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Mon, Jan 24, 2022
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According to Volkswagen, GTX sits alongside GTI, GTE and GTD. Stellar company indeed. Volkswagen ID.4 GTX: €72,000 is a step too far for an electric car

 
A Mustang Mach-E Extended Range AWD can take you for a theoretical 540km thanks to its massive 91kWh battery Ford’s Mustang Mach-E proves batteries can be fun

 
Cupra Born: solid but not thrilling – yet Seat’s all-electric Cupra: An arguably prettier, cheaper Volkswagen ID-3

 
The competition is getting closer, but in spite of shortcomings the Model 3 continues to convince Tesla Model 3 Performance: It’s flawed, but this is an addictive electric vehicle

 
BMW iX 40 M Sport makes a strong statement about the company’s priorities when it comes to larger family cars: comfort and refinement mixed with handling prowess BMW iX 40 M Sport: A luxury load-lugger with better handling than a Tesla

 
Audi Q4 40 e-Tron Advance Audi Q4 e-Tron: Comfortable crossover worth a look if price is right

 
The Land Rover Defender 110 2.0 Si4 PHEV SE has a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with plug-in hybrid assistance putting out 404hp and 640Nm of torque. Hybrid-engined Land Rover Defender a step in the right direction

 
At low speeds, the 2 Series Coupe engine is as smooth as butter whipped by Nigella Lawson, never giving off a hint of the aural fury that it can unleash at higher rpm BMW 2 Series Coupe: Punchy, pugnacious German gem is a driver’s dream

 
Impressive: the new Renault Megane looks better than the VW ID.3, is sharper to drive and seemingly more intuitively laid out. It also seems remarkably well put together Renault Megane E-Tech: Stylish family crossover will rattle its German rivals

 
Mercedes-Benz EQV Mercedes EQV: This is not a van – it’s a Mobile Command Post

 
Kia EV6: none of its rivals can its looks, while the fit and finish of this Kia can match – and beat – anything on offer from the established premium brands Kia EV6: Stunning crossover challenges Tesla for the premium EV throne

 
The Mercedes GLE 350de Coupé plug-in hybrid has brilliant technology, but as a package the car just doesn’t work well enough Mercedes GLE 350de Coupé plug-in hybrid review: Wrong car, wrong timing

 
The Citroen Ami is not a car at all, but technically a quadricyle. Photo: Paddy McGrath Citroen Ami is more electric appliance than car but it’s ideal urban transport

 
The second generation Sandero Stepway Dacia Sandero Stepway: It’s all the car you need, but not quite the car it should be

 
The Tesla Model Y claims 488km on a full charge for the performance version and 507km for the long-range one. First drive: Tesla’s new Model Y crossover can see off its challengers

 
The look is only slightly tweaked from the outgoing one Nissan’s new Qashqai: Still in the race, but it’s not out in front

 
Born from Citroën, inspired by the original 1955 Citroën DS saloon, the DS is now its own thing. Slinky French DS 4 impresses on home turf – but what about in Ireland?

 
The updated Duster. The Duster has proved itself reliable over the years, which is all the matters really. It is relentlessly adequate at all it does Dacia Duster: So thoroughly good you can’t help but regard it as a faithful companion

 
BMW iX3: manages to find a balance that’s well worth a close look BMW iX3: All-electric arrival is a pleasure to drive

 
Toyota’s Yaris Cross Toyota’s Yaris Cross channels the charm of the original Rav4

 
Opel’s Grandland Hybrid4 is not thrilling, but solid and capable of nosing its way into your affections Opel Grandland: Does some rhinoplasty put it ahead by a nose?

 
There is nothing rugged about the Bayon’s looks. Hyundai Bayon: Baby Korean crossover struggles to live up to its hype

 
The first high-performance Peugeot saloon in three generations, it’s packing 355hp and 520Nm of torque from a plugin-hybrid powertrain based around Peugeot’s 1.6 THP turbo petrol engine Peugeot 508 PSE: The marque’s highest performance saloon for decades

 
A Volvo XC40 Recharge P8 AWD in Glacier Silver. Starting at €64,314, the all-electric XC40 isn’t cheap, coming in at nearly €12,000 more than the plug-in hybrid version of the same car, Volvo’s first all-electric model has been a long time coming. Is it worth the wait?

