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; there are lots that could be worth waiting for, whether you’re after something small, something spacious or something stylish.
In this guide we look at every class of car. And we not only reveal what’s coming when, but what’s special about each of the newcomers.
Following the new Fiesta is the new Focus. The fourth-generation family hatchback sits on new underpinnings that are claimed to be a lot stiffer yet also lighter. And it has a curvier exterior than its predecessor, as well as being slightly lower and longer, with more space inside for occupants and luggage. The interior of the Focus is less button-heavy than before and features more soft-touch materials to help the car compete against its premium rivals. The dashboard is dominated by an 8.0in touchscreen that runs Ford’s latest Sync 3 infotainment software.
Engine options include a turbocharged 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol unit with 84bhp, 99bhp or 123bhp. There’s also a new 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol engine with 148bhp or 180bhp. Diesel buyers can choose from a 94bhp 1.5-litre or 148bhp 2.0-litre engine. Gearbox options are a six-speed manual or a new eight-speed automatic.
Prices for this latest Focus start from £17,930, which is a saving of more than £2000 on the old car.
Family cars: Mercedes-Benz A-Class
On sale: Summer
The outgoing A-Class lags behind its rivals, the Audi A3 Sportback and BMW 1 Series, in nearly every area, so this fourth-generation model has plenty of catching up to do.
It has more space between its axles than before, making more space inside; rear leg room is a real issue with the current A-Class. It also has a bigger boot.
Inside, there’s a new dashboard layout featuring a fully digital instrument display with similar functionality to Audi’s Virtual Cockpit, putting key information in front of the driver. Mercedes’ new MBUX infotainment system is also present, while the steering wheel has touchpads in place of buttons.
Other tech highlights include an optional upgrade to the standard automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assist that allows the A-Class to brake, accelerate and steer itself – something that no rival can do.
Buyers will be able to choose from a new range of petrol and diesel engines, and later a plug-in hybrid model, which pairs a 1.4-litre petrol engine with an electric motor. This should be able to drive for up to 31 miles on electric power alone.
An entry-level price of £24,000, although this will drop to about £22,000 when cheaper models are introduced in due course.
Family cars: Toyota Auris
On sale: Autumn 2018
Toyota’s British-built Auris family hatchback will enter its third generation later this year, being based on a new platform. Following the deletion of the diesel engine in the outgoing Auris, the new model will offer a 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine with 114bhp and two petrol-electric hybrid drivetrains, with 121bhp and 178bhp respectively.
Family cars: Hyundai i30 Fastback
On sale: Autumn
Hyundai is taking on the Audi A3 Saloon and Mazda 3 Fastback with this sleek new i30 variant. The i30 Fastback is slightly lower and longer than the i30 five-door hatchback and gets bespoke suspension designed to give it a sporty driving style. Engines include 1.0 and 1.4-litre petrols and two 1.6-litre diesels, while an entry-level price of around £17,000 is likely.
Family cars: Kia Ceed
On sale: Autumn
Kia’s fourth-generation Ceed takes aim at the Volkswagen Golf. The five-door family hatchback is the first of four variants, the others being an estate, a shooting brake and an SUV. Built on Kia’s new platform, the third-generation Ceed is lower and wider, giving improved space for passengers and in the boot. The car’s interior has also been redesigned, with a new 5.0in (this can be upgraded to 7.0 or 8.0in) dash-top infotainment touchscreen.Petrol engines include an updated version of the 118bhp 1.0-litre unit, plus a new 138bhp 1.4 and a naturally aspirated 99bhp 1.4. A 1.6 diesel engine is also available. Automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assist are standard. The new Ceed is expected to be priced from around £16,000.
Family cars: BMW 1 Series
On sale: 2019
The third-generation 1 Series will switch from rear-wheel drive to front-wheel drive – although the flagship 300bhp M130iX hot hach will have four-wheel drive. The switch of driven wheels should make new 1 Series lighter, more spacious and more practical than its predecessors.
Small cars: Audi A1
On sale: December
Audi is tackling the Mini hatchback head on with the second-generation A1. You see, the A1 already competes in the same market as the Mini but is outsold heavily by the retro-styled plush hatchback, which is, in fact, one of the UK’s best sellers overall.
How’s Audi planning to take the Mini’s top spot, then? Well, the new A1 shares much with the new Volkswagen Polo and Seat Ibiza – both of which have been very well received. This means it should be bigger, more refined and better to drive than the current A1.
Its looks will move more in line with those of the rest of Audi’s line-up, with a more aggressive-looking grille and the same angular styling as larger models such as the new A5 and Q5. What’s more, the new A1 will be available with five doors only, ditching the slow-selling three-door model in a move mirrored around the car industry.
