Third generation Nissan LEAF EV now on sale here

Nissan’s third-generation LEAF electric car has been reimagined as a spacious family crossover, writes Trish Whelan and Brian Byrne. The model has sold close to 700,000 units since its debut in 2010 when it was the first mass-produced electric vehicle with a range of just 120kms. 

The new model is completely different to the previous model with a sleek new exterior design - every part designed with aerodynamics in mind - a longer range of up to 622 kilometres, faster charging speeds, intuitive technology and more spacious interior providing good seating for five adults, 437 litres of cargo space and power-operated tailgate. Boot space is 437 litres with all seats in use. Onboard technology is designed for seamless integration. NissanConnect with Google built-in offers Google Maps with In Car Route Planner linked to the range in the battery; Google Assistance for hands-free control over navigation, media, climate; and Google Play for apps, streaming and productivity tools. 

The new LEAF comes with a suite of advanced safety and driver assistance features including emergency braking, blind spot intervention to rear cross traffic alert. Its 3D Around View monitor, invisible bonnet view (being able to look below the car), and front wide view, make parking and navigating tight spaces easier, and safer. 

Batteries are a 52kWh with up to 424kms range, and 75kWh battery which offers up to 622kms. Both variants support DC fast-charging (unlike previously), and are available in three grades of Engage, Engage+, Advance, and Evolve. Standard features on the entry level variant includes 18-inch alloy wheels, LED signature front and rear lamps, flush door handles, paddle shift for regeneration controls-Pedal Step, heat pump, ProPILOT with Navi-link, and Vehicle-to-Load capability. 

Driving the Engage+ 52kWh battery powered at its Irish launch to motoring journalists last week, we were impressed with the car’s exterior styling, spacious interior, the 12.3-inch dual integrated screens for infotainment and driver’s information cluster, the 3D around view monitor, and with the car’s drivability. 

LEAF Generation 3 model is built at Nissan’s production plant in Sunderland. Prices are from €36,095 to €51,795. All pricing is inclusive of applicable VRT Relief. Pricing for the more powerful 75kWh Advance and Evolve grades excludes the SEAI €3,500 grant.

The three generations of the LEAF are pictured below.

BYD Sealion 5 PHEV review: Trish Whelan, Irish Car

Chinese car brand BYD has certainly made its mark on the Irish car market, having launched eight new models since arriving here just three years ago. The company has sold 3,894 units so far this year, representing a massive increase of +99.69% over the whole of last year’s sales. BYD is now amongst the leading five EV and PHEV brands in Ireland. 

My latest test drive was the BYD Sealion 5 Super Hybrid, which sits below the larger Seal U hybrid in the brand’s hybrid line-up. It measures 4,738mm long, 1,860mm wide, 1,710mm high, and has a wheelbase of 2,712mm. 

This is a 1.5 plug-in hybrid with a range of up to 1,016km when fully charged and with a full tank of petrol, dispelling any driver range anxiety as you could travel the length and breadth of the country without having to stop to ‘refuel’. To me, the model is not as stylish as some competitors such as the Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, or Toyota Corolla Cross. It looks quite fussy with too much going on, especially on the front and sides with the large textured grille, muscular shoulders that flare over the wheel arches, and all the indented lines. But the 18-inch bi-colour alloy wheels look great and provide good grip, while the full-width LED light bar and contrast-colour D-pillar create a ‘floating’ roof effect. 

This is a proper five-seater with room for all adults to travel in comfort, with very good levels of headroom and legroom front and rear. Front seats feature durable vegan faux leather upholstery, have integrated see-through head restraints, and can be heated. The driver’s seat has six-way power adjustment, while the co-driver’s seat has four-way power adjustments. Both provide very good back support. The centre dash is the fixed 12.8-inch landscape touchscreen, which I changed from a dark background to a lighter one. The touchscreen is compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay; built-in shortcuts let you change the temperature and fan speed. Dual zone climate control, fan, air direction settings are permanent controls along the base of the central screen. 

The colourful 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster stands out from the dash and provides all the relevant information, including your current speed shown large top centre. The three-spoke multifunction steering wheel includes voice control - say ‘Hi BYD’ to grab her attention. You can ask ‘herself’ to turn on the air conditioning, change the temperature, or radio station. There’s also an excellent reversing camera. The automatic transmission selector is on the flat of the central console, with the start-stop button and buttons for sensors, audio, fan, windscreen heater, and controls for EV or HEV driving. 