 
VW Touareg R PHEV: The all-wheel drive SUV has the full panopoly of off-road features, including specific drive settings for gravel and sand. VW Touareg R PHEV: It’s eye-wateringly fast. But is it worth €95k? Here’s how it shapes up

 
The Puma ST can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 6.7 seconds. Ford Puma ST hits sweet spot between manic and mundane

 
The Arteon Shooting Brake is as practical as it is handsome. Photograph: Paddy McGrath Volkswagen Arteon Shooting Brake: sleek estate proves lower is better

 
Mercedes-Benz S-Class: These days it faces major competition, not just from its usual array of rivals, but from a set of newcomers Can the Mercedes-Benz S-Class retain its crown as king of the luxury car set?

 
The Mercedes EQA 250: solid but a little unspectacular Merc’s EQA brings down its electric price point

 
BMW’s M5 CS is one of those all-too-rare cars that makes you wish you were 10 again, and could find some space on your bedroom wall for a poster of it BMW M5 CS: A spectacular driver’s machine but at a pretty spectacular price

 
Skoda Enyaq iV, the Czech brand’s first all-electric model Is Skoda’s electric Enyaq the true people’s car?

 
BMW 128Ti: Gets the mix of performance and refinement just right BMW 128Ti: Racy rival to Golf GTi steals hot-hatch crown from VW

 
Although prices and specifications are entirely negotiable, in general a Plus Four such as our test car is going to set you back about €100,000. Morgan’s Plus Four shines a ray of bright retro sunshine

 
The Hyundai Santa Fe adds premium looks and a plug to its family crossover favourite Hyundai Santa Fe PHEV: Bold engineering, plus features that would be at home on a Mercedes

 
The Opel Mokka’s eye-bleeding green colour is not for everyone but I guess when you want to draw attention to a major change, discretion isn’t on the cards Opel Mokka-e: Easy to drive, easy to live with, and a change from cookie-cutter blandness

 
The Aston Martin DBX: arguably the best of the current high-end SUV crop. Aston Martin’s €280,00 DBX: The best high-end SUV money can buy?

 
The newest Octavia RS arrives looking none-more-cop-spec Skoda’s Octavia is a cop car through and through. Here’s how the hybrid version measures up

 
Mercedes-Benz GLC300 de PHEV 4matic Mercedes-Benz GLC300 plug-in hybrid: Is this Irish motorists’ bridge to the future?

 
The Kodiaq in Sportline trim is big, imposing, and impressive looking, with 20-inch alloy wheels, a mildly chunky bodykit, and some rather fetching grey paint work that does look slightly as if someone applied primer but no top coat Kodiaq Sportline: This Skoda costs €61,000. No, that’s not a typo

 
Toyota Highlander: The Highlander has a lot of the same muscular looks from its larger Land Cruiser sibling Toyota Highlander: Has this big family SUV missed its chance?

 
Only the top-spec M4 Competition model will come to Ireland, which means you get a 510hp power output and a 650Nm torque output that make the Titanic seem like a lakeside pleasure cruiser BMW’s M4: Look at that schnozz. What can it speak of but a lack of confidence?

 
Mercedes-Benz E300e PHEV Mercedes-Benz E300e PHEV: High-performance hybrid could tick all the boxes

 
On longer journeys you will appreciate the Cupra Leon’s high-quality cabin and high-backed bucket seats Cupra’s hybrid Leon: It looks like a hot hatchback, but where’s the peel-back-your-eyelids thrust?

 
Impressive: Hyundai’s new i20 is on par with the class-leading Peugeot 208 in terms of driving dynamics Hyundai i20: Korean overtakes some of its rivals in the supermini race

 
Now we just have to hope that Audi’s new-found magic electric touch can spread to the more affordable models that will wear the e-Tron badg Audi e-Tron GT: Expensive but brilliant, staggeringly desirable electric car

 
The ID.4 has a taller front end than the ID.3. Volkswagen ID.4: Craving an SUV? VW’s all-electric new model could be for you

 
Kia Sorento PHEV Kia Sorento PHEV: Seven-seater with practicality and comfort in abundance

 
Volkswagen’s new Tiguan. VW’s new Tiguan satisfies, but for how much longer?

