u/CarwowMario

I'm not Carwow news editor Jamie Edkins, but he and I do share quite a few automotive opinions. One of those is that we both enjoy a small, peppy hatchback - just like this Audi A1 and Skoda Fabia 130.

The problem is, where the 'warm hatch' was once a cheap way for moderate driving thrills, either of these semi-spicy examples will set you back pretty near enough £30,000. Yes, really, and yes, that is a lot of money.

Two questions then. One, which of this pair is better, and two, should you buy either of them anyway?

Jamie has tested them back-to-back to find out the answers:

https://www.carwow.co.uk/editorial/choosing-a-car/car-comparisons-side-by-side/skoda-fabia-130-vs-audi-a1-premium-hatchback-comparison-jamie-edkins

Does value for money really matter more than anything else when choosing a car? I get why you'd want a car with all the bells and whistles for a cracking price, even from a relatively unknown brand such as Changan.

But when you can nab a Skoda Elroq for only £33 more a month on a great lease deal, even if it's not as well equipped, is it worth the extra spend? I think so, and I've explained why below.

What do you think, though? Chinese car popularity is soaring, so you might not feel the same, and I'd like to hear your thoughts.

https://www.carwow.co.uk/editorial/choosing-a-car/car-comparisons-side-by-side/changan-deepal-s07-skoda-elroq-lease-deals-comparison-review-mario-christou

The Q4 e-tron was already one of my favourite, family-friendly electric SUVs, and Audi has just given it a nip-and-tuck to bring it in-line with the rest of its model range. It looks a little better than before, it's more comfortable to drive and the interior is a bit more stylish.

But, it feels cheaper inside than the old version - and ditching the old driver display for the new system is a crime. Seriously, the old 'Virtual Cockpit' was one of the best in the game, and replacing it with a thin sliver of screen surrounded by black plastic is a crying shame.

Aside from that, though, the Q4 is the best it's ever been. Read my full review here: https://www.carwow.co.uk/audi/q4-e-tron

Yet another casualty of the market shifting away from EVs, Toyota has just announced that it’s pulling the plug on development of the Lexus LF-ZC – an EV saloon that was destined to take the fight to the all-new BMW i3 and Mercedes C-Class Electric.

Toyota isn’t alone in its decision to scale back EV investment, with other giants also canning their electric futures until market demand shows signs of recovering.

Read more on Carwow: https://www.carwow.co.uk/news/10780/toyota-lexus-cancels-ev-saloon-development-market-issues-mario-christou

The second-gen DS SUV is here with a new name and in my eyes at least, actually looks quite good. Not even in a 'for a family SUV' way, but it really is quite sharp.

You can choose from a self-charging hybrid or a range of electric powertrains, the interior is wacky (in a good way) and if DS has played the posh card right, it'll be even more comfortable than the mechanically-similar Peugeot 3008 and Citroen C5 Aircross.

We're looking forward to driving it, but would you choose it over any of the established family SUV crowd?

More details here: https://www.carwow.co.uk/ds/no-7

Unlike any Ferrari that's come before it, this is the five-seat, quad-motor, 1035hp Luce. It's the brand's first EV, designed in collaboration with the man who styled the first ever iPhone, and it's certainly...different, as a result.

It's not just the car's styling that has drawn attention, but the effects the car's launch has had on Ferrari stock market valuation - which has taken a hit.

Our more in-depth thoughts here, on Carwow: https://www.carwow.co.uk/news/10760/ferrari-luce-revealed-stock-price-crashes

Another seven-seater SUV to land on British shores, the MG S9 offers great electric-only range from its plug-in hybrid engine, lots of standard kit and a frankly cavernous interior. Even the third row of seats recline...

But - and it's a big but - is value for money enough for the big MG to stand out? Sure it's practical and well-equipped, but it's not very comfortable on any given road and the infotainment system is a headache to use.

So, if you had six family members to ferry about or the need for a gargantuan boot, would you spend £34,000 on the S9? Or would you shop elsewhere?

Read my full review on Carwow: https://www.carwow.co.uk/mg/s9

...then the Deepal S07 would sell in spades. Unlike the many featureless, blobby SUVs on sale at the moment the Changan really is quite a looker. I like the shark-nose front end, the pointy headlights and the sleek roofline.

It's really plush inside, too, even compared to other Chinese SUVs - but my word is it annoying to live with. From the fussy infotainment to the lack of buttons and ergonomic quirks, it gets on your nerves when you try to live with it. It's a shame, really.

I'm not mad, I'm just disappointed.

https://www.carwow.co.uk/news/10718/changan-deepal-s07-review-mario-christou

It's been a good year for small, electric hatchbacks with the awesome Renault Twingo E-Tech, Nissan Micra and now this - the Cupra Raval. I had a go in the top-spec VZ Extreme model in Barcelona, Spain, and it's close to being a bonafide hot hatchback.

Sure, the VZ is expensive at £35,000, but if you don't need an electronic limited-slip differential, adaptive suspension and bucket seats you can opt for a more sensible Origin at £24,000. The V1 and V2 models split the difference, with up to 277 miles of range to a charge.

With a spacious interior, huge 411-litre boot and handsome styling (in my eyes, and the eyes of pedestrians in Barcelona), the Raval it leaves me wondering...why buy the Cupra Born anymore?

Check out my full review on Carwow: https://www.carwow.co.uk/cupra/raval

If I were in the market for an upmarket electric car that drives well, I'd choose a BMW i4 any day of the week. Or at least, I would have, until I drove the new Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake last week.

The idea of a small, sleek estate car is already great. Factor in how comfortable it is, the brilliant augmented reality tech and the fact that it has a fairly generous electric range, I think the Shooting Brake will make for an excellent daily driver.

Heck, I'm a lifelong BMW enthusiast, and the CLA is good enough to have turned me away from the i4. It's just a shame there's more screen inside than an Apple Store, because I'd quite like some dashboard with my dashbaord. Bummer.

Read my full review here, with real-world range, driving impressions and more: https://www.carwow.co.uk/mercedes/cla-shooting-brake-electric

...it's not perfect. The styling is great, the interior is surprisingly roomy for such a little car and it's fuel efficient, but there's no getting around the cost-saving measures. All of the great cabin details are lost in a sea of cheap, scratchy plastics - and I really do mean scratchy. The door cars and gloss black trims in every Grande Panda at the UK launch were terribly marked, with minimal mileage on the odometer.

Still, it drives well and really is cheap at under £19,000, so it makes for a cracking city car.

Check out my full review here: https://www.carwow.co.uk/fiat/grande-panda