Home Blog Page 16

Staycation summer: UK drivers want a road trip holiday this year

0
Skoda Staycation Roof Tent

New research reveals that having a UK-based ‘staycation’ remains a top choice for British holidaymakers in 2025. 

A survey of motorists by Skoda found that almost two thirds (61 percent) were considering a UK road trip. The chance to be spontaneous about where they visit and stay was a big part of the appeal. 

More than half (52 percent) of survey respondents said they want to be more adventurous and explore places they have never experienced before

Also, 37 percent explained that a road trip would allow them to incorporate seeing friends and family into the holiday.

A cost-effective holiday

Skoda Staycation Roof Tent

Ongoing cost of living challenges remain one of the biggest factors for survey respondents thinking about a UK road trip. Exactly a third (33 percent) said driving was a more affordable option than flying. 

This came despite some long distances being considered, with more than half (55 percent) saying they would be happy to travel more than 300 miles for a road trip. Impressively, seven percent said driving in excess of 1,001 miles would be acceptable to them.

Skoda’s survey found that good snacks were an important factor in a successful road trip, though, with 34 percent saying this was an essential consideration.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, good weather was important to more than two thirds (68 percent) of respondents. Scenic routes mattered to 64 percent, with 53 percent saying the in-car company was important as well.

Head for the Highlands and the islands

Skoda Staycation Roof Tent

When it came to the top locations, the picturesque Scottish Highlands were the most desirable, with 42 percent wanting to experience them on a road trip.

The Lake District was next, on 40 percent, followed by the Yorkshire Dales on 36 percent, then the Isle of Skye and St Ives in Cornwall (both on 35 percent).

Skoda found that 13 percent of drivers expressed an interest in fitting a roof tent, and one third (36 percent) would tackle more trips if they had one.

To demonstrate potential options, Skoda equipped two Octavia vRS Estates with Tentbox Lite roof tents. A Czech-designed EGOE box camping unit has also been installed in the Octavia Estate’s 640-litre boot.

ALSO READ:

Essential tips for driving aboard this summer

Beat the heat: how to clear hot air from inside your car

Skoda has made a van version of its Enyaq electric SUV

Advertisement

The Hyundai Ioniq 9 electric SUV is reforesting with drones

0
Hyundai Ioniq Drone Forestry

Hyundai has developed a version of its new Ioniq 9 electric SUV to help repair areas of forest damaged by wildfire. 

The custom Hyundai Ioniq 9 Seed Ball Drone Station turns the three-row SUV into a base for accessing remote areas of South Korea’s East Coast.

It follows Hyundai’s previous build of a drone monitoring station in 2023, which used a Ioniq 5 electric SUV to track reforesting efforts.

The new project in Uljin, South Korea, is one of Hyundai’s forestry schemes across 13 different countries, including the United States.

The all-terrain mobile office

Hyundai Ioniq Drone Forestry

In 2024, Hyundai entered into a five-year partnership with the Korea National Arboreta and Gardens Institute, a subsidiary of the Korea Forest Service.

This has led to building the bespoke Ioniq 9 Seed Ball Drone Station, which makes use of the flagship SUV’s spacious interior. 

The Ioniq 9’s rear cabin has been transformed to host a swivel seat, dual monitors and a dedicated drone operation PC. Having a functional mobile office allows for reforesting work to be targeted more accurately. 

In addition, the Ioniq 9’s vehicle-to-load (V2L) system means the Seed Ball Drone can be charged directly from the SUV’s own high-voltage battery.

A global forestry challenge

Hyundai Ioniq Drone Forestry

The Ioniq 9’s off-road ability allows the team to travel directly to areas that require reforesting. Once charged, the Seed Ball Drone can then be flown to locations that would be difficult to be access. 

The drone disperses a number of seed balls while in the air. Clay spheres that contain a mixture of soil, organic matter and seeds, are dropped directly onto the ground in need of reforesting. 

Hyundai hopes that by being able to disperse a wide number of seed balls rapidly across affected areas, reforesting efforts in Uljin will be faster than by using traditional methods.

The Uljin reforestation will contribute to Hyundai’s Ioniq Forest project, a global scheme launched in 2016, which encompasses countries such as Brazil, Vietnam and the United States. 

Hyundai plans to roll-out its Ioniq-based drone stations to these forest projects in the near future.