Practicality will be a key area of improvement, with the new A1 benefiting from noticeably increased interior space and boot capacity over the current model.
The A1’s engine range will be mostly in line with the Polo’s. The petrols kick off with a three-cylinder 1.0 TFSI with up to 113bhp and is topped by a 148bhp four-cylinder 1.5 TFSI, which replaces the old 1.4-litre unit. Diesels are still under discussion, because the market is looking increasingly uncertain.
Gearbox options will be a six-speed manual and a seven-speed automatic. In-car technology will also be a large focus of the new A1, with Audi’s Virtual Cockpit digital instrument display taking centre stage. Onboard 4G internet and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring will be among the highlights, while safety systems include automatic emergency braking and pedestrian monitoring.
Prices for the A1, which currently start at £14,570, are likely to rise, but not by much. PCP deals should remain competitive.
Small cars: Vauxhall Corsa GSi
On sale: Summer
Vauxhall is discontinuing is rorty Corsa VXR hot hatch, but in its place it’s introducing this slightly softer Corsa GSi, which can best be compared with the Ford Fiesta ST-Line. While it borrows chassis hardware including suspension and brakes from the VXR in order to give it sharp handling, the GSi is expected to make do with a 148bhp 1.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, as opposed to the 202bhp 1.6-litre of its lairy older brother.
Small cars: MG 3
On sale: November
The new MG 3 will be revealed in spring 2018 and go on sale later in the year. The Anglo-Chinese brand will introduce the second-generation version of its funky Dacia Sandero rival with the aim of boosting perceived quality, with a less plasticky interior and styling reminiscent of MG’s ZS small SUV. Engines will be new and updated small petrol units.
Small cars: Vauxhall Corsa
On sale summer 2019
The next Corsa be bigger with more interior space and have styling inspired by the striking new Insignia. As a result of Vauxhall’s recent sale to the PSA Group, it will have new underpinnings shared with the Citroën C3, new tech and a range of frugal Peugeot-sourced engines. Both three and five-door Corsa models are likely to be offered and an entry-level price of £10,000 is expected.
e-Corsa Vauxhall has also confirmed that it will produce an electric variant of the new Corsa.
Small cars: Hyundai i20
On sale: June
Hyundai has updated its Ford Fiesta-rivalling i20 small hatchback for 2018. It gets a revised look, in the style of Hyundai’s new Kona small SUV. The diesel and 1.4-litre petrol engine have been dropped, while a seven-speed automatic gearbox is now an option. As for technology, the i20 gains Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring and new active safety systems, including lane departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, automatic emergency braking and a driver attention monitor. The price for the car is expected to rise slightly from today’s £11,910 to around £12,500.
Small cars: Toyota Aygo
Toyota is facelifting its Kia Picanto-rivalling city car with revised styling, an upgraded engine and improved refinement. The Aygo’s 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine has gained 2bhp, while torque remains unchanged, putitng it at 71bhp and 69lb ft. Official fuel economy has also increased, from 68.9mpg to 72.4mpg, which also means a drop in CO2 emissions. Alongside the powertrain improvements, Toyota has tweaked the Aygo’s suspension and steering settings to sharpen its responses. In addition, it gets thicker soundproofing that Toyota says enables a marked reduction in noise and vibration at all speeds.
Small cars: Renault Clio
On sale: Late 2019
The fifth-generation Clio will go on sale next year. Test cars have already been seen out in public with camouflaged bodywork, but it can still be seen that the look will be an evolution of today’s model. Of the few details we know so far, the most interesting is the introduction of a mild hybrid powertrain, as used in the Mégane Hybrid Assist. Safety systems, including one that allows the car to drive itself in traffic jams, will also be applied. Unexpectedly, diesel engines look set to remain.
Small cars: Skoda Fabia
On sale: May
The Fabia has been one of our favourite small hatchbacks in recent years, but it has recently slipped down the rankings with the arrival of the new Ford Fiesta, Seat Ibiza and Volkswagen Polo.
An all-new Fabia using the same platform as those latter two cars won’t arrive for a few years yet, so to keep it fresh, Skoda has updated it (and its estate sibiling) with revised front-end styling, new LED headlights, a refreshed interior design and more ‘Simply Clever’ features.
The infotainment gains a new 6.5in screen with Apple Carplay and Android Auto and real-time traffic data for the sat-nav. New active safety systems have also been added.
In addition, the 1.4-litre diesel engine is no longer available.
Small SUVs: Volkswagen T-Cross
On sale: December
The T-Cross will be Volkswagen’s smallest and funkiest SUV. It’s based on the excellent new Polo hatchback and will share that car’s range of engines, with the focus being on small turbocharged petrol motors. Four-wheel drive will be available on some T-Cross models, and a hot GTI-style model is planned. Rivals include the Renault Captur and Seat Arona.
