Vauxhall Ampera Electron 5dr Car Review - April 2012

The Ampera is generally a good car to drive with a comfortable suspension that takes out the vast majority of lumps and bumps in the road, but it does mean there is some body roll while cornering. The handling is decent with light steering that is very accurate, if a little short of feedback, and the car is stable and offers plenty of grip. The driving position can be adjusted to suit any driver with the seat and steering wheel able to be moved, but the small rear window will be a big issue as it offers terrible rear visibility.

The performance from the electric and petrol combination engine isn’t too bad at all, with acceleration from 0-62mph achieved in a brisk 8.7 seconds. The top speed of 100mph may not keep up with many saloons, but it is plenty for most journeys undertaken on British roads. The cabin is calm and refined with road and wind noise kept at bay, and the shift from electric to petrol power and back is hard to notice.

The designers at Vauxhall didn’t want the Ampera to fit in with every other car on the road, so buyers should be ready for a few heads to be turned towards the interesting styling. The headlight clusters and grille give the Ampera a unique and futuristic looking front end, while the back end with its high tailgate is also quite futuristic, but it does mean there are some problems with visibility. Apart from the plastics to be found within the car, the trim is very aesthetically pleasing.

The level of equipment included with this model is incredibly comprehensive, with bold alloy wheels that complement the style of the car, and an entertainment system that includes a DVD player. The heated leather seats are comfortable and a welcome feature, while those who will be making use of the excellent fuel efficiency will find the satellite navigation and hands free phone kit useful for longer journeys.

Safety is certainly one of the strong suits in the Ampera, with a range of driving aids that help to keep this advanced car on the road and under the driver’s control. There are also six airbags in the car to help look after the driver and passengers should the car become involved in a collision. The reliability of the Ampera should also be very good, and is supported by an excellent warranty package.

The practicality of the Ampera doesn’t quite match up with other saloons, as the centre console runs through the middle of the car, meaning there are only four seats available. The boot space isn’t huge either, but is enough for the majority of people.

This will be one of the main stumbling blocks for the Ampera at the present moment in time, as it is an expensive car, and the premium features in this model are reflected in the purchase price of £38,995.

However, once you have purchased the car the running costs are a lot more competitive, with the combination petrol and electric engine able to deliver an incredible average 175.0mpg. The insurance costs are fairly reasonable, but one big issue is that it is difficult to guess how the resale values of the Ampera will survive. The car comes with a lifetime or a hundred thousand mile warranty, and the battery is covered by a separate eight year warranty.