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Ellis Hyde

As our news reporter, Ellis is responsible for covering everything new and exciting in the motoring world, from facelifted family hatchbacks to game-changing EVs. He also writes road tests of the latest new car models on the market, and contributes his thoughts and impressions to our library of in-depth reviews.

Ellis joined Autovia in 2021 as the content editor on our sister title DrivingElectric and was the winner of the 2022 Newspress Automotive Journalist Rising Star award. He then became the online reviews editor for Auto Express in 2023 and was responsible for keeping all our in-depth, highly detailed car reviews up-to-date and collating our team’s verdicts of the hundreds, if not thousands, of cars we’ve tested.

He studied Multimedia Journalism at the University of Salford where he gained experience covering local news and politics, before undertaking a Master’s Degree in Automotive Journalism at Coventry University.

Ellis says…

“It’s sometimes the small details that set one model apart or make it better to live with than the competition, and I enjoy finding those unique features and quirks in the cars I report on or review. I like that, at a time when so many people are embracing electric cars, we’re making sure discussions about charging speeds and range aren’t getting lost in translation."

Ellis Hyde’s main areas of expertise

  • Newsgathering
  • Electric cars 
  • Fact checking
  • EV charging networks
  • Reviewing cars

Ellis Hyde Q&A

Q: What was your first car?

A: "I’ve yet to buy my first car. I know, as a motoring journalist that’s almost shameful, but over the past few years I’ve been spoiled driving shiny new electric cars and at this point part of me is waiting for the perfect car to present itself. I will say I learnt to drive in a 2010 Fiat 500, and my hatred of that beast is part of what got me into reviewing cars.”

Q: What is your dream car? 

A: "I grew up reading about the car culture in southern California, hot rods and restomods, so I’ve always loved the idea of marrying modern technology with a classic car. Plus, after driving my first Porsche 911 a few years ago I’ve been hooked on them, so my dream car is probably a Porsche 911 reimagined by Singer.

“I do also have my motorcycle licence though, and I’d love to own a BMW R NineT Scrambler one day.”

Q: If you could change one thing about cars, driving or the car industry today what would it be?

A: "That’s easy: make electric car charging points more reliable and easier to use. If drivers were having just a tenth of the number of issues with petrol pumps that EV owners are having with public chargers, there would be riots in the streets. Things need to improve, and fast!"

Social media and e-mail

No Renault Austral PHEV: updated SUV to stick with familiar power
Renault Austral - White front overhead with grey in the background

No Renault Austral PHEV: updated SUV to stick with familiar power

The mid-size SUV’s new look might be inspired by the flagship Renault Rafale, but it won’t be getting the same plug-in hybrid technology
News
28 May 2025
Most powerful Bentley Bentayga ever to be unveiled in a matter of days
Bentayga Bentayga teaser

Most powerful Bentley Bentayga ever to be unveiled in a matter of days

“The most dynamic Bentayga yet” will feature a hugely powerful twin-turbo V8 engine, and categorically no hybrid assistance
News
28 May 2025
New Peugeot 208 GTi hot hatch promises ‘fun and power’ as reveal edges closer
Peugeot 208 GTi render - front 3/4

New Peugeot 208 GTi hot hatch promises ‘fun and power’ as reveal edges closer

Not only is Peugeot returning to the hot hatch scene, it’s also bringing back the iconic GTi badge
News
27 May 2025
New Volkswagen ID.4 and ID.5 Black Editions turn family SUVs to the dark side
VW ID.5 Black Edition - front 3/4

New Volkswagen ID.4 and ID.5 Black Editions turn family SUVs to the dark side

Black Edition trim will be available on the two electric SUVs from 29 May
News
27 May 2025
Smart #5 review
Smart #5 Brabus - front

Smart #5 review

The Tesla Model Y may need to sleep with one headlight open because of Smart’s audacious, supremely spacious and tech-centric SUV
In-depth reviews
23 May 2025
Mazda has killed off the electric MX-30, and we can’t say we’re surprised
Mazda MX-30 R-EV - main image

Mazda has killed off the electric MX-30, and we can’t say we’re surprised

The MX-30 EV has been axed, but the Japanese brand will have another crack next year when it launches the all-new Mazda 6e saloon
News
23 May 2025
Genesis Electrified G80 to up its appeal with sharper looks and more space
2025 Genesis Electrified G80 - front 3/4

Genesis Electrified G80 to up its appeal with sharper looks and more space

Already luxurious electric saloon has had its wheelbase stretched to provide more room for rear-seat passengers
News
23 May 2025
The Fiat Panda 4x4 is back, and it's not an EV!
Fiat Panda 4x4 concept - front

The Fiat Panda 4x4 is back, and it's not an EV!

