The Ford Puma ST hybrid offers a compelling blend of sportiness and efficiency, marking a notable evolution in the hybrid SUV segment. Building on the original Puma’s agile handling and stylish design, the hybrid version brings improved fuel economy and lower emissions without compromising the fun factor that has made the ST name so popular.

We love the exterior, it is bold and athletic looking with sleek lines and a mean looking front grille emphasising that added sportiness to a higher standard than some of its rivals.

Under the bonnet, the Puma ST Hybrid combines a 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine that we have come to enjoy with a mild-hybrid system. This combination delivers an impressively responsive and punchy driving experience, especially when you put the car into Sport mode. Despite the hybrid system’s focus on efficiency, Ford has ensured that the Puma ST retains the same sharp handling and agility we’ve come to expect from the ST lineup, so whether you’re navigating tight corners or cruising on the motorway the Puma ST Hybrid feels lively and engaging.

On the inside, it offers a driver-focused cabin with sporty touches, including a unique ST steering wheel and sport seats. The quality of materials is good for its segment, and the front passengers will find plenty of space and comfort. The back is a little on the small side but plenty of room for a couple of kids. The tech includes an 8-inch infotainment screen with Ford’s easy to use SYNC 3 system, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, ensuring seamless connectivity on the go.

The boot space is quite generous and it has that “Megabox” under floor, for muddy wellies and wet gear, ideal for all you outdoor types. Needless to say, we did not try it!

One of the main draws of the hybrid powertrain is its improved fuel economy. Ford has managed to strike a balance between performance and efficiency, with the Puma ST Hybrid offering around 48 mpg in real-world conditions, making it an excellent choice for those seeking good value for money.

Safety wise, Ford has packed the Puma ST Hybrid with a range of safety features, including lane-keeping assist, autonomous emergency braking, and a rear-view camera. These technologies work effortlessly to enhance the driving experience, ensuring peace of mind on every journey especially in the winter in Scotland, which can last until April…

Ally says – The Puma ST is a smart, fun to drive compact SUV with a bit of oomph and a clear contender amongst its rivals.

Lorraine says – I have loved the Puma since the very first drive a number of years ago and recommended it to a friend when she was looking for a small SUV. She loves it too thankfully. The ST version is certainly icing on the cake.

Price – Starts from around £26,000 but this model comes in at £31,350

We both remember the hay days of MG, when it was an aspiration to buy one. Other proud owners included Elvis Presley, James Dean and King Charles when he was a young 21 year old bachelor prince. Then the MG Rover group collapsed as the UK’s last volume car in 2005. Now owned by the Chinese, it had a go at a comeback in 2007 with the original MG3. We were not impressed then and clearly neither was anyone else. The only thing it had going for it was the price. From 2021-2023, MG has seen a gigantic 64% rise in sales…… oh how the phoenix has risen from the ashes with its new models on offer. MG4 and MG5 are already award winners and we think their stablemate, the MG3 Hybrid is creeping up behind them and may very well overtake them in the trophy cabinet.

Main rivals for this little 5 door supermini are the Toyota Yaris and the Renault Clio, both good looking cars but the MG3 can hold its own in the style department. On the inside it is smart and spacious with plenty of storage, and good tech but we wouldn’t say it was plush, some of the materials are a bit plasticy but that is reflected in the price. We don’t often have back seat passengers but on this occasion we did and 6ft 1in John agreed that there was plenty of room for him and it was a comfortable ride.

Out on the road it grips the road well, the steering is light and it is quiet, apart from when driving at higher speeds. We set off for the Cairn O’ Mount in Aberdeenshire to one of Scotland’s highest peaks. At its highest the gradient is a massive 18.6% which was indeed a challenge for the MG3. With three slightly above average occupants, the car did seem to have a bit of a wobble and we were just a tad worried that we might not make it over the other side but fear not, it found its extra wind and the journey continued. MG3 comes in two trims, the SE which is packed full of kit and costs around £18,500 and the Trophy which costs £2000 more but you get LED headlights, heated front seats and steering wheel, and 360 degrees parking camera.

