Best new cars coming in 2021
What can you expect to see in showrooms this year? Our guide reveals all
- Page 1 - Superminis and family hatchbacks
- Page 2 - Small SUVs and family SUVs
- Page 3 - Large SUVs and fast SUVs
- Page 4 - Coupes, convertibles, saloons and estates
- Page 5 - Hot hatchbacks and MPVs
Coupes and convertibles coming in 2021
Audi e-tron GT
On sale: Now
The Tesla Model S and Porsche Taycan have a new rival: the Audi e-tron GT. It’s the company’s new electric halo model, and is available as a more powerful ‘RS’ model too. The first electric RS gets up to 637bhp, while all models get the same fast-charging tech as the Taycan, enabling an 80% top-up in 23 minutes.
Read our review of the new Audi e-tron GT here.
BMW 2 Series
On sale: Summer
Unlike the new BMW 1 Series, the next-generation 2 Series will stick with rear-wheel drive. Some models will be available with a manual gearbox, including the next BMW M2 coupe. The interior will be shared with the 1 Series, however.
Read more about the new BMW 2 Series here.
BMW M4
On sale: Now
The BMW M4 has followed the new 4 Series into showrooms alongside the new M3. The new M halo car boasts up to 503bhp from a 3.0-litre twin-turbo engine and xDrive all-wheel drive for the first time, along with switchable driving modes to send all the power to the rear wheels in certain settings.
Read our review of the BMW M4 Coupe here.
Mercedes SL
On sale: December
A new Mercedes SL is coming this year, and it’ll take the place of the Mercedes S-Class Cabriolet at the top of the brand’s range. A fabric roof will be fitted, rather than a metal one, and the SL will be developed by AMG to make it better to drive than the current model.
Read more about the new Mercedes SL here.
MG e-Motion
On sale: Late 2021
MG is reportedly working on a sporty new coupe model. It’ll be electric, like the ZS EV, and may cost around £30,000. That would undercut all its rivals, yet the MG e-Motion would still offer over 300 miles of range and a very sports car-like 0-62mph time of four seconds.
Nissan 400Z
On sale: Autumn
Despite slow sales, Nissan seems keen to carry on its ‘Z’ sports car lineage. The model, likely to be called ‘400Z’, has since been previewed by this Nissan Z-Proto concept. Very few components will be carried over from the current 370Z, which has been on sale almost unchanged for over a decade. However, it looks like this new model won’t be coming to Europe.
Read more about the Nissan 370Z successor here.
Porsche 911 GT3
On sale: Now
The Porsche 911 range has welcomed a hardcore GT3 RS model with a vast rear spoiler and a 198mph top speed. It’ll also be subjected to weight-saving measures and will feature sticky track tyres, not to mention a 500bhp naturally aspirated engine.
Read more about the Porsche 911 GT3 here.
Saloons and estates coming in 2021
Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio GTA
On sale: Summer
In standard form, the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio saloon is less expensive than its main rivals but you can pay nearly £100,000 more than a regular Quadrifoglio for the new GTA and GTAm models. They’re limited to 500 cars, and both get a power hike and lots of carbon-fibre trim.
Read more about the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifolgio GTA here.
BMW i4
On sale: Winter
BMW promises a range of up to 372 miles for the i4, a swoopy four-door saloon that’s a similar size to the BMW 3 Series. A large battery pack ensures sports car-like performance; power stands at 523bhp and 0-62mph is dealt with in just four seconds. The i4 will also feature level 3 autonomous driving technology - the car will be able to drive itself (where permitted) but you’ll still be able to take control when you want. An electric 3 Series will also launch in 2021.
Read more about the BMW i4 here.
BMW M3 Competition
On sale: Now
The BMW M3 and M4 have now been unveiled. All UK M3s will be in Competition spec, getting a power output of 503bhp and an automatic gearbox as standard. Four-wheel drive will be available for the first time, as will a drift monitor that measures the distance of powerslides on a track.
Read our review of the new BMW M3 here.
