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Ellis Hyde

Ellis is the news reporter for Auto Express, which means his job is to find out about all the exciting new cars that are coming soon, before anyone else. Whether we’re talking pint-sized city cars, family SUVs or million-pound hypercars with more firepower than most nations’ militaries, Ellis has the in-depth knowledge of what every manufacturer has planned.  He’s travelled all over the world to chase scoops and enjoys interrogating the automotive industry big wigs on the hunt for his next story. 

When Ellis isn’t writing news stories for Auto Express, he’s road testing the latest new car models on the market, contributing his thoughts and impressions to our library of in-depth reviews. Or he’s presenting videos for the Auto Express YouTube channel – trying very hard not to forget his lines!

Ellis cut his teeth as the content editor for our sister title DrivingElectric , where he quickly learned the difference between his kilowatt and kilowatt-hours, and drove every EV he could get his hands on. He even won the 2022 Newspress Automotive Journalist Rising Star award for his work on the website. He then became the online reviews editor for Auto Express and was responsible for keeping all our in-depth car reviews up-to-date and collating our team’s verdicts on the hundreds, if not thousands, of cars we’ve tested.

Ellis says…

“It’s sometimes the small details that sets a car apart or makes it better to live with than the competition, and I enjoy finding those unique features and quirks when I review new models. I like that, at a time when so many people are embracing electric cars, Auto Express is making sure discussions about charging speeds and range aren’t getting lost in translation."

Ellis Hyde’s main areas of expertise

  • Electric vehicles 
  • Chinese cars
  • Newsgathering
  • Testing cars
  • Photography

Ellis on video

 

 

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 I did own a Ducati Scrambler 800 motorbike which caused me just as many headaches as any Italian car probably would. In fact, I learnt to drive in my sister’s 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, so hot rods and restomods, which 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, hence why my dream car is probably a Porsche 911 reimagined by Singer.”

Q: What’s the biggest news story you’ve ever written?

A: “At the very start of 2025, I wrote a story about Peugeot potentially making a new hot hatch that it could use to revive the iconic GTi badge, and not six months later the fiery E-208 GTi was unveiled at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, where I got to see it up close. I like to think Auto Express and our readers played a small role in Peugeot returning to its hot hatch roots, and getting that made.”

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

Car Deal of the Day: Volkswagen ID.5 offers space, style and discounted charging for £268 a month
Volkswagen ID.5 Pro Black Edition - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: Volkswagen ID.5 offers space, style and discounted charging for £268 a month

The Volkswagen ID.5 is relaxing to drive, surprisingly versatile for a coupe and, at this price, a great Deal of the Day pick for 22 February
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Car Deal of the Day: comfy and spacious Citroen e-C3 Aircross for just £118 per month
Citroen C3 Aircross UK - full front

Car Deal of the Day: comfy and spacious Citroen e-C3 Aircross for just £118 per month

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Jaecoo 8 - front 3/4

New Jaecoo 8 coming to the UK to fight the Hyundai Santa Fe and Skoda Kodiaq

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New Peugeot E-308 SW 2026 review: a compelling electric estate car
Peugeot E-308 SW facelift - front tracking

New Peugeot E-308 SW 2026 review: a compelling electric estate car

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Kia EV4 - main image

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Audi S6 Avant e-tron - main image

Audi A6 Avant e-tron review

There are flaws in terms of packaging, but the Audi A6 Avant e-tron’s dynamic performance and range are excellent
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New Toyota RAV4: prices, specs and advanced PHEV power
Toyota RAV4 - front

New Toyota RAV4: prices, specs and advanced PHEV power

The RAV4 was the best-selling cars in the world in 2024, and the next iteration will be arriving in the UK later this year
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Renault 5 E-Tech Iconic Five - damp header

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BMW 1 Series review
BMW 1 Series - main image

BMW 1 Series review

The BMW 1 Series is a well-built family hatchback that handles nicely, but practicality isn’t the best
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Tesla Model Y - front cornering

Talk dirty to me: Tesla Model Y and Model 3 now feature Grok AI with 18+ NSFW modes

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Autoforma Norrsken Volvo P1800 ES - front action

Autoforma Norrsken is a Volvo P1800 ES estate restomod costing more than a Ferrari, and we approve

The Dutch restomod firm Autoforma and classic car specialists Volvo Lotte will build just five of these wacky wagons a year, each costing up to £260,0…
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New MG4 EV 2026 facelift review: a better car, but at a higher price
2026 MG4 - front tracking

New MG4 EV 2026 facelift review: a better car, but at a higher price

The revamped MG4 comes with a higher price, but it still offers great value for money
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Alfa Romeo Junior review
Alfa Romeo Junior - main image

Alfa Romeo Junior review

The Alfa Romeo Junior is the brand's smallest SUV, and it aims to woo buyers looking for some sporty fun
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12 Feb 2026
MG4 Urban review
Ellis Hyde with the MG4 Urban

