Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2025, 2026 and beyond
These are the biggest and most important new cars headed our way, from brands including Audi, BMW, Dacia, Ferrari, Ford, Skoda and more
A new year means an exciting and diverse array of all-new cars are heading our way, and here we’re taking a look at some of the big hitters that will be unveiled or launched over the next 12 months.
2025 looks set to be a year of new beginnings for some of the biggest and most-loved car brands. For instance, BMW, Fiat, Jaguar, Mercedes and Volkswagen all have hugely important, next-generation models coming, while others, such as Alpine and Kia, are stepping into uncharted territory in some interesting ways.
Unsurprisingly, EVs will remain the primary focus for many brands this year, with Cadillac returning to our shores soon with a pure-electric line-up, and Suzuki finally introducing its first zero-emissions offering, the e Vitara.
Buyers who fancy some internal combustion muscle won’t be starved for choice though, as coming soon is the eagerly anticipated Dacia Bigster, alongside the next iteration of the popular Audi Q3. Plus the latest Citroen C5 Aircross, MINI JCW and Vauxhall Frontera will be offered with the choice of petrol or electric power.
So whatever area of the new car market you’re interested in, there’s something for everyone – and this list of the biggest and best new car launches proves it.
Best new cars coming soon
Below are all the key new model launches we know are taking place in 2025, 2026 or in the near future, and listed them in alphabetical order…
Abarth 600e
Abarth may be known to most for its rowdier versions of the Fiat 500, but the new Abarth 600e is the most powerful car the brand has ever produced. It uses a brand-new electric motor that can produce up to 278bhp, upgraded brakes and cooling system, plus a mechanical limited-slip differential, all wrapped in a suitably flamboyant bodykit.
Find out more in the Abarth 600e review
Alfa Romeo Giulia
The next Alfa Romeo Giulia has some big shoes to fill, because the current car is one of the most desirable compact execs available. Its replacement is arriving in 2026 and is likely to be offered with a choice of petrol engines and pure-electric power. Underneath, the BMW 3 Series rival will use the EV-focused STLA Large platform, which can accommodate 800V electrics for ultra-fast charging, large battery sizes allowing for over 400 miles of range, plus rear and all-wheel-drive powertrains.
Find out more about the Alfa Romeo Giulia
Alfa Romeo Stelvio
Before the Giulia arrives, the next-generation Alfa Romeo Stelvio SUV is on track to be revealed in the second half of 2025. It’ll also be pure-electric at launch and based on the STLA Large architecture. Better still, Italy’s response to the Porsche Macan Electric will wear the beloved Quadrifoglio badge, with the high-performance version potentially producing close to 1,000bhp.
Find out more about the Alfa Romeo Stelvio
Alpine A290
Fans of fast French hot hatchbacks are in for a treat, because Alpine – which makes the utterly fantastic lightweight A110 sports car – has brought out a go-faster version of the new, all-electric Renault 5 E-Tech. It’s called the Alpine A290, and in addition to a more powerful e-motor, Alpine has comprehensively redesigned the suspension set-up, and added a wider track, 19-inch rims with a set of bespoke Michelin tyres and much sportier styling.
Find out more in the Alpine A290 review
Alpine A390
Alpine is expanding its repertoire beyond sports cars and hot hatches as it plans to launch, among other things, three new electric SUVs by 2030. The first to arrive is the Alpine A390: a ‘Sport Fastback’ that will have the Porsche Macan Electric directly in its crosshairs, and will look very much like the A390_β concept that was revealed a few months ago. Its chiselled, athletic design is totally different to the performance brand’s existing models, while the driver-focused cockpit takes inspiration from Formula One.
Although we’re waiting to see the production-ready design, we know that underneath is the Renault Group’s AmpR Medium platform, which until now has been used for family cars such as the latest Scenic and Mégane. Unlike those models, the A390 will be available with a tri-motor powertrain and torque vectoring system to deliver the kind of performance and handling expected from an Alpine.
Find out more about the Alpine A390
Aston Martin Valhalla
The Aston Martin Valhalla will be the first series-production mid-engined road car in the British brand’s 111-year history. Just 999 examples will be made, powered by a bespoke 4.0-litre twin-turbo, flat-plane V8 engine and a pair of electric motors. Total power output is 1,069bhp and 1,100Nm of torque – enough to propel the car from 0-62mph in 2.5 seconds – while the active aerodynamics are inspired by the company’s Valkyrie hypercar, and utilise F1 knowledge and technology.
