New Electric Cars coming in 2026

With new and updated models arriving in every corner of the market, 2026 is shaping up to be a landmark year. From affordable city cars to family saloons, and from high-end luxury models to rugged 4x4s, there’s plenty to pique the interest of both drivers and fleet operators.

With less than five years to go until the ban on new petrol and diesel-only cars, almost all are fully electric or use some form of hybrid technology, but there is still the occasional internal combustion engine for anyone who isn’t quite ready to switch.

1. Kia Seltos

Appearing in the UK for the first time, the all-new Seltos is the second generation of a model that has already sold over two million units worldwide. Sitting between Kia’s Niro and Sportage, the Seltos is designed to compete with the Volkswagen T-Roc and Nissan Qashqai. 

As you would expect from Kia, there are plenty of premium features that come as standard, including a 12.3in infotainment screen, sunroof, and head-up display. It also boasts a class-leading 536 litres of boot space.

Given Kia’s strong commitment to electric and hybrid technology, it’s notable that you can choose between a 147bhp 2.0-litre petrol or a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine. Then again, a hybrid version will be joining the line-up a little later in the year.

2. Leapmotor B03X

Leapmotor released their first car as recently as 2017 and only came to the UK at the start of 2025. If that feels a little too soon to be trusted, it’s worth knowing that the automotive giant Stellantis is the majority owner of Leapmotor International, under which the brand’s cars are sold outside of China.

The brand philosophy is to pack the highest level of technology and specification into a single trim level and Leapmotor’s B03X is being positioned as a smart premium long-range SUV that challenges the view that “premium must mean expensive, small cars must be low-tech, and compact dimensions must sacrifice space”.

The full specification is yet to be revealed but we can expect to see an AI-powered cockpit, door-to-door advanced driver assistance, and an ultra-high-density LFP battery that’s expected to deliver up to 250 miles of range.

3. BMW iX3

With a maximum range of 500 miles, the new BMW iX3 is set to redefine what we expect from an electric car. This is the first fully electric 3 Series to be sold in the UK and just one of the 40 new EVs and heavily updated ICE vehicles BMW plans to deliver within the next three years.

The iX3 is based on BMW’s all-new electric-first vehicle architecture, Neue Klasse, which means it not only looks radically different from its predecessors but also marks BMW’s biggest leap in in-car computing power to date. In fact, BMW says its new Heart of Joy system processes information and sensor data ten times faster than any of their previous control units. The driver interface has also been reimagined through customisable widgets running almost the full width of the dashboard, supported by an optional head-up display with 3D navigation.

The Omoda 7 (above) launches in January 2026

4. Omoda 4 and 7

Omoda has been rapidly gaining momentum in the UK and, together with its sister brand Jaecoo, recently topped 10,000 new car registrations in a single month for the first time. That’s a remarkable feat for a brand launched in the UK in August 2024 and that wasn’t joined by Jaecoo until February 2025.

The Omoda 4 is a B-segment crossover that adopts a ‘Cyber Mecha’ design language, giving it a futuristic, sci-fi comic-inspired look and feel, with angular lines and metallic finishes. In the real world, the Omoda 4 will compete with the Ford Puma and Renault 4 E-Tech. 

The Omoda 7 is a family SUV plug-in hybrid that’s likely to appeal to drivers considering either a Kia Sportage or Hyundai Tucson. The hybrid system combines a 1.5-litre petrol engine with an 18.3kWh battery for 56 electric-only miles and roughly 700 miles total range. A conventional 1.6-litre petrol-only option is also available.

5. Toyota Hilux EV

Electric 4x4s have proved a tough nut to crack, but the ninth generation Hilux will, for the first time, be available with a 59.2kWh battery and eAxles that deliver a permanent all-wheel drive. The exact specification is yet to be confirmed, but pre-homologation data reports a 150-mile range, 715kg payload, and 1,600kg towing capacity. These are decent figures for an electric pick-up, but they won’t suit everybody. In which case, you might prefer the 2.8-litre mild hybrid diesel engine that Toyota plans to carry over from the old model. It’s also worth knowing that a hydrogen fuel cell powertrain is currently planned for 2028.

