Green car reviews

Diesel-engined small cars are usually priced higher than their petrol powered equivalents, so Chevrolet's Aveo models are good news for fans of diesel with prices from £12,345 and this more powerful Eco more »

Kia's swish looking Optima saloon is 18 months later getting here than Kia UK intended because of runaway demand in US, China and Korea. The interior is spot on too with everything pretty much where you expec more »

Audi's A1 is the most desirable small car on the market to a lot of people and higher than flagged fuel consumption isn't going to put them off. Limousine-style options, including HDD based sat nav with music more »

Renault's new Twingo will win sales on its more stylish looks alone and owners being able to create a more 'personalised' car. That it is a pleasant drive, very economical, deceptively spacious inside with in more »

A fascinating first run of the pre-production left-hand drive 'multi-personality' Peugeot 3008 HYbrid4. The car isn't just the first diesel-electric hybrid and capable (theoretically) of 74 mpg, despite space more »

Nissan's high tech Micra DIG-S delivers the convenience of petrol motoring with close to the economy of diesel and without the drawbacks of noise, smell and more difficult starting in winter. There's also non more »

The Fluence was developed rapidly to meet Israeli demands for an electric car and is built in Turkey. It could suit a buyer whose daily journeys are under, say 90 miles, to allow for headlights, heating, air more »

No Volvo I've ever driven got the stares and positive looks of this car. It's a big evolutionary step for Volvo and makes the S60 a stronger rival for the Audi A4 than I expected with little compromise in the more »

A great looking and well built car for both the city and further afield. Very refined to drive but steep inclines take their toll on the 59 bhp version, so if you live near hills or carry people, go for the 7 more »

The Fabia Estate Greenline is a typically well made Skoda and very practical in terms of passenger and luggage carrying abilities, even without using a ski box on the roof. No road tax is a money saver, but u more »

Kia's new Picanto looks sharp and modern but the driving experience feels from a previous generation. Working the three-cylinder 1-litre engine to achieve reasonable performance, even when the car is lightly more »

Great looks and a fun drive make the Alfa Romeo MiTo 1.3 JTDM Sprint a winner in the compact, sporty hatchback category. Only restricted boot space and awkward access to rear seats mar the car's practicality. more »

The most economical model in the C4 range, yet it comes with lots of equipment as standard and plenty of options. Even though Citroen has concentrated on practicality, safety and value, the standard EGS semi- more »

Another classy offering from Volkswagen in the popular coupe-cabriolet class for cars with metal folding roofs. Most rivals put the fresh air experience top of the list, but the Eos is dynamically an enjoyabl more »

Offering Range Rover qualities and abilities in a smaller package is going to make the Liverpool-built Evoque a huge success in the manner of the new Mini. 80% of the 20,000 worldwide orders so far are said t more »

Peugeot has successfully revamped its best selling family hatchback – more than 900,000 have been sold since September 2007 of which 84,000 were in the UK. It is now better looking and a more pleasant c more »

Well built, spacious and value for money; we almost know the Skoda proposition for its Octavia hatchback and estate models off by heart. This is an honest car for the family motorist who isn't a badge snob an more »

Ford's best selling business car, the Mondeo, has been given a mid-life facelift and a raft of new high tech equipment including driver fatigue monitoring, lane departure warning and an automatic lighting sys more »

Both the C-Zero and the Peugeot iOn are essentially Mitsubishi i-MiEVs wearing Citroen badges – the pioneering trio were really the first mass produced electric vehicles available in the UK that are not more »

The Vauxhall Ampera has only recently been available to test drive in the UK in its production ready form, although its sibling model the Chevrolet Volt, has been on sale in the US for several months. They re more »

Feels like a Rolls-Royce compared to a G-Wiz, but not as salubrious as the Nissan LEAF. If you can cope with the extra attention until the iOn becomes a more familiar sight, this egg-shaped four-seater could more »

