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Hi all,
I’d be interested in reading any feedback / opinions on my shortlist.
I currently have an Audi A1 on a 2 year lease extension, which ends just before Christmas, so I’m looking around at options.
I don’t need anything big, and really don’t need anything bigger than an A1. Has to be auto and good for motorway journeys.
My current shortlist is as follows. I’m fortunate that AP price isn’t a huge issue for me and can afford any of the below:
1. Audi A1 S Line – the sensible, if boring option (since I’ve had mine for 4.5 years and part of me fancies a change). Suits my needs well, except without gas struts I struggle with the bonnet. Once you factor in options I want, it’s the most expensive option. Easily over 5 grand.
2. Audi A3 – Just like the A1, only bigger. Maybe too big? Although the AP is higher than an A1, when factoring in options it actually works out a bit cheaper than the A1.
3 Mercedes CLA Coupe – Good value for money in terms of standard spec. Not many options needed. Maybe a little too big? Plus the boot floor isn’t adjustable, but I could live with that.
4. DS3 Crossback – A bit quirky and different. Very comfortable. Like the Mercedes, though, doesn’t have physical buttons on the steering wheel, which I’m no great fan of.
5. Nissan Juke Tekna Hybrid – probably the best value for money. No optional extras needed
6. Jeep Avenger 1.2 Hybrid – Something very appealing about this thing, even though the interior is full of hard plastics. I’ve driven the electric version, but waiting for a dealer to get a 1.2 auto to test drive. Several optional extras I would want, which perhaps makes it less appealing than a Juke.
Except for the petrol Jeep and A3, I’ve driven all of the above and it’s incredibly difficult to choose! All have pros and cons and there really isn’t a clear winner for me yet. Still, I have 7 months to get an order in so it’s quite fun considering the options.
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i have the n-connecta juke hybrid and its great halved my fuel bill. the tekna wasnt available when i ordered 18 months ago. the way prices are i will probably go for the tekna.
The new Mini has just joined the Scheme. It looks great.
I test drove a Mini on a 2 hour drive in 2019, and by the end of the trip I had horrendous back pain, so it really put me off Mini!
i have the n-connecta juke hybrid and its great halved my fuel bill. the tekna wasnt available when i ordered 18 months ago. the way prices are i will probably go for the tekna.
Thanks, good to know.
New MG3 hybrid 191hp (wildcard)
Hmmm not sure. I still can’t get my head around the fact that MG (aka Morris garages) is now owned by China!
New MG3 hybrid 191hp (wildcard)
Hmmm not sure. I still can’t get my head around the fact that MG (aka Morris garages) is now owned by China!
What about Land rover/jaguar owned by an Indian company? Rolls rolls/Bentley by Germans. Lotus also owned by China.
I think Morgan is the only British company left.
I think Morgan is the only British company left.
Apparently they don’t plan on joining the scheme this side of the revolution and also “please stop calling us sir” 🤷🏻♂️
"Come on BYD Seal!"New MG3 hybrid 191hp (wildcard)
Hmmm not sure. I still can’t get my head around the fact that MG (aka Morris garages) is now owned by China!
Designed and headquartered in UK built in China lamd.
New MG3 hybrid 191hp (wildcard)
Hmmm not sure. I still can’t get my head around the fact that MG (aka Morris garages) is now owned by China!
Designed and headquartered in UK built in China lamd.
One out of three correct, not great.
Modern MGs are designed and developed in Shanghai (that’s where MGs Design Studio is located), with additional input for the european market from a London branch. They are, as you stated correctly, also built in China. Lastly, MGs does not have a headquarter in the UK. The “main headquarter” sits in China, the “european headquarter” sits in the Netherlands.
There’s nothing british about MG anymore. The general brand manager is named Lu Jianjun. The only reason they don’t sell under “SAIC” or any of the other weird chinese names (Maxus, Rising Auto etc are all part of SAIC, too) is simply the negative connotation.
I don’t know which one is the first “chinese” MG, but i know that the MG4, MG ZS etc are all designed, engineered and built by SAIC in China. That’s the reason as to why new MG models are revealed at Auto Guangzhou, rather than a UK (or other european based) car show.
That all said, without stepping on toes and having driven an MG F a (many) few years ago.. I don’t think MG being “Chynah” is detrimental to the quality. They’re, in terms of quality, in a much better place than ever before, nowadays.