Small SUVs: Audi SQ2
On sale: Winter
Audi’s baby SUV, the Q2, will soon have a sporty sister. The SQ2 will have more aggressive bodywork, a stylised interior and a 295bhp 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine – the same unit that’s used in the Audi S3 hot hatch, albeit detuned slightly. Key rivals include the Mini Countryman JCW. Expect prices to start at around £35,000.
Small SUVs: Jeep Wrangler
On sale: November
Jeep’s traditional off-roader is growing up, with a more luxurious (but still function-first) interior with a larger touchscreen. A 2.0-litre diesel will be the only engine for UK buyers. Off-road ability has been enhanced, with a host of driver assistance systems on offer, and a towing stability aid has been added. Both three and five-door bodystyles will be sold.
Family SUVs: BMW X2
On sale: Summer
Looking at BMW’s SUV range, the German brand seems to have every market filled. From the small X1, through the X3, X4, X5 and X6, and on to the forthcoming seven-seat X7, there’s an SUV to suit almost everyone. We say ‘almost’ because until now, there’s been a car missing: the X2. First shown in concept form in 2016, the last piece of BMW’s SUV puzzle is now falling into place.
Catering for the same SUV-coupé market as the larger X4 and X6, the X2 will take on stylish rivals such as the Jaguar E-Pace, Range Rover Evoque and Volvo XC40. It’s aimed at affluent younger buyers who want the practicality of an SUV but don’t like those cars’ traditional boxy shape.
Underneath, the X2 shares many of its components with the latest Mini Countryman – a car that has so far failed to impress us with its handling or ride quality – and the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer MPV.
The X2 will be offered with just three engines at launch: a turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol (sDrive20i) and two 2.0-litre diesels (xDrive20d and xDrive25d). The sDrive models are front-wheel drive and xDrive versions are four-wheel drive. In any case, an automatic gearbox is standard. The X2’s engine range will grow soon after launch, with the addition of more petrol and diesel models, including petrols with four-wheel drive and a hot M model with around 300bhp.
The X2 is available in four trim levels: SE, Sport, M Sport and M Sport X. Even entry-level SE gets you cruise control, sat-nav, 17in wheels and dual-zone climate control. Sport models additionally get sports seats, black gloss exterior trim, LED headlights and larger wheels. The M Sport models both sit on 19in wheels and receive bespoke bumpers and paintwork, as well as heated front seats.
Every X2 comes with BMW’s iDrive infotainment system, presented on a rotary dial-controlled 6.5in screen (although this can grow to 8.8in as an option).
The new X2 will be priced from £33,980 in its cheapest form, xDrive20d SE, making it more expensive than both the Evoque and E-Pace, by £3435 and £5480 respectively
Family SUVs: Dacia Duster
On sale: July
After five years on sale, Britain’s cheapest new SUV gets a bold new look, bringing it in line with the latest Dacia Sandero, plus new interior furnishings and an upgraded infotainment system. Engine options include a 1.6-litre petrol and 1.5-litre diesel. While the Duster’s starting price is expected to increase slightly, it should remain below £10,000.
Family SUVs: Honda CR-V
On sale: August
Honda’s Volkswagen Tiguan rival is wider, taller and longer than before, meaning more space inside for passengers and luggage. It also showcases a new look for Honda’s SUV range. The sole engine choice at launch will be a 1.5-litre petrol; a hybrid version, which mates a 2.0-litre petrol engine with an electric motor, will follow later in the year.
Family SUVs: Audi Q3
On sale: July
The Q3 is Audi’s rival to the BMW X1 and, for its second generation, has grown in almost every respect to differentiate itself from the smaller, funkier Q2. It’s also up to 50kg lighter than the old Q3 and will offer a wider range of petrol and diesel engines. Four-wheel drive will be available on some models, and a plug-in hybrid will come later in the car’s life.
Family SUVs: Lexus UX
On sale: early 2019
Lexus is introducing a new small SUV called the UX. The £30k Jaguar I-Pace rival shares its platform with the Toyota C-HR. It will offer petrol engines and a hybrid powertrain, while inside, an all-new infotainment system features.
Family SUVs: Cupra Ateca
On sale: autumn 2018
The Seat Ateca is one of our favourite family SUVs, and it will be the first model to be sold as a Cupra. The name Cupra has been used on Seat hot hatches since 1999, but it was recently announced that it will become a brand in its own right.
The Cupra Ateca gets larger brakes, quad-exit exhausts, more aggressive bodywork and lower, firmer suspension to go with its 296bhp 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, which has been borrowed from the Seat Leon Cupra R hot hatch. A 0-62mph time of 5.4 sec is claimed by Cupra
A price of about £35,000 is expected for the Cupra Ateca.
