There's some easy-to-spot trends in the new car market, with more and more manufacturers capitalising on the SUV boom that's hit the UK in recent years. Every company is now trying to get a share of this rapidly-growing sector but that doesn't mean they've given up on the rest of the range though as you'll also find a wide variety of superminis, family cars, sports cars and hatchbacks on this list.
A few models will receive long-overdue upgrades too, particularly luxury and executive cars like the Mercedes C-Class, Audi A8 and Mercedes S-Class. We'll also see some of the most important models upgraded - the best-selling cars on the market - like the Volkswagen Golf and Nissan Qashqai.
So to find out what models will be hitting showrooms this year, check out our list of best new cars in 2017 below.
The best new cars of 2017
Alfa Romeo Stelvio
Price: From £30,000 (est)
On sale: Autumn
Alfa Romeo is on a high at the moment, after the enthusiastic response to its Giulia saloon. Now the Italian brand is set to boost its order books even further with its first SUV: the Stelvio.
The Stelvio actually shares many chassis and engine parts with the Giulia – along with some of the saloon’s styling. The headlight treatment and front grille are very similar, giving the SUV an imposing look.
Under the skin, you’ll be able to pick from two engines at launch – a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol with 276bhp, or Alfa’s 2.2-litre turbodiesel with 207bhp and a useful 470Nm of torque. Both cars are four-wheel drive, and they get an eight-speed automatic gearbox as standard; a manual isn’t offered, even as an option.
Further down the line, Alfa will wheel out a 503bhp flagship version of the car, based on the same Ferrari-derived twin-turbo V6 that we’ve already sampled in the Giulia Quadrifoglio.
Inside, it’s very much like sitting in a slightly elevated Giulia; the dashboard layout and design are basically identical. But that’s no bad thing, because this high-quality finish keeps it upmarket.
Aston Martin Vantage
Price: From £100,000 (est)
On sale: Late 2017
Nothing lasts forever, and while the elegant Aston Martin Vantage seems to have been around for an age, it’s due for replacement this year. It will use the first fruits of the brand’s tie-up with Mercedes, because it will get an AMG-tuned V8, and there will be coupe and roadster models. Our exclusive image shows an evolutionary design, as with other Astons, with cues from models like the Vulcan.
Audi A8
Price: From £70,000 (est)
On sale: September
Flagship limos are usually a showcase for a manufacturer’s cutting-edge technology, and the new Audi A8 is no exception. It’s set to be one of the first cars in the world to feature Level 3 autonomous driving tech. This builds on Audi’s Piloted Driving system, and means that the driver can hand control over to the car in certain situations, chiefly on the motorway.
The A8 will also showcase Audi’s new design direction – previewed by the Prologue Concept – featuring wider grille styling and exaggerated proportions.
Audi RS5 Coupe
Price: From £62,900 (est)
On sale: Now
With a new A5 Coupe in dealers, it was only a matter of time before the flagship RS 5 would break cover.
Audi has launched the RS model sooner in the A5’s lifecycle to satisfy customer demand for high-performance models, and with its big wheels and meaty bodykit, it looks the part. Under the skin, quattro four-wheel drive is present, but power comes from a twin-turbo V6 TFSI co-developed with Porsche. It delivers as much power as the V8, but more torque.
Audi SQ2
Price: £38,000 (est)
On sale: Late 2017
Crossovers are as popular with buyers as hatchbacks these days, so it’s no wonder the high-performance crossover is becoming a regular on the market.
Audi is readying a rapid version of its Q2 called the SQ2, and it’s set to get the same suite of subtle styling updates as other S-badged models, from quad exhausts to a satin silver finish for the wing mirrors and C-pillar blades. You can expect quattro four-wheel drive and a 306bhp 2.0 TFSI turbo four-cylinder engine lifted from the S3 hot hatch, too.
BMW 2 Series
Price: £23,500 (est)
On sale: Late 2017
The 2 Series doesn’t have much in the way of competition, but that isn’t stopping BMW from putting its smallest coupe under the knife.
New hexagonal daytime running lights – just visible in our spy shot – represent the biggest update to the front-engined, rear-drive coupe, while the rear light clusters have been given a minor refresh.
