Where to invest your savings: an electric car, a hybrid, a diesel or a gasoline car? Comparative test.

Okay, not in all classes, not in size, not in price and not in shape. But since the excuses for using a "classic" drive tend to be mostly about price or fear of poor user experience, we've put together a few toddlers that represent almost every feature in the smallest but family-friendly format (and therefore also the most accessible). Practically because plug-in hybrid is not yet available in this class. But we'll have fun with it in a future issue of Auto magazine when we combine hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric vehicle.

Our choice was driven partly by the market offering (this concerns Renault's Toyota Yaris hybrid and Renault's electric Zoe) and partly by our anticipation of which cars in this segment will be of interest. Among them is definitely the Ibiza, which also has very new and very clean petrol engines, and on the other hand, the Citroen C3, which has one of the friendliest small diesels on the market under the hood, and also its shape expands in a direction that has been enjoying increasing popularity among buyers for a long time.

One more thing: don't take this comparison as comparing four specific models and options. Each of the four is representative of a different drive in this class. This time, we focused not on which one is better or worse in terms of everything it offers, but on the type of drive they represent. And to make the numbers more comparable, we factor in the surcharge for the automatic transmission (whether available or not) when calculating the prices, as both electric and hybrid vehicles provide this comfort as standard.

Some time ago, we found out that the electric car is already at least as cheap, if not cheaper than the classics, and this time it turned out to be the same. Thus, the choice can be influenced by other, often very subjective, factors in cars.

So we just asked the team members: what would you choose for yourself? Everyone has their own lifestyle, and everyone puts other things first when it comes to choosing for themselves. Also, this time our opinions may be more personal and not as balanced as in the tests. This time we did not put ourselves (as in the classic and comparative tests) in the place of the average potential buyer - we chose what we choose when buying a car.

Sebastian Plevnyak

More than just a question of what to choose, I first wonder what in this class can be chosen at all. Lately, we have only driven gasoline engines in small cars. Then they were joined by volumetric diesel engines, which, with their classic design, suited only entrepreneurs or were suitable only for business use. Eventually Toyota (yes, the Japanese can be called the pioneers in this class too) started thinking about green in the toddler class. Sure, the fact that people preferred their hybrids in the larger car classes was a bit rewarding, but the risk of hybrid driving in toddlers was much lower. Then there is electricity. On the one hand, the small ones really started to happen, but they were expensive, on the other hand, their owner got small wrinkles from the car, especially in terms of volume. It was only when he was driving a large and prestigious electric car (Tesla Model S) on the roads that his thoughts shifted. An expensive car, but it had at least enough room for more adults, while at the same time it had a much larger electric range.

Then people started thinking about small electric vehicles. Whether we admit it or not, credit can also be attributed to the Bavarians when they offered the world a small, almost futuristic i3. And not so much for the world as for their regular customers in particular. They then brought a voice to the world about how they can easily meet their daily needs with a toddler, driving elegantly, quietly and, as BMW is supposed to be, just as fast. I still don't like electric cars, but on the other hand, it is true that if I had to choose an electric car already, I would probably choose BMW. But the latter was not in our test (but we carefully checked it two numbers back), so a few words about this four. What to choose, at least for me, is not difficult.

In this class, the Ibiza seems to be way ahead of other competitors in terms of the content the car offers. To be precise, not so much in terms of content, but in terms of how this content works. The center display is above average, and the engine and transmission have already been tested by Volkswagen's parent group. The French are trying to offer something similar in C3, but some things just don't work the way the user would like. In addition to the inaccurately responsive center display, there are occasional Bluetooth connectivity issues, but when it's finally established, connectivity and sound are so poor that those on the other side usually give up quickly. And, you know, today you can’t do without a phone. On the other hand, it should be noted that the engine is loud, but quite decent. A 100% quieter alternative is of course the electric Zoe. But his ride is not what we would like, even the instantaneous operation of the engine sometimes gets in the way. If we add to this exercise in wet weather - thanks, no! Logically, after all that has been said, this would probably be the most suitable hybrid, but at least the continuously variable transmission bothers me again. I'm just not thrilled with her ads, but those who will use such a car only in the city and are a fan of loud music will definitely not miss it. I am returning to Ibiza.

Tomaž Porekar

What to choose from such a wide range of cars at the moment? The comparability between them is great, but we can rarely choose the same size after the drive end, so which engine our vehicle will be equipped with. The pros and cons of different drives can help very well with personal choices, but only if we know why we're going to use the car at all. It will be more difficult to choose whether we will act now, when the situation regarding which engine is the most “clean” or politically most desirable. Comparing four engine assemblies that use diesel, gasoline or electricity, as we do, can help us buy if we know what our driving style is and how much we generally use the car. In a table about how much it costs us, if we drive from time to time, or if we are on the road all the time by car, you will probably find the answer regarding savings.