Rear seats can split 40:60. Wide-opening doors help install a child seat, and there are three ISOFIX anchor points provided. A completely flat floor improves foot room for the middle passenger. 

The power tailgate opens up 463 litres of boot space that can expand up to 1,410 litres with rear seats folded. PHEVs can be charged by both regenerative braking and by plugging into an external charger, either a home charger or public charging station. 

Hybrid cars are ideal for long-distance driving as when the electric range runs out, you can just carry on your journey powered by petrol in this case. The Dual Mode hybrid system pairs a 1.5 petrol engine with an electric motor to provide a combined 212hp. In EV or HEV modes, wheels are driven solely by the electric motor and back-up charge supplied with power from the 1.5 petrol engine. When the battery is fully charged and switched to EV mode, the car becomes pure-electric with up to 86kms of electric range with its dual Blade Batteries, manufactured in-house by BYD. When the battery charge runs out, it changes over to the petrol engine. This DM-i technology improves efficiency during hybrid driving, with a combined fuel consumption of just 2.1 L/100km. 

Trims are Comfort and Design. The Comfort model, with its 12.96 kWh battery, delivers up to 62kms of all-electric range and a range of 992kms. With its larger 18.3 kWh battery, the Design trim has an electric range of 85kms and a combined range of 1,016kms, with acceleration from 0-100km/h in 8.1 seconds. Comfort trim includes metallic paint, LED headlights and tail-lights, power folding/heated exterior mirrors, aluminium roof rails, V2L, 6 speakers, rear parking sensors, and a rear-view camera. Design adds an electric tailgate, heated front seats, a wireless phone charging pad, a 360-degree camera, front parking sensors, and Dynamic welcome lights. 

On the road, I liked how this car drove like an electric vehicle, mostly using the Normal drive mode (also Eco and Sport modes), and was able to get a great driving position, and I appreciated the comfort provided. The car comes with a comprehensive suite of safety and driver assistance features, but I turned off all the annoying lane keeping/departure ‘alerts’ and stuck masking tape over the driver monitor on the A-pillar, which annoyed me with a big yellow ‘eye’ image on my driver’s screen warning me to keep my eye on the road should I glance sideways. 

The Sealion 5 Super Hybrid has a basic warranty of 6 years or 150,000km; the power battery 8 years or 250,000km. Road tax is €140. Prices are from €36,990-€40,990. 

Škoda Peaq sets new range record

The Škoda Peaq has set a new range record for seven-seater electric SUVs by travelling 936km on a single charge of its 91 kWh battery, writes Brian Byrne. The record attempt, led by Škoda employees Marek Jež and Jakub Krs, was supervised by TÜV SÜD and began in Mladá Boleslav, ending in Zandvoort, Netherlands. 

The car was a production model, rear-wheel drive, and with  low-rolling-resistance tyres. It achieved an average energy consumption of 9.2 kWh/100 km. The journey, which took place from 25 to 26 August 2026, included driver changes and breaks.

The Peaq goes on sale in Ireland in November at a starting price of €54,995. 

New Opel Corsa GSE revives hot hatch tradition

Last year marked the resurrection of the Opel GSE badge, including the all-electric Opel Mokka GSE Rally competition vehicle, the Opel Mokka GSE road car and the high-performance Opel Corsa GSE Vision Gran Turismo concept car, writes Trish Whelan. 

Opel will expand its electrified portfolio with the new Corsa GSE. This new, everyday performance car, will celebrate its world exhibition premier at the Paris Motor Show in October, before arriving in Ireland later this year.  

The new Corsa GSE is pictured above 'with a nod to the Corsa GSi of the late 80s and early 90s. 

Corsa GSE, Opel returns to the market of real hot hatches with all-electric vehicles: GSE stands for Grand Sport Electric! With 281hp and 345Nm of torque, it will offer just as much electric power as the Opel Mokka GSE. The new model stores its energy in a 54kWh lithium-ion battery. 

Drivers can choose from three driving modes. In Sport mode, the electric car is tuned for pure performance and can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 5.5 seconds. In normal mode, it delivers 231hp and has a top speed of up to 180km/h. In Eco, all settings are trimmed for best possible efficiency. 

