Car tests

Two electric motors, up to 285 hp and room for large travel groups: With the E-Tourneo Custom AWD, Ford makes its electric large-capacity van fit for snow, inclines and commercial passenger transport. We were on a test drive in the Salzburg region.

While other manufacturers are phasing out diesel, Mercedes is sticking with the diesel engine. The C 250 d T-Model puts 200 hp on the road, drives more comfortably than before, and remains surprisingly restrained in terms of fuel consumption.

The new Lexus ES arrives in 2026 with two faces: as a traditional full hybrid and, for the first time, also as a battery-electric sedan. Both are priced the same; both target company car drivers and taxi operators. But on the road it quickly becomes clear that the Japanese, precisely with the electric drive, have found their more convincing answer to the German business class.

On a long-distance drive from Eisenach to Lake Eibsee, the electric SUV goes the distance without a charging stop. At the destination, the display shows five percent battery remaining.

The fifth generation combines 223 hp system power with a high electric range. Limitations are evident in interior space, visibility, and charging performance.

The Japanese hybrid station wagon has overtaken the diesel taxi in the rankings. Yet the Toyota Corolla Touring Sports offers more talents than just the pursuit of efficiency. It's no accident that the practical wagon is used worldwide by taxi and other ride services.

More than 15 million units sold worldwide: With the new generation, Toyota is expanding its plug-in-hybrid lineup and is betting on higher charging power, additional connectivity, and optimized driving dynamics.

If you're on the road in winter with an electric car, you know the feeling: The display promises a lot, but the reality on the highway demands a charging stop sooner than expected. The ADAC has this tension field measured again – this time not with particularly long-range cars, but with 14 "family-friendly" electric cars. The task: a simulated long-distance trip from Munich to Berlin, at zero degrees Celsius, at highway speed. The result is sobering and informative at the same time.