If this question might have seemed absurd ten or fifteen years ago, the generalization of downsizing and turbocharged small-blocks means that the basic version no longer necessarily serves only to display an attractive starting price. It is quite enough for daily use, and even for a trip on vacation. But how can you be sure you won’t make a mistake? After reading our file that does update on 12 star market, in gasoline and electric. At your discretion!

Citroën C5 Aircross (PureTech – 130 hp)

Brand new, all beautiful, C5 Aircross hybrid 48V! Sure, but with the same finish and despite a lower environmental penalty, it’s €3,700 more expensive than the entry-level PureTech version with a power of 130 hp. with a manual transmission. An addition that is justified by slightly greater driving pleasure (thanks to a smooth automatic transmission and – short – phases of electric drive) and lower consumption (up to 1.1 l/100 km economy in the city). !). However, this electrified variant is a step down in terms of performance, taking almost 2.5 seconds more to cover a kilometer from a standstill.

Also, its dual-clutch automatic transmission is sometimes not responsive. On the other hand, the manual transmission in the PureTech 130 version is not a model of precision. It won’t stay that way this option, which is already very versatile, will perfectly cope with its workMoreover, the gain in the sobriety of the hybrid is unlikely to compensate for the significant additional costs of purchase.

Dacia spring (45 hp)

At first sight, Spring 65 hp – it’s profitable : it costs only €1,700 more than the 45 hp version, but offers richer equipment (GPS, rear-view camera). In addition, its additional 20 hp. give it more liveliness on ring roads without suffering from autonomy. Case? This must be done. Because the battery has the same capacity, and the range remains modest (135 km on the highway!), and significant body roll and inefficient braking are unlikely to encourage people to move away from the city center. Therefore, the relevance of this version raises questions. If your budget is very limited and you plan to use the car mainly in suburban areas, 45 hp.. If you live in a rural area, 65 hp. more suitable for highways.

Dacia Sandero (SCe – 65 hp)

The Sandero starts at €11,600 (a slight discount) given its 65 hp SCe version. Deprived of turbocharging, its little three-cylinder 1.0 engine definitely doesn’t cause any lap time panic and will require downshifts to keep up with highway pace. but it is flexible and quite gentle, while controlling its appetite (an average of 6 l/100 km). Equipping itself with a turbo engine, the 100 hp version of the Eco-G obviously gets more versatility and much more comfortable acceleration. First of all, it can run on LPG, an economical fuel such as… “gasoline” (less than 1 euro per litre). The fact remains that the same equipment requires an additional 2,100 euros, that is, an increase of 18%. Not unimportant, especially since you will have to drive 54,000 km (on gas) to pay. In short: if you don’t drive a lot, the SCe 65 version will do the job perfectly.

Dacia Jogger (Eco-G – 100 hp)

Only 100 hp. for a family car like the Dacia Jogger, is that reasonable? The answer is rather yes! This version of the Eco-G has nothing like military lightning, but this rather flexible and pleasant engine does the job right, especially when it uses liquefied gas (then it develops 10 hp more than gasoline). In addition, it allows you to save at the pump: despite the excessive consumption of LPG, it will cost you a little less than €100 for 1000 km. For 1060 euros, the TCe version with a capacity of 110 hp is more expensive. definitely offers more nervous acceleration and (slightly) sharper climbs in favor of versatility, especially under load. But it will cost you about thirty euros more in fuel every 1000 km. Not sure the game is worth the effort.

Fiat 500e (23.8 kWh – 95 hp)

How expensive is this electric 500: at least 25,100 euros! As a result, the temptation to be complacent this base version, especially since its generous torque allows for big reps, and the fun is already there. Except that with its (very) small battery, it only offers 145km of range on average… in mild temperatures. In winter, with heating, you should count on 120 km. Worse: with such a small range, there will be a tendency to repeatedly fully charge, which accelerates the aging of the battery cells. Finally, we can bet that reselling these 500s “with a discount” will certainly be more difficult. Of course, you will have to pay €3,500 more for the “big” battery. But you will surely save yourself from cold sweat in winter!

Peugeot 208 (PureTech – 75 hp)

The 208 series starts with a small 75 hp 1.2 PureTech. If it doesn’t have a turbo and has to settle for a five-speed gearbox, it fulfills its role admirably in the city, where we appreciate its good sound insulation and vibration suppression. As you move away from the city centre, the results are no less comforting, with modest torque and a five-speed gearbox requiring frequent downshifts to keep your pace and blend into traffic. however, the goodwill of this block is obvious… provided you don’t hesitate to ask for it at a high level.

For an extra €1,200, you get access to the 100hp PureTech engine, which makes up for two of the smaller block’s shortcomings: it gets a turbo and a sixth-gear gearbox. Accelerations are much more nervous (3.4 seconds less per 1000 m from a standing start!), and re-starts are more muscular. The icing on the cake is that the consumption does not increase… and even drops a little on the highway thanks to the sixth gear. If you use expressways a lot, this version will be better. Otherwise, PureTech 75 hp. will do its job.