Inside, front passengers sit on performance seats adorned in a black, grey and yellow chequered pattern, with bright yellow seatbelts. Features include a 10-inch colour touchscreen, heated seats and steering wheel, 180-degree reversing camera, and V2L charging for external devices. 

More information will follow ahead of the Paris Motor Show 2026 reveal. 

New ferry passport requirements between ROI and Britain

From Monday, 28 September 2026, all passengers travelling with Irish Ferries between the Republic of Ireland and Britain will be required to carry a valid passport, writes Trish Whelan. 

This is a change to the current ID accepted and means that from that date, no other forms of photo ID will be accepted by Irish Ferries for any passengers, including Irish and UK citizens. This is to ensure compliance with UK Border Force requirements relating to the accuracy and integrity of passenger date before boarding and aligns ferry travel requirements with the document checks already carried out by many airlines. 

Irish Ferries is encouraging Irish and UK citizens travelling or planning to travel after 28 September 2026 to check their passport is valid, and in-date (or Irish passport card) before arriving at the port to avoid delays or disruption to their journey. 

Customers with existing bookings are being notified of the new requirement by Irish Ferries’ Customer Service Team.

Kia Ireland return as sponsors of Big Beach Clean 2026

Kia Ireland will return as the official sponsor of the Big Beach Clean 2026 which takes place from 18-20 September across Ireland, writes Trish Whelan. Last year, over 60 tons of litter were removed from Irish beaches and waterways by almost 11,000 volunteers from more than 500 organised clean-ups. 

The Big Beach Clean is part of the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) and invites volunteers from across ireland to remove litter from coastal areas and inland waterways at the end of the bathing season. The data collected from this campaign is part of a worldwide citizen science project that aims to heighten awareness about the issue of marine litter and help to shape future policies in this area. Registrations are now open for this year’s event and Kia are encouraging as many people as possible to sign up for their local beach clean at cleancoasts.org. 

On a global level, Kia continues to support the Ocean Cleanup, an organisation with a long-term aim of removing 90% of floating ocean plastic worldwide by 2040. In addition to using recycled materials in vehicle production, Kia also explores ways for collected plastic waste to be recycled and reused and have recently launched a boot liner accessory which contains 40% recycled ocean plastic. 

Looking forward to another big turnout this year for the annual Big Beach Clean, Bronagh Moore, An Taisce’s Clean Coasts Manager, commented: “Every piece of litter collected and recorded during the cleanup is vital for raising awareness and driving meaningful policy changes to protect our oceans. Small actions, when multiplied by many, can have a huge impact. We encourage everyone, no matter your location, to get involved and record your findings. By working together, we will create a tangible and lasting impact on ocean health.” 

Bronagh Moore, Clean Coasts Programme Manager; and Cathal Kealey, Head of Marketing and PR at Kia Ireland, are pictured at Big Beach Clean launch in Rosslare recently.

Lynn Motors is official Leapmotor dealer in Louth

Leapmotor Ireland has appointed Lynn Motors, Newry Road, Dundalk, Co Lough as its latest official franchise dealer partner, writes Trish Whelan. It is the brand’s tenth retail location in Ireland, and extends Leapmotor’s nationwide footprint into an eight county while introducing the brand to motorists across Louth and the north-east. 

Commenting on the appointment, Stephen McGrath, Brand Manager of Leapmotor Ireland said: “Lynn Motors has been looking after motorists in Dundalk for many years, and that kind of standing in a community is exactly what Leapmotor needs alongside it. We need partners who know their local market and who put the customer first.” 

A fixture on the Newry Road since 1993, Lynn Motors is a family-run, multi-franchise dealership, and is long established as a Gowan Auto dealer in New Car Sales, Quality Used Vehicles, and Aftersales. 

The full Leapmotor range is now available to order through Lynn Motors, comprising of the T03 compact city car (265km WLTP BEV from €18,950), the new B05 C-Hatchback (482km WLTP BEV from €28,998), the B10 compact SUV (434km WLTP BEV, from €32,984; 900km Hybrid EV from €36,995) and the C10 large family SUV (420km WLTP BEV from €38,995; 975km Hybrid EV from €45,420), all prices inclusive of SEAI grant and VRT rebate. First deliveries have now landed on the forecourt of Lynn Motors.

