Tesla Model 3
OUR PICK Standard Range Plus (£38,500)
THIS is the Model 3’s second appearance in our rundown of the best 20-plate cars, but it’s such an important and impressive EV that there could be no other top pick here.
The Model 3 is practical, loaded with tech, has sports car-baiting performance and a range suitable for most buyers. There’s a three-tier model choice depending on whether you want affordability, range or performance, and the entry-level car starts from £38,500. It features a single 241bhp electric motor and a 60kWh battery pack, which provide a 0-60mph time of 5.3 seconds and a range of 245 miles.
Long Range and Performance variants feature an extra electric motor for the front axle and a larger 88kWh battery, so there’s a combined output of around 450bhp, a maximum claimed range of 348 miles and a 0-60mph time of 3.2 seconds for the Performance version.
As an added benefit, the Model 3’s cabin is impressive. It’s futuristically minimalist, yet also big enough for four adults, and features an intuitive 15-inch tablet-style infotainment system through which you can control nearly all of the vehicle’s functions.
FOR Great battery range aided by Tesla’s Supercharger network, outperforms cars costing far more, futuristic interior
AGAINST Relatively pricey, slightly firm ride, no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, some won’t get on with so many controls being touchscreen-based
TOYOTA has been developing its hybrid powertrains for decades, and the latest version of its Corolla family car benefits greatly from these years of development. Combined with its TNGA platform, which uses doublewishbone rear suspension to ensure it handles well and rides with composure, the Corolla is one of the best all-rounders in the hatch market.
There’s a choice of either 1.8 or 2.0-litre petrol engines linked to a battery and electric motor. Whichever engine you choose, the Corolla is superb around town, running silently in pure-electric mode at low speed, while the powertrain is naturally efficient, so you don’t need to make any changes to your driving style.
The Corolla is more practical and fun than the car that it owes so much to, the Prius – so it’s a better choice in our book. Its styling is less divisive, too, yet it still manages to be distinctive.
There’s room for five and a reasonable 361litre boot, plus lots of standard kit. We’d like a better infotainment system, because this falls behind other family cars’, but clearly your money is going to the right places with this car: build quality, superb engineering and a great chassis.
FOR Good handling and sharp looks, together with a refined chassis and efficient powertrain make it an easy car to live with
AGAINST Toyota’s infotainment systems continue to lag behind class-leaders; hybrid’s batteries mean the boot is smaller than average