ALSO READ:

Kalmar RS-7 is the retro alternative to a Porsche 911 Dakar

Has Prodrive made the finest car racing simulator in the world?

Revealed: the car paint colours that lose the most value

Advertisement

Revealed: the car paint colors that lose value the most

0
Paint Color Depreciation

Your choice of paint color for your next car could impact more than just how it looks, based on a study of vehicle depreciation.

Research compared the value lost by the 10 best-selling vehicles in the United States, matching this against five widely available paint colors

To compile the data, NexusMedia used the EasySearch tool for Shopify, analyzing the depreciation of each color on SUVs, sedans, EVs, and trucks. 

From the analysis, blue emerged as the color likely to lose owners the most money, averaging 27.11 percent in depreciation. This was equivalent to $12,449 in value lost.

Don’t go getting the blues

Paint Color Depreciation

Depreciation for blue paint was not even across the 10 vehicles studied, of course. While a Honda CR-V loses 19.44 percent of its value, a Ford F-150 would depreciate by 42.57 percent in the same hue.

Black was rated as the second-worst color for depreciation, averaging a loss of 23.30 percent, or $10,084 across a five-year period. 

Red claimed third place, losing 21.68 percent on average, equivalent to $8,776. It was closely followed by silver paint, at 21.32 percent – a value of $8,232.

Although white bodywork may not seem particularly exciting, it is the shade most resistant to depreciation. As the most stable paint color, white loses just 18.02 percent on average, seeing a loss of $7,067.

Making a lifestyle statement

Paint Color Depreciation

The study also highlighted the startling differences paint color can have on particular vehicles. A white Tesla Model Y was found to lose an average of 0.83 percent in value, while opting for black saw the car’s value drop by 51.65 percent.

A spokesperson from NexusMedia commented on the study: “Car depreciation has evolved from a predictable financial reality into a complex interplay of psychology, technology, and market perception. 

“While consumers focus on practical factors like mileage and maintenance, subtle aesthetic choices, including color, increasingly influence long-term value retention in ways that defy logical market behavior. 

“This reflects a broader shift where vehicles are no longer purely functional assets but lifestyle statements, where even minor visual characteristics can significantly impact financial outcomes years after purchase, creating unexpected winners and losers in the resale market.”

ALSO READ:

Bid to own a Porsche 911 GT3 designed by Dua Lipa

The XC60 SUV is now the best-selling Volvo of all time

Toyota has built a GR Yaris rally car powered by hydrogen

Advertisement

Car makers launch their own EV grants to save buyers money now

0
New Electric Car Grants

Following the announcement of the government’s new Electric Car Grant (ECG), vehicle manufacturers have already begun offering discounted prices to customers. 

Instead of waiting for the administration of the ECG scheme, several brands have introduced their own electric car grants with immediate effect.

Alfa Romeo will offer all customers a £1,500 discount on the price of its Junior Elettrica compact SUV. The offer covers all trim levels. This sees the entry-level Junior now priced from £32,405.

The new Alfa Romeo EV Grant can be used in addition to existing retail offers, including zero percent PCP finance deals, discounted servicing packages and free home charging.

Manufacturers offer money off

New Electric Car Grants

Chinese brand GWM, which sells the electric Ora 03 hatchback, has also revealed substantial savings to avoid delays on eligibility criteria for the official ECG scheme.

A £3,750 discount will apply across all Ora 03 trim levels, dropping the starting price of the Pure model to £21,425.

Toby Marshall, managing director at GWM UK, explained: “We don’t believe our customers should have to wait for the government to decide which vehicles qualify for the EV grant. 

“So, we’ve taken matters into our own hands and matched the £3,750 saving, available to everyone, right now, on our Ora 03 range. With immediate availability, competitive finance, and exceptional value, there has never been a better time to go electric with GWM Ora.”

Leapmotor T03 is cheapest new EV

New Electric Car Grants

Other car manufacturers launching their own electric vehicle grant schemes to avoid delays include MG, which has committed ‘to work constructively with the Government to further increase the sale of EVs’.

The company is now giving customers a discount of £1,500 on MG4 EV and MGS5 EV models.

Budget brand Leapmotor became the first marque to offer a self-funded grant scheme, slashing £3,750 from the price of its C10 family SUV.

It has also cut £1,500 from the diminutive T03 city car. A new list price of only £14,495, makes the T03 the cheapest electric hatchback on sale in the UK.

