At the moment it seems that the motor industry is going through a perfect storm of Covid and a scarcity of product, due to the pandemic and maybe a bit of Brexit mixed in.
Dealers are finding it hard to source particular cars but the knock-on effect is that your trade in could be worth much more than you expect, making now a good time to do a deal.
There’s plenty out there to tempt and with more and more motorists exploring full or partially electric powered car, there has hardly been a launch this year without an EV or PHEV variant.
I’ve noticed it even in the cars I’ve tested over the last 12 months with fewer and fewer diesels and more electric cars with more on the horizon.
First up is Alfa Romeo with the newly facelifted Stelvio SUV which now comes with a PHEV variant. The Giulia saloon has received an update also and we’re now told that its replacement will be a full EV. The smaller Tonale SUV will arrive early next year.
Audi dipped their toes in the electric pond with the e-tron but the range has now been expanded with the Q4 e-tron, a smaller SUV and a sister car to the Volkswagen ID.4. It’s a car that brings all of Audi’s qualities to the family SUV market but powered by a battery.
Another EV from Audi is the e-tron GT, a full-on sports tourer that is a very impressive drive. There’s even an RS version on the way for ultimate performance.
More conventionally, a new A5 Sportback and both Q5 and Q8 are new, each one coming with a PHEV option.
BMW are also on strong electric form with a newly launched iX3, which as its name suggests is an electric version of the existing X3. To go along with that there’s the new iX, which is based on an entirely new, electric only platform. It’s broadly X5 sized for interior room. The third EV is yet to be launched but it’s not too far away and it’s the i4, effectively a 3 Series Gran Coupé in electric form and it looks a stunning car.
For performance fans, there’s a new M3 and M4 and BMW’s first proper hot hatchback, the 128ti.
Citroën have a new C4 hatchback which is not only available as a petrol and diesel but also with an EV option, the Ë-C4, with a claimed 350km range. The cars are fitted with Progressive Hydraulic Cushioned suspension and special Comfort Seats to bring back the traditional ride comfort of Citroëns of old, like the DS. There’s a facelifted C3 hatchback also and a new C5 X should be here early next year, a mix of saloon, estate and SUV styling with petrol and PHEV powertrains on offer.
The Born is Cupra’s first fully electric car and we’ll see it here early next year. It will be available in a range of battery sizes and power outputs with a maximum range of up to 540km.
Dacia launched brand new versions of their Sandero and Sandero Stepway models earlier this year. Benefiting from the latest platforms, it brings the latest tech to the duo. There’s an interesting LPG option which gives a total driving range of around 1,500km. It’s a tempting package. There’s an updated Duster also, which comes with a dual fuel option and the availability of a dual clutch automatic transmission.
DS have their DS 7 SUV on the market for a while but they’re also on the electric trail with their 3 hatchback, which comes in petrol, diesel and electric guises. DS only launched officially in Ireland earlier this year but there’s a new DS 4 hatchback on the way and a DS 5 saloon to round off the range.
The 500e is Fiat’s take on an electric car for the city. It’s styled almost identically to the outgoing cinquecento but it’s a completely new platform and has a range of 320km with the biggest battery on offer. There’s a cabrio version too.
Mustang is the name chosen for Ford’s first EV and if you squint a bit, even though it’s an SUV, the Mach E definitely evokes the Mustang spirit. It’s expected here early in 2021. For now, there’s a PHEV option for the Puma, the Puma ST, which uses the same engine as the Fiesta ST to make a neat, fast SUV and there’s an updated Kuga, which also comes with a PHEV option. There’s a new Fiesta and Focus on the way also.
Honda’s city car is the Honda e, which has made it to production with its showcar looks intact. The dashboard comprises one long screen and there’s video cameras instead of door mirrors. It has a limited electric range but it’s a real looker.
The Bayon is the small SUV from Hyundai and the Tucson is their full size SUV which is among the best selling cars on sale here in Ireland. The Ioniq 5 is the new, family sized electric SUV, sister car to the Kia EV6, although the two look quite different.
Jaguar have PHEV versions of their E-Pace and F-Pace SUVs and there’s mild hybrid power for both the XE and XF saloons.
Kia have just launched a brand-new Sportage and the recently launched larger Sorento now comes with a PHEV option. The EV6 is a new, family sized, electric crossover, built on an entirely new platform. It’s well worth a look.
Land Rover have also introduced several PHEV models, including the Defender, Evoque and Velar. An entirely new Range Rover will be launched shortly.
