Opel Ampera E

Opel Ampera E is a battery-electric hatchback for drivers who want a mainstream small car with a long-legged electric setup and the usability of a five-door body. By our assessment, its main strength is exactly that combination: it is not a strange science project, just a practical electric car built around everyday commuting and regular charging. The downside is that this class is always tied to charging habits, cold-weather range loss, and the compromises of carrying a battery pack under a compact shell. In use, that means quiet running, instant response from rest, and less fuss at the pump, but also more planning than in a petrol hatchback. Against other EVs it sits as a normal, sensible choice rather than a luxury one, and against small petrol cars it trades fuel stops for charger stops. Opel Ampera E makes sense for people who already think in electric-car terms and want a familiar body style around that idea.