MG4 Urban review

The MG4 Urban offers even better value for money than the original MG4, something we thought could be impossible
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11 Feb 2026
Hyundai Inster review
Hyundai Inster - main image

Hyundai Inster review

The quirky, half-pint Hyundai Inster is a remarkably versatile, efficient and very lovable EV
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New Jaguar GT: latest details on the groundbreaking 1,000bhp four-door EV
Jaguar GT - front (exclusive image)

New Jaguar GT: latest details on the groundbreaking 1,000bhp four-door EV

Jaguar’s four-door GT will have more power than a Bugatti Veyron, but it also weighs nearly a tonne more too!
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9 Feb 2026
New Skoda Epiq prototype review: Elroq’s baby brother shows plenty of promise
Ellis Hyde with the Skoda Epiq prototype

New Skoda Epiq prototype review: Elroq’s baby brother shows plenty of promise

We get an early taste of the new all-electric Skoda Epiq baby SUV ahead of its official arrival
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9 Feb 2026
A new Mazda RX-7 successor with rotary power could happen
Mazda Iconic SP concept - front 3/4 static

A new Mazda RX-7 successor with rotary power could happen

Mazda fans have been hoping for a rotary-powered sports car since the Iconic SP concept was unveiled in 2023
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8 Feb 2026
Mazda MX-5 review
Mazda MX-5 - front tracking

Mazda MX-5 review

The world’s best-selling roadster is getting even better with age
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6 Feb 2026
Tesla has dropped its Standards: entry-level Model Y and Model 3 renamed
Tesla Model Y - front 3/4

Tesla has dropped its Standards: entry-level Model Y and Model 3 renamed

Just a few months after Tesla introduced the Standard name for its more basic models, it’s been dropped
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6 Feb 2026
New Volkswagen ID.3 GTX Fire & Ice review: plenty of purple but the price is a hurdle
Volkswagen ID.3 GTX Fire & Ice - front

New Volkswagen ID.3 GTX Fire & Ice review: plenty of purple but the price is a hurdle

The new Volkswagen ID.3 GTX Fire & Ice costs a hefty premium over the standard GTX, but you'll definitely stand out from the crowd
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5 Feb 2026
New Hyundai Ioniq 3: electric hatch spied again ahead of April reveal
Hyundai Ioniq 3 (camouflaged) - front

New Hyundai Ioniq 3: electric hatch spied again ahead of April reveal

Design cues from wild Concept Three will be retained for this production car
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5 Feb 2026
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BMW i3 saloon - front left

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The next-generation BMW 3 Series is expected to be revealed in the next few months, and will offer a choice of internal-combustion engines and pure-el…
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4 Feb 2026
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New Fiat fastback SUV spotted for the first time: chunky Panda design goes large
Fiat Panda Fastback - front 3/4

New Fiat fastback SUV spotted for the first time: chunky Panda design goes large

The coupe-SUV was previewed back in 2024 but is finally due to be revealed this year, along with a more traditional mid-size SUV
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Dacia Sandero review
Dacia Sandero 1.0 TCe Expression - front tracking

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A spacious interior and refined driving manners show there’s more to the Dacia Sandero than just its price
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Some Chinese car brands are doomed to disappear, warns Skoda boss
Skoda Kodiaq - front cornering

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Skoda Citigo

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New Skoda Peaq: all-electric 7-seater to focus on space and comfort
New Skoda Peaq - name teaser

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The all-electric Skoda Kodiaq alternative will focus on three things: space, practicality and comfort
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2 Feb 2026
Car Deal of the Day: MG IM5 electric saloon for less than a Vauxhall Astra
MG IM5 - front cornering

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At less than £250 per month, this quirky, quick and comfortable executive saloon is our Deal of the Day for January 31
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Honda Jazz review
Honda Jazz - front tracking

Honda Jazz review

Practical, efficient and highly specced, the hybrid Honda Jazz supermini is an attractive if relatively pricey package
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New XPeng X9 seven-seater ‘starship’ will beam down to the UK this summer
XPeng X9 - front static

New XPeng X9 seven-seater ‘starship’ will beam down to the UK this summer

Chinese brand’s “starship of tomorrow” has rear-wheel steering, adaptive air-suspension and some of the fastest charging speeds of any EV around
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30 Jan 2026
New 2026 Mercedes S-Class facelift: luxury limo redefines car tech
Mercedes S-Class facelift - front

New 2026 Mercedes S-Class facelift: luxury limo redefines car tech

The definitive luxury limousine has been overhauled with significant changes inside, outside and under the metal
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29 Jan 2026
Skoda Octavia, Fabia and Kamiq all in line for new hybrid tech
Skoda Octavia UK - front cornering

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Skoda is working to keep its combustion cars feeling fresh for customers that don’t feel the need to go EV just yet
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BMW iX1 review
BMW iX1 - main image

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The BMW iX1 is a strong all-rounder that has premium and mainstream SUVs in its sights
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Geely EX2 - dynamic front 3/4

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The spacious all-electric hatchback offers smart looks and up to 255 miles of range
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