New compact and luxury EVs reviewed

What's happened

This week has seen a string of new and updated cars: Skoda has launched the Epiq, its smallest electric SUV from £24,950; Mercedes has introduced a seven‑seat electric GLB with an 85kWh battery and up to 379 miles claimed range; Bentley has previewed the Torcal EV and a lighter Supersports coupe; Rivian has rolled out a smaller R2 SUV; Suzuki and Volvo have updated compact models and added full‑EV versions; Chinese brands Leapmotor and Toyota have new affordable EVs. Reviews highlight trade‑offs in range, ride and interior packaging.

What's behind the headline?

What the new models tell us

• Automakers are filling gaps across price points. Skoda's Epiq undercuts larger siblings at £24,950, Leapmotor and Toyota are targeting affordable family buyers, while Bentley is positioning the Torcal to attract new luxury EV customers.

Engineering and packaging trends

• Shared platforms are common. The Epiq and Volkswagen ID. Cross use variants of the MEB family, and Bentley's Torcal shares basic engineering with the Porsche Cayenne EV, which will speed development and lower costs.
• Battery and charging choices are diverging by segment. Entry compact models use 40–55kWh or ~50kWh packs for city range and cheaper pricing; premium models use 85kWh+ packs to secure long-range claims (Mercedes GLB). Fast charging claims vary widely in real use.

Consequences for buyers

• Value will drive many purchases. Skoda and Leapmotor are competing on price versus similar-sized petrol models; that parity will push mainstream buyers toward EVs if local charging is available.
• Real-world range and charging will shape ownership. Volvo’s plug‑in hybrids still require realistic range budgeting, while Merlin tests show Mercedes’ headline 320kW charging did not always materialise in practice.

Forecast

• Expect more cross‑badging and platform sharing. This will widen choice and reduce marginal costs, which will push entry EV prices down and concentrate product differentiation on interior quality, software and charging performance.
• Buyers will increasingly judge models by usable range, charging behaviour and cabin ergonomics rather than headline power figures.

Bottom line

The market is maturing: mainstream brands are offering genuinely affordable EVs with sensible packaging, and luxury marques are using EVs to expand their customer base. Shortcomings remain in software polish, charging consistency and some ride dynamics — and these will decide winners and losers as deliveries start.

How we got here

Manufacturers are broadening EV line‑ups to cover compact family cars through to high‑end luxury SUVs. New platforms, bigger batteries and shared group engineering are letting brands offer more models at varied price points, while reviewers are testing how range, charging speed, ride and cabin quality trade off across those price bands.

Our analysis

The Independent's road tests focused on practicality and value. Its Skoda Epiq review praised the 4,171mm compact footprint, visibility and a 55kWh option while flagging a small driver display and an infotainment system a generation behind the Volkswagen ID. Cross. The Independent's Leapmotor B03X drive noted impressive interior storage and a 53kWh battery with 237 miles claimed range but criticised cheap cabin touches and inconsistent driver aids. The Scotsman emphasised buyer preference for SUVs while reviewing Volvo's XC60 and XC40 updates; it highlighted the XC60 T8 PHEV's strong power but warned of reduced fuel economy once the battery is depleted and advised realistic EV range expectations. Mercedes’ GLB review in the Independent stressed seven‑seat practicality and an 85kWh battery with up to 379 miles claimed, but the reviewer said charging speeds did not match headline 320kW claims in real use. Bentley coverage in The Verge and Ars Technica used direct quotes from Martin Page, noting the Torcal's focus on ride isolation, crafted digital sound and a performance calibration that favours linear, confidence‑inspiring torque rather than chasing four‑figure horsepower. Rivian and Toyota coverage (New York Times Business, Business Insider) described the R2 and Toyota bZ as attempts to hit popular midsize SUV buyers with practical range and quiet cabins; Business Insider noted a 314‑mile EPA estimate for Toyota's bZ and praised its highway composure but complained about intrusive alert tones. Across these reviews the pattern is consistent: engineers and designers are balancing range, charging, ride comfort and cabin quality to reach different buyer priorities.

Go deeper

• Which of these new EVs offers the best real‑world range for daily running?
• How will charging network limits affect ownership of the cheaper compact EVs?
• Which brands will use software updates to fix early shortcomings in ride and driver aides?

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