ALSO READ:

Alfa Romeo Junior Veloce 2025 review

MG4 EV 2023 review

The best cars to buy in 2025

Advertisement

Bargain prices confirmed for new Jaecoo 5 compact SUV

0
Jaecoo 5 SUV UK Pricing

Jaecoo is one of the growing number of Chinese brands offering new cars in the UK. The company has just announced prices for its second SUV: the Jaecoo 5.

Following the larger Jaecoo 7, which was driven by Motoring Research earlier this year, the Jaecoo 5 will take on the Ford Puma and Jeep Avenger

The new Jaecoo made its dynamic debut at the recent Goodwood Festival of Speed. An all-female team drove the compact SUV up the famous hill climb.

Now Jaecoo has confirmed the full UK specification for its newest family SUV, set to cost from just £24,505.

Petrol power now, electric to follow

Jaecoo 5 SUV UK Pricing

The entry-level Jaecoo 5 will undercut its key compact SUV competitors – including the Ford Puma, which costs from £26,580.

The car’s design is said to take ‘​​visual cues from nature, with body lines inspired by mountain ridges and dramatic natural landscapes’. This includes a bold ‘waterfall’ front grille. 

At launch, the Jaecoo 5 comes with a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, also used in the Jaecoo 7. Delivering 147hp and 203lb ft of torque, the front-wheel-drive SUV is fitted with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. 

Jaecoo plans to launch a fully electric version, too. More details of this model will be confirmed soon.

Set to arrive this October

Jaecoo 5 SUV UK Pricing

Two trim levels will be offered for the Jaecoo 5 initially, with the Pure model at the headline £24,505 starting price. Standard equipment includes automatic headlights, a 13.2-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, plus a six-speaker Sony audio system.

For £28,000, the Jaecoo 5 Luxury upgrades to eight speakers and adds cooled wireless smartphone charging, a panoramic sunroof, ambient lighting and dual-zone climate control. The front seats are both heated and ventilated, with six-way power adjustment.

Both versions of the Jaecoo 5 will feature a seven-year or 100,000-mile warranty as standard, with three years of RAC Home Start cover also included.

Orders can be placed later this summer through Omoda and Jaecoo UK’s nationwide dealership network, now in 75 locations. The first deliveries to customers are expected in October 2025.

ALSO READ:

Jaecoo 7 SHS 2025 review

Ford Capri 2025 review

Best family SUVs to buy in 2025

Advertisement

Isuzu announces UK prices for electric D-Max EV pickup truck

0
Isuzu D-Max EV Prices

UK prices for the new electric Isuzu D-Max EV pickup truck have been announced, ahead of sales starting later this year.

Set to be the first battery-powered professional pickup on sale in Europe, the D-Max EV was revealed earlier this year at the Commercial Vehicle Show in Birmingham.

The EV shares the same robust ladder frame chassis as the diesel-powered D-Max, and will be capable of carrying a one-tonne payload. It can also tow 3.5 tonnes.

Aimed at commercial fleet users, demonstration examples of the D-Max EV will be made available before the first customer deliveries in March 2026.

Brisk performance, limited range

Isuzu D-Max EV Prices

Isuzu will offer the D-Max EV in two trim levels. Buyers also have choice between Extended or Double Cab body styles. 

All versions use a dual-motor setup, giving the D-Max EV full-time four-wheel drive. The two electric motors generate a combined total of 188hp and 240lb ft of torque. 

Weighing in at 2,350kg, the D-Max EV can accelerate from 0-62mph in 10.1 seconds, making it noticeably quicker than its diesel-powered counterpart. Top speed is said to be in excess of 80mph.

A 66.9kWh lithium-ion battery gives the D-Max EV a range of just 163 miles when fully charged. A charging speed of up to 50kW means replenishing the battery from 10 to 80 percent could take one hour.

D-Max EV on sale later this year

Isuzu D-Max EV Prices

Prices for the D-Max EV will start from £59,995 excluding VAT (£71,994 with VAT) for the eDL40 model in Extended Cab layout. Opting for the Double Cab increases the cost to £60,995 before VAT (£73,194 with VAT).

Standard equipment on the eDL40 trim level includes bi-LED headlights, front and rear parking sensors, leather upholstery, heated front seats, an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen and a dedicated Rough Terrain Mode.

