2023 saw an even greater drive towards electrification as almost one in five new car buyers opted to purchase an EV. The November statistics showed petrol cars accounting for just over 30 per cent of the market.
Diesels accounted for 22 per cent and electric cars for just over 18 per cent. The trend is definitive and the advance towards EV's irreversible in the longer term.
But, as you can see from the figures, there is still a good deal of diversity in the market with some quicker than others to take on the inevitable challenges of running an EV, such as those who don’t have home charging and those for whom big mileage is a fact of life.
Delving into that diverse market offering, here are my driving highlights of 2023.
BEST NEW MEDIUM EV:
The Hyundai Kona now leads the way in an increasingly crowded electric car market, with prices pipping the popular Volkswagen offerings when battery capacity is measured. The Kona benefits from an upgraded cabin - inspired by the bigger Ioniq 5 and 6 models - and its twin 12.3 instrument and infotainment screens completely outshine those of the competition. The exterior styling is perfectly fine - if not as revolutionary as the Ioniq models are - and it’s a good-sized family car. It starts at €39,995 for the bigger and more practical 65 kW battery and delivers a good range. I managed up to 370 on a single charge in mixed conditions, which is impressive. The Kona represents one of the best motoring packages for all needs.
BEST SMALL HYBRID CROSSOVER:
It may seem slightly bizarre to take a punt on a car I haven’t driven yet but I’m familiar enough with both Toyota’s hybrid technology and its reputation for reliability to believe any blushes will be spared by nominating the Yaris Crossover. It’s one of the cleverest small packages I’ve ever seen - a sort of mini SUV with a 1.5 litre self-charging engine that is easy to get in and out of, has an impressive suite of safety equipment as standard and starts at €30,640. It should easily match or even surpass the consumption figures I’ve gotten from other Toyota hybrids - just over 5 kilometres per 100 km.
BEST NEW MEDIUM HYBRID: Again, the gong goes to the Kona, for the reasons outlined above. Add in an excellent hybrid set-up and you don’t have any charging worries. You also get excellent economy at just over 5 litres per 100 kilometres. The car is much, much improved over the model it replaces.
BEST BUDGET EV:
Chinese car manufacturers - which have been able to move straight into EV production without having to alter hugely expensive production lines - are putting the cat among the pigeons in Europe. Many mainstream manufacturers are struggling to match offerings such as the MG 4, whose price point starts at €28,995 in Ireland. Pleasantly styled and practical, I got about 275 kilometres out of the 51 kW battery on a single charge. The car is well-equipped and the 10.25 inch floating screen is something other big companies can’t match. There is also a seven year guarantee. Watch this space.
MOST IMPRESSIVE EV ARRIVAL:
Again, it’s a Chinese car - the BYD Atto 3. For a starting price of €38,628 you get a lot of car and a good range. Styling may not be dramatically impressive but it’s a car with lots of standard equipment, including a panoramic sunroof and a rotating screen almost the size of the laptop I’m writing this piece on. I got a good range of about 330 km on a single charge without music to complain about in terms of the car’s road manners and performance. More BYD’s are now coming on stream. Again, watch this space.
BEST ALTERNATIVE HYBRID:
The Nissan Qashqai hasn’t changed all that often since it first created the craze for family cars with SUV styling in 2007, but the the latest version is a very advanced car. It’s now equipped with an e-Power system that enables the 1.5 petrol engine to power the battery and an electric motor to turn the wheels. It’s spacious, has two impressive screens for functionality and entertainment. Its styling and touches such as the full LED lights and the e-pedal, which can be used for both acceleration and braking, give it a bit of an advantage. The Nissan system is not as fuel-efficient as I’d like though - consumption is nearer the 6.0 litres per 100 km, despite the modest engine size. It was, however, a memorable car to drive on a long journey. Cost price from €44,000.
Renault’s Austral deserves a mention here for offering a much-improved hybrid in the shape of the Austral. The Clio was the car the car that woke us up to the fact that something innovative was afoot at Renault. The Austral is a very smart looking family car and runs on an efficient hybrid engine delivering good consumption of about 5.5 litres of petrol per 100 km’s while running on fuel. The car also has generous electric range in town. Its Google-based software and voice command capacity are much better than those of many competitors. You also get clever sliding rear seats. Prices start at €45,295.
BEST NEW EXECUTIVE OFFERING:
Peugeot hasn’t just come on dramatically in terms of styling, but also in its reliability ratings. The 408 stood out for its bold and innovative styling and it also comes with a PHEV option as well as the very economical 1.2 Puretech petrol, with 180 horse power. At a starting price of €40,995, it costs a lot less than car from the likes of BMW and Mercedes yet you get an impressive driving experience and a consumption figure of about 6.2 litres per 100 km’s. The i-Cockpit experience adds to the novelty.
BEST LARGER ELECTRIC CAR:
It isn’t only Chinese car companies that have other manufacturers rattled - so too does Elon Musk with his decision to dramatically reduce prices. You can now have a Model Y here for €46,990 - a good deal cheaper than a year ago and that price that poses serious competition for even a much more modest car such as the VW iD 3. The Y is a little minimalist for my liking but that is rather the essence of Tesla design and engineering.
However, there’s no getting away from the fact that a Tesla will get you from Dublin to Dingle with one fast charge en route and no stress. The Y has lightning acceleration, and the software that reads your predicted range and remaining charge at your destination is both reassuring and far more dependable than others. On a Tesla supercharger you can get up to 240 km’s of range in 15 minutes. The big screen is an outstanding feature.
A Tesla isn’t just a cool car anymore. It’s now competitive and does a lot of reduce range anxiety. It’s even got four wheel drive capacity.
BEST LARGER FAMILY EV:
If you need a bigger family EV option, you’re going to be paying an appreciable amount for it. Even Skoda’s estimable Enyaq has a starting price of €49,910. The car, whether in standard or coupe design, is an example of how an uncluttered and roomy interior, excellent styling, good range and performance can be packaged to offer something special when it comes to the driver and passenger experience. The Enyaq comes with a choice of 62 and 82 kWh batteries and even the smaller one offers a good overall range of 320 kilometres. The combination of leather and suede in the car I drove was just one reminder of how far Skoda has come in recent years. It was a pleasure to drive.
If you have the budget, Audi’s Q4 e-Tron offers even more. The Sportback version was a reminder of Audi’s capacity for refinement and creating a car that exudes quality. The faux "grille" may have tamed the Audi front profile - because EV’s don’t need a real grille - but the car’s looks certainly match its ambitions. You should get about 370 km of range without difficulty from either the standard or the Sportback. The Sportback profile doesn’t limit the car’s interior space and the boot capacity is excellent. Prices start at €58,980.
MOST MEMORABLE DRIVE:
It almost felt like a drive down memory lane to be behind the wheel of a diesel car again and, despite its limited future, the diesel version of the BMW X3 was a pleasure. It’s a beautifully designed and engineered car - and very, very economical.
It was a great experience to drive to West Cork and hardly not have to look at the fuel gauge, never mind having to worry if I could easily access a fast charger en route. Excellent driving dynamics and a superior interior - with excellent screens and a truly comfortable seating layout - made for one of the best drives of the last year. Cars like this don’t come cheap though - you’re looking at about €82,000 for a well-equipped version.