As to the topic, for me personally, there’s a bit of conflicting “wants”. You’d like it to be rather small, but also a good motorway cruiser. Those two things are hard to combine, since a good motorway cruiser has a longer(ish) wheelbase, as well as being reasonably aerodynamic. Meaning Superminis and SUVs are always a compromise by necessity.
If i were you, i’d go with something compact or above, not SUV (“Golf class”). Meaning from your list, the A3, and.. that’s it. I’d have said Golf, but the A3 is in most regards simply a better Golf (other than price) – so that’s kinda pointless. If you do like the CLA but think it’s too big, check the A-Class – it’s simply a CLA with the boot cut off, basically. Stupid expensive though, due to being PHEV – also just really a consideration if you can charge at home.
Another option would be the BMW 2series. It’s slightly longer than an A3, but also shorter than a CLA. Downside being that it’s a bit anaemic on power, but for motorway that’s perfectly serviceable.
Lastly, despite being french, Peugeot 308. Gorgeous interior imho, very well built, too – but you have to test-sit to be able to determine whether or not you fit. I personally do not, because i’m reasonably tall, the steering wheel obscures the instrument cluster (or hits my knee if i want to adjust it).
Out of all the options, i personally would probably go with either an A3 or 2series, to be honest. If you want small, the CLA ain’t it (it’s 4.7m long, as opposed to the 4.5m of a 2series or 4.35m of an A3, the A1 being 4.01m) – so if you consider an A3 potentially too big, a CLA is out of the question.
This is just me though, if you’re happy with the size and “motorway behaviour” of an A1, you can “retrofit” gas struts for 20 quid. It’s a 10 minute job even as someone with two left hands, i can link some if you require. Just gotta take them back out again before you give the car back, these don’t require drilling or anything, just “plug and play”. Yeah sure, we’re not supposed to modify the cars, but if the car can go back to absolutely 100% original without any marks or whatever, why not. Bit like different floor mats or seat covers, imho.
Lastly.. I wouldn’t touch a jeep with a 10ft pole. My father in law got one (Compass i think), and it’s.. agrarian, i’d call it. More squeaks and creaks than Clint Eastwood bones.
Prior: SEAT Ateca Xcellence Lux 1.5 TSI DSG MY19, VW Golf GTE PHEV DSG MY23
Current: Hyundai Ioniq 6 Ultimate
Next: we'll see what's available in 2028.@Rene you may want to check that😉
MG’s advanced design studio is located in Marylebone road London, which specializes in Advanced Digital Design Technology and supports future product designs for brands including MG and Roewe. It focuses on advanced design research projects and creative exploration of conceptual ideas and was also responsible for the recently launched MG Cybster.
Longbridge Design & Technical Studio, situated on part of the former Longbridge plant, which became MG Motor UK aand europes global design headquarters and designed cars with Europe in mind. As of 2024, part of the site is set to become a new unit for research, development, and manufacturing purposes, potentially bringing employment opportunities.
Headquarted in London and Netherlands.
@Rene you may want to check that😉
I very much did before i wrote. Let me quote directly from the MG website.
“MG is designed with the European motorist in mind; offering sustainable, smart, functional, and affordable vehicles. They’re developed in MG’s design studios in Shanghai in cooperation with the advanced design studio in London, produced in China, and already available in various European countries.”
As i said. They’re developed and designed in China, with input from the Studio you (and indeed, i) mentioned. This is in regards to both MG4 and MG ZS (didn’t check anything else). Further, the design studio in Marylebone isn’t MG, it’s SAIC – here’s the press release.
“The ground-breaking new creative space is the first SAIC Motor studio in the world to specialise in Advanced Digital Design Technology, and will work in conjunction with the automotive manufacturer’s other studios to support future product designs for brands including MG and Roewe. Advanced London is the second SAIC Motor design studio to be established in Europe, following Birmingham which was opened in 2011.”
Also noteworthy to mention that the Global Design Director is a chap called Shao Jingfeng.
Wikipedia says:
“MG vehicles are designed and developed by SAIC, and manufacturing mainly takes place at SAIC’s plants in China.”
“MG vehicles became available in the rest of Europe since late 2019 with the release of the ZS EV in the region. SAIC Motor established operations based in Amsterdam, Netherlands to oversee sales activities in the region.”
