Autovolt Magazine

Long Term Reviews

What is it like to live with an electric, plug-in hybrid or hybrid car? It’s an important first question for anyone considering the switch from petrol or diesel to electricity. Our car reviews here are based on long term real-world use and provide all the knowledge you’ll need to understand what life in the electric lane is all about.

If you’re looking for first drive and road test reviews of electric, hydrogen, plug-in hybrid and hybrid cars and vans, browse our magazine collection here.

Honda CR-V Hybrid

Honda CR-V Hybrid (2020)

The chatter may be all about pure-electric vehicles at present, but with their high-initial cost premium and the relative lack of variety at present, does a family hybrid still cut the mustard in an increasingly electric-driven world? Jonathan Musk gets behind the wheel of the family-orientated CR-V Hybrid – the first of Honda's new breed of hybrid to arrive in Europe.

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV (2019)

Alex Grant spends some months with the latest generation 2019 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV to find out what’s new and what life’s like plugged in. With an improved electric range thanks to a larger battery and more emphasis on driving electric than in the previous version, plus the added promise of both fuel and tax savings, could this be the best Mitsubishi plug-in hybrid yet?

Kia Optima PHEV (2017)

Plug-in Hybrids have divided opinion amongst the motoring press, with some stating they’re negatively compromised, while others praise their Jekyll & Hyde persona. They’re complicated machines with two powertrains, but what are they like to live with? We spend three months with the handsome Optima PHEV to find out whether it is fast, frugal, fun or perhaps all three.

Nissan Leaf 30kWh in Wales 2016 - Brecon Beacons

Nissan Leaf 30kWh (2016)

The Nissan Leaf is, perhaps, the definitive EV. It’s a great all-rounder and most people’s go-to example of an electric car. We spent 3-months with the 30kWh Tekna-trimmed version to find out what life is like with a Leaf as an everyday tool. As we found out, an electric car is only half the story, as in 2016 infrastructure plays a large proportion of ownership that isn’t always realised.

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