Find out more about the Aston Martin Valhalla
Audi
In 2024, Audi successfully launched no fewer than seven models, from the facelifted A3 hatchback and e-tron GT, to the pure-electric Q6 e-tron SUV and A6 e-tron saloon that use tech co-developed with Porsche. The most recent arrivals are the new A5 – which is actually the replacement for the old A4 saloon and Avant – and the latest Q5. But even after all that, the premium marque is showing no signs of slowing down, because still to come are the next-generation Q3 compact SUV and A7 executive saloon.
There’s a full run-down of the best new Audi cars coming soon on our dedicated page…
BMW M5 Touring
For only the third time in history of the BMW M5, there’s an estate car version! The new M5 Touring features a plug-in hybrid powertrain that includes a 4.4-litre, twin-turbo V8 engine paired with one e-motor, and delivers a combined power output of 717bhp and 1,000Nm of torque. The 0-62mph sprint is dispatched in just 3.6 seconds, plus there’s 500 litres of boot space available.
Find out more in the BMW M5 Touring review
BMW iX3 replacement
You’re going to hear the term ‘Neue Klasse’ a lot over the next few years, as it refers to the ‘new class’ or new generation of BMW models. And the very first will be the new BMW iX3 launching late in 2025. It will introduce a new design language and retro-inspired family face that will be shared with other Neue Klasse models coming soon, and we’ve got a clear idea of what the iX3 will look like thanks to the Vision Neue Klasse X concept presented in 2024. The interior, meanwhile, will feature the next iteration of BMW’s game-changing iDrive infotainment set-up.
The new iX3 will sit on an all-new scalable platform that has been “uncompromisingly optimised for electric drivetrains”, according to BMW. It will feature an 800V electrical architecture, which allows ultra-rapid charging speeds, and new battery technology that allows for 30 per cent more range than the company’s current units.
Find out more about the BMW iX3 replacement
BYD Atto 2
The BYD Atto 2 is the Chinese giant’s contender in the highly competitive small electric SUV arena. It’s expected to focus mainly on value, making it a clear rival to the similarly budget-focused Vauxhall Frontera, and prices are likely to start from well under £30,000. The Atto 2 will also bridge the gap between the BYD's Atto 3 family SUV and Dolphin hatchback nicely.
Find out more about the BYD Atto 2
Cadillac Lyriq
After nearly a decade’s absence from the UK market, Cadillac is making a comeback with a pair of pure-electric SUVs that it hopes will be able to steal some sales away from Audi, BMW and Mercedes. Spearheading the iconic American marque’s return is the Cadillac Lyriq, a sleek, sophisticated-looking large SUV that will be targeting the likes of the BMW iX.
The Lyriq will come as standard with dual motors that deliver 520bhp, plus a massive 102kWh battery, which we’re told will provide 329 miles of range from a full charge. The interior’s expansive OLED display is a whopping 33 inches wide, stretching across the dashboard, and the price tag is expected to be equally large at £75,000. If that’s too rich for your blood, then the more compact and presumably less expensive Cadillac Optiq shouldn't be too far behind.
Find out more about the Cadillac Lyriq
Citroen e-C3
The all-new, award-winning Citroen e-C3 is being positioned as the electric supermini for the masses, because prices start from under £22,000. Its 44kWh LFP (lithium ferro phosphate) battery offers a reasonable 199-mile range, but Citroen will go on to offer an even cheaper battery option, with around 124 miles of range and lower price tag. The e-C3 has a much more crossover-esque look than the supermini it replaces, while Citroen’s hydraulic bump-stops and trademark pillow-soft Active Comfort seats also feature.
Find out more in the Citroen e-C3 review
Citroen C3 Aircross
The new Citroen C3 Aircross is the French firm’s rival to the hugely popular Dacia Duster, and has a few tricks up to its sleeve. The most surprising is the option of five or seven seats, despite this small SUV being just 4.39 metres long. Buyers also get a choice of petrol, hybrid and pure-electric power, with the e-C3 Aircross EV set to offer between 186 and 250 miles of range.
Find out more about the Citroen C3 Aircross
Citroen C5 Aircross
The overhaul of Citroen’s line-up isn’t complete yet, as the next-generation C5 Aircross is headed our way very soon. We’re told the design will be incredibly close to the highly expressive concept car the French firm presented at the 2024 Paris Motor Show, which shares a strong family resemblance with the smaller C3 Aircross that’s also arriving shortly. The traditional, boxy SUV shape should provide lots of space, and while we haven’t seen the interior yet, CEO Thierry Koskas promises it is “spectacular”.
Underneath, the new C5 Aircross will use the same STLA Medium platform as the latest Peugeot 3008 and Vauxhall Grandland, so the selection of Mild-hybrid, plug-in hybrid and pure-electric powertrains on offer should be identical too. As with its sister models, the EV version will be the main focus, and the longest-range variant should be capable of around 420 miles from a single charge.