We chat to Fiat bosses about the design – and why hybrid is more suitable than electric
News
22 May 2025
Assumption is the mother of most terrible car purchases
Opinion - car buying research

Assumption is the mother of most terrible car purchases

Ellis Hyde explains why you should do your homework and read the small print if you want to avoid any nasty surprises when buying a new car
Opinion
22 May 2025
Fiat 500 Hybrid: city car to get new powertrain before the end of 2025
Fiat 500 Hybrid ‘Ibrida’ - front end

Fiat 500 Hybrid: city car to get new powertrain before the end of 2025

The decision to make the Fiat 500 electric-only is being unpicked with costly engineering
News
21 May 2025
Ultra-exclusive BMW Skytop spotted on the road for the first and possibly last time
BMW Skytop - front 3/4

Ultra-exclusive BMW Skytop spotted on the road for the first and possibly last time

Only 50 examples of the elegant V8-powered two-seater will be made, each costing approximately £500,000, and they’ve all been sold
News
16 May 2025
Car Deal Alert! New Fiat Grande Panda Hybrid Pop is one of UK’s cheapest cars
Fiat Grande Panda LaPrima - front 3/4

Car Deal Alert! New Fiat Grande Panda Hybrid Pop is one of UK’s cheapest cars

The new Grande Panda Hybrid Pop will be available this summer, priced from just £18,035
News
16 May 2025
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New Renault 4 Savane 4x4 concept turns French fancy into all-terrain explorer
Renault 4 Savane 4x4 concept - front

New Renault 4 Savane 4x4 concept turns French fancy into all-terrain explorer

Designed for the “modern-day gentleman explorer”, this new concept car is sure to spark interest in a 4x4 version of the Renault 4
News
16 May 2025
New Genesis GV60 Magma prepares to erupt on the hot SUV scene
Genesis GV60 Magma - front 3/4

New Genesis GV60 Magma prepares to erupt on the hot SUV scene

Underpinnings will be shared with the Hyundai Ioniq 5, although the Genesis will get a ‘different brief’
News
14 May 2025
MG3 Hybrid+ long-term test: budget supermini is almost the perfect bargain
Auto Express content editor Ryan Birch sitting on the MG3's bonnet while holding a pound note and a gerry can

MG3 Hybrid+ long-term test: budget supermini is almost the perfect bargain

Final report: we say farewell to a small car that generated big smiles
Long-term tests
14 May 2025
New Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake almost loses its camouflage
Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake - front 3/4

New Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake almost loses its camouflage

Fans of a sleek small estate rejoice, for the new generation CLA Shooting Brake is nearly here
News
14 May 2025
New Volkswagen T-Roc will arrive in August with fuel-sipping hybrid tech
New Volkswagen T-Roc leaked - front 3/4

New Volkswagen T-Roc will arrive in August with fuel-sipping hybrid tech

The first images of the next-generation T-Roc were leaked online earlier this year, and reveal a much more aggressive look for the compact SUV
News
14 May 2025
Land Rover Defender drives JLR profits to a ten year high
Land Rover Defender 110 County - cornering

Land Rover Defender drives JLR profits to a ten year high

JLR prepares for a busy year ahead with the launch of the first electric Range Rover, and the next stages of Jaguar’s rebirth
News
14 May 2025
Car Deal of the Day: 10,000 miles per year in the upgraded Cupra Formentor for only £280 a month
Cupra Formentor e-Hybrid - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: 10,000 miles per year in the upgraded Cupra Formentor for only £280 a month

The best-selling coupé-SUV received an extensive facelift last year, and now it’s our Deal of the Day for 11 May
News
11 May 2025
Unassuming MINI Countryman becomes ‘The Beast’: a Dakar Rally-spec off-road monster
Delta4x4 MINI Countryman - front

Unassuming MINI Countryman becomes ‘The Beast’: a Dakar Rally-spec off-road monster

This Dakar-inspired concept was created by off-road accessory company delta4x4 and the X-raid rally team
News
8 May 2025
New Changan Deepal S07 just weeks from UK launch: beats Tesla Model Y on price, but not range
ChangAn Deepal S07

New Changan Deepal S07 just weeks from UK launch: beats Tesla Model Y on price, but not range

