Jaguar I-Pace

BMW 3 Series

Audi Q8 e-tron

Mercedes A-Class

Porsche Cayenne Coupé

Alpine A110

Mini Convertible

Toyota Corolla Touring Sports

coming-soon-new-cars-worth-waiting-for

<p>Planning to buy a new car? Think you know what you want? Well, before you sign on the dotted line, make sure you read our round-up of the models coming soon, because there's an awful lot of new metal&nbsp;that could be worth waiting for, whether you're after something small, spacious, sporty or stylish.</p>

<p>Here are the hottest new arrivals scheduled for the next 18 months. Keep this page bookmarked, because we'll be keeping it up to date with all the most exciting&nbsp;new releases&nbsp;as soon as we know about them.</p>


Cars coming soon

Hatchback

<p dir="ltr">A former motorsport team and independent tuning company, Abarth is now owned by Fiat and responsible for the firm’s sportiest cars.</p>

<p dir="ltr">In recent years, Fiat has even tried to establish Abarth as a standalone brand – in the same way that Citroën has split off its DS luxury division. However, the major difference is that DS cars look completely different from the Citroëns on which they’re based, whereas Abarths rely on bodykits and big wheels to mark them out.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The Abarth 595, for example, is a beefed-up Fiat 500 hatchback, while the Abarth 124 Spider is a hotter version of its Fiat namesake.</p>


ABARTH

<h3><strong>Abarth 500e</strong></h3>

<p>Set to go down in history as the first production electric <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-hot-hatches-2023/n17005">hot hatch</a>, this is what you get when Fiat’s performance arm turns its attention to the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/fiat/500/hatchback/review/n84">battery-powered 500</a>. A 152bhp motor thrusts the 500e from 0-62mph in 7.0sec, accompanied by an electronic soundtrack that evokes the distinctive rasp of the Abarth 595’s petrol engine.</p>


Spring 2023

<p dir="ltr">Munich-based BMW is most famous for its sports saloons, in particular the 3 Series and 5 Series. However, it actually builds almost every type of car imaginable: everything from two-seat convertibles to seven-seat MPVs.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The cheapest model in the BMW range is the 1 Series hatchback, which is a rival to the Audi A3, Mercedes-Benz A-Class and Volkswagen Golf. Meanwhile, at the other extreme is the i8 plug-in hybrid sports car, which costs more than £100,000.</p>

<p dir="ltr">BMW was also quick to capitalise on the rise of the SUV and now has six in its range: the X1, X2, X3, X4, X5 and X6.</p>

<p dir="ltr">All of this makes it one of the big three German prestige brands, along with Audi and Mercedes-Benz.</p>


<h3><strong>BMW XM</strong></h3>

<p>If big is beautiful, the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/2022-bmw-xm-suv-revealed-price-specs-and-release-date/n23832">BMW XM</a> has the potential to be a supermodel. Not only is it absolutely massive, at just over 5.1m long, but it will also be the&nbsp;most expensive and most powerful&nbsp;BMW SUV you can buy, combining&nbsp;a thumping V8 petrol engine with two electric motors. Together, all this&nbsp;produces a whopping 740bhp, as well as 737lb ft of torque.</p>


Estate

<p dir="ltr">Honda is a company that doesn’t like to follow the crowd. So, while it competes in most of the traditional sectors of the car market, in each case it does something a little bit different.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The Jazz, for example, might look like just another rival to Britain’s best-selling car, the Ford Fiesta, but it’s actually much more practical than its rivals, with a flexible boot and Tardis-like interior.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The bigger Civic is also a practical choice, but it’s mainly distinguished by having eye-catching, love-it-or-hate-it styling, despite competing in a sector of the market that’s usually more conservative than a blue rosette.</p>

<p dir="ltr">And while it may not seem so radical now, Honda’s large SUV, the CR-V, was one of the first to forego any pretence of being an off-roader and instead focus on on-road driving dynamics.</p>


HONDA

CR-V

<h3><strong>Honda CR-V</strong></h3>

<p>Like the current version,&nbsp;the next&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/honda/cr-v/estate/review/n44">Honda CR-V</a>&nbsp;will be&nbsp;a hybrid, but one with more power, improved interior tech and extra space for passengers. It’s also worth noting that the new CR-V will be&nbsp;a hybrid that you don’t have to plug in. This is great for convenience, but means it probably won't be able to go very far (or fast) purely on electric power.</p>


<h3><strong>Honda e:NY1</strong></h3>

<p>Essentially an electric version of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/honda/hr-v/hatchback/review/n102">Honda HR-V</a>, the e:NY1 will kick off a whole new range of electric Honda models, ranging from hatchbacks to sports cars. Power will be supplied by&nbsp;a 70kWh battery, allowing the car to travel for around 300 miles between charges.</p>


