Will 2023 be the year we point at when looking back for the moment of birth of the electric hot hatchback? Or the firing of the starting gun, perhaps?
When you consider what has featured in Autocar's news section this year, from the Alpine A290 to the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, it does seem the car industry has decided that now is the time to finally go after buyers of affordable performance cars with EVs.
In our reviews section, meanwhile, we've already given warm preliminary receptions to the likes of the Abarth 500e and MG 4 XPower. So now it's time to find out how those cars compare with the most enticing driver's cars already available at the affordable end of the market for electric cars.
Last year, we ran our inaugural 'EV Handling Day' to recognise the most rewarding electric cars already in showrooms at almost any price. This year, however, we're narrowing our scope a little to focus on affordable zero-emissions fun.
We've assembled a field of six EVs most of them newcomers to the market in the past 12 months and a couple of them older but still interesting.
We drove them to the North York Moors for a day's back-to-back on-road driving and we briefed six of Autocar's most trusted reviewers to separate the great from the good and to score our cars across five different categories: performance, handling appeal, everyday usability, charm and all-round fun factor.
The stars of this year's test, then, in addition to the aforementioned Abarth 500e and MG 4 XPower, are the Cupra Born, Honda E, Kia Niro EV and Renault Mégane E-Tech Electric. Read on to find out which one is Autocar's Best Fun EV.
6TH PLACE HONDA E
THE HONDA E didn't finish last by a huge distance, but it did finish last - which, when you consider the nice words people said about it, is a particular shame.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der August 30, 2023-Ausgabe von Autocar UK.
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Diese Geschichte stammt aus der August 30, 2023-Ausgabe von Autocar UK.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
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REINVENTING THE WHEEL
AUK-based consortium has been perfecting the in-wheel motors that could represent a step change in EV packaging and production. Mark Tisshaw drives a modified Defender and finds out more
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There are plenty more motoring meets, events and shows across the UK in the coming months. Here's a taste of the wide variety on offer
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Wimbledon's Southside Hustle has grown from intimate get-together into thriving monthly social event. Alex Goy goes along for the ride
SUPPLY AND DEMAND
The E-Class and 5 Series have reflected buyers' wants and needs for almost five decades. Illya Verpraet drives the latest plug-in versions of each
INEOS GRENADIER QUARTERMASTER
Young manufacturer's hard-grafting off-roader gains a longer pick-up truck variant
BMW M4 CS
Rather than cranking the dial up to 11, as the CSL did, this car aims for a perfect 10
SKODA OCTAVIA
Around of improvements for the big-selling, big-bodied family hatchback
MERCEDES-AMG GT 63
Second coming of the Porsche 911 pretender promises the same plus a bit extra
CUPRA BORN VZ
Do chassis and motor upgrades for leading EV create a truly fun electric hot hatch?
CUPRA TAVASCAN
Eye-catching new electric family SUV is a sporty alternative to the Volkswagen ID 4