MG is soon to launch a fully petrol version and given their success with electric cars, and now a hybrid compromise, we did not see that coming! It will cost around £15,000, so will be a huge competitor to rivals such as Dacia. Watch this space…………………

Ally says – Because MG3 is a hybrid, it is perfect for those not quite ready to take the jump into a fully electric car and given the competitive price and great efficiency of 64.2 mpg, it is sure to be a winner.

Lorraine says – Other than the quiver at the top of one of Scotland’s highest mountains which was exceptional, I thoroughly enjoyed the drive and would definitely recommend a test drive.

If looks are anything to go by alone, then the latest Renault Scenic has to be one of the best electric cars around.

Renault has never shied away from being just a little bit different style-wise; some were very successful—just think of the original Megane—and some were perhaps just a little too contemporary for their time. Even Harry, our regular delivery man who was admiring the latest arrival into our driveway, mentioned the iconic Avantime, which we think the new Scenic resembles just a little bit.

We were testing the car in the top-of-the-range Iconic trim, which comes with 20-inch Oracle diamond-cut alloy wheels and a huge panoramic sunroof that can be either see-through or opaque at the touch of a button. You can choose which part of the car has which, so cooler in the back for the kids and clear in the front for the adults—very clever.

Once inside the Scenic, the stylish design continues, but it doesn’t just offer good looks; the practicality is excellent. There are plenty of options for the driver’s seating positions, generous space in the front and rear, and lots of storage for all the bits and bobs that families travel with. The 12-inch touchscreen is angled to face the driver and is easy to operate for entertainment, information, etc. Meanwhile, in the back, the center armrest has swivel arms with slots to hold tablets, for example, so the kids can watch movies on longer journeys. Whatever happened to buying comics to read? If you are going on extended trips, then you will have no problem loading up the car boot; it is wide and deep and will easily take several suitcases, while the seats split too if you need extra flexibility.

The Scenic was given a 5-star Euro NCAP rating for its safety features, which include eCall automatic emergency assist and a smart rearview mirror, which is really a camera.

Out on the road, the Scenic drives beautifully smooth, as you would expect. It is not the fastest horse out of the stalls at 7.9 seconds for 0-62 mph but has more than enough oomph for the average family. It is very quiet in an almost tuneful way, which we both liked. The automatic gearbox with column change on the stalk of the steering wheel, while not unusual these days, is very practical too—reminiscent of an old Renault 16 when column change was unusual.

The all-important range is officially 379 miles, but we never really got to prove that. However, as with all electric cars, we suspect that under “normal” driving conditions, the figure would more likely be in the late 200s, which for most families would be quite sufficient.

The new Scenic starts at around £37,500; the top-of-the-range model we had on test starts at £45,495.

Ally says: “The Scenic is a beautiful-looking car that drives well and is competitively priced in an exceedingly competitive sector where strong rivals prowl.”

Lorraine says: “The new Scenic bears no resemblance to the one I bought in the late ’90s, which was then merely a posh van. Now it has evolved into a stunning family vehicle. The only gripe I had was I had difficulty fitting the driver’s seatbelt, as the gap was too tight between the seats.”

We have been fortunate enough to have driven the new Suzuki Swift on a couple of occasions recently, and neither of these times disappointed. The first time was a trip to Gloucestershire for the launch of the new Swift. Not content with showing off their latest model, we were also there to celebrate 40 years of the Swift. Oh, how it has changed! Our friends at Suzuki managed to source one model from each of the previous four generations of the Swift from loyal customers, some of whom are still driving their pride and joy to this day, as well as some from their heritage fleet.

At first glance, there may not seem to be any major changes to the exterior of the car, but why change something just for the sake of change? It does get a more rounded shape, however, with newly styled headlights, sculpted bumpers, a roof spoiler, and a distinct grille.