Family SUVs: Citroën C5 Aircross
On sale: Summer
The old Citroën C5 saloon has morphed into the C5 Aircross SUV and, in doing so, has gained Citroën’s now-familiar chunky styling and Airbump door protectors. Inside, it’s said to be one of the roomiest cars in its class and has a new 8.0in infotainment screen. Power comes from a range of familiar petrol and diesel engines, with a plug-in hybrid to follow.
Coupés, convertibles and sports cars: BMW Z4
On sale: Summer
Back in 2016, BMW and Toyota revealed they were collaborating on a new sports car project. The internet went wild with speculation. Could this project yield, at long last, successors to the Z4 and Supra?
We now know that yes, it will, and the Z4 will be the first to arrive. Previewed by the Z4 concept car pictured, the new sports convertible will have an electrically folding fabric roof that stows away under a tonneau cover at the rear of the car.
The futuristic interior of the concept will be toned down for production but will use mostly digital displays and a new version of BMW’s iDrive infotainment system.
With 310 litres of boot space, there’s also more room inside for luggage than in the old Z4 – partly thanks to the new car being wider and having more space between its axles.
Three petrol engines will be available at launch: a turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol producing 181bhp in the sDrive20i and 248bhp in the sDrive30i, and a 3.0-litre straight six in the M40i producing 355bhp.
A full-blown Z4 M performance model is planned; it’s likely to be powered by the same 425bhp 3.0-litre engine as the M3 super-saloon. Z4 buyers will be able to choose between a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic gearbox. As with the old Z4, all models will be rear-wheel drive.
It’s too early to talk official pricing, but a starting price of around £35,000 is likely.
The Toyota Supra coupé will follow the Z4 in the autumn and will be launched under the firm’s Gazoo performance brand. It’s expected to be sold primarily as a hybrid, but petrol versions will be available, too, using BMW engines. BMW will also supply parts for the interior, possibly including an iDrive-derived infotainment set-up.
Coupés, convertibles and sports cars: Ford Fiesta ST
On sale: Spring
The pint-sized Fiesta ST has long been our favourite hot hatch. For this new version, Ford has given it a frugal turbocharged three-cylinder engine, but it’s still not short on performance, with a heady 197bhp; that’s 18bhp more than before and enough to propel the ST from 0-62mph in 6.7sec. Pricing is expected to start from around £18,500.
On sale: late 2018
After 16 years away, the Supra is nearly back. Toyota has developed its Porsche 911-rivalling two-seat sports coupe in tandem with BMW and its new Z4 roadster. Based on the same carbonfibre architechture as the Z4, the Supra weighs 1496kg. With a BMW-sourced 3.0-litre six-cylinder petrol engine sending 335bhp through an eight-speed automatic gearbox, 0-60mph takes just 3.8sec.
Coupés, convertibles and sports cars: Audi R8
On sale: Late 2018
Audi’s R8 supercar is being treated to a facelift and will also become more affordable, thanks to the addition of a turbocharged 2.9-litre petrol V6. This replaces the currrent car’s naturally aspirated 4.2-litre petrol V8.
Coupés, convertibles and sports cars: BMW 8 Series
On sale: Summer
Until now, BMW hasn’t had a rival for the luxurious Mercedes S-Class Coupé, but the 8 Series will change that. Previewed by the 8 Series concept pictured above, the new luxury coupé will share its petrol and diesel engines with the 7 Series. An M8 performance model is also planned, as is a convertible to fight the S-Class Cabriolet.
Coupés, convertibles and sports cars: Polestar 1
On sale: Summer 2019
Racing outfit Polestar was bought by Volvo back in 2009 to produce performance variants of its cars. From 2019, it will begin to produce cars of its own. If its first model, the 1, looks familiar, that’s because it’s essentially a performance coupé version of the Volvo S90 saloon. It has a 592bhp hybrid drivetrain featuring a turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine that drives the rear wheels through an automatic gearbox. Unusually, the 1 will be available only through a subscription service – for the equivalent of £140,000. Following the 1, Polestar will only produce electric performance models, with a saloon, the 2, and a family SUV, the 3, next in the plan.
Coupés, convertibles and sports cars: Alpine A110
On sale: May 2018
Renault’s Alpine sports car brand has awoken from a two-decade dormancy with a two-seat coupé so good to drive that we recommend it over the Porsche 718 Cayman. Its powered by a turbocharged 249bhp 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine, with rear-wheel drive and an automatic gearbox.