Lexus, as you’d expect have a full range of hybrids and plugin hybrids, including the UX compact crossover. There’s also the NX, which includes both types of hybrid in the model selection. Finally, there’s the UX300e, the first electric Lexus, which boast a range of over 300km.
The latest from Mazda is also electric in the form of the MX-30, an EV designed from the ground up to drive like a normal car. The range is a bit limiting but it compensates with a very nice interior which uses unusual materials including cork. It features rear hinged rear doors for a bit of extra added interest.
There’s a veritable alphabet of EVs at Mercedes with the EQA, EQB, EQC and EQV meeting virtually every need.
The quintessential Mercedes, the E-Class will get an electric version next year, the EQE and there’s an EQS in the offing too, which should be some machine.
PHEVs haven’t been forgotten either and with the GLC, there’s even the choice between a petrol hybrid and a diesel one so all bases are covered.
For those after the ultimate in luxury, a new S-Class was launched earlier this year.
MG have pivoted themselves from makers of roadsters in the 70s to EV makers now under their new Chinese owners. There’s the ZS, a competitively priced SUV and the 5, as far as I can see the only EV estate on the market. To complete the range there’s the HS plugin hybrid.
Mini have updated their hatchback and convertible models and there’s a Mini EV on sale also, although the range really makes it more suitable for urbanites.
Nissan launched their brand-new Qashqai earlier this year with mild hybrid petrol power only, both 1.3 litre units in two states of tune. Next year a full hybrid will join the range.
We can look forward to a new EV, the Ariya, a mid-size SUV, some time next year and a new X-Trail is in the offing too.
Opel are offering petrol, diesel and electric versions of their Mokka. They look identical in style so it’s just down to how you want to power your car. A new Grandland SUV is also on offer and the new Astra has had its international reveal. There will also be an electric version.
Peugeot have also revealed their new family hatchback with the launch of the new 308. We’ll see it here next year. Performance fans can opt for the 508 Sport Engineered, a PHEV that centres on performance. There’s a full line up of electric cars too, both hatchbacks and SUVs with PHEVs well represented across the range.
Renault recently launched their new mid-size crossover, the Arkana, with the choice of either mild or full hybrid power. It’s a handsome machine. There’s PHEV versions of the Clio, Captur and Mégane too, using e-tech technology.
Skoda’s new EV is the Enyaq and it’s suitable for all the family, given its size and impressive spec. A range of over 400km finishes off the good news. There’s a new Fabia supermini on the way. It should have been here by now but its launch has been officially postponed due to the chip crisis.
Suzuki introduced the very cute Jimny small Jeep a while back but it wasn’t brought into Ireland as its CO2 rating would have made it far too expensive. The solution was to make it a commercial vehicle so that’s how you can now buy this car.
Just last week, Suzuki also unveiled their newest model, the S-Cross SUV. Power comes from a mild hybrid 1.4 litre petrol engine and later on there’ll be the option of a Strong Hybrid, capable of some EV only running.
Tesla didn’t invent the electric car but it’s fair to say they were the first to make it cool. The new Model Y SUV has just joined the range, which also includes the S saloon, X seven seater and the volume model, the 3 saloon.
Toyota have specialised in hybrids for more years than any other maker so it’s surprising that they’re only introducing their first EV now. We’ll see the new bZ4X here in May. It’s been purpose built as an EV from the ground up and will offer four wheel drive in a mid size SUV package.
In the meantime, there’s the new Yaris with its Cross SUV sibling. Performance fans can rejoice in the rally-inspired Garmin GR and there’s even more good news – a new GT86 is on the way, this time dubbed the GR 86. It’s the same recipe as before, simple rear drive mechanicals and a normally aspirated engine for the best throttle response. It’s more powerful and faster than the outgoing model too. The Highlander is a large, luxurious SUV which should fit into any families’ lifestyle.
Volkswagen now have a range of ID electric cars with the ID.4 SUV joining the ID.3 hatchback. An ID.5 and other models will arrive next year.
More conventionally, a small SUV, the Taigo will arrive by year’s end with a new Polo coming along shortly afterward.
There’s a new Tiguan SUV and for performance fans, the GTi variant of the Golf has been introduced. There’s a performance version of the ID.4, the GTX, also in the offing.
The XC40 Recharge is Volvo’s electric version of their successful XC40 SUV. Initially available as a high power version with four wheel drive, there’s now a single motor version with just front wheel drive and a cheaper price tag.
There’s also the XC60 and XC90 plugin hybrids with an EV range of around 90kms, which should get most drivers through a normal day of driving without having to recharge.