The Italian-designed EV only offers up to 295 miles, which can’t match the Model Y, the Skoda Enyaq or the Renault Scenic, either
News
8 May 2025
All-new Hyundai Elexio: Bizarre design, huge 435-mile electric range
All-new Hyundai Elexio - front static

All-new Hyundai Elexio: Bizarre design, huge 435-mile electric range

The Elexio is Hyundai’s latest all-electric SUV, but this one has been designed exclusively for China
News
8 May 2025
The Audi Quattro is back! ABT has recreated the icon, and it’s got 523bhp
ABT representatives standing next to the ABT Audi Quattro

The Audi Quattro is back! ABT has recreated the icon, and it’s got 523bhp

Only 30 examples of reimagined rally legend will be built, and they were all sold within hours of the car being unveiled
News
2 May 2025
100 years of the Rolls-Royce Phantom: the ultimate status symbol for an entire century
Rolls-Royce Phantom I

100 years of the Rolls-Royce Phantom: the ultimate status symbol for an entire century

The Phantom has also been the pinnacle of Rolls-Royce for an entire century, and remains the “perfect blank canvas for bespoke individualisation”
News
2 May 2025
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Kia EV6 now cheaper than ever thanks to new entry-level model
Kia EV6 Air - front

Kia EV6 now cheaper than ever thanks to new entry-level model

The new Kia EV6 Air Standard Range can cover up to 265 miles on a single charge, and starts from just over £39k
News
2 May 2025
Car Deal of the Day: our perfect-spec Skoda Elroq for a remarkable £259 per month
Skoda Elroq - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: our perfect-spec Skoda Elroq for a remarkable £259 per month

Our Deal of the Day for 1 May is a great price for our ideal version of Skoda’s new, very comfortable and spacious electric SUV
News
1 May 2025
New 2025 Genesis Electrified GV70 offers longer range, bigger screens and a quieter cabin
Genesis Electrified GV70 on display at New York Auto Show - front

New 2025 Genesis Electrified GV70 offers longer range, bigger screens and a quieter cabin

Prices for the luxurious electric SUV now start from £65,915 – slightly more than before – rising to £74,915 for the range-topping edition
News
1 May 2025
Three-car garage: Bentley Continental GTC, BMW M5 and Ford Mustang for half the price of a V8 Defender
Three-car garage for £234,000 - header image

Three-car garage: Bentley Continental GTC, BMW M5 and Ford Mustang for half the price of a V8 Defender

The new Land Rover Defender Classic V8 costs a hefty £234,000, but we’ve created an all-V8 three car garage for less than half of that eye-watering su…
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30 Apr 2025
Isuzu D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 and Huntsman editions return to trusty pick-up truck line-up
Isuzu D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 - front

Isuzu D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 and Huntsman editions return to trusty pick-up truck line-up

These special editions are designed for those who enjoy polar expeditions or ‘forestry and field sports’
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29 Apr 2025
New Omoda 3 set to take on Kia EV3 and Skoda Elroq as brand's entry-level EV
Omoda 3 - front

New Omoda 3 set to take on Kia EV3 and Skoda Elroq as brand's entry-level EV

Omoda’s parent company Chery recently revealed the new crossover in China
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28 Apr 2025
McLaren W1: specs, full details and Arctic testing of the landmark hypercar
McLaren W1 winter testing - front tracking shot, car drifting on snow

McLaren W1: specs, full details and Arctic testing of the landmark hypercar

The W1 is the successor to McLaren’s F1 and P1 hypercars, so how does the new kid match up to its red-hot predecessors?
News
25 Apr 2025
Classic Land Rover Defender Soft Top returns as a £234,000, V8-powered restomod
Land Rover Defender Soft Top - front 3/4 static

Classic Land Rover Defender Soft Top returns as a £234,000, V8-powered restomod

Among the “near-limitless” customisation options are an on-board wine cooler and surfboard rack
News
24 Apr 2025
New Volkswagen California campervan now available as a PHEV, just in time for summer
Volkswagen California eHybrid - front static

New Volkswagen California campervan now available as a PHEV, just in time for summer

New eHybrid plug-in version boasts 54-mile EV range, and joins standard petrol and diesel engine options
News
24 Apr 2025
New Omoda 7 SHS plug-in hybrid SUV targets Toyota RAV4 with 745-mile range
Omoda 7 SHS - front

New Omoda 7 SHS plug-in hybrid SUV targets Toyota RAV4 with 745-mile range

The new mid-size SUV from China will also be going up against the best-selling Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage
News
23 Apr 2025