 
Alpine A110 Légende: This near-perfect sports car gives us hope of a more enjoyable electric future Alpine A110: Near-perfect sports car points the way to a glorious electric future

 
The Citroën C4 was a finalist in this year’s Car of the Year and rightly so, but the engineers could have been braver. Photograph: Matthew Howell Citroën C4: Delivers comfort and practicality with smart styling touches

 
The MG ZS EV is the first mass market Chinese-built car to go on sale in Ireland. Expect a lot more to follow MG ZS EV: A new jump start for families into the age of electric motoring

 
Tesla Model 3 Long Range: some quality concerns remain, but this is right at the sharp end of electric motoring Tesla Model 3 Long Range: Electric motoring at its finest

 
The GR Yaris might even seem like a sound buy to a dedicated petrolhead. GR Yaris: Toyota’s pocket-rocket rally car is a star in the making

 
Stylish: this new Tucson turns heads Tucson hybrid: Hyundai’s best mainstream model yet

 
Range Rover Sport D350: Fab to drive. But everyone you pass will hate you

 
Audi e-Tron Sportback 55 quattro: a seriously impressive and stylish SUV Audi e-Tron Sportback: A seriously handsome, impressive and pricey e-SUV

 
BMW 530e M-Sport: incisive and entertaining to drive BMW’s 5 Series proves its worth amid plugin-hybrid controversy

 
The Mercedes GLA’s 200D diesel engine feels a little old fashioned in this hybrid-electric world but it’s hugely economical in daily use. Mercedes faces stiff competition from itself with the GLA

 
The most striking feature is the styling as the Sorento follows the trend towards bigger and bolder front grilles. Kia’s spacious Sorento is like a sittingroom on wheels

 
Striking: the Peugeot e-2008 wins big in terms of styling Peugeot e-2008: Disappointing battery range overshadows beautiful design

 
This short-wheelbase model is, surely, the Defender as she is meant to be spoken. Land Rover Defender 90 has more capabilities than any car on market

 
Toyota Yaris: Well-worked evolution of a popular supermini, but larger 1.5-litre engine seems the better buy while hybrid makes most sense. Facing stiff competition from impressive rivals. Toyota Yaris: New supermini is stylish and spacious but faces stiff competition

 
You can have the Berlingo in two wheelbases 4.4m (14.4ft) long, with five seats and a large boot or a longer 4.75m. Citroen Berlingo a worthy candidate to inherit mantle from 2CV

 
Ford Puma 1.0 EcoBoost Hybrid ST-Line X: Shoots straight to the top of our 2020 charts. Puma proves Ford’s heart is in the right place

 
Skoda Octavia Combi Style 2.0: What you get from Skoda is a spacious car at a good value price compared to equivalently roomy rivals. New Octavia set to further cement Ireland’s enduring love affair with Skoda

 
Rolls Royce Ghost: An ambulatory work of art. Rolls Royce Ghost: More than just a plaything for the rich and shameless

 
In styling terms, the new ID.3 makes the evolution to electric without abandoning the traits of traditional hatchback formats Volkswagen ID.3: A full-blown leap into the electric world that doesn’t disappoint

 
The Peugeot e-208 provides a range of 370km from its 50kWh battery pack which is enough for the vast majority of Irish drivers to complete multiple daily commutes Peugeot e-208: the best small electric car on the market

 
Does the GLB do enough, though, to invalidate the appeal of the GLA or GLC? Well, not quite Has Mercedes thrown a spanner in its own works with the appealing new GLB?

 
The new Seat Leon delivers a pretty stellar all-round package of great looks, smart cabin, good tech and usable performance Seat’s new Leon: It’s now better than the VW Golf it’s based on

 
Ford Kuga: a hugely impressive plug-in hybrid that might just help cement a Ford renaissance Ford Kuga: Impressive plug-in hybrid SUV underlines motor giant’s renaissance

 
Opel’s Grandland X Hybrid4 weighs in at more than 1,800kgs. Grandland X hybrid sees Opel approaching new era

 
Kia Xceed: The €29,000 price point puts it right in the mix against regular hybrid rivals Kia Xceed shines with sleek styling

 
The Focus ST is an eighties heroes reborn Ford’s working class hero for these tough times

 
Land Rover Defender: A reboot that lives up to the hype

 
Renault Zoe Z.E.50 R135 GT Line: within sight of being a class leading four-star car, thanks to a mix of usable range, competitive price and practical, smart cabin Is this the best electric car you can buy right now?

 
Mini Electric: Proper premium appeal with electric fun but limited range will prove a sales hurdle Mini Electric: It’s a breeze to drive, but it has a major range issue. And it’s not cheap

 
The new Golf is longer, wider and taller than before, which means a spacious cabin, but takes away a little from its sportier lines. Car review: Golf is bowing out as VW’s star car. So is the new version any good?