Pictured (above) at the announcement are: Stephen McGrath and Yvonne Sweeney of Leapmotor Ireland; and Don Lynn, Dealer Principal Lynn Motors. 

Alan Bateson to lead Volkswagen Group Ireland

Volkswagen Group Ireland have appointed Alan Bateson as Chief Executive Officer, writes Trish Whelan and Brian Byrne. His appointment marks the VW Group's first Irish full-time chief executive. He succeeds Pierre Boutin in the position. 

A highly regarded industry leader with more than 17 years of service within Volkswagen Group Ireland, including some years as Managing Director of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, Alan brings extensive market experience and a strong track record of commercial success to the role. Most recently, he served as Director for Volkswagen Passenger Cars, where he played a key role in delivering sustained market share growth and establishing Volkswagen as Ireland’s leading Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) brand. As CEO, Bateson will retail responsibility for the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand in Ireland. 

Commenting on his new appointment, Bateson said: “It is a great privilege to take on the role of CEO of Volkswagen Group Ireland. Having built my career within the Irish motor industry, I know what an honour it is to lead a business with such strong brands, talented people and trusted retail partners. My focus is clear: to continue to grow, to lead in mobility, and to deliver an outstanding and seamless experience for every customer.” 

Volkswagen Group Ireland represents six globally recognised brands - Volkswagen Audi, Skoda, CUPRA, SEAT and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. The Group’s portfolio accounts for over 28 per cent of new car sales in this country and over 16 per cent of the van market. 

On a personal note, we wish Alan every success in his appointment.

Siamsa Glas returns to Boyne Valley

Siamsa Glas, a cultural festival celebrating heritage, music, wellbeing, community, and outdoor experiences, returns for its third year from Friday 11th to Sunday 13th of September 2026. It offers over 30 events along the Boyne Valley to Lakelands Greenway, inviting visitors to explore County Meath’s distinctive tourism route.

The festival unites communities across Navan, Baile Ghib (Gibstown), Wilkinstown, Castletown, Nobber, and Kilmainhamwood. It encourages people to discover the Greenway, experience local culture, and enjoy the unique offerings of County Meath.

Supported by Meath County Council and Boyne Valley Tourism, Siamsa Glas highlights the communities along the route and the Irish language and cultural heritage of Baile Ghib.  

The Boyne Valley to Lakelands Greenway, a 30km off-road trail opened in 2023, connects many participating areas. It follows the former railway line between Navan and Kingscourt and is popular for exploring the area’s heritage, landscapes, and villages.

This year’s programme includes the Wilkinstown Community Market, Cuairt Rothar ar Ghaeltacht BhaileGhib, Craobh na bPrátaí, and Save the Last Dance. Highlights also feature the Fiáin Green Run, biodiversity walks, heritage talks, Meath Made workshops, traditional music sessions, a cultural concert at Nobber Heritage Centre, wellness experiences, and activities for all ages.

Many events are free, offering local communities and visitors an accessible chance to explore the Greenway and enjoy a varied programme.

Full programme details and booking information are available at: http://www.discoverboynevalley.ie/siamsa-glas-festival

Follow @discoverboynevalley on social media for festival updates. 

Škoda announces Irish pricing for Peaq flagship EV

Škoda Ireland has announced the pricing and specifications for the new Škoda Peaq, its seven-seat electric flagship, writes Brian Byrne. Starting at €54,995, the Peaq offers three electric powertrains with ranges up to 637 kilometres. 

It is the largest SUV in Škoda’s range, and will be available in Selection and Sportline trims. The Peaq 60 Selection includes features like 19-inch alloy wheels, a 13.6-inch infotainment display, and three-zone climate control. The Peaq 90 Selection, expected to be popular, offers up to 637 km of range and starts at €58,150. Sportline models begin at €61,550, and the Peaq 90X starts at €59,650. 

A nationwide roadshow will start in November 2026, with the first models arriving in January 2027.

 

Two new Mercedes-Benz models launched

Mercedes-Benz has introduced the latest GLB and GLC models to the Irish market, writes Brian Byrne. The GLB is available in electric and hybrid versions, and The GLC in all-electric and other fuel variants. 

The GLB offers a seven-seat layout with a luggage capacity of up to 1,715 litres and an electric range of up to 624km. It features faster interior heating, advanced driver assistance, and vegan trim, with prices starting from €59,355.  

