Eight new electric and hybrid cars

What's happened

Several manufacturers have launched or previewed new electric and hybrid models this month. Skoda has introduced the compact Epiq from £24,950; Mercedes has unveiled 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 launched the smaller R2 SUV; Suzuki, Volvo, Leapmotor, Aion and Honda have released updated or new models aimed at family and city buyers.

What's behind the headline?

What manufacturers are doing now

• Legacy brands are adding smaller, more affordable EVs to reach mainstream buyers. Skoda has launched the Epiq as its cheapest EV from £24,950; Rivian has introduced a smaller, lighter R2 aimed at the upscale mass market; Suzuki and Volvo have moved key models to full electric or refreshed hybrids.

• Luxury marques are using EVs to preserve brand DNA while modernising. Bentley is previewing the Torcal EV with a focus on ride isolation, interior craft and a tailored synthetic engine note; the brand has also produced a lighter, rear-drive Supersports coupe to sharpen driver focus.

• Chinese entrants and joint ventures are pushing value-for-money EVs into Britain. Leapmotor and Aion are launching roomy, well-equipped models priced from the high £20ks; Leapmotor benefits from a Stellantis-backed distribution joint venture while Aion leverages GAC's manufacturing scale.

Key technical and market trends

• Range and charging are diverging. Mercedes claims up to 379 miles from an 85kWh GLB and 320kW charging on paper, but test charging fell short. Skoda and Aion quote around 268–272 miles from smaller pack sizes near 40–60kWh, prioritising packaging and interior space over headline range.

• Platform sharing and parts commonality are shaping costs. The Epiq rides on Volkswagen Group's MEB+ technology; Bentley and Porsche family engineering is informing the Torcal. These choices will reduce development cost and accelerate model rollouts.

• Specification simplification is common. Several makers (Leapmotor, Aion) are offering a single well‑specified trim to simplify buying and undercut incumbent rivals on perceived value.

What this will mean for buyers and dealers

• Buyers will see more electric choices across price bands and body styles, forcing comparison on real-world range, charging performance and interior practicality rather than headline figures.

• Dealers will need training and capacity for high-voltage servicing as brands expand networks—Aion aims for 100 UK dealers by 2030; Leapmotor leverages Stellantis channels to start with roughly 80 retailers.

• Competition will compress margins on compact EVs. Brands that combine recognised dealer support, credible range/charging and clear pricing will win first-time mainstream customers.

Forecast

• Mainstream brands will continue to launch compact EVs priced around £25k–£35k, pushing incumbents to match value or differentiate on real-world efficiency and ownership experience.

• Luxury marques will prioritise crafted interiors and differentiated driving feel rather than chasing raw power figures alone. Bentley's approach to synthetic engine sound and ride tuning will appear in rival premium EV launches.

• Expect over-the-air software updates to become a standard fix for early hardware or UX shortcomings, especially from newer entrants reliant on initial software maturity.

How we got here

Automakers are shifting lineups toward electrification and compact SUVs that buyers favour. Manufacturers are expanding EV ranges at lower price points, adapting platforms and adding hybrid options to retain existing customers while targeting new segments.

Our analysis

The Independent's road tests provide practical detail on packaging, range and pricing. Its Aion UT review notes a 60kWh battery, 268-mile claim and a £28,950 entry price while emphasising Aion's scale inside GAC and ambitions for 100 UK dealers — "the company produces almost two million vehicles per year" (Independent, 16 Sep). The Independent's Skoda Epiq drive in Germany described the Epiq as "a hugely likeable little electric SUV" at £24,950 and noted its MEB+ platform and two battery sizes (Independent, 14 Sep). Mercedes' GLB briefing (Independent, 27 Aug) supplies technical claims: an 85kWh battery, seven-seat layouts and a 379-mile maximum claimed range, but the reviewer reported charging performance that "did not live up to that promise." That contrast between claimed and tested charging recurs across reviews. Leapmotor's B03X appears in the Independent's test (11 Sep) as a spacious, single-trim EV priced from £26,995 after an introductory grant; the review flags software and refinement issues that the manufacturer expects to address by over-the-air updates. Leapmotor's distribution via a Stellantis-led joint venture is crucial: the reviewer notes "sales, servicing, parts and after-sales support come through an established network." Bentley coverage in The Verge and Ars Technica (7 Sep; 27 Aug) shows a different emphasis: product directors stressing ride isolation, interior craft and an evocative synthetic engine note. Martin Page told The Verge: "What we wanted to do throughout the car is maintain craftsmanship... in the way we execute the digital aspects." Ars Technica adds technical targets for the Torcal (around 300 EPA miles, 400 kW fast charging) and quotes Page on torque and power calibration. Rivian's R2 appears in the New York Times Business (7 Sep) as a smaller, more affordable SUV that preserves comfort, off-road capability and advanced software, aiming to broaden Rivian's market beyond R1S buyers. Other independent UK reviews — The Scotsman and Business Insider UK — show incu

Go deeper

• Which compact EV offers the best real-world range for your typical commute?
• How reliable are over‑the‑air updates in fixing early software and refinement issues?
• Will dealer networks scale fast enough to support the influx of Chinese entrants?

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