Following the success of the Insight and CR-Z, Honda has now added the Jazz to their IMA hybrid drive line-up. If the popularity of the conventional Jazz model is anything to go by, the hybrid version, first more »

Engine upgrade and fitting of auto stop-start to cut fuel and emissions in traffic drops Volvo's best selling compact executive S40 model below the 100g/km target bringing lower running costs for both private more »

Big Peugeots haven't been big sellers in the UK for years and this car exists mainly for China where it will also be built. Though Peugeot doesn't mention the B-word, it hopes the quality and value of the 508 more »

Vauxhall's new Astra in ecoFLEX form is going to make some company car drivers happy with its low benefit-in-kind tax as a result of its low CO2 emissions. However, with a choice of trims and extras along wit more »

Even if you don't pay out for some of the driver safety options, the new Focus is a fine car and in my view the best in its class. The Focus is brimming with technology to make life easier, safer and more sus more »

Lexus's petrol-electric hybrid entry into the premium hatchback sector makes strong financial sense for companies and company car drivers, but despite its sporty looks is not as lively or fun to drive as riva more »

Volkswagen continues to hone its Passat models pushing overall quality and refinement even closer to premium brands like Audi and Mercedes. This year will be the first time the estate outsells the saloon in t more »

Toyota has finally filled the gap left by the demise of the Yaris Verso with the Verso-S now that there is again a big enough difference between the Japanese market second generation Ractis (Verso-S here) and more »

The world's first passenger car diesel engine with variable valve timing dominates the driving experience, delivering excellent low speed punch, top end kick and seriously impressive real-life 50mpg fuel cons more »

Vauxhall has evolved its new, bigger Meriva to make it a strong rival for cars like the Ford C-Max, Renault Scenic and Citroen C4 Picasso. Rear hinged back doors make access easier, and folding down the rear more »

Chevrolet isn't usually a name you associate with small cars, but since General Motors took over Korean brand Daewoo it has become the value stablemate for Vauxhall and the Spark is a strong replacement for t more »

A great leap forward by the Korean manufacturer compared to the Amica, the Indian-built i10 is a refined enough city car for users needing affordable transport and a strong challenger to most European badged more »

Much smarter looking with a better quality interior and even better to drive, the new BMW X3 in 2-litre turbo-diesel format is the lowest emissions four-wheel drive model in its class. Emissions are 147g/km f more »

Classy looks, low running costs and low BIK rates make the BMW 320d the company car driver's transport of choice. Stunning fuel figures of Efficient Dynamics model match or beat Toyota's little Yaris (67. more »

Fun and economy in a package as effortlessly stylish as a four-wheeled Vespa, the Fiat 500 TwinAir is a fine city car, providing you rarely need to carry large people in the rear seats. Compact size can get a more »

Vauxhall's usefully spacious Corsa supermini is a familiar sight on our roads and popular with buyers. But you need to be careful if trying to pick the most economical ecoFlex version as there are so many of more »

Renault's eco2 diesel engined Clio in three-door Extreme or five-door Expression trim is the lowest CO2 producing model yet from the French car giant. Yet despite beating the 100g/km barrier it still retains more »

There wasn't much wrong with the 'old' Swift. It won 63 Car of the Year awards in 19 countries and the new car is noticeably better with more space, better performance and improved fuel consumption. There's n more »

If the hydrogen to power the fuel cell has been produced using renewable sources (such as solar, wind or hydroelectric power) the FCX Clarity, the world's first production fuel cell car, is the ultimate in cl more »

It's all in the categorisation, but if you consider a taller body, raised suspension and the ability to switch engine power between front and rear wheels makes this Mini a sports utility vehicle (SUV), then a more »

Highly competent compact MPV with supermini running costs and stylish looks we aren't used to from Kia. Cabin is classy too with versatile seating arrangement. Reasonably enjoyable to drive but diesel engine more »

Ask people what features they want in a car and they want everything. So Renault has done its best to deliver with a four-seater that's also a convertible, and a coupe thanks to a folding metal roof, that ach more »