The engine range is likely to benefit from improved emissions and performance, plus the updates will be added to the 2 Series Convertible and rapid M2 flagship.
BMW 5 Series Touring
Price: £38,385
On sale: Now
BMW has broadened the scope of the all-new 5 Series line-up with the latest practical Touring model. The sleek estate goes toe to toe with the Volvo V90 and Mercedes E-Class Estate.
The Touring commands a £2,360 premium over the saloon, but the extra cash brings an added dose of practicality. Luggage space increases by 40 litres to 570 litres; that’s 174 litres more than in the Volvo, but 120 litres shy of what’s on offer in the Mercedes. Fold the 40:20:40-split seats and BMW claims a maximum capacity of 1,700 litres.
From launch, buyers will have the option of two diesel and two petrol engines. As in the saloon, the entry-level Touring is badged 520d and uses a 187bhp 2.0-litre diesel; a more potent 261bhp 3.0 diesel powers the 530d.
The smallest petrol powerplant is a 248bhp 2.0-litre turbo also found in the 530i, while a 335bhp 3.0-litre tops the range in the 540i.
BMW X3
Price: £35,000 (est)
On sale: Late 2017
An overhauled BMW X3 is on the way, with the new model previewed here by our exclusive image. The Audi Q5 rival has been in the works for years, and we’ve seen the car in testing; that revealed the X3 won’t change much in terms of size.
Auto Express understands the next-generation X3 SUV will use a new lightweight platform to improve fuel economy, performance and handling. That means it’ll be slightly longer, improving space in the cabin, but will also be up to 100kg lighter.
A plug-in hybrid model will join the range around 18 months after the car is launched, with running gear from the 330e saloon that’s already on sale. That means there will be a 2.0-litre petrol engine and an electric motor with a combined power output of 249bhp – but CO2 emissions of about 60g/km.
Citroen C3 Picasso
Price: £15,000 (est)
On sale: Late 2017
Citroen is one of a growing number of manufacturers converting its traditional MPVs into more fashionable crossovers.
The C3 Picasso is the latest model to undergo the transformation; the C-Aircross concept previews a car that will arrive towards the end of the year.
We expect the wacky design of the concept to make the transition to the showroom model relatively unchanged, too. The floating C-pillar, Airbumps on the sills and slim LED headlamps will be its defining features; while the styling may still divide opinion, in such a competitive segment, a striking design is essential.
The crossover will mix the original styling cues from the C3 hatchback with the pumped-up proportions of the C4 Cactus, and is designed to take on everything from a Nissan Juke to a Suzuki Vitara. Beneath the skin it will share DNA with the Peugeot 2008.
The line-up is likely to be made up of 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol and 1.6-litre diesel engines in various states of tune, delivering power outputs ranging from around 82bhp up to 128bhp.
Dacia Sandero
Price: From £5,995 (est)
On sale: Now
Dacia has made a number of minor styling tweaks to the updated Sandero, and they’re so subtle that you’d be forgiven for missing them. There are new LED daytime running lights and reprofiled bumpers, but the biggest update is the introduction of a new 74bhp 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine to replace the ageing 1.2 four-cylinder.
It’s the entry-level engine in the range, although even when you go for top-spec Laureate trim the Sandero offers excellent, no-nonsense value for money when compared with rival superminis.
Honda Civic Type R
Price: £30,995 (est)
On sale: September
Hatchbacks don’t get much hotter than Honda’s all-new Civic Type R. Based on the new Mk10 family car, it sticks with the outgoing model’s 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo, but ups power by 10bhp to 316bhp.
It’s front-wheel drive and comes only with a six-speed manual box, as before. No performance figures have been released, but the new Type R is likely to be slightly faster from 0-62mph than the outgoing car, which took 5.7 seconds. It also retook the front-wheel-drive Nurburgring crown from the VW Golf GTI Clubsport S.
In a bid to make the Type R easier to live with, a Comfort driving mode has also been added on top of Sport and R+ modes. There’s a rev-matching function for the first time, designed to help smooth downshifts and maintain momentum.
The cabin has also been overhauled, featuring a new infotainment system, steering wheel and centre console.