BMW M5 CS
On sale: Spring
The BMW M5 isn’t lacking in power but BMW has now released a more hardcore CS model with 626bhp. There are exclusive styling tweaks like the yellow headlight elements but the CS comes with a hefty £140,000 price tag.
Read more about the new BMW M5 CS here.
Kia Stinger facelift
On sale: Now
The Kia Stinger has been given a slight update for 2021 and Kia has decided to slash the model range. The changes are limited to a slight styling refresh and updated technology, and now there’s only the range-topping GT-S model available, as it accounted for the majority of sales anyway. Prices start from around £42,00 upwards.
Read our review of the updated Kia Stinger here.
Mercedes C-Class
On sale: 30 March
The new Mercedes C-Class is about to go on sale. Prices are set to start from around £35,000 and the new C-Class bears some resemblance to the latest Mercedes E-Class. The diesel engines have mild-hybrid technology to reduce emissions, and there’ll be several plug-in hybrid versions with a huge 62-mile range.
Read more about the Mercedes C-Class here.
Mercedes-AMG C43
On sale: Autumn
Mercedes is already working on a faster version of the next-generation C-Class, and this C43 model will sit below the flagship C63. It’ll still have over 400bhp, though, and with four-wheel-drive 0-62mph will be dispatched in around 4.5 seconds.
Read more about the Mercedes-AMG C43 here.
Mercedes-AMG GT 73 EQ Power+
On sale: Summer
The Porsche Panamera has employed hybrid power on its fastest models for a little while now, and the rival Mercedes-AMG GT 4-door looks set to join it. Speed will still be top priority, as the powertrain is expected to produce nearly 800bhp and result in a 0-62mph time under three seconds.
Mercedes-AMG E63 facelift
On sale: Now
This is the facelifted Mercedes-AMG E63. Thanks to a 4.0-litre twin-turbo engine, the saloon and estate pair will produce over 600bhp and can match their nearest rivals like the BMW M5 and Audi RS6 for straight-line acceleration. As with the old model, you’ll need around £100,000 to park one on your driveway.
Read our review of the new Mercedes-AMG E63 here.
Peugeot 508 Sport Engineered
On sale: Spring
A fast plug-in hybrid Peugeot 508 is set to top the range in the coming months. The Peugeot 508 Sport Engineered is available in both fastback and estate body styles, packing 355bhp and a 5.2-second 0-62mph time. You can also travel for 26 miles on electric power, and the Peugeot Sport Engineered cars get extra equipment over a standard 508.
Read more about the Peugeot 508 Sport Engineered here.
Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo
On sale: Now
The Porsche Taycan range has expanded with the introduction of the Cross Turismo estate. It’ll be an indirect rival to performance estates like the Audi RS6 and new Mercedes-AMG E63, while offering more practicality over the Taycan saloon. The Cross Turismo gets the same powertrain options as the saloon, with even the 4S model capable of 0-62mph in around 4 seconds. The flagship Turbo and Turbo S models will be quicker, taking around three seconds to achieve 62mph from a standing start.
Read our review of the Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo here.
Volkswagen ID. Space Vizzion
On sale: Late 2021
The Volkswagen ID. Space Vizzion is an estate version of the ID. Vizzion saloon, due in a couple of years’ time. It’s slightly bigger than a Volkswagen Passat Estate, and has a large 82kWh battery. The stats look promising; 367 miles of range, 335bhp and 0-62mph in 5.4 seconds. Just like the Ford Mustang Mach-E, the doors are opened digitally.
Read more about the Volkswagen ID. Space Vizzion here.
Volkswagen Golf R estate
On sale: Autumn
A new version of the Volkswagen Golf R estate is due this year. It'll get racy styling upgrades and a more powerful engine, while four-wheel drive and an automatic gearbox will be standard once more.
Read more about the new Volkswagen Golf R estate here.
- Page 1 - Superminis and family hatchbacks
- Page 2 - Small SUVs and family SUVs
- Page 3 - Large SUVs and fast SUVs
- Page 4 - Coupes, convertibles, saloons and estates
- Page 5 - Hot hatchbacks and MPVs
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