The Nissan LEAF (Leading, Environmentally friendly, Affordable, Family) will change the way we think about cars. As most cars spend 97% of their lives parked and 80% of drivers cover less than 30 miles daily more »

Motorists want more fun and emotion from their cars, says Nissan. Nissan was proved correct with its Qashqai ‘crossover.’ Some 80% of buyers have never bought Nissans before. And with strong advance order more »

Volkswagen’s Polo BlueMotion pulls together all the German company knows about low fuel consumption and exhaust emissions in a quality package but there’s the usual price problem of small diesel cars. A 1 more »

Winner of Next Green Car's Car of the Year 2010 Award, the Auris brings petrol-electric hybrid motoring to the masses and the lowest CO2 taxes and fuel costs in the small family car market segment. Not a car more »

Though it breaks no new ground technically, Audi's A1 supermini, on sale in November, is keenly anticipated. That's because it provides Audi style and quality in a small car. All versions were happier on main more »

Audi has created the premium sector's lowest CO2 car with a special three-door version of the A3 using its all-new, economy optimised common rail 1.6 TDI engine with engine stop-start and energy recovery syst more »

While looks and price are going to sell the CR-Z, Honda's sporty looking coupe doesn't have the performance to match. Driven carefully this petrol-electric hybrid is as economical as a diesel, but push harder more »

Drive gently and you'll be amazed at the fuel economy BMW's Efficient Dynamics systems give this practical, but pricey sports activity vehicle. The sDrive versions are rear drive only with traction advantages more »

Subtle but effective restyling and a revamped interior justifies the Punto's Evo, or evolution inspired name. But the new petrol and diesel engines are almost revolutionary in terms of increased efficiency wi more »

MultiAir engine technology breaks the traditional link between performance and fuel consumption claim Alfa engineers and it's hard to disagree. This 135bhp petrol engine is 12.5% more powerful with better thr more »

Audi's compact executive model, the A3, matches proven style and quality with some impressive motorsport developed technology to show that petrol engines are by no means beaten in the war with diesel; well, p more »

This 4-seater sports coupe is easily my favourite 'green' car to date because it is enjoyable to drive, yet naturally economical without any effort from the driver. And gratifying improvements are possible wi more »

Most credible compact SUV whether you are going for style or genuinely need its off-road capabilities, in which case be careful on choice of tyres. At least as comfortable as a car to drive/ride in and more »

Lamborghini looks at Peugeot prices is the main selling criteria for the new RCZ coupe. It dishes up enjoyably brisk performance without too much financial pain providing you are not too aggressive with the r more »

Solid, well-built, modern looking small hatchback with room for five adults thanks to high seating position and tall body. Not cheap but well fitted out with safety kit and other equipment. Pleasingly agile a more »

Looks good, especially in white, and performs well too though, like all cars it proved impossible to match the official laboratory test cycle figures in real life. General road noise/engine refinement c more »

Lots of style for the money. This sharp handling, two-door coupe looks nearly as striking as the original 1970's model penned by Italian design master Giorgetto Guigiaro, yet is practical - though watch o more »

Graceful and a lot of car for your money. We're used to two-seater coupes from the German triumvirate but Peugeot, often with the assistance of Ferrari's chums, Italian styling house Pininfarina, has a longer more »

The handsome Leon Ecomotive proves going green needn’t be painful and you don’t have to drive a car looking like a toad either. I achieved 57mpg with no attempt at economy driving. Cabin is much classier more »

Bags of showroom appeal with distinctive looks, good interior space and a much more up-market cabin than the outgoing model. Prices high by Citroen standards as you move further up the range and you nee more »

Vauxhall bosses aren't exaggerating, or even showing off, when they say they believe their extended range electric car, the five-door, four-seater Ampera, could remove the car from the environmental debate fo more »

Slick looking but surprisingly practical and easy to live with convertible, though as usual boot access is awkward. Quite expensive to buy but after that running costs look good with strong residuals and good more »