The GLC is the first model to showcase Mercedes-Benz’s new design language, and has a rated range of up to 664km, a fourth-generation MBUX infotainment system, and a panoramic glass roof, with prices starting from €72,085.  

Electric CX-6e coming from Mazda

The all-new Mazda CX-6e, a fully electric SUV, is set to debut in European showrooms shortly, writes Brian Byrne. Developed in collaboration between Mazda’s European and Japanese design teams, the CX-6e will be powered by a 258hp motor and there's an estimated rated range of up to 484km.

The silhouette and integrated design elements aim to emphasise craftsmanship, aerodynamics, and a progressive ethos, and details include digital side mirrors. 

The CX-6e aims to offer a fresh, engaging experience and maintain Mazda’s design heritage. 

SEAT Arona FR review: Trish Whelan, Irish Car

SEAT’s Arona, first launched here in late 2017, is regarded as being a small city crossover or compact SUV. The latest upgrade of the model was unveiled here in October 2025 along with a refreshed Ibiza, both with a refreshed youthful look, upgraded interior, and choice of TSI petrol engines. There are no hybrid or fully-electric versions. Well over 750,000 units have been sold globally to drivers seeking ‘the perfect urban SUV' for energy, versatility and the styling for which the brand is renowned. The 413 Arona buyers in Ireland so far this year show many Irish customers agree with those sentiments. 

Arona is named after a town on the southern coast of Tenerife in Spain’s Canary Islands. SEAT cars are built at the company’s production plant at Martorell, outside Barcelona, where Arona is built on the same platform as the Ibiza hatchback. 

The exterior of my car was in Oniric Grey, more like a soft mint shade which looked really well with the contrasting black roof. Features are a new hexagonal grille design, new front and rear bumpers emphasising the car’s sportiness, roof rails, 18-inch ‘Performance’ Alloy wheels, painted door handles and mirrors, front fog lights with cornering function, rear fog lights, DLRs, and dark-tinted windows. 

As this was the FR grade, it had a laser-etched FR logo on the B-pillar for another sporty edge. The FR logo stands for Formula Racing, which, as well as styling, improves the car’s driving experience by firming up the suspension, steering, and engine options. 

The spacious interior had dark headlining, attractive two-tone textile bucket seats – with integrated see-through head restraints – that were both comfy and supportive. Seats have manual adjustments and can be heated (with the optional Winter Pack). You sit higher than you would do in a normal hatchback. The forward slope of the windscreen, the narrow A-pillars, and long side windows provided excellent forward and side visibility, especially at roundabouts. 

The upper dash includes nice soft-touch material (repeated on seats and doors) and a wide silver bar for added interest. Selection for the DSG automatic transmission is on the flat of the central console beside the Drive Mode selector for Eco, Normal, Sport, and Individual choices. I liked the traditional pull-up handbrake for quick reassurance that it was engaged when parked. The 9.2-inch central display screen navigation system seemed just right for the Arona. Graphics are colourful and clear. The system features Full Link smartphone integration with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and there are rotary knobs for adjusting the dual-zone temperature while on the move. A 10.25-inch driver’s information cluster consists of two dials with speed shown in small figures on the bottom right. It would be more visible if located high up between the dials. However, you can customise the screen to suit your preference, including having a map of the area shown between both dials. The leather-wrapped, multi-function steering wheel includes remote audio, voice and volume controls, and paddles mounted behind the steering wheel for manually changing gears. 

Other features are a bucket-type glovebox, good-sized door bins, two cupholders, a small area below the front armrest, two small USBs, and a wireless phone charger. Rear passengers have good head- and leg space, albeit with a high transmission tunnel, and pockets on front seat backs; the middle seat is fixed in place, so there is no centre armrest with cupholders. Boot capacity of 400 litres can expand to 823 litres with rear seats folded down. 

Trims are SE, SE Plus, FR, Arona, and Black Edition. Even the entry-level Arona is well specced with numerous standard features. Petrol engines are a 1.0 TSI 95hp 3-cylinder with a 5-speed manual gearbox, or a 1.0 TSI 115hp paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox, which was my review car. Maximum torque is 200Nm, top speed 195km/h, and acceleration from 0-100km/h is 10.00 seconds. Average fuel consumption is circa 5.7 L/100kms but I achieved 4.6 L/100kms over an 80km journey. Road tax is €200. The car can start looking for a suitable parking space when you press the Park Assist button. It will turn the steering wheel to guide you into parallel or bay spaces. 

