Category Archives: Electric/hybrid

City cars, Electric/hybrid, Mazda, Motoring

2025 Mazda2 a stylish supermini with hybrid power

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Mazda2 Homura hybrid

By Bill McCarthy

I have mentioned having a soft spot for the Mazda2 before, following a Spanish adventure with the little car. It performed so well it saved me the embarrassment of having to be rescued after getting lost in the hills near Barcelona. Back in the early 2000s, a fellow journalist and I got hilariously lost, ending up on a dirt track.

The locals repairing the road made it plain they were amused by our predicament. After some comical detours, the Mazda2 handled the rough terrain like a champ and we finally got back on track with the help of a local police officer. Who knew it was a mountain goat in disguise?

A gap in the market

It was, and still is, a good-looking, well-built small car with tax-efficient engines – in this case, the latest hybrid combination. It’s not necessarily the cheapest, but it comes with an impressive array of standard equipment and Mazda’s rock-solid reputation for reliability. With the departure of Ford’s evergreen Fiesta, there’s all to play for in the B segment.

To emphasise the point, Jeremy Thomson, Managing Director of Mazda UK, said: “With the latest Mazda2 Hybrid we are ensuring customers in the supermini segment still have the choice of a Mazda in a sector that has seen several key models disappear in recent months.”

It’s not the cheapest supermini; the entry-level model starts at £24,580, with the range-topper at just short of £30k. However, Mazda does attract buyer loyalty and offers bulletproof reliability for peace of mind.

There are four models: the entry-level Centre-Line, Exclusive-Line, Homura, and the range-topping Homura Plus driven here. It is one of the better-looking superminis, and recent upgrades to its sculpted styling include changes to the grille, bumper, and rear tailgate. A sporty touch on this model are the black 17-inch alloy wheels and panoramic roof.

Hybrid economy

Economy is excellent, with official figures showing up to 72mpg, which I didn’t manage, achieving a still-respectable 65mpg with a fair chunk of motorway driving. The combined power output delivers 116ps through the three-cylinder engine and electric motor via a CVT automatic transmission, reaching 0-62 mph in 9.7 seconds.

Despite being a full hybrid, it can run for a decent amount of time in electric mode. Its silent, emission-free running means it can escape some congestion charges. During deceleration and under braking, kinetic energy is recovered as electrical energy for storage in the high-performance battery. The battery power level is constantly managed via an engine-driven generator, removing any need to recharge the system from an external source.

Well-equipped interior

The interior looks pretty upmarket for a small car. It features black cloth seats with red accents combined with a black gloss dash panel and contrasting red air vent surrounds. There are also black half-leather seats with red accents, a soft-touch black dash panel with red stitching, and a heated leather steering wheel with red stitching.

Central to the experience is the upgraded 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a seven-inch display for real-time information. This latest colour touch-screen display features the Mazda Connect system, which supports uprated Android Auto and now wireless Apple CarPlay connectivity, as well as navigation and infotainment.

Space and comfort

Four occupants can be seated in comfort, with a fifth being a tighter fit in the middle. Headroom and legroom are reasonable and exactly what you would expect in this class. The boot space is respectable, offering 286 litres with the rear seats in place. If you fold the rear seats flat, the space expands to a generous 930 litres, making it ideal for transporting larger loads.

Packed with equipment

Maybe not the cheapest, but the models are packed with equipment. Exclusive-Line models and upwards feature auto-folding mirrors, Blind-Spot Monitoring, and front and rear parking sensors. At the top of the range, the Homura and Homura Plus grades feature a new digital instrument binnacle and black roof lining.

There’s a decent level of equipment throughout the range. This model featured an impressive array of features, including integrated navigation, panoramic glass roof, LED lights, electric windows, power steering, a head-up display, smart keyless entry, privacy glass, reversing sensors, and rain and dusk sensors.

Conclusion

Not a mountain goat, but their managing director is right, it’s a stylish, economical, reliable car that has plenty to play for in the B segment.

