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Most exciting cars for 2026
Thinking of buying a new car next year? Here are some of the exciting new models you need to have on your shortlist!
Words by: Dan Trent
Published on 23 December 2025 | 0 min read
Sure is a hell of a time to be buying a new car, what with the new brands arriving seemingly every day, the decision about how and when to go electric and the endlessly moving goalposts of tax, regulation and government incentives. A lot to get your head around. Good news? The cars themselves are getting more interesting and exciting than ever, with new models for 2026 coming at every price point and to suit every need and taste. Some of which our Expert Review team have already driven, some of which we’re yet to even see in the metal. However close to coming to the market they are here are 10 we’re most excited about seeing in 2026!
Peugeot E-208 GTi
“The anticipation has been ramped up for the fact the cars built on the same shared bits are all brilliant”
Ask drivers of a certain age about hot Peugeots of the past and they’re likely to get a bit misty-eyed and nostalgic about anything carrying the GTi name, these spicy twists on regular hatchbacks famous for their feisty speed and fun handling. That heritage is now being re-imagined for the electric age with the E-208 GTi, a 280 horsepower twist on the already excellent E-208 packed with features to make the driving experience more exciting and knowing stylistic nods to previous hot Peugeots. The anticipation has been ramped up for the fact the cars built on the same shared bits are all brilliant, the Vauxhall Mokka GSE one of our favourites of 2025 while the Alfa Romeo Junior Veloce and Abarth 600E delivered similar thrills. So, we know the foundations are good. This, combined with Peugeot’s formidable GTi legacy, should help make 2026 the year of the electric hot hatch! We’re here for it! Read more about the Peugeot E-208 GTi
Smart #2
“True to the original concept of a compact city car, with seating for two, tiny on-road footprint and that unique Smart style”
The ultra-compact Smart ForTwo is the car that launched the brand, and still a popular choice in busy cities the world over for its compact size and unique looks. As a manufacturer Smart has reinvented itself as a builder of fast and stylish electric SUVs powered by a combination of Chinese battery and motor know-how and design input from Mercedes-Benz, which has been involved from the start of the ForTwo story. Though there were electric versions of that original car, and the prototypes already testing are based on the same, the version that goes on sale later in 2026 will be all-new. But true to the original concept of a compact city car, with seating for two, tiny on-road footprint and that unique Smart style so popular still with drivers on crowded city streets. Read more about the new Smart #2
Renault Twingo
“The new one’s cute looks, city-friendly size and promised affordability will be just as relevant now as they were then”
Renault is on a roll reinventing classic models from its past for the electric age, the Renault 5 and Renault 4 among our favourites launched recently. While the original Twingo never had a huge presence on British roads so won’t trigger the same nostalgia as it will among European drivers who grew up with it the new one’s cute looks, city-friendly size and promised affordability will be just as relevant now as they were then. And, going by Renault’s current run of form, it looks like it will be an absolute winner. Read more about the new Renault Twingo
Jaguar GT
“Its very public reinvention into an all-electric luxury brand was national news everyone had an opinion on”
Jaguar’s rebirth hasn’t been without its controversial moments, the brand’s place in the nation’s heart meaning its very public reinvention into an all-electric luxury brand was national news everyone had an opinion on. That didn’t stop you voting it your most anticipated car in the Autotrader New Car Awards, the sense of excitement only heightened after our ride in it just the other week, albeit still wearing its pre-production disguise. From that we’ve learned the new Jaguar GT will be fast, sophisticated and just as distinctive to look at as that Type 00 concept promised. We can’t wait to see what it looks like when it finally sheds its prototype camo in the not-too-distant!