<p dir="ltr">In the same way that Infiniti acts as Nissan’s premium arm, Lexus has a similar tie-in with Toyota. And since most of Toyota’s models are offered as hybrids, it’s no surprise to see the same from Lexus, although there are some traditional petrol engines, too.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The brand focuses heavily on SUVs – namely the NX and RX – but also has the CT hatchback, ES executive saloon and LS luxury car among its portfolio. More small and large SUVs are expected in the future.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Like Toyota, Lexus has built a very strong reputation for reliability and regularly finishes very close to the top of our annual Reliability Survey.</p>


LEXUS

<h3><strong>Lexus RZ</strong></h3>

<p>The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/2023-lexus-rz-450e-review-price-specs-and-release-date/n24492">Lexus RZ</a>&nbsp;is the Japanese premium brand's first bespoke electric car, and while its 536bhp electric motors and 250-mile range are both good talking points, the biggest one is the option of a yoke-style steering wheel. This is something Lexus expects a quarter of buyers to go for&nbsp;and which, it says, offers more direct feedback than conventional steering wheels, as well as a better view of the car's instruments.</p>


<p dir="ltr">Mercedes’ line-up is vast – ranging from the A-Class family hatchback through to staple saloons such as the C-Class and E-Class, and onwards towards multiple SUVs, luxury saloons and even sports cars. Coupés and convertibles are thrown into the mix as well.</p>

<p dir="ltr">As one of the ‘big three’ German brands, Mercedes most often finds itself competing with Audi and BMW but more recently has found itself fending off Jaguar and Volvo, too.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Mercedes models are known for comfort. One example of this is the E-Class, because while the Audi A6 has a plusher interior and the BMW 5 Series handles better, the E-Class is probably the most comfortable for a long motorway journey.</p>


MERCEDES-BENZ

<h3><strong>Mercedes EQS SUV</strong></h3>

<p>There is already a car called the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/eqs/saloon/review/n24120">Mercedes EQS</a>, but where that model is a luxury saloon, this one is&nbsp;an SUV (obviously). It will have&nbsp;the same sort of high-tech&nbsp;interior as its sibling, though, including an enormous (optional) 55.0in 'Hyperscreen'. It also promises a long range between charges, with up to 410 miles possible with entry-level 450+ models – enough to get you from London to Manchester&nbsp;and back&nbsp;without stopping.</p>


<h3><strong>Mercedes EQT</strong></h3>

<p>In stretched, long-wheelbase guise, this electric people carrier will be longer,&nbsp;wider and taller than the rival&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/caddy/mpv/review/n24292">Volkswagen&nbsp;Caddy Maxi</a>. It&nbsp;also features seven-seats, a second row that has been designed to accommodate three child seats,&nbsp;and sliding doors on both sides of the vehicle for easy access to the third row. The standard wheelbase variant is expected to have&nbsp;a more conventional five-seat layout.&nbsp;</p>


<p dir="ltr">Owned by Mercedes-Benz and with a reputation for making small, clever cars, Smart offers a striking, upmarket alternative to more conventional rivals.</p>

<p dir="ltr">It currently has a two-car line-up, the smaller of the two being the distinctive Fortwo, which, as its name suggests, is an ultra-short two-seater that uses an unusual rear-engined configuration to deliver the sort of turning circle that even London taxis can only dream of. It's a doddle to park in small spaces, too.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Smart's 'family car' is the Forfour, which is little more than a stretched version of the Fortwo, with a second row of seats and a larger boot. It's more of a natural rival for cars like the Hyundai i10 or Kia Picanto.</p>

<p dir="ltr">On paper, both cars come at a considerable price premium when compared with rivals, something it says is justified by its badge appeal and the technology in the cars.&nbsp;However, sales have been slow and there are often keen Target Price deals to be found.</p>


SMART

<h3><strong>Smart #1</strong></h3>

<p><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/2023-smart-suv-revealed-price-specs-and-release-date/n24393">Smart's first SUV</a>&nbsp;will use an 86kWh battery that&nbsp;is capable of providing more than 300 miles of range between charges. A 12.8in touchscreen takes care of most of the car's functions, while a virtual assistant can do things like set the climate control or change the radio station. You&nbsp;can also use your phone&nbsp;to get into the car, rather than a traditional key.</p>


<h3><strong>Aiways U5</strong></h3>

<p>Our first drive&nbsp;of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/2023-aiways-u5-review-price-specs-and-release-date/n24722">Aiways U5</a>&nbsp;suggested that this Chinese electric SUV&nbsp;is competent and cable in most respects, and highly impressive when it comes to space and tech. It should&nbsp;cost around £40,000 in fully loaded form, which is the sort of money you'll pay for the entry-level versions of better-known rivals.</p>


Summer 2023

<p dir="ltr">Ford builds some of the most popular cars in the UK, including the Fiesta and Focus hatchbacks.</p>