Find out more about the C5 Aircross
Cupra Raval
The Cupra Raval is one of several models coming soon based on the Volkswagen Group’s new MEB Entry platform, including the VW ID.2 also due in 2025. The trending brand’s electric supermini is named after a district in its hometown, Barcelona, and should look nearly identical to the concept versions we’ve already seen. This means the Raval will incorporate deeply scalloped surfacing and aggressive lines in keeping with Cupra’s sporty image, plus some of its signature styling cues, such as copper detailing.
The baby Cupra will measure just over four metres long – ideal for city streets – but with five doors for extra versatility. It’ll be front-wheel drive with more than 200bhp, and boast up to 270 miles of range in the right guise. The Raval will become the entry point to the brand, and although pricing won’t be confirmed for a while yet, we’d expect it to start from around £25,000.
Find out more about the Cupra Raval
Cupra Tavascan
It took five years for Cupra to take its bold Tavascan concept car from the 2019 Geneva Motor Show, and launch a road-going version to go head to head with the Nissan Ariya and Tesla Model Y. Buyers are offered a choice of a 286bhp rear-wheel-drive powertrain, or a 335bhp dual-motor, all-wheel-drive set-up, both featuring a 77kWh battery that provides up to 320 miles of range.
Find out more in the Cupra Tavascan review
Dacia
Good news, everyone, Dacia is working hard to expand its wallet-friendly range even more, with plans for new cars both big and small. This year alone saw the arrival of the new Mk3 Dacia Duster – our Small SUV of the Year – and the sub-£15k Dacia Spring EV. Then in 2025, the Dacia Bigster will finally hit the streets, with hopes of shaking up the mid-size SUV segment. The Bigster is one of three new models Dacia is launching in the crucial C-segment of the car market, with another expected to take on the award-winning Skoda Octavia. Now that’s a title fight we’re excited to see.
There’s a full run-down of the best new Dacia cars coming soon on our dedicated page…
DS No8
The DS No8 represents the start of a new era for the premium Parisian brand DS, which is refusing to throw in the towel in its fight against the likes of BMW, Audi and Mercedes. The elegant pure-electric coupé-SUV focuses on luxury, comfort and what the marque refers to as ‘serene’ qualities. It also promises a simply enormous range of up to 466 miles, and when order books open towards the middle of 2025, prices should significantly undercut potential rivals like the Polestar 4 and Audi Q6 e-tron.
Find out more about the DS no8
Ferrari F80
The latest in a long, illustrious line of ‘once-in-a-decade’ hypercars born in Maranello, the F80 is the successor to the F40, F50, Enzo and LaFerrari. The stunning design is inspired by Ferrari’s Le Mans-winning 499P race car, as is the powertrain: a 3.0-litre, 9,200rpm V6 engine, paired with two turbos and five electric motors. Combined power output is 1,183bhp, 0-62mph takes 2.15 seconds, and the price tag is north of £3 million. Gulp.
Find out more about the Ferrari F80
Ferrari’s first electric car
Ferrari has launched a handful of hybrid models, but is now gearing up to introduce its first-ever fully electric car, this year. Judging from spy pictures we received of a test mule, the first EV from Maranello will be some kind of four-door, rather than a two-door supercar. We’re not expecting a boxy 4x4-type SUV, but something in the vein of the aggressively styled Ferrari Purosangue, which the company has referred to as a “four-seat, four-door sports car”.
Find out more about Ferrari's first electric car
Fiat Grande Panda
It’s been more than a decade since the outgoing Fiat Panda was launched, so a replacement was long overdue. And finally, the new Grande Panda is here. This is the boxy, very funky sister car of the reigning Auto Express Car of the Year, the Citroen e-C3, and the first in a new family of Panda-inspired models. The retro-futuristic design borrows cues from the original Panda from the Eighties, as well as the more rugged Panda 4x4.
The interior is equally quirky. There are more square elements inside, along with some very bright colour combinations and a selection of interesting materials, such as bamboo fibre across the dashboard. There’s lots of storage, too, but the handiest feature on the Grande Panda by far is the retractable charging cable hidden in the nose of the EV model. Hybrid versions will be available as well.
Find out more about the Fiat Grande Panda
Ford
If you thought Ferrari putting a V6 into its new multi-million-pound hypercar was controversial, you probably didn’t hear that after a 40-year hiatus, the hallowed Ford Capri nameplate has been revived… for an electric SUV. That last part shouldn’t be a surprise, because Ford is going big on electric cars, having also launched the new Explorer SUV recently, and an EV version of the best-selling Puma small crossover. That said, the Mustang has refused to relinquish its V8 engine, and better still, there’s a supercharged, track-focused version called the Mustang GTD with more than 800bhp and technology banned from motorsport.
