TMW - The 2014 Hybrid/PHEV award goes to...........

HYBRID/PHEV - The cars that are supposed to be the best for the environment, but are they any good ? 

MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER PHEV - The massive seller for Mitsubishi, who would have though that the could have pulled this off, a huge SUV, that's so good for the environment, and huge mpg as well, it makes you wonder what other SUV producers are doing wrong that they have got it so right.

TESLA MODEL S - Tesla, a lone company that's having a task being allowed to sell it cars in certain states in the USA, but why, this is the way forward for cars, it has great looks, massive space, lots of leg room front and rear, and upto date tech, whats not to like, shame that some feel threatened by Tesla, this is one car that deserves to sell better than it does, and it will, once more charging stations, dealers and models arrive. 

BMW i8 - An electric powered Sports car, OK, but a very limited sales proposition, BMW have sold just 13,000 of their "i" branded cars this year, which is not a great deal, 300 per week, worldwide, over two models, maybe they should have gone with a different model, maybe an SUV, and the sports car later

BMW i3 - The i3 is a weird little thing, like its bigger brother, it has looks only a mother could love, and to be honest, it is the badge that people buy, there can be no other reason, why else would the hideous 1-Series sell, or the X4/X6, some of the ugliest on the road.

VOLKSWAGEN e-GOLF - One of the worlds best selling cars now has now entered the environmental segment, like most of the other cars in the segment the prices are a lot higher, but you do get a £5,000 government grant, but still, once you weigh up the cost of, say, a high mpg diesel, the costs don't really add up.

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Hybrid's, PHEV, battery power, solar power or what ever powers your car, has been for too long a sector that looked at with disdain, but no longer, it is now time that these cars should be looked at more as a main choice rather than a second, they are as good as the cars they are based on, with, in some cases, no fuel charges, so whats not to like, they can be quiet and well kitted out, just to draw the buyer in.

And with our first car, they have proven that even a huge Off-Roader can be hybridised, and make it so good that it takes the lead from other well known and well respected competition, you can have a big family car that can do almost anything, and without the massive fuel bills that are associated with a big 4x4, and it is just the start for Mitsubishi, expect more off-Roaders with PHEV capability.

We have already talked at length about the Tesla Model S, so I wont go back into great detail again, but needless to say that Tesla are a force to be reckoned with, and with new models coming on stream, more charging points and an expanded dealership network worldwide, the Tesla range will be a major car manufacturer in not too many years time.

The due from BMW are a good start from the Bavarian company, we are not overly impressed by BMW's on this site, so don't expect to see us raving about them, anytime soon, but with the i3 and i8, they have achieved something that not many other brands have done, and that's a full on hybrid sports car, along with a family hatchback, and both launched within a sniff of each other, they of course have the German build quality, everyone expects, and with rumours about other 'i' models to come. 

This range will, like the Tesla range, become a benchmark for others to aspire too, is that a good thing, well, no, the perceived quality of the Germanic brands is not there, a quick google check on these cars reliability and you will find a lot of unhappy owners, but lets hope the 'i' range will be better.

Finally we have the one of the worlds best sellers, the VW Golf, it is a little late to the party, but they have come in with a car that's credible and worthy of the Golf name, with The EPA rating for city driving is 126 MPGe and 105 MPGe in highway driving, the e-Golf is definitely a choice to be looked at, BUT, and you knew there would be one, it is just so boring, and bland, the Golf really has not changed shape since the MK II, and the last two generations are nearly the same, so VW are playing it too safe, and that's where the other brands should and could get in and take sales away from them.

THE 2014 HYBRID/PHEV CAR OF THE YEAR AWARD.....

Goes to...............

An easy choice here, Mitsubishi has gone that one step further than the rest and it has paid off in bucket loads, the sales figures back that up, and the car, looks good too, some of these hybrids and FCV's look like a hideous mash up of something from Gerry Anderson and a parts bin, but not this one, it is as good to look at as it is to sit it, and therefore this award is truly well deserved. Well done Mitsubishi, you deserve this.

Jon Mower

TMW