Topping the range is the D-Max eV-Cross, priced from £62,495 excluding VAT (£74,994 with VAT). The flagship D-Max EV has grey rather than chrome-effect exterior trim, plus a larger 9.0-inch infotainment screen. An automatically dimming rear-view mirror and eight-speaker audio system are included, too.

ALSO READ:

Isuzu D-Max V-Cross 2025 review

Isuzu D-Max AT35 2024 review

The world’s most powerful trucks and SUVs

Advertisement

New Subaru Uncharted electric SUV is coming to the UK

0
2026 Subaru Uncharted EV

Three new fully electric Subaru models are headed for the UK, as the Japanese company aims to become a bigger player in the European car market.

Leading Subaru’s electric revolution is the new Uncharted, a crossover SUV that shares its platform with the forthcoming Toyota C-HR+.

Designed to offer true off-road ability – like the cars Subaru built its reputation upon during the 1990s – the Uncharted will offer 210mm of ground clearance. 

Subaru will confirm UK prices for the Uncharted compact SUV nearer the time. Sales will start in early 2026.

Heading into new territory

2026 Subaru Uncharted EV

Three powertrain options will be available for the Uncharted, including two versions with front-wheel drive, plus a choice between 57.7 and 77kWh batteries. 

The larger battery in the front-wheel-drive ‘Long Range’ model offers up to 363 miles of driving when fully charged. With a 22kW onboard charger included as standard, recharging the Uncharted from 10 to 80 percent could take 30 minutes.

Topping the range is an all-wheel-drive model, which uses dual motors to deliver a total of 344hp. This should mean 0-62mph in just 5.0 seconds, along with a 292-mile range on a full battery.

Standard equipment includes a squared-off steering wheel with paddle shifters, dual wireless charging pads and Subaru’s 14-inch infotainment touchscreen.

A trio of electric cars incoming

2026 Subaru Uncharted EV

Joining the Uncharted in the electric Subaru range from 2026 is an updated version of the existing Solterra SUV. This has been heavily revised to address criticism of its battery range (and that of the related Toyota bZ4X). 

Highlights for the 2026 Solterra include the same 344hp dual-motor powertrain as the Uncharted, along with a 73.1kWh battery that delivers a range of more than 310 miles. 

Later in 2026, Subaru will also bring the E-Outback to the UK market. The car was revealed as the ‘Trailseeker’ at this year’s New York International Auto Show.

Based on the same platform as the Solterra, the E-Outback will offer increased luggage capacity and a 380hp electric drivetrain.

ALSO READ:

32 iconic Subaru road and rally cars

Best family SUVs to buy in 2025

Your EV questions answered on Motoring Electric

Advertisement

Zapmap launches new charging card to help EV drivers

0
Zapmap charging card

The Zapmap EV app has launched a new charging card. It promises to make using public chargers easier for electric car drivers.

The new Zapmap charging card allows drivers to start a charge with a quick tap at a compatible charging point. Zapmap says more than 40,000 EV chargers across the UK are already accessible.

Introducing the new charging card is the latest development for Zapmap, whose app has become a ‘go-to’ tool for EV owners. The new Zapmap charging card is said to work ‘seamlessly’ with the app.

How does the Zapmap charging card work?

Electric vehicle charging at station in front of Brewpoint building, parked cars nearby, under a cloudy sky with visible power lines.

Because it is fully integrated into the app, the new Zapmap charging card should be a slick alternative to contactless payments.

To get started, users add their debit card details within the Zapmap app and order their card. When they receive it, they simply tap the card at supported chargers. The session – and a receipt for it – will appear automatically within the app.

It means that drivers won’t have to juggle a multitude of different phone apps. They can also pay for charging while in the app, if they don’t want to use the physical card.

With more than 30 EV charging networks already supported, the company believes the new Zapmap charging card will make EV drivers feel more confident.

Also, as charging remains the number one barrier to motorists making the switch to electric cars, bosses hope the new Zapmap charging card will help encourage more people into EVs.

“We’re here to help drivers charging with confidence,” said Zapmap COO and co-founder Melanie Shufflebotham. “The new charging card makes that even easier.”

The new charging card is currently only available to Zapmap Premium Annual subscribers “for a small fee”. It will roll out to all Zapmap users later this summer.