Coupés, convertibles and sports cars: Ford Mustang Bullitt
On sale: Summer 2018
Ford is releasing a special-edition version of its recently updated Mustang muscle car as a homage to the famous 1968 movie Bullitt, in which the protagonist drives a Mk2 Mustang GT. The new Mustang Bullitt is painted in the same Dark Highland Green colour as that car, and is powered by a 5.0-litre petrol V8 that has been boosted by 14bhp, giving a total of 458bhp.
Coupés, convertibles and sports cars: TVR Griffith
On sale: Early 2019
The first model from reborn British brand TVR is envisioned as a rival for the Porsche 911. At its heart is a V8 petrol engine developing 500bhp, meaning huge performance in a car weighing just 1250kg. A top speed of more than 200mph is promised, plus a 0-62mph sprint time of less than 4.0sec. Prices will start at around £90,000.
Large and luxury SUVs: BMW X4
On sale: Autumn
The new version of the X4 coupé-styled small SUV is taking renewed aim at the Range Rover Evoque with a slight shift upmarket; prices start at £42,900, compared with £38,540 for the outgoing X4. Based on the platform of the new X3, the second-generation X4 is larger yet lighter and promises more more room inside and improved driving dynamics. Inside, it’s promised to be higher in quality and has the latest version of BMW’s market-leading iDrive infotainment system, displayed on a 6.5in screen. There are four four-cylinder engines, two diesels and two petrols, with six-cylinder M Performance models arriving soon after.
Large and luxury SUVs: Seat Tarraco
On sale: November
Come exam time, there were always a few people who’d seemingly done no work yet came away with straight As.
Some of them probably did secretly revise, though, and Seat is their automotive equivalent. Having never before made an SUV, the brand spent years making the best of the Volkswagen Group technology available to it and, in 2016, blew the established small SUV manufacturers away with its Ateca, before repeating the trick this year with the smaller Arona. Both are great to drive, practical for families and excellent value for money. So, the doomsday clock is likely at minutes to midnight for the leading large SUVs ahead of Seat’s arrival.
The name of the Tarraco was decided by a public vote, with the stipulation being that it has to come from Iberian geography – a Seat tradition. .
The Tarraco could not have a better start in life, being based on the same chassis as the brilliant Skoda Kodiaq. Cheaper models will have five seats, but most will have seven. As is Seat’s way nowadays, the Tarraco is expected to have a sportier edge than the Kodiaq, with more agile handling compensating for a slightly firmer ride.
While no official details have been released, engines are likely to be a 148bhp 1.4-litre petrol, two 2.0-litre petrols and a 178bhp 2.0-litre diesel. In the Kodiaq, the 2.0-litre diesel is our recommendation. More engine variants will follow soon after launch, with a plug-in hybrid likely.
A six-speed manual gearbox will be standard and an automatic optional. Lower-powered models will get front-wheel drive, with four-wheel drive for beefier motors.
Given that the price gap between the Arona and Ateca is a mere £2000, the Tarraco is expected to have a base price of around £21,000; the Kodiaq costs from £22,190.
Large and luxury SUVs: BMW X5
On sale: Winter
With a seemingly untouchable Audi Q7 to contend with, BMW will replace rather than update its four-year-old X5. The new X5 is based on a new lightweight platform, while its interior will be even plusher, with tech from the 5 Series. Engines will be updated four, six and eight-cylinder units, plus a plug-in hybrid and a 600bhp petrol V8 in the X5 M.
Large and luxury SUVs: Audi Q8
On sale: May
Take the class-leading Q7 and give it a wider, lower stance, a sloping roof and, somehow, an even higher-quality interior. Hey, you’ve made a Q8. The new £55k Audi will offer a wide range of petrol and diesel engines and a hybrid option. Inside, there’s much of the new A8’s cutting-edge technology but, unlike with the Q7, no seven-seat option.
Large and luxury SUVs: Lamborghini Urus
On sale: Spring
In 1986, Lamborghini launched the LM002, an ungainly 4×4 with military origins and a thirsty V12. It was terrible to drive. In 2018, the brand will launch the Urus. It should be great, seeing as it’s based on the same platform as the superb Audi SQ7 and has a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 with 641hp, four-wheel drive and four-wheel steering for increased agility.
Large and luxury SUVs: Ford Edge
On sale: early 2019
Ford will facelift its largest SUV, the Edge, for 2019, gaining a more aggressive grille and newly designed headlights.
Engines remain the same, but upgrades include a new evasive steering system that helps the car to steer around potential obstacles in an emergency. There’s also adaptive cruise control and post-collision braking available for the first time.
Large and luxury SUVs: Hyundai Santa Fe
On sale: autumn 2018
The new, fourth-generation Santa Fe has a more aggressive, angular design than the current car, in the style of the smaller Kona.
