Meanwhile, Rimell loved the Peugeot e-208 but just couldn’t get on with its i-Cockpit- “so flawed that I’m still surprised it was signed off” – and Scullion quietly admitted that the Giulia QV might not be perfect, after all: “It’s broadly brilliant but it loves throwing up warning lights and draining its battery.
It seems Stellantis has a big stack of ironing to do across the board.
Consolation awards
We’ve gone as far as to invent our own awards so no car goes home empty-handed.
Honda e:NY1
I wanted to love the e:NY1, because I loved the E, but it was about as unremarkable as cars get to drive. Shame. Still, I enjoyed a surprisingly large amount of space in the back when catching a lift from a colleague, so it lands the Beat’s Walking Award. – MT
Nissan Aryia
This electric SUV wins the Check the Spec Award for being very options-sensitve, but among the better cars in its class with the right boxes ticked. Finesse the configurator and you can combine a lovely interior with a sensible design and decent range. – MSc
Subaru Crosstrek
Subaru’s infotainment system can be programmed to remind you of birthdays and anniversaries – a function that my mate checkily used to present me with a highly questionable message when I left for the office the next morning, earning it HR’s Not Safe For Work Award. – KC
Dacia Sandero Stepway
Most days, I spend eight hours staring at mag pages on a screen, so this all-you-need-and nothing-you-don’t hatch wins the Digital Detox Award for giving my poor eyes and brain a rest. – KC
Skoda Kamiq
Like the inoffensive shade of off-white you paint your walls, Skoda’s smallest crossover lands this year’s Dulux Magnolia Award for being so solidly decent that it just fades into the background. – JA