ALSO READ:

Dodge charger electric muscle car recalled for being too quiet

New Corvette E-Ray is a bargain supercar – now on sale in the UK

A quarter of UK drivers still ignore the two-second rule

Advertisement

Best hot hatchbacks to buy in 2025

1
Best hot hatchbacks to buy in 2025

Proving that good things come in small packages, the hot hatchback continues to provide power to the people. Nearly 50 years since the original Volkswagen Golf GTI established the blueprint, no type of car offers such a compelling blend of performance, practicality and price.

Whether you want a four-wheel-drive tearaway or a fun-sized pocket rocket, there is a car here to suit you. Guaranteed: every one will put a smile on your face when driving on your favourite road. Bang on-trend for 2025, our list even includes a choice of electric hot hatches. 

Read on for the best new hot hatchbacks to buy this year, with our choices presented in alphabetical order.

Abarth 500e

Abarth 500e

The bright and boisterous Abarth 500e is among the first of the new electric hot hatchbacks. With a 42.2kWh battery and 152hp motor, it can zip to 62mph in 7.0 seconds and reach a top speed of 96mph. Activate the external speaker and you get a rorty (but oddly inauthentic) four-cylinder soundtrack, too.  

The official range of 157 miles will come tumbling down if you drive the 500e with brio, which rather limits its practicality. Oh, and did we mention it almost costs Golf GTI money? Still this battery-powered upstart won’t fail to make you grin, and for that it should be celebrated. Order yours in radioactive Acid Green for the maximum Abarth attitude.

We said: ‘The Abarth 500e feels right at home in the city. It is eager to whisk you off the line and nips through gaps in traffic easily. It loses traction on greasy roads like an excitable terrier on a tiled floor, but once grip is found, it squats down and flings you towards the next junction.’ 

Read our Abarth 500e review

Alpine A290

Best Hot Hatchbacks

The Alpine A290 is another new electric hot hatchback. It marks Alpine’s first foray into the world of EVs, although the French marque plans to add a further six electric models to its range by 2030 – including a battery-powered version of the A110 sports car. 

Based on the award-winning Renault 5, this stylish five-door hatch musters 220hp in the range-topping A290 GTS we tested: good for 0-62mph in 6.4 seconds. There is also a cheaper 180hp A290 GT, which adds an extra second to the benchmark sprint time.

We said: ‘Prod the D-for-drive button (borrowed from the A110) and the A290 feels instantly up for it. With 221lb ft going through its front tyres, this GTS version can break traction if you’re hard on the throttle out of corners. Yet it mostly feels smooth and eager, with enough punch to make swift progress.’

Read our Alpine A290 GTS review

Audi RS3 Sportback

Audi RS3 Sportback

Some will insist a ‘proper’ hot hatchback needs to have three doors and drive through the front wheels only. To them, the Audi RS3 Sportback offers a nonchalant shrug (or perhaps a two-fingered salute) and gets on with being one of the fastest point-to-point cars on sale.

Its 2.5-litre turbocharged engine produces a mighty 400hp, along with a sonorous five-cylinder soundtrack that’s almost unrivalled at this end of the market. It also sprints to 62mph in a whisker over four seconds – faster than a Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 – and features a plethora of safety and connectivity tech. However, even the most affordable hot Audi doesn’t come cheap. 

We said: ‘Fast Audis, including the Quattro, long had a reputation for feeling aloof, but the RS3 is alert and utterly planted. Its supple damping is ideally calibrated for British B-roads, while the torque-vectoring diff hooks it around corners with unflinching tenacity. The Mercedes-AMG A45 S has more attitude and is ultimately more exciting, but it won’t cover ground any quicker. And the Audi’s calmer ride makes it easier to live with.’ 

Read our Audi RS3 Sportback review

Ford Focus ST Edition

Best Hot Hatchbacks

The Focus will forever be regarded as a turning point for Ford. It reaffirmed that driving a family hatchback did not have to mean forgoing driver enjoyment. And the hot ST and RS versions were, of course, even better. Sadly, the current ST Edition is a last hurrah, with production of the Focus due to end later this year.

Ford has retained the standard ST’s 280hp turbocharged engine, but the Edition adds larger Brembo brakes, grippy Pirelli P Zero Corsa tyres and KW coilover suspension. The latter drops the Focus lower to the ground, and can be manually adjusted with a spanner.

We said: ‘Flawed and expensive it might be, but the Focus ST Edition will be Ford’s last hot hatchback for the foreseeable future. For those who grew up lusting over sporty cars with a blue oval on the bonnet, that makes it instantly desirable and collectable.’