It’s slightly bigger than its predecessor, giving more leg room for rear passengers. In addition, there are two new engines joining the sole incumbent, a 194bhp 2.2-litre diesel. These are a new 2.0-litre diesel and a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol. The Santa Fe also gets a new electronic four-wheel drive system, boosting its rugged capabilities.
Among the new features of the Santa Fe is a system which warns the driver if there’s someone in the rear seats when they leave the car, as well as automatic emergency braking.
Prices for the Santa Fe are expected to rise slightly, to around £34,000.
Large and luxury SUVs: Aston Martin Varekai
On sale: 2019
Another premium manufacturer jumping in on the SUV craze with its first such model is Aston Martin. The car, which is due next year, will be heavily influenced by the 2015 DBX concept (pictured) and is expected to be called Varekai – meaning ‘wherever’ in the Romani language. The SUV will go up against rivals such as the Porsche Cayenne, Maserati Levante and Lamborghini Urus. It will be built on a new platform, similar to that of the DB11 coupé. Two engines will be available: a 503bhp 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 and a 600bhp 5.2-litre V12.
Toyota RAV4
On sale: Early 2019
The radically styled fifth-generation RAV4 is based on Toyota’s latest platform, which also underpins the new Auris family hatchback. When sales begin, it will offer only a hybrid powertrain featuring a 2.5-litre petrol engine. This is predicted to produce around 200bhp yet emit less than 100g/km of CO2. A second hybrid option, featuring either a 1.8 or 2.0 engine, will arrive shortly after. There’s also the possibility of a 2.0-litre petrol engine on its own, but there won’t be any diesel models. Compared with the current car, the upcoming RAV4 is roomier and has a bigger boot, despite being wider but shorter and lower. The interior, meanwhile, is said to have a far more luxurious feel, plus a raft of additional active safety systems.
Large and luxury SUVs: Volkswagen Touareg
On sale: April
The third-generation Touareg – a rival to the likes of the Audi Q7 and Volvo XC90, despite it having only fie seats – has again moved upmarket, with an expected entry price of £5000 – some £5000 more than the outgoing model. The new Touareg is wider and longer than the car it replaces yet also more than 100kg lighter. There’s also more space in the boot than before, at 810 litres. The dashboard is built around VW’s new Innovision Cockpit, which merges a 15in infotainment touchscreen with a 12in digital instrument display. All Touaregs will get four-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic gearbox as standard. There will only be one engine initially, a 3.0-litre V6 diesel with 282bhp. Shortly after launch, the range will be expanded to include another 3.0 V6 diesel with 228bhp, a 335bhp 3.0 V6 petrol and a 416bhp 4.0 V8 diesel.
Large and luxury SUVs: BMW X7
On sale: February 2019
BMW is readying the seventh member of its SUV family, the seven-seat X7, which is set to cost from around £70,000. Seems the German brand is getting into numerology. Anyhow, this new car will go up against cars such as the Mercedes-Benz GLS and Range Rover with all the technology and luxury of the 7 Series saloon. It’s expected to offer a range of six and eight-cylinder petrol and diesel engines.
Large and luxury SUVs: Skoda Kodiaq GT
On sale: 2019
A Skoda seven-seater with a sloping roofline: sounds like the punchline from a joke you’d have told in the 1980s, doesn’t it? But now it’s downright logical; the Kodiaq is an excellent large SUV, while SUV-coupés such as the BMW X6 appeal to many. The GT will essentially be the standard Kodiaq but with a sportier edge to its styling and driving manners.
Executive and luxury cars: Audi A6
On sale: May
The new Audi A6 has a tough class of rivals to face, including the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Audi claims a ‘sportier design’ for the new model, which will go on sale in June, priced from around £33,500. Initially, the A6 will offer four engines, all mild hybrids. These are a 3.0-litre petrol V6 and three diesels, a 2.0-litre and a 3.0-litre diesel in two states of tune. A 2.0-litre petrol engine will come later. The new A6 is now offered with an automatic transmission only. Inside, there’s more passenger and boot space, while the dashboard is redesigned and features three screens: the Virtual Cockpit digital instrument display and two large touchscreens in the centre. The top screen features infotainment, while the lower screen deals with car settings. Both now provide haptic feedback so you get the sensation of hitting an actual button. In addition, a total of 37 driver assistance and safety systems will eventually become available.
Executive and luxury cars: Lexus ES
On sale: January 2019
Lexus is replacing its slow-selling GS with this new ES. Based on a new platform, the ES is lower, longer and wider yet lighter than the GS. It’s claimed to be more driver-focused than its predecessor, with more precise handling, and will be available in Sport guise with adjustable suspension. One powertrain will be offered, a 215bhp hybrid system featuring a new turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine. This sends drive to the front wheels through an automatic gearbox. Lexus claims average fuel economy of 60.1mpg. Inside, the ES has a 12.3in infotainment screen controlled by a touchpad between the front seats. A host of the latest active safety systems are also fitted as standard. Lexus’s challenger to the BMW 5 Series is expected to remain around the £35,000 mark.
