Category Archives: Electric/hybrid

Electric/hybrid, SUV/4X4, Suzuki

S-Cross ticks all the boxes

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Suzuki S Cross

By Bill McCarthy

There’s no doubt about Suzuki’s pedigree. A brand that quietly goes about its business in the UK with a range of models that are both attractive to look at, attractive in price and attractive in terms of reliability.

So reliable in fact that the Japanese brand is pretty much always in the top 10 for surveys, hitting top spot at 97 per cent in one recent survey.

That is why it has such a loyal customer base. A brand that produces generally small efficient cars that also offer all-wheel drive capability.

The  S-Cross is a compact and stylish SUV that had a major makeover in 2021 and now in the rapidly accelerating race to electrification, has produced a full hybrid version to sit alongside the mild hybrid sibling

It comes in two versions, the front wheel drive Motion at £26,749 and the Ultra, driven here, which includes Suzuki’s Allgrip four wheel drive.

A muscular improvement on its predecessor if features a raised bonnet line, piano black front grille and three LED position headlamps.

This is replicated to the rear with larger combination lamps in addition to roof rails and integrated rear spoiler and polished alloy wheels.

The interior is more spacious than its predecessor and features a nine-inch infotainment display that controls functions like smartphone connectivity, navigation and sound systems.

It also features rear parking camera, front and rear parking sensors, keyless entry, and climate control fitted as standard on both models.

The Ultra features ALLGRIP Select four-wheel drive, 17-inch polished alloy wheels, leather seat upholstery, panoramic sliding sunroof and a 360 view camera.

The camera is particularly good, giving a panoramic survey of the area surrounding the car as the ignition is switched on. A clever safety feature. 

The 1.5-litre petrol engine has been mated with an electric motor to deliver a total of 115bhp and a combined mpg of around 48mpg. Pretty good for a four wheel drive vehicle.

It also features Suzuki’s AGS automated manual transmission as standard with steering mounted paddles for a manual experience.

The slight downside is that shifts can be a bit sluggish with consequent hesitation acceleration.

It is a comfortable, stable car on the road, whether around town or on the motorway.

It is also pretty capable off-road and the proven ALLGRIP system copes pretty well with muddy and otherwise treacherous conditions. 

Performance all around is adequate other than inspiring. The car hits 60mph in a pretty pedestrian time of around 13 seconds.

As an SUV it must be practical and while the boot is not huge, with 293 litres increasing to 665 litres, it has a dual height floor for easy loading. There are plenty of other storage spaces on the centre console and centre lower box, together with various seat pockets and four cupholders.

High levels of safety include Dual Sensor Brake Support, Blind Spot Monitor, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Traffic Sign Recognition, Lane Departure Warning and Prevention, Adaptive Cruise Control and seven airbags including Driver’s Knee Airbag.It’s a lot of car for the money and it does look good. 

Factfile

S Cross 1.5 Full Hybrid Ultra Allgrip AGS

Price: £32,049

Mechanical: 115bhp, 1,462cc, 4cyl petrol engine and electric motors driving all wheels via a automatic gearbox

Max speed: 108mph

0-62mph: 13.5 seconds

Combined mpg: 48

Insurance group: 16

CO2 emissions: 132g/km

BiK rating: 31%

Warranty: 3yrs/60,000 miles

Electric/hybrid, Family hatchback, Honda

Renaissance for Honda with stylish hatchback

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2022 Honda Civic e:HEV

Honda Civic e-HEV

By Bill McCarthy

Honda’s evergreen Civic last year underwent another renaissance with its all-new 11th-generation model. The hybrid offers an altogether sleeker, more sophisticated look, with a longer wheelbase to deliver a coupe-like silhouette

The bumper features a mesh pattern in the upper grille flanked by sleek light clusters, while tail lights have been integrated into the tailgate.

The interior too has seen modifications and is packed with standard equipment, from the entry-level onwards.

Honda describes it as a ‘human-centred interior’ which brings quality, tactility, exceptional space and comfort.

It is certainly comfortable and larger glass areas allow for a bright interior.

There are three specifications, Elegance, Sport and Advance which offer a clean, uncluttered design with a premium feel which includes soft touch finish combined with harder-wearing plastics.

The seats are comfortable with a combination of fabric and leather and neat features include two cup holders and a tray to accommodate a smartphone and a deep central storage box.

The centrepiece on this model is a 10.2 inch (nine-inch is standard) touchscreen display which controls navigation, climate, connectivity for smartphone and infotainment. It also runs Apple Carplay and Android Auto.

This range-topper also offers heated steering wheel, leather-style seats, panoramic glass roof and a 12-speaker Bose sound system, together with 18-inch two-tone diamond cut alloys.

While SUVs and crossovers are all the rage for their practicality, the Civic offers a decent amount of cargo space with 404 litres available, increasing to 1187 with the rear seats folded. While down on its predecessor, it is still pretty roomy and a wider tailgate allows for easier loading.

Powered by a lively ‘self-charging’ hybrid there is plenty of pace available and even the CVT gearbox is a more refined beast than of previous times. Much less raucous under hard acceleration.

It can hit 60mph in just 8.1 seconds and has plenty in reserve when on the motorway. However when pottering around, the electric motor can take on much of the work, reducing emissions and improving economy.

The two-litre petrol engine and electric motor produce 143PS combined, which offers pace and fuel economy of a claimed 56.5mpg.

With its firecracker sibling the Type R, you would expect excellent handling. But the hybrid is a surprisingly engaging drive, minimising roll, offering bags of grip and precise steering. It’s a car that likes to be driven especially on winding twisting lanes.

All Hondas are safe and this Civic has earned top ratings in Euro NCAP tests. It features Honda’s SENSING system which includes collision mitigation braking system, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist and traffic sign recognition. 

This ranger topper also includes blind spot information including cross traffic monitor.

It may not be the cheapest in its segment, starting at just over £30k, but it is packed with kit and is a stylish, practical and economical vehicle. It’s a pretty good drive as well.

Honda Civic e-HEV Advance Style

Price: £32,995

Mechanical: 143PS, 1,993cc, 4cyl petrol engine and electric motor driving front wheels via a CVT automatic gearbox

Max speed: 112mph

0-62mph: 8.1 seconds

Combined mpg: 56.3

Insurance group: 28

CO2 emissions: 114g/km

Warranty: 3yrs/90,000 miles