<p dir="ltr">This success is partly down to longevity and the fact that there’s a Ford dealer around every corner. However, it’s also because Fords tend to offer good value and be among the best cars in their respective classes to drive.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The company’s huge range also helps; it offers everything from the small – but surprisingly practical – Ka+ to the large and lavishly equipped Edge SUV.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Meanwhile, other highlights of the range include the S-Max and Galaxy people carriers, the Mondeo executive car and the Ranger pick-up.</p>


FORD

RANGER

<h3><strong>Ford Ranger</strong></h3>

<p>Should&nbsp;your DIY project get&nbsp;horribly out of hand, the next&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/ranger/4x4/review/n17250">Ford Ranger</a>&nbsp;will have&nbsp;your back. Its tailgate has built-in clamps to secure a workbench, and the load bed is floodlit for when your woodworking runs deep into the night. Inside, comfort is claimed to have been boosted,&nbsp;too, so you have somewhere nice to sulk, should your efforts fall short of the interior’s quality.</p>


<p dir="ltr">One of the world’s most famous brands and an integral part of the Formula 1 grid since the first championship in 1950, Ferrari fully lives up to its exalted reputation, producing some of the best sports cars money can buy.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Its entry-level model (although that term hardly seems appropriate) is the Portofino convertible, which is powered by a twin-turbo V8 and capable of blasting from 0-62mph in 3.5sec.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Then further up the range you find the mid-engined 488s, in coupé and Spider forms, and two GT cars: the GTC4 Lusso and the appropriately named 812 Superfast, a V12 monster that can hit 211mph.</p>


FERRARI

<h3><strong>Ferrari Purosangue</strong></h3>

<p>The <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/2023-ferrari-purosangue-suv-revealed/n24972">Ferrari Purosangue</a> – which means ‘thoroughbred’ in Italian – is the brand’s first SUV. And with&nbsp;a monstrous 715bhp 6.5-litre V12 petrol engine under the bonnet, it's also the most powerful SUV yet. The&nbsp;0-62mph sprint takes just 3.3sec, while top speed is 192mph, but the&nbsp;Purosangue is also a reasonably practical choice, with four doors and four proper seats.</p>


<p dir="ltr">Fancy something small, lightweight and fast? Then Lotus possibly has the right car for you. In fact ‘simplify then add lightness’ was the mantra of company founder Colin Chapman as far back as 1952.</p>

<p dir="ltr">These days, Lotus sells four models, with the core of the range being the Elise. Then there’s the more hardcore 3-Eleven, the sporty Exige and the Evora – which is pitched as a rival to the Porsche Cayman.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Big changes are afoot, though, because Lotus plans to build its own SUV in the near future, with the hope of broadening the brand’s appeal to families. The planned car will use Volvo underpinnings and will tackle rivals such as the Porsche Macan and Maserati Levante.</p>


LOTUS

<h3><strong>Lotus Eletre</strong></h3>

<p>Lotus is going electric, and as well as being the brand's first EV, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/2023-lotus-eletre-suv-revealed-price-specs-and-release-date/n24344">Lotus Eletre</a>&nbsp;is its&nbsp;first SUV. It will&nbsp;be offered in three forms, with&nbsp;even entry-level versions believed&nbsp;to have at least 592bhp and four-wheel drive. A 100kWh battery will be standard, allowing the Eletre to travel up to 348 miles on a charge. And if you do need to stop, charging up to 80% could take as little as 18 minutes if you can find a charging point capable of supplying the Eletre at its maximum rate of 270kW.</p>


Coupe

<p dir="ltr">Do you look at the models of Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz and find them all a bit too… common? Well then, Maserati might be up your street.</p>

<p dir="ltr">This Italian car maker has one SUV in its line-up – the Porsche Cayenne-rivalling Levante – but also the Ghibli and Quattroporte saloons, GranTurismo coupé and GranCabrio drop-top.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Despite its long history, Maserati has been through several periods of inactivity but is now in better health thanks to being part of the large Fiat Chrysler Automobiles group.</p>

<p dir="ltr">In the future, we’re expecting to see Maserati grow its SUV range with new models to sit above and below the Levante, as well as a new range-topping sports car.</p>


MASERATI

GRANTURISMO

<h3><strong>Maserati GranTurismo</strong></h3>

<p>The styling of the next&nbsp;Maserati GranTurismo is evolutionary rather than revolutionary, but it's a different story under the skin;&nbsp;in addition to&nbsp;V6 and V8 engines, this&nbsp;four-seat coupé will be offered in fully electric 'Folgore' form. Maserati is yet to reveal any performance figures.</p>