Executive and luxury cars: Mercedes-Benz C-Class
On sale: August
Mercedes-Benz has given its smallest executive saloon a mid-life facelift, gaining a redesigned dashboard with the latest version of the brand’s Comand infotainment system. Upgrades include a larger screen, a new 12.3in digital instrument display and a touchpad and touch-panels on the steering wheel for the infotainment. In addition, the plug-in hybrid models, which ally an electric motor to a petrol or diesel four-cylinder engine, gain a larger lithium ion battery.
Executive and luxury cars: Volvo S60
On sale: Early 2019
Following the new V60 estate will be its S60 saloon sibling. Engines will match those of the V60 – 148bhp and 187bhp diesel units, as well as a 242bhp petrol, while the range will be topped by a 335bhp petrol-electric hybrid. Prices are expected to start from £30,000 for the S60.
Executive and luxury cars: Mercedes-AMG GT 4dr Coupé
On sale: September
Mercedes’ sporting sub-brand, AMG, has elected to produce a four-door coupé of its own, rather than a ’63’ version of the new Mercedes-Benz CLS. This new car, unimaginatively christened the Mercedes-AMG GT 4dr Coupé, will be priced from around £85,000. At launch, it will offer a 3.0-litre mild hybrid six-cylinder petrol engine and a 4.0-litre V8 with 630bhp.
Executive and luxury cars: Mercedes-AMG E53
On sale: June
Mercedes-AMG has replaced its E43 sports saloon and estate with the E53, its first mild hybrid. This combines a new turbocharged 3.0-litre petrol engine with an electric starter-alternator that aids performance and fuel economy. The E53 produces 429bhp and 295lb ft of torque, with the electric element able to provide an extra 21bhp and 184lb ft. The 0-62mph time is 4.5sec – 0.2sec quicker than the E43’s. It’s on sale now, priced from £61,835.
Executive and luxury cars: Mazda 6
On sale: Summer
Mazda has updated its 6 saloon and 6 Tourer estate for 2018. The Volkswagen Passat-rivalling models get new chassis settings that Mazda claims will make them handle better and be more comfortable to drive, plus an updated interior design featuring a new 8.0in infotainment touchscreen. A 163bhp version of the 2.0-litre petrol will be added, as well as a 2.5-litre Skyactiv-G petrol unit providing 191bhp. The diesel range will also grow with the addition of a 181bhp version of the 2.2-litre unit. The new pricing for the two models equates to respective increases of £2750 and £200.
Executive and luxury cars: Volvo V60
On sale: late 2018
The new V60 estate is roomier, higher-technology and more upmarket than its predecessor, and its styling follows the blueprint of the excellent larger V90. It’s the biggest car in its class, which also includes the Audi A4 Avant and BMW 3 Series Touring, with Volvo having increased passenger and luggage space considerably. At launch, the V60 will offer a range of five engines – two diesels, one petrol and two plug-in hybrids. Base price is £31,810.
Executive and luxury cars: Peugeot 508
On sale: Autumn
Peugeot is aiming directly at the Vauxhall Insignia Grand Sport with its new 508. It’s based on the same platform as the impressive 3008 SUV, has five-door coupé styling, switching over from being a regular four-door saloon, and features Peugeot’s award-winning i-Cockpit interior.
There are six frugal new petrol and diesel engines on offer, with a plug-in hybrid due later. An all-electric model is also planned, but not for some time.
BMW 3 Series
On sale: 2019
The seventh-generation version of BMW’s junior executive saloon will go on sale next year, with a greater emphasis on sportiness than its predecessor. It’s based on BMW’s new platform, making it larger but lighter, and will have a design similar to that of the larger 5 Series. The range of engines will include three, four and six-cylinder units, both petrols and diesels.
Shortly after the regular 3 Series variants go on sale, a pair of M Performance models with turbocharged 3.0-litre six-cylinder engines will arrive as rivals to the Audi S4 and Mercedes-AMG C43.
MPVs: Citroën Berlingo Multispace
On sale: Autumn
The new version of Citroën’s van-based seven-seat people carrier is based on new underpinnings, shared with cars including the excellent new Peugeot 3008 SUV, and has the idiosyncratic styling we have come to expect from Citroën of late. In addition, the Berlingo Multispace is availabe in extended-wheelbase form for the first time. There are two 1.2-litre petrol and four 1.5-litre diesel engines available. Inside, there are removable seats and a boot that’s 100 litres bigger than in the old model. In addition, there are 28 cubbyholes inside, contributing to an additional 186 litres of stowage, and a 92-litre ceiling-mounted cargo space.