There’s a full run-down of the best new Ford cars coming soon on our dedicated page…
Genesis GV60 Magma
BMW has the M division, Mercedes has AMG and now Genesis plans to launch high-performance Magma versions of its line-up. Kicking things off is the flaming hot Genesis GV60 Magma that’s due to arrive towards the end of the year, most likely packing the same 641bhp powertrain as the closely related Hyundai Ioniq 5 N and Kia EV6 GT.
However, Genesis vehicle development boss Tyrone Johnson told Auto Express: “We have a completely different brief and what we’re trying to achieve is completely different from the Ioniq 5 N or EV6 GT” – suggesting that the GV60 Magma will have its own distinctive character. The concept version that appeared at the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed gives a clear idea of the other changes Genesis has planned, including a wider track, lowered suspension, aggressive looks and a much sportier interior treatment, complete with a set of deep bucket seats.
Find out more about the Genesis GV60 Magma
Honda 0 Series
When it comes to electric cars, Honda has been on the back foot for some time. But not for much longer, as it has promised to launch seven brand-new, cutting-edge EVs by 2030, all under its new global ‘0 Series’ sub brand. The first three will arrive in 2026, starting with a flagship saloon based on the radical Honda Saloon concept, followed by a mid-size SUV and an entry-level SUV.
Find out more about the Honda 0 Series
Honda Prelude
After an absence of more than two decades, the Honda Prelude is making a comeback. The new sixth-generation model will be a sleek two-door coupe featuring hybrid technology, which it’s likely to borrow from the Civic hatchback. We’ve already spotted a prototype testing, but aren’t expecting the first examples to hit the streets until 2026.
Find out more about the Honda Prelude
Hyundai Inster
The Hyundai Inster is the brand’s new, quirky but frankly adorable entry into the small, affordable electric car market. It’s smaller than superminis like the Skoda Fabia or Renault Clio, but still has a 280-litre boot, which expands to 351 litres when the rear seats are slid forward, or you can actually fold all four seats down completely flat. It offers up to 220 miles of range, and has a starting price of £23,495.
Find out more in the Hyundai Inster review
Hyundai Ioniq 9
As well as introducing its smallest electric car yet, Hyundai is also preparing to launch its largest EV: the seven-seat Ioniq 9. This five-metre long behemoth is the futuristic-looking, zero-emissions alternative to the Hyundai Santa Fe, and sister car to the award-winning Kia EV9. The two imposing electric SUVs use the same E-GMP platform, but the Ioniq 9 features a bigger 110.3kWh battery, which combined with its surprisingly slippery design, provides up to 385 miles of range.
The Ioniq 9 features a fresh, flagship-worthy interior filled with technology, including dual 12.3-inch displays housed in one curved panel, active road noise cancellation and an AI assistant. Seven and six-seat layouts will be available, and with practicality key for a car like this, there’s up to around 2,000 litres of luggage space on offer, depending on which seats are in place. Prices are expected to start from £65,000 when order books open later this year.
“Seven-seat electric cars remain few and far between, but we came away impressed by the spacious Ioniq 9 when we drove a camouflaged prototype at Hyundai’s Californian test centre late last year. The car is clearly set up for comfort, with a compliant ride and light steering, but it felt stable at high speeds and quiet on the move. A full verdict will need to wait until later in 2025.” - Richard Ingram, deputy editor
Find out more about the Hyundai Ioniq 9
IM Motors L6
IM Motors is MG’s upmarket sister brand and we’ve been told it will be introduced to the UK in 2025. Its first offering will be the IM L6: a premium zero-emission saloon that the company expects to rival the hugely popular Tesla Model 3. It claims the L6 can hit 62mph in less than three seconds and charge at speeds well over 300kW – similar to a Porsche Taycan.
Find out more about the IM Motors L6
Jaguar four-door GT
Jaguar’s top-to-bottom revitalisation is all people can talk about at the moment, as one of Britain’s bedrock car brands is going all-electric and moving seriously upmarket. With all its current models now out of production, Jaguar is preparing to launch three brand-new electric cars, starting with a four-door GT that will have a £130,000 price tag and undoubtedly be the blockbuster reveal of the summer.
The as-yet-unnamed GT will sit on a bespoke EV platform called the Jaguar Electrified Architecture, and use “game-changing” technology, according to execs we’ve spoken to. Executive director of vehicle programmes, Steve Marsh, also revealed it’ll cover an incredible 478 miles on a single charge, and for continent-crossing trips, drivers will be able to add 200 miles of range in only 15 minutes. So far we’ve only seen a heavily camouflaged prototype with some traditional, low-slung proportions. However the radical Jaguar Type 00 concept shown at the tail end of 2024 hinted at some of the finer details that the production car may feature.