<p dir="ltr">Peugeot has its strongest model line-up for some years, with some of its cars now rated by our testers as being among the very best available.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Highlights focus around the firm’s newest SUVs, the 3008 and 5008. The 5008 was named Large SUV of the Year at the 2018 What Car? Awards, thanks to its appealing blend of space, interior quality and low running costs.</p>

<p dir="ltr">That bodes well for future launches, too, because many of the learnings from these cars will be passed on as new versions of existing cars are launched – something that could take many years, because the Peugeot range is so big, ranging from an entry-level supermini with the 108 to an executive saloon with the 508, up into the SUV range and also vans.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Buyers should evaluate some of the lower-rated cars in the range more carefully, though. Some are now quite old, and are subsequently left behind in terms of quality when compared with the opposition, making them below-average buys, in our estimation.</p>


PEUGEOT

<h3><strong>Peugeot e-308</strong></h3>

<p>The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/308/hatchback/review/n17380">Peugeot 308</a>&nbsp;is already available in petrol,&nbsp;diesel and plug-in hybrid forms, but the e-308 adds&nbsp;fully electric power to the list. You'll be able to order the car as a hatchback or&nbsp;an estate&nbsp;called the e-308 SW, with the latter version entering a market where buyers currently have few options; indeed,&nbsp;the only electric estate on sale at the moment is the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mg-motor-uk/mg5/hatchback/review/n22011">MG 5</a>.</p>


<p dir="ltr">Hatchbacks, SUVs, fast cars, electric cars: Renault makes them all, in a variety of shapes and sizes, so it has a line-up designed to tempt pretty much everyone.</p>

<p dir="ltr">From the roadside, the standout feature of them all is the design, with its cars now having a distinctive look that has won the firm a legion of fans for its flair and charm.</p>

<p dir="ltr">To drive and to own, the line-up is typically decent rather than outstanding. Best of the cars when they are rated against rivals are the Kadjar SUV, the fast RS models and the electric Zoe.</p>

<p>With new and used pricing also keen – and Target Price discounts through our New Car Buying marketplace usually more generous than most – there is the opportunity to negotiate an appealing price.</p>


RENAULT

<h3><strong>Renault Austral</strong></h3>

<p>The&nbsp;all-new Austral SUV is the replacement for today's slow-selling&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/kadjar/hatchback/review/n92">Renaul Kadjar</a>, bringing bolder looks, a drastically enhanced equipment&nbsp;list and a mix of hybrid and electric power options in a bid to 'win back'&nbsp;buyers.</p>


<p dir="ltr">Tesla is a US brand&nbsp;that revolutionised&nbsp;the car industry, putting <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-electric-cars-2022/n17000">electric cars</a> in the limelight&nbsp;for the first time – helped by the personality and profile of boss Elon Musk.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Today, Tesla has a broader&nbsp;line-up than ever, with the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tesla/model-3/saloon/review/n19010">Tesla Model 3</a> saloon&nbsp;and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tesla/model-y/hatchback/review/n23624">Tesla Model Y</a> SUV the company's cheapest models. For those with bigger budgets or a need for more space, there's the larger <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tesla/model-s/hatchback/review/n150">Tesla Model S</a> saloon and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tesla/model-x/hatchback/review/n161">Tesla&nbsp;Model X</a> SUV.&nbsp;A&nbsp;new Roadster, complete with supercar-beating acceleration, is also in the works.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


TESLA

MODEL S

<h3><strong>Tesla Model S</strong></h3>

<p>First introduced to the UK in 2014, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tesla/model-s/hatchback/review/n150">Tesla Model S</a>&nbsp;luxury car will benefit from&nbsp;a big interior update when the facelifted version goes on sale in the UK next year. Most obviously,&nbsp;the&nbsp;portrait-orientated touchscreen&nbsp;infotainment system&nbsp;that we're used has been&nbsp;ditched in favour of a 17.0in landscape unit that looks to be better integrated into the dashboard.&nbsp;Beyond the&nbsp;new interior, the big news is the introduction of a 1006bhp&nbsp;Plaid variant, which is said to accelerate from&nbsp;0-60mph in just 1.99sec.</p>


MODEL X

<h3><strong>Tesla Model X</strong></h3>

<p>The&nbsp;large&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tesla/model-x/hatchback/review/n161">Tesla Model X</a>&nbsp;SUV will get the same interior changes as the Model S, plus its own flagship Plaid edition, which can get from 0-60mph in 2.5sec. That's around a second quicker&nbsp;than the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/porsche/cayenne/estate/review/n17375">Porsche Cayenne</a>&nbsp;Turbo S E-Hybrid.</p>


<p dir="ltr">Vauxhall has an incredibly diverse range of cars on sale, a few of which stand out above the class average. Add in the fact that it still offers some of the largest Target Price discounts in the market (something it is trying, without huge success, to cut back on), and there are very good reasons to consider buying one of its better models.</p>

