Best cars 2025: the very best cars to buy in the UK reviewed and rated

Family SUVs are among the most sought-after cars on sale today, and the latest Kia Sportage is the cream of the crop.

As our reigning Family SUV of the Year, it offers buyers a choice of petrol, hybrid and plug-in hybrid power options – meaning that whether you want to plug it in or not, the Sportage can help to lower your fuel bills.

Our favourite version is the entry-level petrol, which gets you a punchy 148bhp 1.6-litre engine. Combined with a slick-shifting six-speed manual gearbox, this version completed the 0-60mph sprint in 9.0sec in our tests, though you can opt for a seven-speed auomatic if you prefer.

The Sportage is a comfortable choice, too, rounding off all but the biggest potholes. Only the Volvo XC40 does a better job – and that car is a fair amount more expensive. In fact, the starting price for the Kia Sportage roundly undercuts rivals such as the Hyundai Tucson, Mazda CX-5 and Peugeot 3008.

It's not like Kia has skimped on equipment to do that, either, with even entry-level cars getting climate and cruise controls, 17in alloy wheels and an electronic parking brake. And for that reason, we don't think you need to spend more on upgrading from the basic 'Pure' trim.

“Like all Kias, the Sportage comes with the reassurance of a seven-year warranty should anything go wrong. That's not likely, though, because the brand consistently performs well in our annual What Car? Reliability Survey.” – Claire Evans, Consumer Editor

Read our in-depth Kia Sportage review

Like a lot of the cars on this list, the all-electric Tesla Model 3 comes with a number of accolades – it's our favourite executive car, electric car and company car.

Winning three of our current best-for categories is no small feat, but the breadth of the Model 3's talents is very broad indeed. Even in entry-level rear-wheel drive form, the Model 3 is quick – beating the Hyundai Ioniq 6 to 60mph in our tests, and matching the entry-level BMW i4 and BYD Seal.

Then there's the range. RWD models have an official range of 318 miles between charges, while Long Range models can take you 390 miles. And while it's worth taking those figures with a pinch of salt, the Long Range model still managed 293 miles in cold conditions in our real-world winter range test.

When you do need to plug in, Tesla's super-fast and super-reliable Supercharger network is the best in the business – and it's recently been upgraded to allow non-Tesla cars to charge using its stations too. 

Tesla's minimalist interior design, which sees almost every function being controlled through the central touchscreen, won't be to everyone's taste, but the system is quick to respond and offers lots of features. And while your rear passengers will be slightly more comfortable in a Volkswagen ID 7, the space the Model 3 offers will be fine for most people, most of the time.

“While I did eventually get used to them, Tesla's haptic buttons on its steering wheel, which you use to control functions like the indicators, windscreen wipers and cruise control, feels like a solution to a problem which shouldn't exist.” – Will Nightingale, Reviews Editor

Read our in-depth Tesla Model 3 review

However you choose to define luxury, the BMW X7 comes out on top.

If luxury to you means sumptuous materials and lots of tech, then the X7's graphically rich infotainment system, plush materials and stellar build quality will have you impressed.

Alternatively, if luxury means having all the room you could want to stretch out, then we'd ask you to sit in the X7's front or middle seats, which offer exactly the sort of first-class experience you'd expect. And even better, should you need to carry two more passengers, the X7's rearmost seats will be fine for a couple of six-footers, and they'll have more head room than they would in the rival Range Rover.

Perhaps luxury means the abundance of choice? Well, the X7 can be had with petrol or diesel power, with the former offering up to 523bhp in range-topping M60i form. And while the diesel option is a good choice for high-mileage drivers, we think most buyers will be best served by the 40i petrol, which offers punchy acceleration and decent fuel economy.

Elsewhere, the X7's standard-fit air suspension does a fine job of soaking up the lumps and bumps of battered British roads, and despite its hefty weight, the X7 feels more gainly through bends than the Land Rover Discovery or Mercedes GLS.

“M Sport trim is only slightly more expensive than entry-level Excellence, but its extra desirability means that you should get more of your money back when you come to sell it on. It also means the monthly PCP finance cost isn't that much higher.” – John Howell, Deputy Reviews Editor

Read our in-depth BMW X7 review

It's rare to find a car with a breadth of talents which are as wide as the Hyundai Santa Fe – but then again, this is a very big car to begin with.

No matter which seat you end up in, you'll find that you've got plenty of head and leg room to stretch out. Indeed, even though space in the middle row is vast, the third row is still amazingly spacious, especially relative to other seven-seaters such as the Mazda CX-80 and Peugeot 5008. And here, the same boxy styling which might have heads turning as you drive by ensures that even taller adults will have good head room in the rear.