Hyundai Kona
Price: £18,000 (est)
On sale: November
If there’s one model that’s missing from Hyundai’s arsenal, it’s a supermini-SUV. However, the Korean manufacturer is set to fill that gap with the introduction of its replacement for the ix20, the Kona.
As our exclusive image shows, the new model will ditch the upright MPV looks of the current car for a curvy crossover shape, plus it will use a platform adapted from the i20 supermini’s. That means interior space should be class leading, and Hyundai’s latest 1.0 T-GDi turbo three-cylinder will provide the power.
Hyundai i30 Tourer
Price: From £17,495
On sale: Now
Hyundai has always offered an estate version to go alongside the rest of the i30 range, and this hasn’t changed with the new i30 Tourer, revealed at the recent Geneva Motor Show.
As before, the estate gets an extended rear end and longer roof to create a larger boot, while the low load lip and fold-flat back seats boost its versatility. It shares the diesel engines from the hatch range, so should provide plenty of pulling power, but Hyundai has yet to reveal if it will build a rapid i30N Tourer.
Jaguar XF Sportbrake
Price: From £34,910
On sale: Late 2017
While the F-Pace is taking the plaudits as Jaguar’s first crossover, the British company is still set to introduce an estate version of the Mk2 XF.
It’s designed to offer extra room over the saloon, rather than ultimate boot volume, and the stylish looks of the four-door should translate into a smart family wagon, as our exclusive image shows. Power will come from the saloon’s four-cylinder diesels and large petrols. An XFR Sportbrake is likely to arrive soon after the four-door.
Jeep Compass
Price: From £32,000 (est)
On sale: December
The original Compass wasn’t a great seller in the UK, because it wasn’t a great car. Jeep aims to change that with improved quality and road manners for the Mk2 crossover, as it slots into the range between the Renegade and Cherokee.
It has styling inspired by the larger Grand Cherokee, and power from the same petrol and diesel engines as in its smaller siblings. There will be front and four-wheel-drive variants, plus an off-road-focused Trailhawk model.
Kia Picanto
Price: From £9,450
On sale: May
For a long time, the Kia Picanto has hidden in the shadow of its sister model, the Hyundai i10. But the all-new city car is set to change that with a sportier look designed to appeal to younger buyers.
The third-generation model is bigger in every area to improve interior space, while top-spec cars will get Kia’s latest 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol engine, which should give the newcomer zippy performance to go with its sporty lines.
Kia Stinger
Price: £43,000 (est)
On sale: September
One of the stars of January’s Detroit Motor Show was Kia’s Stinger four-door coupe. It’s designed to prove that the brand can make truly desirable cars, and our recent prototype drive hinted that the car could worry sharp-handling four-door rivals from BMW and Audi.
The headline engine is a 3.3-litre twin-turbo petrol V6, with 365bhp and 510Nm of torque. But most buyers will go for the 197bhp 2.2-litre four-cylinder diesel, while a 252bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol will also be available. An eight-speed automatic gearbox will be standard on all cars, and there’s a choice of rear or all-wheel drive.
Lamborghini Huracan Performante
Price: £200,000 (est)
On sale: Late 2017
Launch a new Lamborghini, and within a couple of years you can pretty much guarantee that a stripped-out special edition will follow it into showrooms. And this year it’s the turn of the Huracan Performante to take a bow.
The new model will be lighter than the standard car, thanks to added ‘forged carbon’ in its construction. That should lead to sharper handling, with revised suspension geometry, plus it will feature active aerodynamics to boost high-speed performance. In addition, the Performante should get a small power boost for its naturally aspirated V10 engine, which will make the car a rival for the king of the stripped-out specials, the Porsche 911 GT3.
Lexus LC500
Price: £76,595
On sale: Spring
Lexus is aiming to take on upmarket grand tourers such as the Mercedes S-Class Coupe and Maserati GranCoupe with its new LC 500. The bold two-door stands out with its concept car looks and comes with either 5.0-litre V8 or hi-tech 3.5-litre V6 hybrid power, and the latter features an innovative new CVT gearbox that’s designed to deliver a much sportier driving experience.
Crucially, the LC’s platform forms the basis for a range of future models from Lexus, including the new LS limo and the next-generation GS and IS saloons.
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