We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue without changing your settings, we will assume that you are happy to receive all cookies on the Business Car website. However, if you would like to, you can change your cookies at any time
The start point for the best source of fleet information |
Alfa Romeo is an iconic brand, and it seems to be flourishing under new Stellantis ownership. Firstly, the Italian manufacturer has returned to profit and at the end of last year there was a new model - the Tonale, which we're leading with in plug-in hybrid form here.
Outside, it gets off to a good start in the looks department - in fact we'd go as far as to say this Alfa Romeo is probably the best looking of the set. At the front, there's a distinctive triple light signature, whilst from the side there's the coupe-like roofline - and these are just some of the design highlights.
Inside, this Alfa Romeo is equally attractive, with the minimalist look to the dashboard, and cowled digital instruments. There is also a standard fit 10.25in touchscreen, which has attractive graphics and is easy to operate. The front seats are supportive, and the trim feels good quality.
This Tonale is fitted with the far more fleet-friendly plug-in hybrid drivetrain. Also more powerful, this PHEV Alfa Romeo is powered by a 1.3-litre petrol engine with a rear-mounted electric motor (equalling four-wheel drive), giving an impressive 280hp - although full power is only available in 'Dynamic' mode, selected by the 'DNA' drive mode controller. Another positive for the Alfa, is that because it has a 40-mile EV range, it just squeaks into the lower 8% BIK car tax bracket.
On the road, with almost 300hp and decent handling, the drive lives up to the badge. However, this Alfa Romeo joins a busy mid-sized PHEV SUV sector - can it be the cost-per-mile victor here?
All these models are plug-in hybrids, but the Alfa Romeo and BMW X1 perform best in terms of BIK, thanks to their 8% figures. With the Range Rover Evoque and Audi Q3 in third and fourth. This is thanks to the Alfa and BMW's 40 miles of EV range.
Alfa quotes up to 217.3mpg for this Tonale, but according to figures supplied by Kee Resources, this Alfa Romeo has a more realistic 45mpg, which puts it in first place, with the BMW in second with its 38.2mpg figure, Audi is in third position with its 32.8mpg figure and the Range Rover in last place with its 27.8mpg figure.
Alfa Romeo models haven't always performed well when it comes to residuals, and sadly its decent 48.80% figure is still only good for third place, with the Audi behind in last position. The two cars that hold their value best here, are the second-placed BMW and the winning Range Rover Evoque.
The Alfa Romeo remains in third place when it comes to depreciation, with its £24,801 figure - just £290 behind the second-placed BMW and the Range Rover again in first. Although, perhaps most surprising is the Audi in last place here.
With the Tonale also coming first in terms of National Insurance (£1,682), and for SMR (£2,311), it's a shame the plug-in Alfa Romeo can only achieve third place for its cost per mile figure.
Alfa Romeo Tonale 1.3VGT PHEV Veloce
P11D: £48,440
CO2 (tax): 29g/km (8%)
BIK 20/40% a month: £64/£129
Fuel consumption: 45mpg
National Insurance: £1,682
First year VED: £10
Subsequent VED: £180
Engine size/power: 1,332cc/280hp
AFR: 13p
Residual value: 48.8%
Depreciation: £24,801
Fuel costs: £7,014
SMR: £2,311
Cost per mile: 56.87p
Following the launch of diesel and petrol versions of the second-generation Q3 SUV, Audi added this plug-in hybrid 45e version in 2021.
Mechanically, the 45e is powered by a 1.4-litre TFSi petrol, combined with a 13.0kWh battery, equalling 242hp and 400Nm of torque. 0-62mph acceleration takes a brisk 7.3 seconds, and this Q3 can cover 28 miles on electric power alone.
On the road, you'll need to keep the battery charged to get the best economy out of this Audi. Overall, it's best described as refined, unremarkable, and easy to drive with accurate and secure handling.