Find out more about the new Jaguar four-door GT
Jeep Recon
Jeep only launched its first electric car, the Avenger, in 2023, but it's far from the only EV the brand has in the works. The one we’re most excited for is a beefy 4x4 called the Recon. This Wrangler-sized EV will adopt a chunky design and the EV-specific STLA Large platform from parent company Stellantis, which is also being used to underpin Jeep’s new Wagoneer S flagship SUV.
Find out more about the Jeep Recon
Kia EV3
As its name suggests, the EV3 is the baby brother of the EV6 and EV9, and the Korean brand’s latest addition to its rosters of excellent electric cars. Prices for the compact electric SUV start from £32,995 – more than £4,000 cheaper than Kia’s Niro EV – and there are two battery options, with the larger unit providing 372 miles of range. Every model also gets a 12.3-inch digital driver’s display, a 12.3-inch touchscreen and a suite of advanced driver-assistance systems.
Find out more in the Kia EV3 review
Kia PV5
This year, Kia is bringing its knowledge and expertise of electric cars to the world of vans, with a range of purpose-built commercial vehicles that should have the Ford E-Transit family very worried. Leading the assault will be the Kia PV5, which as a panel van will go head-to-head with the Ford E-Transit Custom. However we know there’s also going to be a MPV version that will be looking to give the Volkswagen ID. Buzz a run for its money.
While the VW is all about surfer dude vibes, the PV5 will have a much more futuristic feel, as our exclusive image shows. Indeed, the Blade Runner-appropriate design will help it look right at home next to the Kia EV9 and EV3 SUVs. The almost brick-like shape and huge wheelbase should ensure passengers have as much space as possible, plus sliding rear doors will aid access. Family buyers will also be pleased to hear Kia’s electric vans and MPVs will come with its industry-leading seven-year warranty.
Find out more about the Kia PV5
Land Rover Defender Octa
With a 0-60mph time of 3.8 seconds, 626bhp and a price tag of up to £160,000, the Octa is undoubtedly the ultimate iteration of the Land Rover Defender. Its 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 is the most powerful engine fitted to the new-age Defender, and to ensure the 4x4’s chassis can cope with the massive grunt, Land Rover has made extensive revisions, including upgraded Brembo brakes, faster steering, specially developed tyres and a new 6D Dynamics suspension system that uses similar technology to McLaren’s supercars.
It combines air springs with hydraulically interlinked adaptive dampers that “virtually eliminate” pitch and body roll on tarmac, says JLR. Dynamic mode is optimised for on-road driving, but this car has been developed on rally stages and in deserts to deliver serious off-road performance. Its unique ‘Octa’ mode activates a special launch capability for full-bore acceleration on loose surfaces, and slackens off the suspension for bombing around on gravel or dunes.
“We were fortunate enough to ride shotgun in the hulking 4x4 as it put on a show tackling the famous Goodwood hillclimb, accelerating ferociously and flying along the straights at stupendous speeds, thanks to its hugely powerful V8 engine. More impressive, however, is the way the Octa managed to seem controlled through corners as it crushed apexes under its wide tyres and enormous heft.” - Ellis Hyde, news reporter
Find out more about the Land Rover Defender Octa
Lotus mid-size SUV
While Lotus built its reputation on lightweight sports cars, the brand has evolved rapidly into a maker of premium EVs, starting with the Eletre hyper-SUV and the Emeya GT. But Lotus is hoping to broaden its appeal beyond luxury car owners and corporate executives with a mid-size SUV that’ll take on the new Porsche Macan Electric. Lotus is targeting a starting price of around $70,000 (£55,000) for the Type 134, as it’s known internally, significantly undercutting the Macan.
Find out more about the upcoming Lotus mid-size SUV
Lotus electric sports car
SUVs and saloons will make up the bulk of Lotus sales soon, but it’s not about to abandon its 76 years of sports car-making heritage. In 2027, the company will launch its first-ever fully electric sports car that will serve as the replacement for the petrol-powered Emira. Codenamed the Type 135, it will be built at Lotus’s Hethel base in Norfolk and use a bespoke architecture, while the design is expected to borrow heavily from the Lotus Theory 1 concept (pictured above) that was revealed earlier this year.
