Most innovative cars
There are plenty of groundbreaking cars on our roads today. Alternative fuels are becoming increasingly important, while buyers are continually demanding more in terms of space, safety and practicality. Companies like Dacia are even innovating current pricing structures with their bargain-basement ranges.
Cars like the petrol-electric Toyota Prius are now nothing new. Manufacturers have to constantly push the envelope to attract buyers in today's climate of economic and environmental change – with cars like the range-extending Vauxhall Ampera and Chevrolet Volt being born as a result.
So, if you demand something more cutting edge from your new car, be sure to check out our top 10.
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1
Ford B-MAX hatchback
£12,995 - £18,895
The mini-MPV concept behind the Ford B-MAX is nothing new, but the way it's packaged is truly groundbreaking. Ford removes the central B-pillar and uses sliding rear doors – opening up a huge accessible load area. By doing this, Ford has made the B-MAX the most practical car in its class.
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2
Dacia Duster compact SUV
£8,995 - £14,995
Renault’s budget brand, Dacia, is carving a new path with its cut-price cars and the Duster SUV is its vanguard. It offers 4x4 capability and the practicality of an SUV for the price of a new Ford Fiesta. Base spec cars are sparsely equipped, but for £8,995 the Duster is a true game-changer.
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3
Vauxhall Ampera hatchback
£34,995 - £38,995
The Ampera mixes the practicality and usability of a petrol-powered car with the rock-bottom running costs and zero emissions of an electric one. The range-extending hybrid can run for up to 50 miles on electric-power alone, the petrol motor only switching on when it runs out of charge - and even then it simply recharges the battery. The wheels are powered by the electric motors alone.
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4
Volkswagen Golf hatchback
£16,495 - £24,375
The all-new Mk7 Golf is up to 100kg lighter and 23 per cent more efficient than the car it replaces – helping it make huge leaps in terms of economy and emissions. The BlueMotion model is particularly impressive – promising 88.3mpg and 85g/km of CO2. This should give the family hatchback a remarkable range of up to 970 miles.
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5
Toyota Prius+ mini MPV
£26,495 - £29,795
The Toyota Prius+ is the first hybrid-powered seven-seater MPV to go on sale in the UK. What’s more, the base spec T4 model is free from road-tax and is London Congestion Charge exempt. A diesel makes more sense if you spend a lot of time on the motorway, but if you need a large family car for use in an urban environment, the Prius+ is a sensible choice.
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6
Nissan Leaf hatchback
£20,990 - £30,490
The Nissan Leaf is one of Britain’s most popular electric cars. It’s the size of a Ford Focus and offers a range of up to 100 miles on a single charge. Nissan claims that is more than enough for the average commute – and if it is, the Leaf offers genuinely unbeatable running costs. Just beware: the predicted range can plummet if you’re an 'enthusiastic' driver.
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7
Audi A1 hatchback
£13,965 - £22,805
All new Audis come loaded with technology, and the A1 is no exception. Particularly impressive is Audi’s clever ‘cylinder-on-demand’ system, which automatically deactivates certain cylinders at cruising speed to increase economy and reduce emissions. From the driver’s seat, the tech goes totally unnoticed, with the cylinders automatically reactivating as and when necessary.
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8
Toyota GT 86 coupe
£24,995 - £26,495
The compact, lightweight, rear-wheel-drive sports car is back – thanks to a joint venture from Toyota and Subaru. The GT 86 mixes modest power with a lightweight body to give lively and responsive handling from its rear-drive setup. Wrapped up in a great value package, the Toyota was awarded Auto Express’ Performance Car of the Year.
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9
Volkswagen up! hatchback
£8,095 - £11,635
The up! is the clever city car from Volkswagen, and it’s packed full of innovative features. The ‘City Emergency Brake’ system is especially useful – constantly scanning the area immediately in front of the car and automatically applying the brakes if it senses an accident. Which is even more impressive when you consider the up! is available from just £7,995.
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10
Fiat 500 hatchback
£9,960 - £16,060
You can buy the Fiat 500 with a range of different engines, but the pick of the bunch is the 900cc two-cylinder TwinAir. The lively petrol engine is great fun to drive, while the low emissions and diesel-rivalling economy keeps running costs to a minimum. The innovative TwinAir engine is also available in the popular Panda citycar.
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