Forget the arguments about which hybrid was first to market, the best-seller by far is the Toyota Prius and, in its latest iteration, Iain Robertson still believes that it is the best of the bunch. Upwar more »

One of Europe's most popular small cars has been through no less than five transformations since its introduction in 1975, yet, states Iain Robertson, none of them has been as ground-shaking as the latest ite more »

With a hybrid development featuring in almost every model of its line-up, Lexus, the luxury arm of Toyota, enables even posh car buyers to go some way to satisfying thier environmental conscience, which Iain more »

While 4WD and turbocharged engines seem to have been on Subaru's main course menu for some years a need to attend to better MPG figures has led to the introduction of the collaborative, compact Justy, states more »

Here’s a thing, the new 4x4 sector is currently dying on its wheels, although car buyers still want spacious cars offering a good view out, factors that Iain Robertson suggests could be combined in just o more »

With a notable gap in its UK line-up, Nissan has finally introduced a sub-Micra model that delights Iain Robertson, although he wonders if one trick has been missed. Although there has been enough news c more »

Having created a name with Picasso, Citroen is now filling a niche with a C3 version, with which Iain Robertson can find NO areas of disagreement, and declares it as one of the best compact MPVs / family cars more »

BMW is already a global award-winner for its stance on low emissions and its `Efficient Dynamics` power-train technology; According to Iain Robertson, going `green` with this premium brand is a more »

When he first saw the new Honda Insight, Iain Robertson was almost speechless with delight, and only slightly disconcerted that the second generation Insight appears to share some strong styling cues with the more »

Without doubt one of the most stylish and eminently desirable new cars to emerge in recent times has been the Fiat 500, which Iain Robertson says is not just a retro-designed city car but is a genuine fashion more »

Although Ford Motor Company could never be accused of avoiding issues, its approach to eco-friendly transport is, according to Iain Robertson, considerably more conventional than its rivals'. When assess more »

It has been a while since Ford Motor Company practiced a little bit of Latin in naming its models but, says Iain Robertson, a little bit of Ford is now deeply entrenched with Latin roots, as the all-new Ka hi more »

Quintessentially quaint and curiously cubic, the all-new Fiat Qubo may get your goat with its strange name but Iain Robertson believes that its low-pollution, high-MPG and funky family aims will win it innume more »

Introduced at a time, when the motor industry is under intense pressure, you have to wonder about BMW's resolve with an H2-powered innovation. Iain Robertson provides a unique insight. Liquid hydrogen is more »

Faced with demoralising fuel costs, councils slapping on city idling fines and high car costs, South Korean carmaker, Kia Motors, may well have the answer in the form of the new Eco-Kias - Iain Robertson took more »

With every carmaker in an understandable rush to place more economical models in the marketplace, Iain Robertson says that the latest newcomer to Fiat’s line-up – the `Eco` Bravo - should help to more »

Determining whether a car name is important or not has some relevance to Iain Robertson, who believes that rather than a nondescript `i`, the most compact and cleanest of Mitsubishi models should be c more »

Get ready with the rubber boots, says Iain Robertson, because Hyundai's opening gambit for 2009 is a shockingly-good line-up of Corsa/Fiesta rivals that may make you reconsider your temporarily-shelved new ca more »

If you are someone who equates eco-friendly transport with tiny motorcars, clockwork engines, disproportionately high prices and severe compromises, then, says Iain Robertson, look again at the Mercedes-Benz more »

Nobody prescribed that eco-driving had to be a painful experience as Ford-owned Swedish carmaker Volvo is prepared to demonstrate in its outstanding new diesel estate car – Iain Robertson investigates. more »

Buyers are hardly falling over themselves in the rush to buy a smart car, which must make you wonder why Toyota wants a share of that city car sector, although Iain Robertson feels confident that 'intelligenc more »

As the first product of 'Projekt i' for BMW, a remarkable electric Mini not only introduces a clearly defined market sector but provides real-time responses to shape the Mini’s future and Iain Robertson dro more »