Up front, drivers will appreciate the Santa Fe's terrific driving position, which places you high above the road and offers you plenty of adjustment to get comfortable. It also affords you a great view out of the car, with big wing mirrors and a good view out of the back – helped by a rear-view mirror which doubles as a screen to show a camera feed of what's behind you on some models.

There are only two choices of engine in the Santa Fe, a 1.6-litre hybrid, or the same engine with plug-in hybrid power. Both should help to lower your fuel bills compared with a purely combustion-engined car, but it's worth noting that no version feels especially quick.

“I recently spent a long journey in the Santa Fe, and because it comes with the brand's Relaxation Seats, which recline right back and include a leg rest, it was one of the most comfortable passenger experiences in recent memory.” – Lawrence Cheung, New Cars Editor

Read our in-depth Hyundai Santa Fe review

Britain's best small car is also one which has been consistently popular for generations – the Renault Clio.

This latest version gets bold looks to keep it in line with Renault's larger offerings, most notably the Megane E-Tech electric car and the Austral family SUV, but there's plenty of substance to go with that style.

You can choose between regular petrol or hybrid power in the Clio, and while the former's 1.0-litre three-cylinder setup won't set any performance records – it offers just 90bhp and can sprint from 0-62mph in a relatively leisurely 12.3sec – it's perfectly fine for dashing around town. Indeed, it's our recommended choice for most buyers, not least because it helps to keep the price as low as possible.

The hybrid, meanwhile, produces 143bhp from its petrol engine and electric motor, meaning it feels faster, although it can take the engine a little time to wake up when you're accelerating from a standstill.

The rival Skoda Fabia or Volkswagen Polo do a better job of rounding off potholes, but the Clio fights back with more direct steering, meaning you get a better sense of connection to what the front wheels are up to than you would in the Fabia or Vauxhall Corsa.

The Clio's temptingly low price is backed up by low running costs and a strong array of standard kit. Indeed, even entry-level Evolution trim comes with everything you're likely to need.

“I found the Clio's driving position very comfortable, and it's easy to see all around the car. Even better, it features materials which belie its price, comparing well with both the Polo and the Audi A1.” – Darren Moss, Deputy Editor

Read our in-depth Renault Clio review

Its looks might remind you of cars from the 1970s, but there's nothing retro under the skin of this small electric car.

The cheapest versions of the Renault 5 get a 121bhp electric motor which offers pretty nippy acceleration, with the 0-62mph sprint taking 9.0sec. The more powerful 148bhp versions cut that time considerably, and is our recommended choice, not only for its increased performance, but also because it comes with a larger 52kWh battery, giving an official range of 253 miles between charges.

On city streets, the R5's tight turning circle makes navigating city traffic easy, but this is also a car which offers pleasant and confidence-inspiring handling when you move on to faster roads. The brakes deserve a special mention, too, because it's easier to slow down smoothly in the Renault 5 than it is in rivals, and indeed compared with other electric Renault models, such as the Megane and Scenic.

If you like to stand out from the crowd, then there are myriad ways you can make your R5 your own, from various paint and decal options for the outside, to a 3D-printed baguette holder for the inside. Speaking of the inside, we've been impressed both with the quality of materials used for the R5, but also the ease of use of its Google-based infotainment system.

With so many talents, then, it's little wonder that the Renault 5 was crowned as our overall Car of the Year in 2025.

“It shows the sheer value of the Renault 5 that even the most expensive version still qualifies for the Government's electric car grant.” – Will Nightingale, Reviews Editor

Read our in-depth Renault 5 review

Our reigning Small Electric SUV of the Year is a top choice if you want to go electric but still want the practicality of an SUV – indeed, you'll find that your rear passengers have more room to stretch out than they would in the rival Jeep Avenger Electric, Mini Countryman and Volvo EX30. Plus, there'll be more space for your luggage than in most rivals.

No matter which EV3 you go for, you'll get a 201bhp electric motor driving the front wheels, but depending on whether you go for the Standard Range or Long Range model, you'll get ranges varying from 270-375 miles. Given that even the Standard Range beats the ranges offered by some rivals, it's the one we'd recommend you go for. And when you do need to charge, a 10-80% top-up could take as little as half an hour if you find a suitably quick charging point. In any case, the Standard Range's 100kW maximum charging rate matches that of the Hyundai Kona Electric.