Audi might claim a 148.7mpg figure, but according to our figures from Kee Resources, 32.8mpg is more realistically what you'll see. This sadly is the second lowest, although the Range Rover finishes last! More surprising is the Audi's 47.32% residual value figure, which just puts it behind the Alfa in fourth place. It is worth mentioning that all these figures are very close - apart from the Evoque, which is some way ahead here.
Elsewhere, the Q3 finishes in third place for SMR (£2,620), but fourth place for NI (£2,840) and depreciation (£25,117), which goes some way to explaining its solid last place here, as it's still a way behind the Alfa.
Audi Q3 45 1.4 TFSIe S Line Technology
P11D: £47,675
CO2 (tax): 45g/km (14%)
BIK 20/40% a month: £111/£222
Fuel consumption: 32.8mpg
National Insurance: £2,840
First year VED: £30
Subsequent VED: £180
Engine size/power: 1,395cc/242hp
AFR: 13p
Residual value: 47.32%
Depreciation: £25,117
Fuel costs: £9,829
SMR: £2,620
Cost per mile: 62.61p
The X1 is in its third generation and is BMW's most recent launch, being only available since autumn last year.
Also available in fully electric iX1 form, if that doesn't work for you, BMW are offering the xDrive30e plug-hybrid version we're covering here.
The biggest news is that it has grown. Now built on the UKL platform, it gets a 22mm longer wheelbase. As such, it is 53mm longer and 44mm taller - bringing the overall length to 4,500mm, very close to the X1's bigger brother, the X3.
It is good to drive, too. This BMW SUV has precise steering, plenty of grip, and body roll is kept well under control. Whilst M Sport trim has sportier looks and all the kit that you'll need.
It might be the newest choice besides the Alfa Romeo, but this BMW can only come second to the Range Rover overall. In terms of National Insurance (£1,690), and economy (38.2mpg), the BMW is second placed. It is an attractive SUV second-hand, as its 49.89% residual value figure and £24,511 depreciation both take second place, too. Where the wheels come off, is the highest SMR figure of £2,724, and the highest P11D figure at £48,910.
BMW X1 1.5 xDrive30e M Sport
P11D: £48,910
CO2 (tax): 18g/km (8%)
BIK 20/40% a month: £65/£130
Fuel consumption: 38.2mpg
National Insurance: £1,698
First year VED: £10
Subsequent VED: £180
Engine size/power: 1,499cc/321hp
AFR: 15p
Residual value: 49.89%
Depreciation: £24,511
Fuel costs: £5,820
SMR: £2,724
Cost per mile: 55.09p
Oldest of the group that we've gathered, but arguably despite being a common sight, the Range Rover is still one of the best looking.
However, there's more to the baby Range Rover than its looks; the Evoque has a high-quality and reasonably practical interior.
Underneath, the P300e features a 197hp 1.5-litre three-cylinder Ingenium turbo engine, eight-speed automatic transmission, plus a belt-driven starter-generator motor. Added at the rear, is a 107hp synchronous electric motor. This sits between the rear wheels driving the axle and a 15kWh battery, which is cleverly packaged next to the 57-litre fuel tank under the rear seats - meaning boot space is unaffected.
The Range Rover has the most disappointing fuel consumption of this set, at 27.8mpg, and its 12% BIK figure is in the middle of this group. However, with its 58.89% figure, the Range Rover has the best residual value, and the lowest depreciation at £20,006. As such, the Range Rover Evoque is the cost per mile victor here, at 52.48p - but the figures are close.
Range Rover Evoque 1.5 P300e R-Dynamic S
P11D: £48,660
CO2 (tax): 32g/km (12%)
BIK 20/40% a month: £97/£194
Fuel consumption: 27.8mpg
National Insurance: £2,495
First year VED: £10
Subsequent VED: £180
Engine size/power: 1,497cc/309hp
AFR: 15p
Residual value: 58.89%
Depreciation: £20,006
Fuel costs: £8,947
SMR: £2,536
Cost per mile: 52.48p
BusinessCar magazine ©2019
Business Car Magazine © 2020 | Business Car is part of NS Media Group.