Read our Ford Focus ST Edition review

Honda Civic Type R

Honda Civic Type R

When all cars have become autonomous pods and the definitive history of the hot hatchback is finally written, the latest ‘FL5’ Honda Civic Type R will be rated among the greats. Remember how Chris Harris compared it to a Peugeot 205 GTI on Top Gear? Yep, it’s that good.

Naturally, the Type R is vastly quicker and more capable than the 40-year-old GTI. Yet it offers that same subjective sense of connection, from well-oiled gearshift to perfectly poised chassis. Yes, it’s seriously expensive, at £51,905, but keep it for 40 years and who knows, you might even end up with a money-making modern classic

We said: ‘The turbocharged motor isn’t as maniacal as Type Rs of old, but it responds sharply and relishes high revs. A new Individual mode for the engine and chassis allows you to tailor the car’s settings, too. At a cold and slightly damp Thruxton, the new FL5 inspires more confidence than its predecessor. You can carve through corners with laser-like accuracy, enjoying the plentiful grip, fine balance and eventual willingness to oversteer.’ 

Read our Honda Civic Type R review

Mercedes-AMG A35 

Mercedes-AMG A35

The A35 has the same aggressive styling, glitzy tech and slingshot traction as the Mercedes-AMG A45 S (coming up next), but is more affordable to buy and easier to insure. And if the 421hp flagship is scorching hot, this car’s vital statistics – 306hp, 0-62mph in 4.7 seconds and 155mph – are hardly lukewarm. As our review notes: ‘On British B-roads, most drivers this side of Lewis Hamilton will cover ground more confidently, and likely more quickly, in this baby Benz than the AMG GT supercar.’

Mercedes-AMG’s answer to the Golf R, the A35 is also more engaging to drive than the Volkswagen in its current Mk8 guise. Fit the optional AMG Aerodynamics package, including front dive planes and a lofty tailgate spoiler, and no-one will know you haven’t bought the turned-up-to-11 version.

We said: ‘Like the now-ubiquitous Golf R, the Mercedes-AMG A35 serves up driving fun, practicality and car-park kudos in a well-rounded package. It’s a car for the North Coast 500 and the North Circular. And that, surely, is what hot hatchbacks were all about in the first place.’

Read our Mercedes-AMG A35 review

Mercedes-AMG A45 S

Mercedes-AMG A45 S

If you find yourself playing the 2025 version of Hot Hatchback Top Trumps, the Mercedes-AMG A45 S is the card to stick up your sleeve. The key number here is 421hp. If you think that looks mad written down, you should try being behind the wheel. Fortunately, 4Matic four-wheel drive helps keep this surface-level missile locked on target.

The most powerful production 2.0-litre engine in the world rockets the A45 S to 62mph in just 3.9 seconds. Top speed is 168mph. Crucially, it’s more thrilling to drive than the Audi RS3, while a host of AMG features make it easy and luxurious to live with. Just be prepared for a price tag north of £65,000. 

We said: ‘Like the now-departed Ford Focus RS, it uses torque vectoring to create a rear-biased feel and effectively quash understeer. Also like the Focus, there’s a controversial Drift mode, which amplifies this effect by channelling torque to the outside rear wheel. Either way, this is no tyre-smoking C63 wannabe. My overriding impression was of superb balance and reassuring neutrality. Oh, and speed. So much speed.’

Read our Mercedes-AMG A45 S review

Mini Cooper S

Mini Cooper S

Whisper this, but you don’t need to splash out on a Cooper S to have a good time in a Mini. Even the basic Mini Hatch is a joy to drive, so you could find a few well chosen extras are all you need for a Mini adventure. Likewise, you might be tempted to stretch to the flagship Mini John Cooper Works, but this more extreme Mini is a little too unhinged for daily use. 

The 178hp Cooper S sources its power from a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, dispatching the 0-62mph sprint in around seven seconds. Its central exhaust pipes provide a naughty soundtrack to accompany the lively performance.

The Mini Hatch range was updated in 2024, with the Cooper being one of the marque’s final petrol-engined models before it goes fully electric. A battery-powered version of the hot hatch has already been revealed, available in two guises: 184hp Cooper E and 218hp Cooper SE. The latter offers up to 250 miles of range, according to Mini. 