 
Opel’s new Corsa is big improvement on previous models and boasts plenty of premium toys Opel Corsa: French takeover helps German supermini reach new heights

 
Dacia Logan: decent ride quality and fuel economy make up for some rough layout edges Dacia gets the boot in with affordable Logan

 
Sportback-and-sides haircut for Audi’s Q3 SUV

 
Who would have thought a manual, front-drive, three-cylinder, 1 Series could be one of the most truly BMW BMWs you can buy? BMW goes back to its roots with 1 Series

 
Upgraded Lexus RX revs up to German challenge

 
The equipment levels on the Hyundai i10 will surprise even the most cynical car buyer Hyundai’s smallest model makes a big impression

 
With 155hp and 250Nm of torque, the Peugeot 2008 GT fairly shifts along. It’ll crack 100km/h in just under nine seconds From demure to daring: Peugeot’s 2008 compact crossover

 
Subaru Forester e-Boxer Hybrid XE Premium Subaru’s Forester e-Boxer: looks blocky but packs a driving punch

 
The T-Roc R: it asks you to throw away the heritage of the Golf in favour of a non-descript suburban runaround VW gives us the fast and fun T-Roc R but it’s not so good on the pocket

 
The 62kWh Nissan Leaf lacks for one major item relative to its opposition: range Nissan’s big-battery Leaf left behind in electric charge

 
The new Corsa may lack in star quality, but it does not put a foot wrong in any major way Corsa’s return sparks new beginning for Opel in Ireland

 
The Toyota C-HR, which starts at €30,620, offers stylish looks and a premium finish Toyota C-HR: A proper premium hybrid crossover that’s a halfway house to electric

 
Ford Puma 1.0 125hp Ecoboost Hybrid Titanium Ford’s new Puma hits our funny bone

 
The Model X is not as polished a product as the smaller, cheaper Model 3, but it is fascinating, it is interesting, it is intriguing. And how often can you say all that about a modern car? Tesla’s next-gen Model X: A frustrating €95k drive – but everyone else will love it

 
VW Passat VW Passat plug-in hybrid is the bridge to an electric future

 
Mazda 3: the saloon certainly looks the part but its engine tech lets it down Mazda 3: Handsome saloon’s clever engine tech doesn’t stand up in court

 
The development team of the new Clio has got the interior mix of physical buttons and touchscreen controls just right Fifth-generation Clio scores with its Gallic charm and practical appeal

 
Skoda Superb’s 62km electric range means for anyone with a county-to-city commute, you could conceivably get from Monday morning to Friday evening without a single millilitre of petrol being burned Skoda Superb: Plugin option makes saloon more sensible still

 
The Mercedes-Benz GLB takes some styling cues from the company’s glorious G-Wagon, though not quite enough in our opinion Mercedes-Benz GLB: One of the most impressive SUVs of the year

 
Plug-in hybrid BMW cleans up the image of premium SUVs

 

CAR REVIEW SEARCH

The ratings

Top 100 We count down the best cars for 2020
 

Most Read in Life & Style

1 Workplace bullying is often part of a wider organisational dynamic How to spot a workplace bully: It’s the person with ‘high unhealthy’ self-esteem

2 Galway city: Two-bed apartment in Knocknacarra for €225,000 (Agent O’Donnellan & Joyce) Teacher, solicitor, tech worker: What kind of home can they buy?

3 Adrian Martin will open Wildflower on Richmond Street South in Dublin 2 on February 2nd. Photographs: Alan Betson First look: A vibrant new restaurant for a reopened Dublin

4 Having some anxiety – especially when faced with a stressful situation – isn’t necessarily bad and can actually be helpful, experts say. Photograph: iStock Anxiety isn’t necessarily bad and can be helpful. Here’s why

5 Dr Bartley Griffith of University of Maryland Medical Centre and David Bennett. Photograph: David Bennett jnr/PA Wire Two weeks after his operation David Bennett is alive, his pig’s heart beating soundly

6 Spiced chickpea stew with coconut and turmeric. Photograph: Michael Graydon & Nikole Herriott/The New York Times. The chickpea stew that broke the internet in the US is here. Give it a go

7 On board the Night Riviera to Cornwall: single-occupancy cabin costs £90 (€108) and, if you are travelling with someone else, a double-occupancy cabin is £120 (€144). Photograph: GWR Sleeping around Europe: The revival of night trains

8 Nowadays, you are likely to only find small patches of these woodlands scattered in overlooked corners, yet they were once widespread. Photograph: Ray Ó Foghlú Ireland’s rainforests hiding in plain sight

9 13 Old Connaught House, Rathmichael, Co Dublin. €345k Georgian apartment in Rathmichael has been home to barons, brothers and writers

10 Our perception of freedom has been challenged and many of the runners I have spoken to feel more vulnerable than ever Running with Ashling on our minds: ‘We feel more vulnerable than ever’

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