Category Archives: Vehicle type

Crossover, electric, Motors

Subaru Solterra

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Impressive EV eases range anxiety

By Bill McCarthy

Subaru is famous for its rugged off-roaders, (and its iconic rally car the Impreza WRX) but now it too has joined the electric revolution with the Solterra, a brand new SUV conceived in collaboration with Toyota. 

Collaboration is becoming more and more common as firms seek to cut costs, but also maximise technology, which, errr, cuts costs. In this case Subaru’s outstanding all-wheel-drive technology and Toyota’s tried and tested vehicle electrification technology.

Great, but the first question many ask about electric cars is: what is the range?

Pretty good it turned out with up to 289 miles according to WLTP figures and the ability to reach up to 80 per cent charge in around 30 minutes. A big tick on the range anxiety factor as that figure seemed pretty close, in admittedly good electric vehicle driving conditions.

It looks good, sitting high off the ground and featuring smart 20″ alloy wheels on this Touring model, and twin ducktail spoilers and lower diffusers enhance its aerodynamic performance and economy. A 210mm ground clearance means that Subaru’s legendary off-road capability can be tested to the full.

There are just two trim levels,  Limited and Touring and although not cheap, both are packed with standard equipment like alloy wheels, heated steering wheel and seats, plus what seems a necessity as cars get bigger,  a 360-degree parking camera, a digital rear-view mirror. Limited starts from £52,495., but upgrade to the touring at £55,495k and you can add panoramic sunroof, Harman Kardon sound system and wireless smartphone charging. 

Both feature adaptive LED headlights, auto wipers, privacy glass, and keyless entry to name just a few. The Touring spec brings larger, 20-inch alloy wheels, leather upholstery, wireless smartphone charging, a panoramic glass.

So how does it shape up:

  • Powertrain: Dual 60kW motors are powered by  71.4kWh battery, driving all wheels via automatic transmission to deliver smooth power delivery. This results in a more consistent and impressive performance. It also includes a heat pump to efficiently warm the battery. 
  • Driving Modes: Offering multiple driving modes  which are pretty self-explanatory are  ECO, NORMAL, and POWER depending on driver mood while a rotary shifter controls the transmission. The standard permanent all-wheel drive ensures excellent traction and control in various driving conditions.
  • Interior: A seven-inch top-mounted digital instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch touchscreen with an advanced design controls major functions like connectivity, navigation and infotainment while the Driver Monitor System, allows for personalised settings. Other controls are logically laid out and easy to use and the cabin is spacious with good head and legroom. There are also four USB ports, two at the front and two at the rear, making it convenient to charge devices for all passengers.
  • On the road: Like all electric cars, acceleration is rapid, and this large SUV has plenty of pace, hitting 60mph in just under seven seconds. Ride comfort is good but handling is not the strong point with off-roader and while not agile, it feels solid and all planted with only a hint of body roll on corners.
  • Boot Storage: The 441 litre boot, accessed via a powered tailgate is cavernous when the rear seats are folded and there is an extra 10 litres of storage space under the floor for the likes of power cables.
  • Pricing and Appeal: While it may not be the cheapest 4WD electric vehicle it’s certainly competitive in its class and offers a balance between affordability and high end features and could broaden Subaru’s appeal to a wider audience.

Factfile

Subaru Solterra Touring EV

Price: £55,495

Mechanical: 218PS, 160kW twin-motors, 71.4kWh battery, driving all wheels via automatic transmission

Max Speed: 100mph

0-62mph: 6.9 secs

Range: 289 miles

Insurance Group: 47

C02 emissions: Zero

Bik rating: 2%

Warranty: 3yrs/60,000 miles, 8yrs/100,000 battery

Rating: ****

Electric/hybrid, Kia, Motoring, SUV

Kia Sportage

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Stylish fifth generation SUV has much to offer

By Bill McCarthy

I first drove a Sportage way back at the turn of the century on a memorable trip to Boston in America. It was the only hire car left and I was struck by the odd stance, never really having heard of Kia. It was a bit of an ugly duckling, but proved well up for the job in hand.

Nearly 25 years later, the ugly duckling has turned into a more elegant swan as the Kia success story accelerates, with a growing range of models and still offering the market leading seven-year warranty.

The fact that it’s Kia’s best-selling model in the UK, Europe, and globally speaks to its popularity and potential and this fth generation incarnation sees a model purely designed for the European market and features the best of the Korean car maker’s ingenuity.

There is a choice of various powertrains, including petrol, mild hybrid, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid,  and the low CO2 emissions are a big plus, as the firm tries to enhance its green credentials.

  • How does it look? It’s a popular car in the UK and while making SUVs good looking is not the easiest task, the Sportage is pretty elegant, with a more sculpted profile that stands out with chrome accents,  what the firm calls it Tiger Nose grille and the availability of different wheel sizes and designs gives customers a choice to match their preferences. It also features18-inch alloys, folding door mirror and smart led light clusters.
  • What about the interior:  The Sportage has a modern, classy interior and is family orientated car, with comfortable, supportive suede seats and good head and legroom. Large glass areas allow plenty of light into the cabin. It has increased luggage capacity and rear seat occupants get 996mm of legroom courtesy of new slimline front seats. Luggage capacity is excellent with the standard 591 litres rising to 1,780 litres with the rear seats folded down.
  • Tech and equipment: Twin 12.3-inch touchscreens which allows drivers to easily switch between the infotainment via, on this mode, the Harmon Kardon sound system,  climate settings controls and features such as navigation. Kia Connect allows connectivity for smartphone compatibility. Comprehensively equipped, it offers , climate control, heated steering wheel, , chromatic mirror, paddle sifted, heated front seats, to mention just a few.
  • Hybrid power: This hybrid model features a 1.6 litre petrol engine paired with a powerful 66.9kW electric motor and a larger 13.8kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack, mated with a six speed auto transmission. It delivers decent pace, hitting 60mph in under eight second, with delivering good economy of shade under 50mpg. The ride is comfortable and the handling what you would expect from this type of vehicle. Competent.
  • Safety is paramount: It has five-star Euro NCAP safety rating and a comprehensive suite of driver assist technologies like lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring and as we ever closer to autonomous driving, Forward Collision Avoidance Assist Junction Turning which uses camera and radar data to analyse information about other cars, pedestrians or cyclists crossing the road. 
  • The way forward: Offering a range of powertrains, including a clean internal combustion petrol engine, is a smart strategy. It ensures that the Sportage can cater to a wide spectrum of customer preferences, whether they are looking for traditional fuel options or more environmentally friendly choices.

Kia Sportage HEV GT-Line

Price: £35,240

Mechanical: 226bhp, 1,598cc, four-cylinder petrol-electric engine driving and electric motor driving front wheels, via a six-speed automatic transmission

Max Speed: 12 mph

0-62mph: 7.7 seconds

Combined MPG: 49.6

Insurance Group: 24

C02 emissions: 129g/km

BIK rating: 30 per cent

Warranty: Seven year/unlimited miles