On the inside, the aim is to be driver-focused, with a large 9-inch screen and all central controls angled toward the driver. There is ample space for two adults in the front and two smaller people in the back, and the boot compares well with other superminis.

It has more tech than you can shake a stick at, much of it coming as standard, which will give it great credibility over its rivals.

There has been additional emphasis on safety too, including lane departure warning and prevention, weaver alert, and automatic emergency braking for peace of mind.

The engine in our test car was a 1.2-litre petrol engine combined with mild hybrid technology, which delivers great fuel economy (around 64 mpg), which is attractive. We drove on rural roads as well as motorways, and the little Swift held its own in both conditions. However, it was in the towns where it really became animated; precise braking, smooth gear changes, and accurate steering made it a joy to drive.

There is also a four-wheel-drive version available in the Swift lineup, so if you need that extra reassurance in the winter or live remotely, then give it some real consideration.

Wisely or otherwise, there are no fully electric models from Suzuki at this point in time, but we are told the engineers and designers have a work in progress to be announced in the not-too-distant future. We think that may just be a wise move: perfect the batteries, range, and pricing, and then more drivers may have more confidence in purchasing all-electric cars out of their own pocket.

Ally says: “If people are clever, they will recognize that the new Swift will fill that gap left by the demise of the Ford Fiesta. It is more than just a substitute; the Swift is a great wee car in its own right.”

Lorraine says: “Suzuki is also offering an incentive of 0% finance, so some great deals to be had on the new Swift, which is an added bonus to buying a very smart city car.”

All we could think of when we heard about the latest Honda was Einstein’s E=MC²! Could the designers not have come up with a better alphabetical name or even something with a decent integer? It sounds like a preproduction project code, and maybe that was exactly it if the industry gossip is to be believed. An unremarkable name, however, does not necessarily make it an unremarkable car.

We both liked the little Honda e, which was a really quirky attempt at Honda’s first entry into the electric market. Who could forget the moving goldfish screen?

A couple of years on, with no little swimmers evident, we see the arrival of Honda’s second electric car. To give it its correct name, the e is a mid-sized SUV that has a good-sized battery and a comparable range with its competitive rivals, such as the Tesla Model Y, Hyundai Kona, Skoda Enyaq 80, and Kia Niro EV. We have not driven the Tesla, as they do not provide us with test cars, so we cannot compare.

Honda styling has a mixed assembly: there is the fabulous Civic, but perhaps the less attractive CR-V and HR-V. However, to be fair, it depends on what you are looking for as far as SUVs are concerned. We really like the !!!***!!! (or whatever it is called); it looks good from the outside, and once inside, there is substantial space for all passengers, with decent boot space too. We loved the 15-inch portrait touchscreen, which housed all the necessary controls, which were very user-friendly. It was very comfortable, with heated front seats and a heated steering wheel. Yes, folks, this is Scotland, and we needed both even in July! Add in adaptive LED headlights, a power tailgate, and we loved the sunroof, which did allow brightness on that odd occasion when the sun made an appearance.

There is plenty of equipment available; even the entry-level Elegance trim comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, heated front seats, privacy glass, a 10.25-inch digital driver display, adaptive LED headlights, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, keyless start, dual-zone air-con, and adaptive cruise control.

We both enjoyed the drive of the car, perhaps more than we thought we would; in fact, we both wished we could have had it just a little bit longer to really take it through its paces.

When it comes to the all-important charging, though, the e’s maximum charging rate is 78kW, so it can be charged from 10-80% in about 45 minutes, which is fine if you have a home charger, but it means you cannot take advantage of higher chargers on offer. However, it is on par with the Niro EV.

The range is officially 256 miles, which is really good. With heater/aircon/radio/wipers running on our day trip, we managed a decent 222 miles.

Prices start from £42,195.

Ally says: “Enjoyed our time in the e. Loved the drive, and who could even question Honda’s dependable reliability record?”

Lorraine says: “I really liked this car too. It is a bit pricey compared to some others in its class, but I have it on very good authority that there are excellent deals to be had.”