I know from my own experience that I would only choose diesel if my lifestyle were to seriously change towards regular commuting, for example, if I lived about 50 kilometers from the city where I would commute to work. Citroen is one of the few manufacturers to even offer this type of drive in this class, and the C3 seems to be very useful for this style of driving. At the other end of the list is the Renault Zoe electric car – good proof of how versatile the modern electric car is. Experience shows that the actual range on a single charge is quite useful and allows you to use it just like with any other car. The limitations really only come down to whether and where we can charge it when not in use. Here, a connection to home charging is necessary, so its implementation can be crucial if we choose electricity. So that left two "gas stations". The usual in Seat is that it can satisfy the most classically oriented customers. The nicely punchy engine and manual transmission is a logical choice, but more for driving comfort and getting the right gear ratio right, it's just a nice addition we get in a hybrid Yaris. With this Toyota proves that their almost 20 years of experience with hybrid drives is also important. So for myself, I would favor the hybrid Yaris out of the four, and on the short list with the Zoe, I would give it the edge in terms of a more appropriate purchase price.

Dusan Lukic

The question of choosing between an electric, hybrid, gas or diesel baby seems simple. Of course, I would not hesitate to choose electric. The Zoe offers ample range, proves to be a handy fast 22kW charger at public charging stations, impresses with its quiet and lively ride, practical… Really? Okay, we must admit: the choice of electric vehicles in this class (as we talk about in our review on page 66) is small. Zoe is almost the only, only comparable competitor to the Hyundai Ioniq and the already slightly outdated KIA Soul EV. The biggest downside to choosing, of course, is the high purchase price, but a quick look at our driving cost calculation shows that this view is wrong: you need to compare the total cost of ownership, and here the electric car is ideal. in harmony with the other three. Well, we did not take into account that for a leisurely life, you need to add the cost of a home charging station with a built-in cable, including installation (somewhere from a thousand to two). So (if not Zoe, who is technologically, especially in help systems like Soul EV, a little outdated, then at least Ioniq)? No - but only because it does not yet exist, one that would fit both in price and technology, as well as in design or size.

Diesels in this class (okay, I wouldn't buy a diesel in any class) are being phased out for two reasons: they're virtually unavailable with an automatic transmission, and diesel reliability and volume come to the fore in small cars. I admit, after a few days in the diesel test car before the four compared came to the office, the first few miles with Zoe were a huge relief. However, it must be admitted that the C3 is one of the best in its class, and I was particularly impressed by the design and comfort. Gas station? Much better than a diesel, of course (like the Ibiza, which is one of the smallest cars in terms of size alone, and no bigger in terms of technique and feel). They are also available with automatic transmission, the total cost is not higher than the competition. But why the hell should I choose a gas station when I can choose a petrol hybrid. Considering the conditions of use of our family car, which drives most of the miles in the city, this is a much better choice. And you don't have to deal with cables (at first glance, a silly reason, but when it's raining outside and wearing delicate colors, this quickly becomes very clear). So it must be a hybrid? Among these four, for sure (and in reality, the home family car is a hybrid), but not otherwise. If it was available, or when it was available, I would choose the fifth option: the plug-in hybrid. Electricity when needed and if possible, don't worry when the electricity runs out.

Sasha Kapetanovich

This time the comparison is very specific, as we have neglected what we usually prioritized this time around and turned completely into potential owners of these cars. So we somehow adjusted the choice to fit our lifestyle, daily routine and all the adjustments that accompany the chosen car. Therefore, each of you could write the following lines in your own way, and you would probably be right, but I still give you my choice and explanation for this. I'll write off the diesel Citroen C3 right away. As the second car in the house, it would be difficult for me to justify my diesel qualities. To be clear: Citroen itself is actually hard to blame, and I praised it quite a bit in the more extensive test. I love its urban feel, robustness and flamboyant style.

Next on the list of write-offs is Toyota Yaris. It is true that this is a hybrid and is heading in the right direction, but I want more electrical independence from such hybrids than just starting help. With a larger battery, plug-in charging capability and a faster travel speed with an electric motor, this would be a better choice. That's why I prefer to flirt with a modern gas station, which is part of a very cute and design-friendly package called Seat Ibiza. The quiet, calm and responsive engine will reward you with agility, while the consumption will not be so high that you regret not choosing a diesel engine. First choice? It's hard for me to grab the keyboard, but I'll still have the courage to write: electric Renault Zoe. Now I already think that electric cars have reached the level that I demand anyway when I imagine doing the task of another car at home. The nearly 200km range is enough to make daily charging unnecessary, charging at fast charging stations is an instant task, and looking through the prism of economy speaks in favor of this choice. Not to mention the potential of the electric motors and the excitation from sudden jerks every time ...