Electric and hybrid cars: Tesla Model 3
On sale: 2019
Tesla’s most affordable model yet, the Model 3 saloon, should go on sale the UK next year, although this has already been pushed back several times due to issues with Tesla’s new factory in the US. When it does arrive, however, the Audi A4-sized Nissan Leaf rival should be priced from around £30,000. Range is claimed to be 310 miles, while 0-60mph takes 5.6sec.
Electric and hybrid cars: Jaguar I-Pace
On sale: Summer
The I-Pace which is the first electric car from the historic British brand and the first rival to the Tesla Model X. The five-seat large SUV, now displayed in its full production form, stays remarkably true to the dramatic 2016 concept car that previewed it. It’s powered by two electric motors, one on the front axle and one at the rear, making it four-wheel drive. The motors produce 395bhp and 512lb ft of torque – enough to get the I-Pace from 0-60mph in 4.5sec. That’s slower than the top-end Model X but significantly faster than most SUVs, electric or otherwise. The I-Pace’s range is officially quoted at 298 miles (the Model X’s is 351). Recharging from 0-80% from a home wallbox takes 10 hours, while a public rapid charger will do it in 85 minutes. New chargers due by 2019 will reduce this to 45 minutes. The interior of the I-Pace features a large infotainment touchscreen and a digital instrument display. A bespoke EV navigation system takes many factors into account to calculate range realistically and shows nearby public chargers via the sat-nav. The I-Pace will go on sale in July, with prices ranging from £58,995 to £76,900. Those prices mean it’s a whopping 40% cheaper than the Model X across the range.
Electric and hybrid cars: BMW i3 and i3S
On sale: Spring
We named the i3 the best electric car you can buy for £20,000-£40,000 at our 2017 Car of the Year Awards, but BMW isn’t resting on its laurels. The facelifted i3 offers a slightly greater range and improved in-car tech, plus there’s now the option of a sporty i3S model that can get from 0-62mph in 6.9sec. Prices for the updated i3 start at £34,070.
Electric and hybrid cars: Nissan Leaf
On sale: Spring
Nissan admits that the original Leaf’s styling “isn’t popular with most people”, so it has given the Mk2 car a more conventional look. More importantly, it claims a realistic range of 235 miles – 81 more than the current Leaf.
Electric and hybrid cars: Hyundai Nexo
On sale: December
Hyundai was one of the first brands to sell a hydrogen fuel cell car in the UK. But while its current model is based on the conventional ix35 SUV, this new Nexo has its own, distinct design. It has a range of 500 miles – 130 more than its predecessoe – and 20% more power. Hyundai claims that the powertrain is as durable as internal combustion engine-powered cars, and can be refuelled in as little as five minutes, compared with the several hours of electric cars. As with all fuel cell cars, the only emission is water. A price of around £50,000 is expected for the Nexo.
Electric and hybrid cars: Audi E-tron
On sale: September
The finished design of Audi’s first fully electric car is still to be revealed, but we know it will draw heavily on the 2016 E-tron quattro concept (pictured). This means that, like the Jaguar I-Pace, it will be an SUV, while power – possibly up to 500bhp of it – will come from three electric motors. The range on each charge is claimed to be at least 311 miles.
Electric and hybrid cars: Bentley Bentayga PHEV
On sale: Winter
The Bentayga is already the first Bentley with a diesel engine, and soon it will be the first to be offered as a plug-in hybrid, too. Details are still limited, but we know it will combine a supercharged 3.0-litre petrol engine with an electric motor. Expect it to make more than 410bhp and feature an electric-only mode.
Electric and hybrid cars: Renault Zoe
On sale: summer 2018
A new Zoe R110 will replace the current R90 (pictured). It will come with a 107bhp electric motor – 16bhp more than the R90 – yet have the same official claimed range and be just £250 more expensive, at £18,420.
Electric and hybrid cars: Hyundai Kona Electric
On sale: summer 2018
Hyundai’s second electric car is a £26k version of its funky Kona small SUV. It offers a choice of two batteries; the cheaper 39kWh one provides a range of 186 miles, while the 64kWh can manage 292 miles. An 80% charge takes just under an hour from a 100kW public charger.
Electric and hybrid cars: Skoda e-Citigo
On sale: Late 2019
The first electric Skoda will be a variant of its excellent Citigo city car. There is already an electric version of the Citigo’s Volkswagen sister, called the e-Up, but the e-Citigo will have a much great range than that car; Skoda is promising up to 186 miles. A price of less than £20,000 can be expected.