The EV3's relatively soft suspension setup delivers a plush ride around town, and a smooth experience on the motrway. No version is especially agile, though – this is an electric SUV geared more towards comfort than thrills. There's more body lean through corners than either the EX30 or Skoda Elroq, and the nose dives noticably when you hit the brakes.

“I value usability over a slick interface, so I was pleased to see that the EV3 features physical buttons for its climate control – that's not something you get on the Skoda Elroq or Volvo EX30.” – Doug Revolta, Head of Video

Read our in-depth Kia EV3 review

The Elroq is a great choice for growing families who want to go electric, because it offers the sort of practicality they'll love, at a price which won't break your bank balance.

Unlike some electric cars, there's space for three passengers to sit comfortably on the rear bench, and the middle-seat passenger doesn't get a raw deal, because there's no tunnel for them to straddle. Nobody needs to pack light, either, because the Elroq's boot can squeeze in six carry-on suitcases. And while that's one less than we managed to fit into the MG S5 or Renault Scenic, the Elroq beats those cars when it comes to driving.

For example, every Elroq copes better at changes of direction than either of those cars, with well-weighted and precise steering, and the sort of tight turning circle which makes navigating tight city streets a breeze. It's the range-topping 85 model which we recommend these days, and that gets you the most powerful 282bhp motor and the largest 77kWh battery. That means an official range of up to 360 miles between charges, which should be more than enough for most familes.

As a bonus, the Elroq 85 also has the fastest charging rate of any version, being able to accept up to 175kW. And if you can find a charger capable of delivering that rate, a 10-80% top-up will take less than half an hour.

“It's worth considering adding Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) on Elroq 85 models, especially if you go for Sportline trim. I found the DCC's Comfort mode gave the Elroq an impressively plush ride, especially considering the 20in alloy wheels.” – Dan Jones, Senior Reviewer

Read our in-depth Skoda Elroq review

Think of this entry for the BMW 4 Series as being two recommendations in one – because whether you opt for it as a coupé or as a convertible, this is one fantastic car.

There's no diesel option for high-mileage 4 Series drivers though, meaning your engine choices are confined to a 181bhp petrol in the 420i, or a 369bhp six-cylinder alternative in the range-topping M440i. While the latter is bombastically fast, the former is the option we recommend – it's perfectly fast enough for most situations, yet should also be reasonably economical to run.

In the 4 Series Coupé, the standard passive suspension allows you to scythe through corners more enthusiastically than you could in the rival Audi A5 or Mercedes CLE. And while the 4 Series Convertible is heavier due to the extra body strengthening it requires, it'll still tackle corners with agility and poise – and with steering that's precise enough to let you place the car exactly where you want it.

Inside, both cars benefit from BMW's iDrive infotainment system, which sets the standard for usability thanks to its rotary controller on the centre console. You can also interact with the system via your voice, touch or gestures, but the physical controller makes it easy to use on the move. Build quality is first rate, too.

“Most versions of the 4 Series benefit from mild hybrid technology – which I love because it helps to lower my fuel bills” – Lawrence Cheung, New Cars Editor

Read our in-depth BMW 4 Series review

The Lexus LBX mixes hybrid efficiency with the kind of premium interior and comfort you'd expect from the Lexus brand – and all at a price which won't break the bank.

Based on the Toyota Yaris Cross – which, remember, is the most efficient car to ever go through our real-world fuel economy tests – the LBX features a 1.5-litre petrol engine working in tandem with an electric motor. That engine has been tuned for more power, though, so the LBX feels noticably faster than its Toyota sibling. Indeed, it's quicker up to 62mph than the rival, petrol-only Audi Q2 30 TFSI.

The engine is wonderfully refined, and the LBX switches between its power sources very well. The interior is plush, too, featuring high-quality materials and thoughtful spaces for your odds and ends. The clean, uncluttered dashboard keeps things simple, but we like that there are physical controls for the climate – which makes changing the temperature on the move a doddle.

Although only a small SUV, the LBX still has a decent amount of space, although rear-seat passengers will find that they have more room to stretch out in the Skoda Kamiq or Q2. Despite losing a little boot space to its battery, we managed to fit the same number of carry-on suitcases (six) below the LBX's parcel shelf as we did in the Q2.

As a bonus, Lexus regularly finishes among the top brands in our survey of the most reliable new cars, suggesting that its cars simply don't go wrong – and in the rare cases that they do, the brand is quick to put things right.

“Despite wearing a premium badge, the LBX represents fantastic value. Not only should it be cheap to run, but prices start at less than £30,000. Plus, strong residual values should mean relatively low PCP finance costs.” – Stuart Milne, Digital Editor

Read our in-depth Lexus LBX review