Other useful features include front and rear parking sensors, rear-view camera, Hill hold, Drowsiness monitoring system, Lane assist, Front assist with autonomous Emergency braking, pedestrian and cyclist protection. 

Arona received the maximum 5-star safety rating from Euro NCAP in 2022. I was able to get a good driving position behind the wheel; there was nice pick-up from the punchy engine and good response from the direct steering; I felt every bump in the road with the sporty-tuned suspension. Arona is a good small SUV for scooting around town, for school runs, or on drives down the country, but the engine could get quite noisy at high revs, and there was also some noise on certain road surfaces. Arona has a 3-year (90,000km) manufacturer’s warranty as standard. 

The range entry level is priced at €28,146; my FR car as tested €36,146.

Škoda reveals Epiq in Ireland

Škoda Ireland has unveiled the Epiq, a fully electric small SUV, priced from €24,559, writes Brian Byrne. It joins the Enyaq and Elroq in Škoda’s electric lineup and is the brand's most affordable EV. 

The Epiq features Škoda's Modern Solid Design, a 475-litre boot, and is the company's first front-wheel-drive electric model. It offers a range of around 435 kilometres, fast DC charging in 24 minutes, and features which include V2L, V2H, and one-pedal driving. 

Available in four trim levels, customers can choose between a 38.5 kWh battery (275 km range) or a 55 kWh battery (435 km range). Orders have been open since May, and there will be preview events in October and November. First deliveries are expected in January 2027. 

Motorcycle safety campaign

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has launched a campaign urging drivers to “Look Right, Look Left, Look Right Again” at junctions to enhance motorcycle safety, writes Brian Byrne. Motorcyclists are highly vulnerable, with 954 seriously injured in Ireland from 2021 to 2025, and 16 fatalities this year. 

The campaign highlights that failure to observe is a common cause of collisions, especially at junctions. Developed through data analysis and expert consultation, the initiative aims to prevent accidents by encouraging drivers to take an extra glance for motorcyclists, who are smaller and harder to spot. 

As summer progresses, the RSA calls on all road users to slow down and be vigilant to improve safety. 

Fiat switches Team Ireland to Grande Pandas

Fiat Ireland has updated the Team Ireland fleet with the all-new Grande Panda, replacing Fiat 600s, as part of its partnership with the Olympic Federation of Ireland, writes Brian Byrne. The handover was at the Sport Ireland Campus in Abbotstown, Dublin, where athletes Sarah Lavin, Philip Doyle, and Thomas Barr attended the event. 

The partnership provides athletes with a dedicated fleet for training and events, including two Fiat Professional vans for equipment transport. John Saunders, Fiat Ireland’s Managing Director, said the company was proud to support athletes on their journey to Los Angeles 2028. Peter Sherrard, CEO of the Olympic Federation of Ireland, highlighted the practical benefits of reliable transport. 

The Grande Panda, available in electric and mild hybrid variants, starts at €22,995 and has won several awards, including the Red Dot Award 2025. The Fiat range will expand with the Grizzly SUV and Fastback later this year. 

Kia PV5 review: Brian Byrne, Irish Car

I've long been intrigued by the discrepancy about van-derived cars between us in these islands and our continental cousins, writes Brian Byrne. What seems to be a level of snobbery versus practicality, shared by the Irish with the UK, means we very rarely choose what is technically termed a Leisure Activity Vehicle (LAV) as a family car. In comparison, such cars are very popular in France, and enjoy a slightly smaller but still high buyer cohort in Spain. Somewhat less so in Germany, Europe's largest car market, but still significant among budget-conscious family buyers. 

Over my decades in this business, I have driven most of them, and I have always felt their advantages — toughness and durability, height and space, and the fact that vans are designed for drivers who work in them all day — very much outweighed their utilitarian style.