Alpine A110
“The reinvention of its iconic A110 into an all-electric sports car is the one fans of the brand will be really interested in”
With its proud sporting heritage Alpine’s dream of being ‘the French Porsche’ looks like it may finally be realised, its Renault 5 based A290 hot hatch already going down a storm while the A390 crossover we drove recently dazzled with its performance and triple-motor tech. The reinvention of its iconic A110 into an all-electric sports car is the one fans of the brand will be really interested in, though, given its status as the emotional heart of the brand’s traditions, style and ambitions.
Skoda Epiq
Skoda has flourished under Volkswagen ownership, and has shown a knack of actually doing a better job with the shared technology like the batteries, motors and infotainment systems powering its Enyaq and Elroq. Stylish, sensibly priced and packed with family-friendly features, they are among our favourite electric cars on sale and this new Epiq promises a similar twist on the VW ID.Cross on which it is based. Stylish, rugged and pitched at a more affordable price than its bigger brothers, the Epiq is part of a new generation of competitively priced electric cars from Skoda, VW and Seat intended to rival the influx of cheaper Chinese alternatives. Which is good news for consumers, given it means the choice of accessible electric cars is only going to get bigger.
Read more about the Skoda Epiq
Read more about the Skoda Epiq
VW ID.Polo and Polo GTI
“If there’s one developing trend for 2026 it’s the increasing choice in affordable electric models”
You’ll have got the gist by now but if there’s one developing trend for 2026 it’s the increasing choice in affordable electric models from both established brands and ambitious newcomers alike. Which can only be good news for those who have felt priced out of the electric revolution thus far. The new ID.Polo (previously known as the ID.2all) is very much the automotive establishment getting in on the act, and no worse for it given petrol-powered Polos have been firm favourites as first cars, second cars and affordable city cars for generations of drivers. A legacy this new one promises to honour, the addition of a hot hatch GTI version promising an exciting option as well. Read the more about the VW ID.Polo
Hyundai Ioniq 6 N
“While we kind of know what we’re getting, it’s still a very exciting addition to the electric car world”
The Ioniq 5 N is the electric performance car to win over petrolheads, something it’s done in fine style with its combination of speed and novelties like its simulated manual gearbox. Which, on the face of it, makes no sense at all in an electric car. But actually adds to the fun. The same formula is being applied to Hyundai’s already stylish Ioniq 6 aero saloon and, while we kind of know what we’re getting, it’s still a very exciting addition to the electric car world and one we can’t wait to drive! Read more about the Hyundai Ioniq 6 N and watch Rory’s teaser video here!
Leapmotor B05
“Alignment with recognised names gives it a huge advantage over other brands having to set themselves up from scratch”
Of the many Chinese brands hitting the market, Leapmotor is among the more interesting, given it is part of the wider Stellantis family and sold alongside more established brands within the group like Peugeot, Citroën, Vauxhall and others. This alignment with recognised names gives it a huge advantage over other brands having to set themselves up from scratch, and build a reputation from the ground up. True, Leapmotor’s products haven’t set our world alight in terms of looks or driving style yet. But this B05 hatchback looks a lot more stylish, sporty and interesting – perhaps mainly for the fact it proves Chinese manufacturers can build more than just endless varieties of similar looking SUVs. Whether that complements similar Stellantis stalwarts like the Vauxhall Astra and Peugeot 308 or sets Leapmotor on a collision course with the group of which it is now a part will be fascinating to see. Read more about the Leapmotor B05 here
BMW iX3
”2026 is going to be a huge year for BMW”
An interesting addition to the list here for the fact we’ve already driven and reviewed the iX3, but we’ll grant it a pass for the fact it doesn’t actually reach showrooms until into 2026. And it’s also one of the more significant new cars of recent times. You can read more about that in our Expert Review, the short version being BMW has poured all its engineering expertise into developing an entirely new generation of electric cars built on class-leading battery tech, infotainment, driver assistance technology and more. Of which the iX3 is the first. While we can’t say anything about it yet we already got a glimpse of what’s coming next while on the launch event for the iX3 and, suffice to say, 2026 is going to be a huge year for BMW. Read the review
