Hyundai Tucson

You need to know your mild-hybrid from your plug-in before making sense of the Tucson line-up, given nearly all models have some manner of electrical assistance and that has big implications for purchase and running costs. All are based around a 1.6-litre petrol engine and while the non-hybrid version is cheaper to buy you claw back much of the extra expense of the mild hybrid version (or MHEV) in the first year of tax so that seems a no-brainer.

Plug-in (or PHEV) version aside, the fuel consumption, CO2 and Benefit In Kind costs are on a par for all models, though the manual and all-wheel drive versions are worse on emissions. At the time of writing pricing for the PHEV is to be confirmed but the Tucson’s relatively high cost is demonstrated by the fact Peugeot offers a full plug-in version of the 3008 for not much more than Hyundai charges for its regular hybrid. For a company driver that could make the Peugeot much cheaper on monthly costs, while a private owner could save on fuel given the 3008 can run on electric power alone for short journeys. Suffice to say, if you still consider Hyundai a ‘value’ brand you may be in for a surprise, though this will be a more pleasant one when you factor in the premium vibe of the looks and much improved interior quality.