Skip advert
Advertisement

New Lancia Ypsilon 2024 review: quirky supermini has plenty of potential

The Lancia Ypsilon will take on supermini rivals such as the Vauxhall Corsa and Peugeot 208 if it comes to the UK

Verdict

With its unique look, the Lancia Ypsilon definitely has the potential to attract attention, and as a small city car it has enough power, is comfortable and very manoeuvrable. It’ll be fascinating to see how it fares against the Vauxhall Corsa, Peugeot 208 and DS 3 – and whether UK customers will be allowed to pick it at all.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Is Lancia about to return to the UK? The jury is still out; the verdict from parent company Stellantis will depend on whether it thinks it can squeeze a quirky Italian brand into its existing line-up here, on a slightly more luxurious track than Alfa Romeo, while also running parallel to DS.

If Lancia is to make a comeback on UK roads, it’s likely to need a multi-model line-up – but that would almost certainly include the newly reborn Ypsilon. And we’ve had an early chance to see how different it feels from its stablemates, in both pure-electric and mild-hybrid forms.

We say ‘reborn’ Ypsilon but in fact, this is the fourth generation of a model that was, in its previous Fiat 500-based incarnation, still the third best-selling car in Italy in 2023 (yes, really). Lancia has much broader ambitions with this version, though – and first impressions are positive. 

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

Corolla

2022 Toyota

Corolla

14,307 milesAutomaticPetrol2.0L

Cash £19,900
View Corolla
MG4 EV

2024 MG

MG4 EV

15,379 milesAutomaticElectric

Cash £16,700
View MG4 EV
3-Door Hatch

2018 MINI

3-Door Hatch

48,263 milesManualPetrol1.5L

Cash £10,000
View 3-Door Hatch
Juke

2019 Nissan

Juke

17,000 milesAutomaticPetrol1.0L

Cash £13,487
View Juke

As a Lancia should, its design stands out from the crowd, pulling it apart from the likes of the Peugeot 208 and Vauxhall Corsa – and while we are admittedly driving on roads near Lancia’s HQ in Turin, there’s a lot of curiosity from passers by. It’s the front that looks the most distinctive, with a curious treatment at the leading edge of the bonnet – but there’s a real flourish at the rear too, especially with those Stratos-esque tail-lights.

Advertisement - Article continues below

In raw terms, of course, the Ypsilon’s dimensions are less unique and very close to its siblings from France and Germany, as you’d expect from a car that shares the same e-CMP and CMP underpinnings. But its length of 4,080mm makes it a really practical companion, especially in urban areas, and Lancia has used the amount of space offered by the switch to a larger cabin to score big on the interior. 

It’s here where the Ypsilon really stands apart, with lounge-like seats that are very comfortable (designed for urban life rather than on-the-limit cornering), and a coffee table in the centre console – ideal for an espresso during mid-journey breaks. Does it get any more Italian than that? The second row, on the other hand, is more for short journeys or smaller passengers.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

We start on roads close to Turin, using the electric Ypsilon in its range-topping Cassina trim level. It performs well, smoothes out most of Turin’s suburban bumps – and there are quite a few – in a relaxed manner, and proves to be quite comfortable. Only larger potholes push the suspension to its limit, as is common for vehicles on the CMP platform.

Driving around the worst surface imperfections is a good opportunity to test the Lancia’s steering. And the Ypsilon comes across well, delivering a surprising amount of fun in corners. The acceleration is convincing too, as it should be in a pure-electric vehicle – although as we move into the countryside, the car starts to feel a little out of breath on steeper hills, where the weight of the 51kWh battery becomes noticeable.

Still, this is not the only game in town, because Lancia also offers the car as a 99bhp mild hybrid. This is an altogether more rounded solution; it has enough punch and is still nimble on the road, but feels a little more comfortable with its lighter kerbweight. It’s refined, too, with a smooth transition as the petrol engine kicks in. 

Local legislation and targets will probably govern which versions are offered in which regions, but the electric car has a decent enough amount of range to look particularly well equipped for city driving. In the end, it could well be consumers’ wallets that cast the deciding vote, because the mild hybrid will be considerably cheaper, if (or when) it finds its way to UK shores.

Model:Lancia Ypsilon MHEV
Price:£21,000 (est)
Engine:1.2-litre mild-hybrid petrol
Power/torque:99bhp/205Nm
Transmission:Six-speed automatic, front-wheel drive
0-62mph:9.3 seconds
Top speed:118mph
Economy:61mpg
CO2 emissions:103g/km
Size (L/W/H):4,080/1,760/1,440mm
On sale:TBC
Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

MG MG4

MG MG4

RRP £26,995Avg. savings £9,107 off RRP*Used from £13,720
Renault Clio

Renault Clio

RRP £16,160Avg. savings £2,789 off RRP*Used from £8,900
Nissan Juke

Nissan Juke

RRP £18,185Avg. savings £3,359 off RRP*Used from £10,300
Volkswagen Tiguan

Volkswagen Tiguan

RRP £35,385Avg. savings £2,911 off RRP*Used from £15,600
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Car Deal of the Day: BYD Seal – signed, sealed and delivered for less than £305 a month
BYD Seal - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: BYD Seal – signed, sealed and delivered for less than £305 a month

The BYD Seal is a Tesla Model 3 rival, and a very good one at that. It’s our Deal of the Day for 31 March
News
31 Mar 2025
Best April Fools' Day jokes by car companies 2025
Best April Fools' day jokes 2025

Best April Fools' Day jokes by car companies 2025

We round up this year’s best car-related April Fools’ jokes, along with a few of the more famous japes from years gone by
Features
1 Apr 2025
Skoda Enyaq review
Skoda Enyaq 85 - front

Skoda Enyaq review

If you're looking for an all-electric family SUV that will fit effortlessly into daily life, the Skoda Enyaq is an excellent choice
In-depth reviews
31 Mar 2025