Peugeot 2008 (PureTech – 100 hp)

The first prize in 2008 went to the 1.2 PureTech with a capacity of 100 hp. The block is already equipped with a turbocharger and is connected to a six-speed gearbox. Thanks to a fairly large torque, it is comfortable on the road and track.. In addition, it exhibits a excellent sobriety, regardless of the terrain. And the best engine, you may ask? It’s a 1.2 PureTech in the 130bhp version, but there are two problems: on the one hand, it requires a (quite nice) automatic gearbox. On the other hand, the EAT8 isn’t available on the base Active trim, so you’ll have to opt for the Allure trim. In total, the bill increases by… €5,400, or almost 21%! So of course the hardware is improved (digital gauges, aluminum wheels, etc.), the performance is better, and the automation will be noticeable around town. But consumption is growing significantly.

Renault Clio (SCe – 65 hp)

The fresh restyling of Clio did not abandon the “good old” 1.0 SCe! A block that allows you to display a starting price of €18,500 with perfectly correct standard equipment. Sober and adequate around town, this engine obviously won’t do wonders outside the ring roads: without a turbo and doing without a five-speed gearbox, it provides lazy acceleration and sluggish climbs. Engine 1.0 TCe with a capacity of 90 hp. priced at €1,100, it obviously delivers excellent performance, especially as it is mated to a 6-speed gearbox, which also reduces consumption on the motorway.

But if your budget is really tight, Clio SCe 65 will do the trick. Note that the TCe 100 GPL version (+ €1,800 compared to the SCe) is worth a look: even more energetic than the TCe 90, it saves on usage thanks to the reduced cost of LPG, so the extra cost compared to the 65 hp version. depreciates after 53,000 km: a good choice if you drive a lot.

Renault Captur (TCe LPG – 100 hp)

Let’s forget about Captur TCe 90! The TCe 100 GPL version costs only €300 more and pays for itself almost instantly. But we can still be hesitant about the 140 hp Captur mild hybrid! Equipped with significantly higher torque, it shows amazing flexibility and great softness, staying fairly sober due to his power. However, in order to access this great unit, you have to go upmarket and opt for the Techno trim, which certainly has a more attractive look (two-tone paintwork, hints of chrome), but it requires an additional cost of €2,600! This leads us to look at the TCe 100 LPG, which has a decidedly lower performance, but which will suffice in most cases, while showing, thanks to LPG, a very low cost of use (less than €90 per 1000 km)…

Renault Megane E-Tech (EV40 – 130 hp)

The cost of the Megane E-Tech starts at 32,600 euros in the EV40 Standard Charge version, equipped with a small battery (40 kWh) and a 130 hp engine. If it retains the model’s core qualities (driving pleasure, chassis, trim and comfort), However, it suffers from barely adequate performance and, above all, somewhat low autonomy: an average of 255 km. and a little more than 200 km on the highway. This severely limits the versatility of this Megane, which nevertheless has tangible road qualities. Also, this version can only charge at a maximum of 85kW compared to the EV60 version’s 130kW, which we can imagine will also be easier to resell. Of course, the extra price (€4,000) is a bit hard to swallow, but It is at this price that the Megane E-Tech is really attractive.

Renault Austral (Mild Hybrid – 130 hp)

The Austral range starts with the Advanced mild hybrid engine, i.e. 1.2 turbo with mild hybridization 48V, which develops 130 hp.. The block is certainly well soundproofed and has an average sobriety for the category, but it is a little too “soft” for the task assigned to it. The Renault SUV really exceeds 1.5 tons empty, which is felt during acceleration and acceleration (especially in sixth gear): the machine never gets rid of a certain laziness. In addition, the vibration sometimes spreads through the pedals and steering wheel. None of this in the 160bhp mild hybrid version, which costs just €2,000* more, delivers much better acceleration, is far more greedy and also gives you the benefit of an automatic gearbox. The CVT is smooth and responsive. No need to hesitate!

Volkswagen T-Roc (1.0 TSI – 110 hp)

It’s not a cheap T-Roc, even if VW offers a 9% discount on the base version, equipped with a 1.0 TSI with a capacity of 110 hp. A small block that comes out on top: flexible and pleasant, it’s as understated as it is understated. So true that the better engine, the 1.5 TSI Evo with 150 hp, does not open a decisive gap in terms of performance. In fact, we gain less than 2 seconds per kilometer from a standstill, and less than half a second on acceleration from 80 to 120 km/h in 5th gear. And even if it turns off half its cylinders when it’s of little use, 1.5 requires an average of 0.9 l/100 km more. Also, it is only available from the second level of completion (life), so its additional cost is… 6200 euros! Of course there is approval, but the account remains no less indigestible…

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