Find out more about the upcoming Lotus electric sports car
McLaren W1
First there was the F1, then the P1, and now the W1 has arrived to show the world what Woking is capable of. A direct rival to the Ferrari F80 we mentioned earlier, the W1 features a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 hybrid powertrain that sends all its 1,258bhp to the rear wheels only. To stop it taking off, the “Formula One-inspired ground-effect aerodynamics” can create 1,000kg of downforce at 174mph.
Find out more about the McLaren W1
Mercedes G 580 with EQ Technology
Mercedes' iconic 4x4 has been given the EV treatment. The G 580 with EQ Technology will be an uncompromising off-roader, just like the regular G-Class. As such, it uses the tough ladder-frame chassis from the petrol and diesel-powered models, just with a battery and four individual electric motors – one for each wheel – crammed into it. Its party piece is the ‘G-Turn’, when the wheels on the left and right-hand sides of the car rotate in opposite directions so it can spin on the spot just like a tracked vehicle.
Find out more in the Mercedes G 580 with EQ Technology review
Mercedes CLA
The next-generation CLA is shaping up to be Mercedes’ most important new car in a long while. The ultra-sleek saloon will be the first of what the marque is calling ‘entry luxury’ cars based on a new MMA architecture, with two SUVs and a shooting brake also in the works. For the CLA, there will be a choice of mild-hybrid petrol power, or a brand-new pure-electric powertrain that Mercedes developed from the ground up for its Tesla Model 3 fighter.
The brand is already promising the EV will “lead in its class in terms of range, efficiency and charging speed,” thanks to an extremely efficient powertrain that could potentially deliver an incredible range of approximately 466 miles. Meanwhile an 800V electrical system (like a Porsche Taycan’s) will allow drivers to restore almost 250 miles of range in around 15 minutes. The design will take its lead from the Concept CLA Class concept revealed in 2023, and we’ll finally see the road-ready model in March.
“The new CLA will usher in a completely new architecture for Mercedes when it arrives this year, and first impressions from the passenger seat were positive when we rode shotgun up a snowy mountain pass just before Christmas. The EV felt softer than a Polestar 2, and more refined than a Tesla Model 3. But with a choice of electric and hybrid powertrains, the CLA is arguably more relevant in today’s market.” - Richard Ingram, deputy editor
Find out more about the upcoming Mercedes CLA
MG ZS EV successor
The replacement for the popular MG ZS EV has already been revealed in China as the MG ES5, flaunting a clear family resemblance with the MG4 hatchback, as well as the Cyberster sports car, but adding a few elements of its own for a suitably robust SUV look. The compact electric SUV should be arriving in UK showrooms early this year, potentially with a starting price below £30,000 to undercut key rivals from Kia and Skoda.
It’s still unclear what name this new model will use here, although we do know that it won’t be called the ZS EV. Certain technical details haven’t been announced yet either, but considering it’s based on the same Modular Scalable Platform (MSP) as the MG4, there’s potential for the same wide selection of battery/motor combinations as its award-winning sibling. That should mean a maximum range of well over 300 miles.
Find out more about the successor to the MG ZS EV
MINI John Cooper Works
The latest MINI Cooper was one of the most anticipated cars of last year, and is already proving to be very popular. Now the brand has injected some extra spice to create the new MINI John Cooper Works hot hatch, which for the first time is being offered with petrol and all-electric power. The JCW Electric delivers up to 254bhp from its front-mounted e-motor, which is enough for 0-62mph in 5.9 seconds – quicker than a Hyundai i20 N. And with its battery mounted low in the chassis, we’re expecting impressive displays of agility.
Meanwhile, the old-school petrol version gets a 228bhp 2.0-litre four-pot engine, paired exclusively with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission; sadly there’s no manual available, but at least buyers still have a choice of a hard-top or convertible bodystyle. Completing the package is a sportier chassis set-up, bodykit and interior treatment. Prices start from £32,600 for the petrol John Cooper Works and £39,000 for the EV.
Find out more about the MINI John Cooper Works
Nissan Leaf
The pioneering Nissan Leaf is going to transform for its next outing, from an ordinary family hatchback into a stylish coupé-SUV – and our exclusive image shows you what it could look like. The design, including the very on-trend fastback shape, is taken from Nissan’s Chill-Out concept revealed way back in 2021. Nissan’s VP of Design for Europe, Matthew Weaver, told Auto Express: “[The new Leaf] is going to be a triumph of efficiency and engineering… The Chill-Out concept was very clean, very cool, and those elements are still coming through on the production-ready version.”
Under the sleek bodywork will be the AmpR Medium platform used by the larger Nissan Ariya and Renault’s Scenic and Mégane. The architecture was designed to make the most of the packaging benefits of a pure-electric powertrain, and we’re expecting the new efficiency-focused Leaf to deliver close to 300 miles of range. We’ll know when the car is revealed some time this year.