<p dir="ltr">However, you need to choose carefully, because it is also a brand in transition. It has a newish parent company – the same one that owns Citroën, DS and Peugeot. And while Vauxhall’s newer models tend to be competitive, some of the others feel dated; a quick check of our star ratings will reveal which is which.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Still, given the recent success of sister brands Citroën and especially Peugeot, each new launch should make its range more appealing to buyers.</p>


VAUXHALL

ASTRA

<h3><strong>Vauxhall Astra Electric</strong></h3>

<p>EV-loving Vauxhall fans who need something bigger than the Corsa Electric are in luck.&nbsp;Closely related to the Peugeot e-308, which is due on sale at the same time, the Astra will be powered by a&nbsp;55kWh battery and a 258-mile official range. A 100kW charging rate means a 10-80% top-up can take 30 minutes. Its arrival will give buyers the choice of specifying their Astra with petrol, diesel. plug-in hybrid or pure-electric power.</p>


<p dir="ltr">If you want a new car but would rather not spend much, Dacia is a great place to start your search.</p>

<p dir="ltr">This budget brand builds one of Britain’s cheapest new cars, the Sandero hatchback. And don’t think cheap automatically means corners have been cut because the Sandero has been commended at the annual What Car? Car of the Year awards on numerous occasions.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Other Dacia models include the seven-seat Jogger, higher-riding Sandero Stepway, Logan estate and Duster SUV. And while these cost slightly more than the Sandero, they’re still priced aggressively enough that they’re really only competing directly with used cars.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Dacia manages this by borrowing platforms and technology from its owner, Renault, to minimise development costs.</p>


DACIA

<h3><strong>Dacia Bigster</strong></h3>

<p>With an expected price of around £20,000, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/new-dacia-bigster-large-suv-%E2%80%93-what-we-know-so-far/n22547">Dacia Bigster</a>&nbsp;should comfortably be the cheapest&nbsp;large SUV&nbsp;you can buy when it goes on sale towards the end of the year. This&nbsp;seven-seater will be offered both as a&nbsp;hybrid&nbsp;and as a bi-fuel model that can run on either petrol or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). The hybrid will feature a 1.6-litre petrol engine and two electric motors.</p>


Winter 2023

MUSTANG

<h3><strong>Ford Mustang</strong></h3>

<p>Not to be confused with the fully electric&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/mustang-mach-e/estate/review/n22387">Ford Mustang Mach-E</a>, this new, seventh-generation&nbsp;version of the classic&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/mustang/coupe/review/n17149">Ford Mustang</a> muscle car will be sold with the&nbsp;familiar 5.0-litre V8 engine – tweaked to&nbsp;improve performance and fuel efficiency.&nbsp;As with the current model, a 2.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine will also be available, but with an increase in power over the current output of&nbsp;286bhp.</p>


Autumn 2023

<p dir="ltr">Buyers seeking value for money should have Kia towards the top of their shopping list.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Although once a niche brand in the UK, today Kia outsells many more established brands, helped by its market-leading seven-year warranty and a strong reputation for reliability; in fact, Kia regularly finishes towards the top of our reliability surveys.</p>

<p dir="ltr">There are plenty of models to choose from, too, ranging from the small Picanto city car to the Ceed family hatchback and the Sorento large SUV. The Picanto was the first Kia to win its class at the What Car? Car of the Year awards.</p>


<h3><strong>Kia EV9</strong></h3>

<p>Kia's flagship electric SUV will offer charging&nbsp;speeds of up to 350kW – if you can find a suitably juicy charger. Multiple variants of the EV9 will be offered, with the sportiest able to cover the 0-62mph sprint in around 5.0sec.</p>


<p dir="ltr">Talk about taking an idea and running with it. The big-selling Mini hatchback is still at the core of the firm’s range, but its cute styling and relatively compact dimensions have been spun off into an estate (the Clubman) and an SUV (the Countryman), as well as a convertible.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Despite its small size, the Mini is a firmly premium product, and the three-door hatchback counts the Audi A1 and Volkswagen Polo among its key rivals.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The fact that Mini is owned by BMW brings some big advantages –&nbsp;not least the fact that its infotainment system is based on BMW’s industry-leading iDrive.</p>


MINI

HATCHBACK

<h3><strong>Mini Cooper</strong></h3>

<p>The name ‘Cooper’ – previously a mere trim level – will apply to every version of BMW’s new <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/fiat/500/hatchback/review/n22352">Fiat 500</a> rival.&nbsp; The word ‘Mini’ gains new relevance, too; the new <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-small-cars-2023/n16997">small car</a> will be shorter and narrower&nbsp;than the previous model. The Mini Cooper will offer&nbsp;petrol or electric power choices, while a new circular touchscreen mirrors the central speedometer that was once a Mini hallmark</p>


