full five-star road test rating, thanks to its vast boot, keen pricing and comfortable ride. And the iV version only adds to that appeal; it was the 2021 What Car? Plug-in Hybrid of the Year. Even with a 13kWh battery stuffed under the floor, boot space is vast, particularly compared with what you get in other plug-in hybrid estates. Performance is also impressive, with 0-62mph taking 7.8sec, while the official electric-only range of up to 41 miles means you can cover plenty of journeys on battery power alone. The iV is slightly less brisk when in electric-only mode, and it…

bmw x5 xdrive45e

THE ORIGINAL X5 was one of the first SUVs to sacrifice a bit of ruggedness and rock-climbing ability in favour of better on-road driving manners, and the latest version continues that tradition. However, it’s at its absolute best in xDrive45e plug-in hybrid form. Combining a 3.0-litre six-cylinder petrol engine and an electric motor, the 45e is always silky smooth, yet it can rocket you from 0-62mph in just 5.1sec. In addition, it can travel up to 52 miles solely on electric power – a lot farther than rivals such as the Volvo XC90 Recharge T8. It’s more comfortable than the XC90, too, with even large bumps and potholes leaving the X5’s occupants unshaken. And yet the driver still gets to enjoy steering that’s precise and reassuringly weighted. Inside, you’re greeted by a lavish…

hyundai ioniq

The Ioniq is the Walkers Crisps of the car world, because there’s a flavour to suit all tastes: you can have a fully electric version, a regular hybrid, or the plug-in hybrid we’re focusing on here. This doesn’t ride or handle quite as well as the regular hybrid, due to its bigger, heavier battery. However, performance is still pretty good, and it allows you to drive for up to 32 miles at a time without using a drop of fuel. Plus, its interior is smarter and more user-friendly than the one in its closest rival, the Toyota Prius PHEV. Our pick 1.6 T-GDi PHEV Premium List price £30,450 Target Price £28,736 Target PCP £335 MPG 256.8 CO2 26g/km For Good-quality interior; low running costs; bigger boot than electric model Against Limited rear had…