We’re onto the last issue of the year and it’s an absolute cracker. We’ll attempt to keep the Christmas puns to a minimum, but I’m sure you’ll understand that it takes plenty of ‘elf control. We’ve got tree pages of gift ideas in the December issue that will hopefully give you some inspiration for those hard-to-buy-for friends and relatives. And our Christmas Crossword is back, allowing you a few minutes respite from the festivities.

The cover proudly displays the fourth-generation Skoda Superb, which arrives in showrooms in the spring. We’ve also got the first pictures of the latest cars on display at the Tokyo Mobility Show from Honda, Lexus, Mazda, Nissan, Suzuki, and Toyota, as well as the eye-catching Polestar 5 and 6. Peugeot’s facelifted E-Rifter is on page 14, alongside the Toyota Hilux GR Sport II and updated versions of the Volkswagen ID.4 and ID.5.

Hyundai’s new Kona Electric goes head-to-head with Renault’s Megane E-Tech. Is it a win for the Czech Republic built car, or is the French motor triumphant? We also get behind the wheel of the Volvo EX30, and put the BMW i5, Mazda MX-30 R-EV, Honda CR-V PHEV and Citroën C5 Aircross Hybrid through their paces, as well as the diesel engined Mercedes-Benz GLC. We welcome a Genesis GV70 to the long-term fleet and wave goodbye to the Vauxhall Astra PHEV. This month’s used car buyer’s guide is all about the Peugeot 3008 BlueHDi.

Tested:

• BMW i5 eDrive 40 M Sport Pro Automatic
• Citroen C5 Aircross Max Hybrid 136 Automatic
• Honda CR-V e:PHEV 2.0 i-MMD Advance Tech Automatic
• Mazda MX-30 Prime-Line e-Skyactiv R-EV Automatic
• Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 d 4Matic AMG Line Premium Plus Automatic
• Volvo EX30 Plus Single Motor Extended Range Automatic

Long-term test reports:

• Citroen E-C4 X Shine Plus Automatic
• DS 7 Rivoli BlueHDi 130 Automatic
• Genesis GV70 Sport 2.2 AWD Automatic
• GWM Ora Funky Cat First Edition Automatic
• Honda Civic E:HEV Advance Automatic
• Mazda CX-60 AWD Takumi e-Skyactiv D
• Peugeot 408 Allure Premium Plug-in Hybrid 225 Automatic
• Skoda Fabia Colour Line 1.0 MPI
• Vauxhall Astra Ultimate 1.6 Plug-in Hybrid Automatic

Twin Test

• Hyundai Kona Electric Ultimate vs Renault Megane E-Tech Iconic EV 60 Automatic

Features:

• Current affairs - What happened to the tougher Euro-7 regulations?
• Christmas Gadget Inspector - festive gift guide

Used Car Buyer's Guide

• Peugeot 3008 BlueHDi 130

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