Find out more about the upcoming Nissan Leaf
Polestar 5
It’s been five years since the dramatic Polestar Precept concept was revealed, but at last the Volvo offshoot is ready to launch its rival to the Porsche Taycan and Lotus Emeya: the Polestar 5. Very few design changes have been made for the production model, and as with the concept there is no rear window in an effort to maximise rear cabin space – just like the Polestar 4 coupé. Sadly, though, one detail that didn’t make the cut was the original concept’s ‘suicide’ coach doors. The interior, meanwhile, will make extensive use of recycled and plant-sourced materials to burnish its environmental credentials.
Rather than using an existing architecture, the Polestar 5 relies on a bespoke extruded and bonded-aluminium platform that was created in the UK, where the flagship EV was also developed. It features an 800V electrical system and some colossal power outputs of up to 874bhp and 900Nm of torque.
“Unlike the Polestar 3 and 4, which share underpinnings with Volvo and Geely, the 5 is a bespoke, ground-up project and most acutely represents what the innovative Swedish brand has to offer. We’ve been for a ride in an early prototype and can confirm that it already feels like a giant leap ahead in terms of ride, handling and packaging; it remains to be seen if it leaves the same impression from behind the wheel of the finished product.” - Jordan Katsianis, senior staff writer
Find out more about the upcoming Polestar 5
Porsche Boxster/Cayman
Porsche’s mid-engined sports cars, the Cayman and Boxster, will soon ditch petrol power in favour of a pure-electric powertrain. Both will utilise a bespoke electric sports car platform developed by Porsche, and based on our spy shots, will have a longer wheelbase than the outgoing models. This is probably to accommodate a battery pack fitted behind the passenger cell, rather than under the floor like most EVs. This will help with weight distribution and achieving a low-slung seating position.
Find out more about the upcoming Porsche Boxster and Cayman
Porsche Macan Electric
After 10 years of the original Porsche Macan, and more than 800,000 examples sold in that time, the all-new second-generation model is finally here and it’s brought some big changes. The most seismic is the Macan now being all-electric, plus it’s the first model to sit on the brand-new EV-dedicated PPE platform. Inside, the new Macan gets a high-tech yet still driver-focused cockpit design, and of course there’s a ‘Turbo’ version capable of 0-62mph in just 3.3 seconds.
Find out more in the Porsche Macan Electric review
Range Rover Electric
The Range Rover is the original luxury SUV, and more than a half a century on, it’s still the king of the jungle. But for the first time in its history, there’s going to be a Range Rover Electric. JLR’s director of product engineering, Thomas Müller, has said, “We are on target to create the quietest and most refined Range Rover ever. The magic ingredients that underpin the success of Range Rover remain unchanged – now offered with zero tailpipe emissions.”
Find out more about the Range Rover Electric
Renault 5
One of Renault’s most famous nameplates, the Renault 5 has been reborn as a retro-themed EV that’s ready and raring to give the new MINI Cooper a run for its money. The styling is nearly identical to the heart-warming concept unveiled in 2021, while the interior is inspired by that of the mid-engined Renault 5 Turbo from the eighties. Top-spec models offer up to 252 miles of range, and prices are expected to start from around £23,000.
Find out more in the Renault 5 review
Renault 4
Following hot on the heels of the Renault 5 is the Renault 4. The baby electric SUV has a similar boxy shape to the original R4 from the Sixties, and its design incorporates several familiar features, such as trapezoidal rear quarter windows, pill-shaped tail-lights and a wide horizontal front grille with a set of rounded headlights. The reborn R4 measures just 4.14 metres long – meaning it’s smaller than the petrol-powered Captur – yet Renault claims it’s still “spacious and versatile enough to fit everyone’s needs”.
It uses the same AmpR Small platform that underpins the R5 hatchback, and gets the same choice of a 40kWh (Urban) or 52kWh (Comfort) battery, with the larger unit providing up to 248 miles of range. But the R4 will be the first of Renault’s EVs to feature one-pedal driving. We suspect prices will start from around £26,000; somewhere in between the R5 and larger Renault Mégane.
Find out more about the Renault 4
Renault Twingo
The final addition to Renault’s retro-inspired EV line-up is the all-new Twingo, previewed in concept form in November 2023. Described as a “silver bullet for sustainable mobility” by Renault CEO Luca de Meo, the new Twingo is slated to go from concept to production in just two years and boast an extraordinary starting price of under 20,000 Euros – or roughly £17,000 at current exchange rates.