The new Hilux will finally benefit from electric power steering and there are also new safety features, including a blind spot monitor, a safe exit system that warns occupants of approaching cars or cyclists when opening doors, and a driver monitor camera that helps to improve alertness at the wheel. There’s also a MyToyota app that reports fuel levels, charging status, and journey history.

6. Vauxhall Astra

The Vauxhall Astra has been a staple of Britain’s roads for more than four decades. Now in its eighth generation, the 2026 facelift boosts the maximum range to 282 miles and offers Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) technology so that drivers can run equipment and appliances directly from the car’s battery.

Vauxhall’s Intelli-Seats, previously limited to higher-end models, will now come as standard. Inspired by bicycle saddle designs, they include a special slot or channel in the base of the seat that is designed to decrease pressure on the tailbone (coccyx) and deliver a more comfortable driving experience. For even more comfort and convenience, the higher-spec versions include massage and memory functions. 

Hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and electric powertrains will be available in either a hatchback or estate body style.

7. Denza B5

Denza is a new name for many of us, but the company was actually formed back in May 2010 as part of a joint venture with Mercedes and the brand is now fully owned by BYD. The first model to launch in the UK is a rugged and powerful SUV that sits in direct competition with the Land Rover Defender.

The B5 is a 1.5-litre turbo petrol PHEV with a 31.8kWh battery and twin motors that deliver 62 electric-only miles when measured under the more ‘optimistic’ China Light-Duty Vehicle Test Cycle (CLTC). However, this figure is likely to dip to around 40–45 miles under European WLTP testing. 

Inside the cabin, there’s an impressive 15.6-inch central display and two additional screens. That’s one for the driver and, rather unusually, one for the passenger. Thankfully, privacy glass will help avoid it becoming an unwanted distraction.

8. Volkswagen ID. Polo

Volkswagen understands the power of a name, and as it transitions from ICE to electric, there’s clearly no intention of losing any of the trust and recognition built into model names such as Polo, Golf and GTI. And so, starting with the ever-popular Polo, VW is gradually bringing their classic models into the ID. family. It’s a clever strategy, one that’s designed to reassure drivers that they will still get everything they have come to expect from a VW, but now with a battery, an electric motor, and a lot more tech.

The new ID. Polo will be slightly larger than its predecessor, with either a 38kWh or 56kWh battery. Power outputs range from 180bhp to 223bhp, with the highest performance 223bhp GTI variant available on the larger battery. Capable of charging at speeds of up to 125kW, the larger battery version should be capable of up to 280 miles on a single charge.

9. Skoda Epiq

Due for a global reveal in mid-2026, the Epiq will be Skoda’s new entry-level EV, positioned against models like the BYD Dolphin and Peugeot e-208. As a small city crossover, it’s just 4.1 metres long but, like most Skodas, it offers plenty of room for drivers and passengers alike and based on the showcar, a surprisingly large 475 litre boot.

The range is expected to be in the region of 250 miles, with a 10-80% recharge taking around 20 minutes. Pricing is yet to be revealed but based on its position in Skoda’s line-up, the new Epiq is likely to be sub £25,000.

10. Volvo EX60

This will be Volvo’s first fully electric premium mid-size SUV and the EX60, which launches via a livestream from Stockholm on 21 January 2026, could even outshine the ES90’s already impressive 435-mile range. Looking remarkably similar to its ICE counterpart, you can expect an identifiably Volvo interior, plenty of clever tech, and an ultra-smooth ride.

The EX60 will introduce a world-first multi-adaptive safety belt that has recently been recognised by TIME magazine as one of the Best Inventions 2025. Using real-time inputs from the car’s advanced sensors, the belt adjusts to the current driving situation, as well as the height, weight, body shape, and seating position of each occupant. If that’s not enough, the system will also benefit from over-the-air updates to provide an ever-greater level of protection based on new travel and passenger scenarios and response strategies.

The Outlook

Remember, this is just a selection of the great cars to look out for in 2026. As the recent wave of new car brands entering the UK gain momentum and greater acceptance, we will continue to see more competition, innovation, and choice than ever before. To find out more about how we can help you find, fund, and manage the right vehicles for you and your business, just get in touch.

Images sourced from manufacturer media sites.