<p dir="ltr">Toyota is a company undergoing a quiet revolution, as it works hard to replace its sensible but somewhat bland reputation with one for being a bit more daring, in areas such as the styling of its cars and its enthusiastic leadership of cutting-edge technology, such as hybrid systems.</p>

<p dir="ltr">That process seems to be working for buyers, with the hugely popular and striking-looking C-HR SUV in particular attracting a great deal of interest. The latest version of the hybrid Prius is also rated highly by What Car?; it’s the first Prius to go on sale that our testers have felt can truly compete all round with existing petrol or diesel rivals.</p>

<p dir="ltr">However, it’s worth noting that this period of transition is also a work in progress, and that many of the firm’s cars are still rated as being no more than average among class rivals by our testers.</p>


TOYOTA

BZ4X

<h3><strong>Toyota bZ3X</strong></h3>

<p>The bZ range of electric cars will expand with a smaller sister to the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/bz4x/hatchback/review/n24187">Toyota bZ4X</a>, and under its more streamlined bodywork it’s expected to share that model’s 71.4kWh battery. That means it’s likely to match or beat its sibling’s official range of 317 miles, putting it slightly ahead of its <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volvo/c40/estate/review/n23649">Volvo C40</a> rival. Among innovations are a yoke-style steering wheel shared with the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/2023-lexus-rz-450e-review-price-specs-and-release-date/n24492">Lexus RZ</a>.</p>


<p dir="ltr">Yes, Aston Martin is the preferred manufacturer of a certain (not so) secret agent, but its latest cars offer a lot more than the chance to indulge your Bond fantasies.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The DB11 grand tourer, for example, won its price point at the What Car? Car of the Year Awards, thanks to its beautifully crafted interior and the fact that it’s both fun in the corners and a convincing long-distance cruiser. Meanwhile, the latest Vantage is Aston Martin’s best sports car to date.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The modern Aston Martin isn’t afraid to move with the times, either, with a luxury SUV part of its future model plans.</p>


ASTON MARTIN

<h3><strong>Aston Martin Valhalla</strong></h3>

<p>The&nbsp;Valhalla will be Aston Martin's first&nbsp;plug-in hybrid model, but the primary reason for electrifying it is to boost performance rather than efficiency. The looks are pure concept car, while&nbsp;learnings from the Aston Martin F1 team are said to have inspired the aerodynamics.</p>


Late 2023

POLESTAR

<h3><strong>Polestar 3</strong></h3>

<p>Most details about Polestar's third model are still&nbsp;under wraps; the firm has so far&nbsp;released only side and rear images. However,&nbsp;we do know that it will be a large and luxurious&nbsp;SUV and that the front-end design will be influenced by the futuristic Precept concept car.</p>


MEGANE E-TECH

<h3><strong>Renault Scenic</strong></h3>

<p>Fans of the French brand will recognise this new model's&nbsp;name, but the next Scenic will be an SUV rather than an <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-mpvs-and-people-carriers-2023/n17001">MPV</a>. Slotting in at the top of the range, the Scenic will be bigger than the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/megane-e-tech/hatchback/review/n24175">Megane E-Tech</a>. The concept (pictured) uses hydrogen fuel cell technology, but the production Scenic will be battery powered – likely sharing its motor with the Megane.</p>


<p dir="ltr">When it comes to making a statement about how successful you are, there is no brand that shouts “I’ve made it!” more emphatically than Rolls-Royce.</p>

<p dir="ltr">If that’s all you want from your car, look no further. The firm has expanded its range in recent years, with the top-of-the-range Phantom saloon being joined by the Cullinan SUV, and other models including the Wraith and Ghost.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Whichever way you go, if you have to ask how much it costs, the chances are you can’t afford it. And, even then, the base price is unlikely to be what you end up spending, such is the list of alluring options on offer.</p>

<p>It’s also a moot point whether the cars themselves – rather than the image they portray – represents the very best way to spend your money. What Car?’s testers rate all of them positively but reckon that – if you’re buying with your head rather than your heart – there are other cars that you should also consider.</p>


ROLLS-ROYCE

<h3><strong>Rolls-Royce Spectre</strong></h3>

<p>The first electric Rolls-Royce will replace the Phantom coupé in the luxury marque’s range. And while few details have been revealed yet, we do know that the floor-mounted battery is completely flat underneath to&nbsp;improve aerodynamic efficiency and refinement.</p>


<p dir="ltr">Audi is a brand that sets the standard for interior quality, and this, combined with its vast and ever-growing model line-up, has helped it become one of the ‘big three’ German prestige car makers, along with BMW and Mercedes-Benz.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The A3 hatchback, A4 executive saloon and Q7 SUV have all won their classes at the What Car? Car of the Year Awards in recent years, while the TT coupé is the most decorated car in the history of the ceremony.</p>