Read our Mini Hatch review

Toyota GR Yaris 

Best Hot Hatchbacks

Few hot hatchbacks have generated as much anticipation as the Toyota GR Yaris. A genuine homologation hero – built to enable Toyota to compete in the World Rally Championship – the GR Yaris is a truly bespoke creation.

Now, five years after its initial release, Toyota has treated its all-wheel-drive supermini to a mid-life update. Included in the list of detailed tweaks is the option of an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, offered alongside the six-speed manual.

Power from the 1.6-litre three-cylinder engine has been upped to 280hp, dropping the 0-62mph time down to 5.2 seconds. Toyota has increased the price tag too, though, with the wildest Yaris now starting from £46,045.

We said: ‘Like all the greatest showroom-spec rally cars, from the Lancia Delta HF Integrale to the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo, the GR Yaris can be hustled regardless of the road or weather conditions.’

Read our Toyota GR Yaris review

Volkswagen Golf GTI

Volkswagen Mk8.5 Golf GTI

A hot hatchback legend, the latest ‘Mk8.5’ version of the Volkswagen Golf GTI may be the last before the famous badge goes fully electric in 2028. With a host of updates for this eighth-generation update, Volkswagen has at least ensured that the Golf GTI goes out on a high.

Only true GTI aficionados will be able to spot the changes on the outside, with a reprofiled front bumper and new badges for the front doors. Under the bonnet the venerable 2.0-litre turbocharged engine has been boosted to 265hp, but there is no longer the option of a manual gearbox. Using the seven-speed DSG transmission results in a 0-62mph time of 5.9 seconds. 

Almost as significantly, Volkswagen has updated the Mk8 Golf GTI’s frustrating infotainment system. There is a new, larger, central touchscreen, and ‘real’ buttons on the steering wheel instead of haptic touchpads.

We said: ‘This is a car that shrugs off the daily commute or school run, yet also relishes those rare moments on roads less travelled. An impressive all-rounder, then – and the same as it (mostly) ever was.’

Read our Volkswagen Golf GTI review

ALSO READ:

Read all of our car reviews

Classic car news and reviews on Retro Motor

The best cars to buy in 2025

Advertisement

A quarter of UK drivers still ignore the two-second rule

0
AA Tailgating Research

Drivers in the UK are continuing to put themselves at risk of a serious accident by ignoring the rules on tailgating.

That is the finding of a new survey by AA Accident Assist, which sought the views of more than 12,500 British motorists on road safety. 

Only one in 20 (five percent) of respondents said they were unaware of the Highway Code rule about leaving a safe gap to other vehicles. 

However, 25 percent of those surveyed said that, while they knew about the ‘two-second rule’, they deliberately disregarded it when driving.

Mind the gap!

AA Tailgating Research

Rule 126 of the Highway Code says that: ‘Tailgating is where the gap between you and the vehicle in front is too small for you to be able to stop safely if the vehicle in front suddenly brakes’.

It also recommends using a fixed object to help measure a two-second gap to vehicles in front, allowing for ‘time to react and stop if necessary’.

Official National Highways data shows that 147 people are killed or seriously injured on England’s motorways and major A-roads each year due to tailgating

Statistics from AA Accident Assist found that more than half (58 percent) of repairs carried out for its customers in 2024 required a new front bumper to be fitted.

‘An avoidable motoring risk’

AA Tailgating Research

The AA’s latest survey shows no change in attitudes towards tailgating since the organisation conducted similar research in 2023.

Tim Rankin, managing director of AA Accident Assist, said; “It seems driver behaviour towards tailgating remains unmoved, with it being an all-too-regular experience on the roads. Regardless of motorways or local streets, drivers feel intimidated by others following too close behind.

“Our workload shows that bumpers and the technology within them are the most common repairs. As well as vehicle parts, personal injury claims due to tailgating-related crashes are being made. In many cases, these crashes could be avoided simply by backing off the car in front.

“Nobody wants to spoil their summer holidays with an avoidable collision. By allowing at least a two-second gap between yourself and the car in front, you significantly reduce the risk of crashing into that vehicle. 

“Similarly, if you are being tailgated, where safe to do so, pull over and let them pass. It is better to cut them loose rather than feel frustrated and try to slow them down.”

ALSO READ:

Electric Car Grant will save up to £3,750 on new EVs

Skoda has made a van version of its Enyaq electric SUV

How to avoid damage when parking your car

Advertisement