That said: the Cyberster is indeed designed in the UK, but that’s not (and won’t be) available to us. Their “bread and butter models” are predominantly designed in China, with input from the UK Studio.
“MG Motor cars were once engineered by SAIC at the Longbridge facility in Birmingham, UK. Longbridge was formerly home to Austin, British Leyland, Rover Group and, later, the MG Rover Group. Currently, most of the design, development and R&D takes place in China by SAIC Motor R&D Innovation Headquarters (SRIH).”
“SAIC reduced its presence in Longbridge in 2019 with the large Technical Centre downsized to 20 staff and moved to London. The facility used to host a design studio, before moving to London.
SAIC Design Advanced London in London, UK at Marylebone Road succeeded the Longbridge design studio. Led by Carl Gotham and Robert Lemmens with 20 employees, the studio conducted some key design work for MG vehicles and works in conjunction with the automotive manufacturer’s other studios to support future product designs for brands including MG, Roewe and Rising Auto.”
Marylebone btw is literally called SAIC Design Studios.
As for headquarters, there’s nothing in London. There’s a few references to “Headquarters” in Longbridge, but that’s for MG UK, not MG Europe or MG International. Of course they have a branch office in the UK (MG MOTOR UK LTD), the same way Chevrolet has a branch office in the UK. That doesn’t mean that their headquarters are located in the UK – that would be Zurich.
Not that it all particularly matters, as i mentioned, i personally think that MGs are considerably better now than they were under actual british ownership. I don’t see anything wrong in particular with that, either, to be honest. But that’s all quite off topic, none of the MG offerings would beat a 2series, A3 or even A1 in anything other than price, and apparently that part doesn’t matter as much to the guy. Would add a thumbs up smiley here, but no idea how lol.
Prior: SEAT Ateca Xcellence Lux 1.5 TSI DSG MY19, VW Golf GTE PHEV DSG MY23
Current: Hyundai Ioniq 6 Ultimate
Next: we'll see what's available in 2028.
I personally would not touch a MG vehicle, People are thinking they are like the cars of the marques past
They are basically a Chinese car maker that can badge their vehicles with the MG logo
they also have very questionable build quality
New MG3 hybrid 191hp (wildcard)
As to the topic, for me personally, there’s a bit of conflicting “wants”. You’d like it to be rather small, but also a good motorway cruiser. Those two things are hard to combine, since a good motorway cruiser has a longer(ish) wheelbase, as well as being reasonably aerodynamic. Meaning Superminis and SUVs are always a compromise by necessity. If i were you, i’d go with something compact or above, not SUV (“Golf class”). Meaning from your list, the A3, and.. that’s it. I’d have said Golf, but the A3 is in most regards simply a better Golf (other than price) – so that’s kinda pointless. If you do like the CLA but think it’s too big, check the A-Class – it’s simply a CLA with the boot cut off, basically. Stupid expensive though, due to being PHEV – also just really a consideration if you can charge at home. Another option would be the BMW 2series. It’s slightly longer than an A3, but also shorter than a CLA. Downside being that it’s a bit anaemic on power, but for motorway that’s perfectly serviceable. Lastly, despite being french, Peugeot 308. Gorgeous interior imho, very well built, too – but you have to test-sit to be able to determine whether or not you fit. I personally do not, because i’m reasonably tall, the steering wheel obscures the instrument cluster (or hits my knee if i want to adjust it). Out of all the options, i personally would probably go with either an A3 or 2series, to be honest. If you want small, the CLA ain’t it (it’s 4.7m long, as opposed to the 4.5m of a 2series or 4.35m of an A3, the A1 being 4.01m) – so if you consider an A3 potentially too big, a CLA is out of the question. This is just me though, if you’re happy with the size and “motorway behaviour” of an A1, you can “retrofit” gas struts for 20 quid. It’s a 10 minute job even as someone with two left hands, i can link some if you require. Just gotta take them back out again before you give the car back, these don’t require drilling or anything, just “plug and play”. Yeah sure, we’re not supposed to modify the cars, but if the car can go back to absolutely 100% original without any marks or whatever, why not. Bit like different floor mats or seat covers, imho. Lastly.. I wouldn’t touch a jeep with a 10ft pole. My father in law got one (Compass i think), and it’s.. agrarian, i’d call it. More squeaks and creaks than Clint Eastwood bones.