<p dir="ltr">At least some of Audi's success over the past 30 years can be attributed to the growth in sales of vehicles with four-wheel drive; the company arguably led the way in bringing 4x4 technology into the mainstream, with its Quattro coupé in the early 1980s.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Today, most Audis are available with at least the option of four-wheel drive, while the list of SUVs from the brand includes the Q2, Q3, Q5 and Q7.</p>


AUDI

<h3><strong>Audi Q6 e-tron</strong></h3>

<p>A sister car to the upcoming electric <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/porsche/macan/4x4/review/n52">Porsche Macan</a>, the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/2022-audi-q6-e-tron-electric-suv-what-we-know-so-far/n23799">Audi Q6 e-tron</a> will (as its name suggests) sit between the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/q4/estate/review/n23194">Audi Q4 e-tron</a>&nbsp;and the&nbsp;Q8 e-tron&nbsp;in the brand's electric SUV line-up. Like the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/e-tron-gt/saloon/review/n22728">Audi E-tron GT</a>, the Q6 e-tron should feature 800-volt charging functionality, allowing it to take on electricity at speeds of up to 270kW. That’s fast enough to get the battery from&nbsp;10-80% in around 20 minutes&nbsp;(if you can find a suitably powerful charging point, of course).</p>


Early 2024

<p>The sportiest Seats have long used the&nbsp;Cupra name, but it's now been turned into a standalone sub-brand, in much the same way as Fiat's sportiest models are badged as Abarths.</p>

<p>There's just one car in the line-up at the moment: the Cupra Ateca SUV. However, Cupra versions of the Ibiza and Leon hatchbacks are also planned, as is a bespoke model which –&nbsp;initially, at least –&nbsp;won't be offered in regular Seat from.</p>

<p>Don't think that the first Cupra is just an Ateca with a bit more power and a sporty bodykit, either. Its&nbsp;engine, gearbox and four-wheel drive system are actually very similar to what you'll find in Volkswagen's flagship Golf R hot hatch, and the car can hit 62mph in just 5.4sec.</p>


CUPRA

<h3><strong>Cupra Tavascan</strong></h3>

<p>It&nbsp;already offers&nbsp;the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/cupra/born/hatchback/review/n23703">Cupra Born</a>, but Seat’s performance brand is planning a second electric car: the Tavascan <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-coupe-suvs-2022/n23014">coupé SUV</a>. An expected starting price of around £60,000 would see it undercut premium-badged rivals such as the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/e-tron/hatchback/review/n21908">Audi E-tron Sportback</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/jaguar/i-pace/estate/review/n122">Jaguar I-Pace</a>, while a predicted&nbsp;range of&nbsp;279 miles&nbsp;between charges is respectable, if not class leading.</p>


<p dir="ltr">Modern Fiats fall into two categories: the retro models and those with more functional designs.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Cars in the first camp appeal to the heart and include the 124 Spider sports car and the 500 series: a hatchback, a convertible, an SUV and two MPVs.</p>

<p dir="ltr">By contrast, the remaining models rely on their practicality and attractive pricing, with the Panda city car, Tipo hatchback and Fullback pick-up truck all prime examples.</p>

<p>Fiat can trace its roots back to the 19th century but is now part of the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles group, along with Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Jeep and Maserati.</p>


FIAT

<h3><strong>Fiat Centoventi</strong></h3>

<p>The Centoventi started life as a concept car in 2019, but it should&nbsp;become a production reality in 2024, replacing&nbsp;the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/fiat/panda/hatchback/review/n128">Fiat Panda</a>. The concept was built to be upgradable, giving owners the chance to increase its range or power over time.</p>


PANDA

<p><strong>Fiat Panda</strong></p>

<p>While the current Panda has too many compromises for us to recommend it, its electric successor should be right on the pace. Details are scarce, but the new car is expected to echo the same boxy style, and it’ll share tech with the forthcoming Jeep Avenger. That means an official range of around 250 miles is likely, as is a choice of front or four-wheel drive.</p>


<h3><strong>Fisker Ocean</strong></h3>

<p>You might&nbsp;not have heard of Fisker before, but the Ocean SUV's headline statistics are enough to make you stop and take notice. First up is its range:&nbsp;up to 390 miles on a charge. Then there's its performance, with even the entry-level version&nbsp;getting 275bhp from a single electric motor, which is enough to take you to 60mph in 6.6sec. As for the flagship model, this&nbsp;can cover the same sprint in just 3.3sec.</p>