It's a busy space, rather dominated by Stellantis conversions of their Peugeot, Citroën, Opel and Fiat compact vans. Also Renault with their Kangoo and Mercedes Citan derivative versions, along with Volkswagen's Caddy and ID Buzz passenger vehicles and Ford's Transit Custom iteration. This year there's a Korean contender, the PV5, which has been garnering some very favourable commentary, and, here, a surprising level of registrations — especially since it is only available in EV form. (It's worth noting that the Stellantis group last year flirted with making its LAVs available only in EV form, but since then has quietly reversed course and is now offering petrol and diesel powertrains again.)

Against the competition, the PV5 has a much more clean-cut look than most others, notably a cab-forward styling sloping steeply to a bonnetless front. Deep side front windows also help it stand out, as does, in some colour choices, nice two-toning which my car didn't have. It is bigger than the standard LAV alternatives, but smaller in most dimensions than the more directly competing longer ones, including VW's Buzz, Citroën’s Berlingo XL, Peugeot's Rifter Long, and Fiat's Doblo Maxi. At the back, there's a high lift-up tailgate that can make a very useful shelter from showers while parked at the picnic spots.

The efficient style is repeated inside, with a flat dashboard and neat screens for infotainment and driving information. Storage options reflect the needs of the commercial driver in terms of size and capacity, and that's no bad thing for a family's requirements too. The two front seats — there will be a 3-seat option if there's demand — are comfortable in artificial leather, supportive, and incorporate individual armrests. It's an easy cab to get in and out of. For three in the rear, there's lots of space, and more legroom than might be expected. The rear seatbacks recline, too, and with a brace of USB ports on the front seatbacks, the teens' devices will be kept going for the long trips. The boot capacity of up to 1,300 litres should take all their leisure gear, with room to spare.

The PBV5 comes with a 71kWh long-range battery, and a rated range of 412 km in the passenger version. A heat pump climate system is standard and is estimated to improve the range by up to 10 per cent.

Since launch, I have had several opportunities to drive the PV5 over a wide range of activities and types of road, including some mountain driving on narrow and twisting journeys. Whether in the hills or on main roads, the driving experience is very pleasant and untiring, and the high seating, along with the extensive glass area up front, offers really good visibility and a sense of being above the traffic and the hedges. The EV powertrain means there's also a level of serenity not achievable with ICE motors, especially a diesel.

Since February, almost a hundred passenger versions of the PV5 have been registered in Ireland. That's out of about 430 LAVs altogether. Given that a third of those are EVs, it's clear that the Kia PV5 is getting the lion's share (sorry, Peugeot!) there. Something about the car has struck a chord with family users. It will be interesting to see how far this goes.

PRICE: €42,550. WHAT I LIKED: The different style and competent drive.

Supercar Weekend in Dundrum SC supports Bumbleance

Supercar Weekend returns to Dundrum Town on 22 and 23 August, celebrating its fifth year as a free exotic automotive showcase, writes Brian Byrne. The event is in partnership with motoring marketplace Carzone, and supports charity partner Bumbleance. 

Over 100 prestige, performance, and classic vehicles will be on display, including the Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona, McLaren 720S, and Audi R8 V10 Plus.

New for 2026 are exclusive ticketed experiences: a morning VIP Experience offering early access, guided tours, and coffee, and “Five for Five: An Evening with Carl Mullan,” featuring a live panel with supercar owners. 

Interactive attractions like Carzone’s Coffee Zone and the Turbo Catch Challenge complete the line-up.

Motorsport competitor Kelsey Kirby will join Saturday's panel talk hosted by Anna Daly, and also featuring NEVO founder Derek Reilly, discussing the future of motorsport and supercars in a sustainable world. The Grand Prix Lounge in partnership with Sky will screen the Dutch Grand Prix live.

Free daytime admission runs from 11am to 5pm Saturday and 10:30am to 5pm Sunday at Dundrum Town’s Red Car Park, Level 1. 

Volvo ES90 review: Trish Whelan, Irish Car

Volvo’s premium ES90, launched last year, is a mix of saloon, liftback, and crossover. It is the sixth fully electric model in the brand’s line-up. 

One glance confirms excellent design: a confident stance courtesy of a long wheelbase, aerodynamic lines provide a commendable drag coefficient of only 0.25, big 22-inch wheels and raised ride height providing a commanding view of the road. I always like the brand’s unique LED headlight design, inspired by the mythical hammer of the Norse god Thor, which helps excellent night-time visibility. The coupe-like style looks swell, but results in a letterbox view in the rear view mirror. At the back are C-shaped LED tail lamps. 