Many thanks for your input. I’ve only ever had small cars so in terms of motorway driving, that’s all I’m used to. I just want to make sure if I have something other than an A1, it’s as good to drive on a long journey.
I test drove the CLA again today for about 2.5 hours. I found I couldn’t get 100% comfortable in it, despite trying various seat positions. I also had a second, shorter test drive in the Juke and had a similar problem. I do have issues where I get pain in the small of my back, so no car seat is completely comfortable.
Since I can’t even test drive a Jeep as there are no hybrid autos available, right now my shortlist is looking like A1, A3 or Lexus LBX
Frustratingly none of those come with a drone view camera and having experienced that on the CLA and Juke, I want one – makes parking so much easier!
How about the Volvo xc40?
Thanks for this suggestion, I test drove one last week and was very impressed. Fantastic driving position.
The only downside is the mpg doesn’t seem that great.
It looks as though a new generation will be launched in 2025.
Would you consider electric ?
No, it wouldn’t suit my requirements.
Would you consider electric ?
No, it wouldn’t suit my requirements.
Same here!
I have the 2024 Tucson (probably to big), how about the new Kona or Niro.
Hi, I have now driven almost 16000 miles in my Qashqai ePower , over the last 18,months, it is a hybrid, of sorts, in that it has both an electric motor and an ICE, but it is not a PHEV.
The e Power , unlike other hybrids and PHEV’s has a 100% electric drive just like a full EV ,it’s driven by an electric motor, with no gear changes , almost silent running (most of the time) , it’s very smooth and leaves most ice cars standing at traffic light etc. it has been a revelation!
Rather than plugging it in , somewhere? at ‘who knows what cost’ – especially on Motorways? the battery is charged by a 3 cylinder ‘on board ‘ petrol driven ICE which , and this is the great difference from PHEV’s ‘ is not connected to the drive chain, only to the battery- no need to plug in, & no anxiety over running out of charge, just top, up with petrol , and the engine cuts in when needed & tops up the battery & is averaging just over 56mpg.
Some reports state that the 3 cylinder petrol engine can appear to sound quite noisy at times, especially if stationary at traffic lights etc., because it revs at quite a high speed to enable it to charge the battery, but I believe that this noise (problem ) that some people are reporting is because the car is otherwise so very quiet that they are getting caught off guard when the engine cuts in, at revolutions that they are not used to experiencing of course, it is also worth remembering that the Qashqai engine is not running all the time like a 100% ice car, it only cuts in when the battery needs a charge?
I drive mine in B & eco mode locally, and on most of my short local journeys (3-6 miles ) in traffic, the engine stays off, but when I occasionally slip into sport, it will come on, and using D drive, in standard , or sport mode,on the Motorway it does come on quite often but is not repeat ‘not’ intrusive – I drive it like I would any other car, I’ll get what mpg I get, currently averaging 56+.
As I have mentioned previously, in sport mode at traffic lights I leave most cars standing, it takes up the drive instantly, smoothy and quietly just like any other electric drive – sometime the engine cuts in , if the load on the battery is too high, but mainly it races away silently.
To summarise, it is not a hybrid drive, it is a 100% battery powered fully electric drive just like Tesla or the I D VW’s , etc, the difference being ‘the way the battery is charged’, & it is a much smaller cheaper battery ( for now ), and therefore the car is considerably cheaper than similarly kitted out EV’s.
My nephew works in the Triumph design bureau. He works in Bangkok where they are manufactured.
A few percent are crated up and sent to the UK and a few bits added on, that way they can say the bikes are built in Britain.
But like MG its all smoke and mirrors.
The choice of vehicles is rising year on year. It may take a while to reach the 2000 vehicle choice we had in 2019.
But it is improving.
Have you considered the Polo GTI? After a lot of searching we ordered one on Motability and we currently have 600 miles on it (recent delivery). I personally love it.
Don’t let the Polo name put you off as these are now a decent size. Not too big and not too small. It’s also comfy and economical as a daily driver. But as it’s a GTI it has plenty of power when needed. Although the Golf GTI isn’t on the scheme, if it was I would still pick the Polo GTI as it just makes more sense.
If you’re interested and want any more info, let me know.
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