<p dir="ltr">Porsche is best known as the quintessential sports car maker, but its line-up is increasingly diverse, interesting and successful, from its SUV family to the Panamera hatchback and shooting brake and, in time, a planned family of electric vehicles.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Whatever your choice, What Car?’s testers rate the cars highly; Porsche has an unusually high percentage of five and four-star cars.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Without exception, its sports cars are class leaders or among the class leaders, standing out for combining driving thrills with surprising luxury and comfort. Likewise, its SUVs are among the sharpest handling, as well as offering high levels of practicality and quality. Meanwhile, the Panamera is a true rival to the very best large executive saloons.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Porsche also sees itself as an electric car pioneer and has already enjoyed sales success with its plug-in hybrid range. Its first all-electric sports car is imminent, signalling the firm’s intent to stay relevant for many years to come.</p>


PORSCHE

MACAN

<h3><strong>Porsche Macan EV</strong></h3>

<p>A facelifted version of today's&nbsp;Porsche Macan&nbsp;was recently launched, but a fully electric Macan is also planned; it will be sold alongside the existing car, at least to start with. Using the same name for two different models is unusual&nbsp;– not to mention a little confusing&nbsp;– but Porsche appears to have made the decision based on the fact that these two SUVs are a similar size, even though they're not closely related under the skin.</p>


Sports

ROADSTER

<h3><strong>Tesla Roadster</strong></h3>

<p>This&nbsp;second-generation Tesla Roadster is an all-electric four-seat convertible that is claimed to accelerate from 0-60mph in 1.9sec; in other words, it’s blisteringly fast. With three electric motors, the Roadster is also said to have a top speed of more than 250mph, while an advanced 200kWh battery gives a claimed&nbsp;range of more than 600 miles. Prices are expected to start at about £190,000 for the first examples.</p>


INSIGNIA

<h3><strong>Vauxhall Insignia</strong></h3>

<p>The next <a href="whatcar.com/vauxhall/insignia/hatchback/used-review/n899">Vauxhall Insignia</a> is in line for some big changes, gaining chunkier styling and a beefier look as it transitions to become a&nbsp;halfway house&nbsp;between an executive&nbsp;car&nbsp;and an SUV. It's essentially a Vauxhall version of the&nbsp;Citroën C5 X&nbsp;and&nbsp;Peugeot 408, with at least one plug-in hybrid variant&nbsp;set to be available from launch. Expect a dramatically&nbsp;overhauled interior, too.</p>


<p dir="ltr">Volvo is now a true rival to the likes of Audi, BMW, Jaguar and Mercedes-Benz, offering an alternative take on premium executive cars to a rapidly growing fanbase.</p>

<p dir="ltr">After a string of strong launches – notably with the Mk2 XC90 and XC60 SUVs – it struck gold in early 2018 when it launched its smallest SUV, the XC40. When our testers compared the car with its rivals, they concluded that it was the best launch of the previous 12 months, earning it our coveted overall Car of the Year Award.</p>

<p>The good news is that, like many car makers, Volvo now uses the same structure underneath most of its cars – so if they get it right on one model, it usually bodes well for the rest. That’s the case here, with Volvo’s subsequent saloon and estate launches complementing the SUVs and making for a generally extremely appealing line-up.</p>


VOLVO

XC40

<h3><strong>Volvo EX30</strong></h3>

<p>Intended to appeal to younger buyers, this all-new electric SUV&nbsp;is smaller than its&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volvo/c40/estate/review/n23649">Volvo&nbsp;C40</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volvo/xc40/estate/review/n119">XC40 Recharge</a>&nbsp;stablemates, and it shares&nbsp;underpinnings with the upcoming Polestar 4 and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/smart/1/estate/review/n25016">Smart #1</a>. On that basis, a 68kWh battery is likely, providing a range of up to 270 miles on a full charge.</p>


<p><strong>Polestar 4</strong></p>

<p>Filling the gap between the Polestar 2 hatchback and upcoming Polestar 3 SUV, the 4 – seen here in camouflage – is a coupé SUV to rival the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV. Sharing underpinnings with the 2, the 4 is likely to offer a choice of rear or four-wheel drive, with as much as 536bhp in its most potent form. A 373-mile range is rumoured, too.</p>


Summer 2024

<p dir="ltr">The VW Group famously spends more money on research and development than any rival – and as a result, perhaps it should be no surprise that our testers rate its cars so consistently highly.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The fact that many of those cars use the same underpinnings also helps, because it means that if they get it right once, they have the foundations to keep on getting it right.</p>

<p dir="ltr">However, the Volkswagen brand faces plenty of tough competition, often from within, because the rapidly rising Seat and Skoda brands that are also part of the group have access to the same technology.</p>


VOLKSWAGEN

<h3><strong>Volkswagen ID Vizzion</strong></h3>

<p>First unveiled in concept form back in 2018, the Vizzion is a crucial part of Volkswagen's electric car plans. The production version's name is yet to be confirmed, but it'll be a rival to the Tesla Model 3-rival&nbsp;saloon and is expected to offer a range of up to 431 miles between charges. Just like most other ID-badged models, the range will be crowned by a GTX performance version.&nbsp;</p>


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