The latest new cars being tested by the CompleteCar.ie team.
Earlier this week we brought you the first images, details and even Irish pricing for the new MINI Countryman Untamed Edition, an off-road-focused trim level for MINI's SUV. About the same time, Dave landed in the States to drive one of them, going properly off the beaten track. Full review incoming. For now, enjoy his smug face...
What was supposed to be a nine-hour drive through Albania turned into a 13-hour odyssey, but at least it gave Melanie plenty of time to test the Mazda CX-30. By the time she reached the darkest sections of the Albanian mountains, the adaptive headlights were working overtime, picking out tight hairpins, blind bends and the many goats, donkeys, cats and dogs in the road. The quiet cabin, comfortable seats and smooth petrol engine made the marathon drive surprisingly easy, while the Bose sound system provided excellent acoustics for a soundtrack of Michael Jackson, Kenny Loggins and Prince.
Melanie is on a road trip in Albania this week, driving the updated Mazda CX-30. The route is following the Vjosa River, considered to be Europe's last big wild and free-flowing river. Melanie tells us it’s a scenic and challenging place to put the car through its paces while Google Maps tests her patience...
We've been talking about the Cupra Raval for a long time now. We drive a prototype of the EV in Nov 2025, then the finished thing - in high-performance VZ spec - at the international media launch in Spain in May this year. Finally the car is in Ireland and we've had a chance to test the more affordable Endurance variant. Prices start at €23,495 for the 318km model, rising to €36,825 for the 225hp VZ. Cupra Ireland says initial orders have been brisk, and it expects to sell potentially,1,000 Ravals to customers next year. More on that to come, but do check out our detailed review.
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Peugeot’s electric hot hatch revives the iconic GTi badge for the electric age, and hopefully means that more such models are on the way. 0-100km/h = 5.5 seconds Top speed = 180km/h Max power = 281hp Max torque = 345Nm Irish pricing estimated at €40,000.
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This is a proper, hard-working, 4x4 tool - a machine for getting into and out of some of the most rugged and inaccessible places on the planet. It is as close to unstoppable as a vehicle can be. If you don't need that kind of capability, perhaps don't buy one. If you do, though, there's little else like it. Irish pricing: Defender starts at circa €101,050; as tested, €128,910.
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Open the huge side-hinged tailgate (it's hinged on the right, and the parking sensors can tell you if you're getting too close to an obstacle behind to be able to open it) and you'll notice the distinct hump in the floor, under which lies the hybrid battery and the 90-litre fuel tank. It's a bit of a shame, but Land Rover still quotes an impressive 835 litres of boot volume. Now, it's worth remembering that Land Rover always quotes its boot volume as loaded to the roof...
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Space in the back of the Defender is excellent, with plenty of legroom and masses of headroom. In the 110 model, there are also 'Alpine Light' windows in the roof which let in a bit of extra light, while rear-seat passengers get seat-back storage nets, a small storage shelf, door bins, USB-C sockets and some air vents too. Better still, the middle rear seat is actually useable - not as comfortable as the outer two, obviously, but sufficiently wide for even an adult to fit.