Factfile

  • Mazda2 Homura Plus Hybrid
  • Price: £29,720
  • Mechanical: 115PS, 1,490cc, three cyl petrol engine and electric motor driving front wheels via e-CVT transmission
  • Max speed: 109mph
  • 0-62mph: 9.7 seconds
  • Combined mpg: 67.3
  • Insurance group: 15E
  • CO2 emissions: 98g/km
  • Warranty: 3 years/60,000 miles
Electric/hybrid, Luxury, Motoring, Omoda

Omoda 9: Luxury meets performance

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Omoda 9 SHS PHEV

By Bill McCarthy

The arrival of Chinese brands continues so rapidly that a brand like Omoda already feels established, despite launching only in the summer of 2024. Now, its new flagship, the all-wheel drive plug-in hybrid Omoda 9, is challenging the premium market.

It arrives as a single, comprehensively equipped model, with all its hi-tech bells and whistles and premium features as standard.

A high end alternative

Clearly a high-end offering, it boasts sharp design, is packed with technology, and is powered by what’s described as a Super Hybrid System (SHS). It delivers blistering pace and a claimed mammoth range of over 700 miles.

Priced from £44,990, it comes with a seven-year, unlimited-mileage warranty and an eight-year battery warranty.

Developed by parent company Chery International, this plug-in hybrid has a claimed electric-only range of 93 miles – impressive for covering most commutes with zero tailpipe emissions, meaning exemption from congestion charges and lower benefit-in-kind taxation.

Design and styling
It looks good, with what the brand describes as an ‘Art in Motion’ design philosophy, featuring a sleek SUV silhouette and attractive matte finish paintwork.

It features a large signature grille, striking LED light signatures, and pop-out door handles. There are full-width light bars at both ends and standard 20-inch alloy wheels.

Classy hi-tech nterior
The high-tech interior is dominated by a single, curved 25-inch display that acts as a dual control screen –one for infotainment and connectivity, the other for real-time driver information. The main screen features a 14-speaker Sony sound system, smartphone connectivity, and navigation.

While the graphics are top-notch, the menu system isn’t entirely intuitive, though the three rotary controls for climate and drive selection are easy to use.

The cabin features soft-touch materials, leather-trimmed seats, and brushed metal accents. Both the front and outer rear seats are fully electrically adjustable, with heating and ventilation.

The space is light and spacious, aided by a huge electric panoramic sunroof, ambient lighting, and USB ports for all passengers.

Performance and handling
Power comes from a 1.5-litre, 157 PS petrol engine mated with two electric motors (one on each axle), producing a combined 499 PS and a huge 700 Nm of torque. The driver can select from six settings: Normal, ECO, Sport, Snow, Mud, and Off-Road.

On the road, it hits 60 mph in under five seconds. While very rapid, it’s designed more for comfort, excelling as a motorway cruiser. There’s definitely body roll in corners, but the suspension smooths out most bumps. The hybrid engine is refined and excellent soundproofing keeps wind and road noise to a minimum.

Practicality and Safety
As an SUV, it’s practical, with 600 litres of stowage space, expanding to 1,783 litres with the 60/40 split seats folded. There is also a deep central console and generous door bins.

Safety is comprehensive, featuring Safety is top-tier, contributing to a 5-star Euro NCAP rating. Standard kit includes:

  • Driver Fatigue Alerts
  • Parking Assist with a 360-degree camera
  • Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) with pedestrian/cyclist detection
  • Lane Support System
  • Eight airbags
  • Blind-Spot Monitoring and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert

Verdict
The Omoda 9 represents an attractive package with its blistering performance, premium tech-filled cabin, and impressive electric-only range. While its infotainment system requires some familiarisation and its ride prioritises comfort over sporty handling, it presents itself as a quality all-rounder in the competitive premium SUV segment.

The true test for the Omoda 9 will be how it stands up to long-term ownership. But for buyers seeking a well-equipped, technologically advanced plug-in hybrid SUV with exceptional performance comprehensive warranty protection, the Omoda 9 deserves serious consideration.

Factfile

  • OMODA 9 PHEV
  • Price: £44,990
  • Mechanical: Combined 499 PS via a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine and twin electric motors driving all wheels via an automatic transmission
  • Max Speed: 124 mph
  • 0-62 mph: 4.9 seconds
  • Economy: 43.6 miles WLTP (201 miles full state of charge)
  • Insurance Group: TBC
  • CO2 emissions: 38g/km
  • BiK rating: 6%
  • Warranty: Seven years/unlimited miles