Find out more about the Renault Twingo
Rivian R2
Pioneering American EV start-up Rivian, makers of the world’s first all-electric pick-up truck, will finally enter the UK market in 2027, but not with a truck. Its first model sold in Britain will be the Rivian R2: an electric mid-size SUV that’ll rival the Tesla Model Y, among many others. We also expect the Rivian R3 hatchback and R3X hot hatch to come to our shores some time later.
Find out more about the Rivian R2
Skoda
2024 was an extremely busy year for Skoda, too, because several of its popular models were updated, such as the Kamiq and Octavia. Plus it saw the introduction of the all-new, second-generation Kodiaq and the latest Superb – which both took home gongs at the Auto Express New Car Awards. Looking ahead, though, the Czech brand will be building on the success of its Enyaq and launching electric SUVs of various sizes and prices, including one that could cost less than £20,000. Similarly, Skoda is working on a zero-emissions family estate car to sit alongside the excellent Octavia Estate and Superb Estate.
There’s a full run-down of the best new Skoda cars coming soon on our dedicated page…
Suzuki e Vitara
Suzuki has decided to jump right in at the deep end with its first EV, as the all-new e Vitara is a small pure-electric SUV that will have to compete with a sea of very impressive rivals. One standout feature is the option of AllGrip-e four-wheel drive, which uses dual motors to provide what’s claimed to be “powerful performance” and extra traction in slippery road conditions, complementing the relatively rugged look.
However, it’s worth noting that the e Vitara’s maximum range is just 248 miles – compared to a Kia EV3 that can cover more than 370 miles on one charge – and we weren’t overly impressed by the practicality on offer when we examined the Suzuki in person. That’s despite it using a newly developed, EV-dedicated platform called ‘Heartect-e’ that was jointly developed with Toyota, which is launching its own rebadged version of the compact EV that brings back the Urban Cruiser name and sports a sharper front-end design.
Find out more about the Suzuki e Vitara
Vauxhall Frontera
The Vauxhall Frontera doesn’t have anywhere near the legacy of names like the Ford Capri or Honda Prelude, but nonetheless it’s been revived for an all-new compact SUV that’s focused on versatility and affordability. With a boxy, traditional SUV shape, up to seven seats and a potential luggage capacity of nearly 1,600 litres, the Frontera is practical, too.
In terms of cost, the Vauxhall represents a major milestone, because both pure-electric and petrol-hybrid versions start from £23,495 – genuine price parity, eliminating a common barrier to EV ownership. The Frontera Hybrid uses a simple combination of a 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine and a small 28bhp electric motor integrated into the six-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. Meanwhile, the EV gets a 44kWh battery and 111bhp e-motor, which provides up to 186 miles of range – although a Long Range version is coming soon.
“The Vauxhall Frontera is a car we’ve been crying out for. It’s big enough to suit the needs of most families, has all the equipment you could need and looks the part. It might use Stellantis’ new budget-focused ‘Smart Car’ platform, but the Frontera feels grown-up, with good road manners and refinement. Once you factor in the price tag as well, it would appear Vauxhall now has a class-leading contender on its hands.” - Alastair Crooks, senior news reporter
Find out more about the Vauxhall Frontera
Volkswagen ID.2
Volkswagen declared it would launch an affordable electric car back in 2019, and after several years of toiling away on the project, it looks like we’ll finally see the fruits of its hard labour soon. The VW ID.2 is due to make its long-awaited debut in late 2025, and by all accounts, it’ll look almost identical to the ID.2all concept we fell in love with as soon as we saw it in 2023.
VW’s design boss, Andreas Mindt, described the ID.2all as “an homage to the Beetle, Golf and Polo”, with the all-electric supermini looking a lot like an evolution of the current Polo from more than a few angles. The interior is going to feature large screens of course, but there will also be physical switches and dials in response to customer feedback, with Mindt telling us “we’re getting rid of any hard plastics and upping the quality, while getting the price down”. Words we like to hear.
Find out more about the Volkswagen ID.2
Volvo ES90
Volvo axed the S60 and S90 last year, but that doesn’t mean it’s abandoning big saloons completely. The forthcoming Volvo ES90 will be the Swedish brand’s challenger to the BMW i5 and Audi A6 e-tron, and is being readied for a world premiere this March. Official teaser images suggest the ES90 will have a sleek profile and sloped, fastback-style roofline, plus the same Lidar technology found on the EX90 seven-seat SUV that allows for advanced driver-assistance systems.
The ES90 will also use the same SPA2 platform as the EX90, meaning it could be powered by a 107kWh battery. A powerpack that size in a sleek saloon would have the potential to offer more than 400 miles of range from a charge.
Find our more about the Volvo ES90
Which new car are you most looking forward to seeing on the road? Let us know in the comments below...