The cabin is ‘business class’ all the way with full attention to detail. Volvo uses recycled and natural materials for sustainability, helping lower production CO2 emissions. Some 29% of all aluminium and 18% of all steel used is recycled, while wood panels come from FSC-certified wood. 

My car had beautiful leather upholstery. There’s plenty of head and legroom front and rear. Front seats are sculpted for comfort and designed to ease shoulder strain, and with ‘almost’ integrated headrests. They come with power adjustments, lumbar support, and cushion extensions for extra thigh support. They can be heated and ventilated, depending on specification. 

The 14.5-inch portrait touch screen is quite intuitive to use, but I had to go through it to adjust the side mirrors and steering wheel, and to open the boot and glovebox, which I didn’t appreciate. Thankfully, there are real controls for favourite shortcuts and the audio volume. Apps include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, integrated Google Maps, and Google Assistant. There’s a wireless phone charger, and two C-Type USBs front and rear. 

The customisable 9-inch driver’s cluster sits on top of the steering column, but I mainly relied on the Head-Up display for my current speed. You can choose from three views of Calm, Navi, which shows a detailed map, and Surround, that shows vehicles around. The multi-functional, three-spoke leather steering wheel is lovely to hold, and has voice and remote audio controls. Transmission selection is off the steering wheel, with the parking brake to the side. 

The top two grades include a panoramic roof that runs almost the entire length of the car - there’s no need for a blind as the tinted glass is coated and laminated to reduce glare. Other stand-out features are the double screen, rear-view camera; the 360-degree parking Surround View camera with 3D view; and Volvo’s excellent blind spot alerts on side mirrors. I’m sometimes at a loss to understand why designers include some nerd-like features in some new cars. With the ES90, the key-fob battery is rechargeable, and needs to be regularly placed on the phone charge space. Why not use a normal key fob? 

The three rear seats can all recline individually and have extended cushions. Outer ones can be heated and ventilated and include ISOFIX attachments with top tethers. The rear armrest lowers to reveal two cupholders and a hatch through to the boot. The flat floor makes foot space easier for the person in the middle seat. 

The wide liftgate and high boot floor make it easy to load and unload even large items. Luggage space is up to 424 litres with the rear backrests up; you can fold them individually or together to acquire up to 1,427 litres of space. There’s no spare, just a tyre sealant kit and compressor. A 12-volt outlet in the boot can power an electric cooler, air mattress pump, or camping stove. There’s a 27-litre front frunk to store the charging cable or washer fluid. 

The entry Core grade includes a heat pump, four-zone climate control, heated front and rear seats, and heated steering wheel; Plus adds the head-up display, 360-degree camera, interior illumination with back-lit wood decor; while the top Ultra (my review car) adds the electrochromic panoramic roof, tinted rear windows, ventilated front seats, active air suspension, and a Bowers & Wilkins sound system with 25 speakers throughout the cabin, including in the headrest and ceiling. Features include Hill Start Assist, Hill Descent Control, Adaptive Cruise Control, and Park Pilot Assist. 

My car was the Single Motor Extended Range Ultra RWD, but buyers have the option of Twin Motor or Twin Motor Performance variants, both with AWD. Charging from 10% to 80% can be achieved at fast charging stations in around 22 minutes. While the claimed range for my car is around 696kms, my driver’s screen showed 50% of battery charge represented another 280kms in real-world driving over all types of routes, which would give a 100% charge allowing around 560kms. I appreciated how sublime and comfy the car was to drive, the 333hp power and huge torque of 480Nm which make it capable of 0-100km/h in 6.6 seconds. 

The car proved a very refined drive and was very quiet on the road; the large wheels and high ground clearance as well as the suspension, added to comfort for all on board. The car’s safety system sensors includes five radars, seven cameras, twelve ultrasonic sensors, and a lidar. These safety systems are designed to detect obstacles even in darkness, and activate safety measures. 

The ES90 has not yet been tested by Euro NCAP. PRICE: A practical car for those who can afford it. The Core Single Motor Extended Range starts at €82,100; Plus from €89,900, and Ultra from €102,400. Annual road tax is €120.

A practical car for those who can afford it. The Core Single Motor Extended Range starts at €82,100; Plus from €89,900, and Ultra from €102,400. Annual road tax is €120.