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hybrid, here the petrol engine powers the battery and it’s the battery that actually drives the wheels. There are manual or automatic gears, 2 or 4-wheel-drive and two power outputs of 140PS and 158PS. Five trim levels with prices starting at £25,505 are on
offer with an excellent range of standard equipment including powered and heated door mirrors, tyre pressure monitoring system, high beam assist headlights, automatic lights, LED front and rear lights, rear parking sensors, Bluetooth, intelligent cruise control and air conditioning. My test car was the top-of-the-range Tekna+ and, as one might expect of a car costing £38,275, it wants for very little in terms of equipment. From a head- up display, keyless entry and start plus handsfree automatic tailgate through to wireless phone charging, navigation and a Bose sound system. The power adjustable, quilted leather seats offer good support
VW ID4
incarnation of a Conran shop. However, for some manufacturers it’s evolution rather than revolution and Volkswagen is arguably the main proponent of this ethos. It has served them well as can be seen by the second-hand values of cars like the Golf. The purpose- built ID range of EVs – ID3, 4 and 5 – is a complete range of models from hatchback, to SUV and Coupe. Prices for the line-up start at £35,835 and its design is such that the uninformed would be hard pressed to know it doesn’t have a combustion engine under the bonnet. Unless of course it glides silently past you. It’s essentially an EV Golf and many people I spoke to agreed, in fact some even thought it was a new Golf. My test model was the ID4 SUV that offers six trim
T
levels with prices starting at £36,550. There are four battery options with ranges stretching from 213 miles up to 320 miles, and power options from 148PS up to 204PS. As with MPG figures the ranges quoted are ideal world, which you are unlikely to achieve. Having said that some EVs are now getting much closer to their potential maximum range and the ID4’s range seemed pretty good. Standard fare includes navigation,
PRACTICALITY FOR YOUR EV SHORTLIST
he advent of the electric car has produced an array of striking designs from the stylistically avant-garde to interiors that resemble a modern
and there’s space aplenty for all occupants along with a decent boot. On the road the 1.3-litre mild-hybrid power unit is a smooth and refined affair with decent performance that never feels as if it’s struggling despite the size of the Qashqai. My test car was fitted with a CVT automatic gearbox and I’m not a fan generally due to the vocalness of these type of boxes when under anything other than mild acceleration. However, the Qashqai is one of the best I have tried and one of the few that I could live with on a daily basis. There’s a feeling of quality inside the cabin which added to that refined drive makes the Qashqai feel like a more premium drive than might be expected given its arguably more workaday badging. There’s little wonder the Qashqai has proved so enduringly popular and this latest version will only enhance that reputation.
WELL AND FEELS CONFIDENT EVEN ON WINDING ROADS
dual zone climate, heated front seats, wireless mobile phone charging and LED lighting. The interior is functional, although looks better in this writer’s view in lighter colours and gearchanges, such as they are
IT HANDLES
in an automatic, are controlled via a lever to the side of the steering wheel instrument panel, not unlike a column change for those old enough to remember such things. On the road the ID4 is commendably
refined with little in the way of road or wind noise and there’s a feeling of airiness and space. Power is good, as with all EVs, and the ID4 can easily leave other traffic in its wake, meaning a keen eye needs to be kept on speed limits. It handles well and feels confident even on winding roads. It’s one of those cars that
feels so comfortable that longer distances shouldn’t be an issue, not least due to its electrically induced silence. If you’re looking to switch to a practical EV then the ID range really has to be on short list.
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