A new car (almost) every other day: what 2026 has in store

January 7, 2026

The UK new car market is set for one of its busiest years in decades, with 159 new models due to arrive in 2026, according to a new industry roundup from Autocar. The list spans everything from mainstream EVs and refreshed hybrids to ultra-low-volume performance cars, highlighting just how fragmented – and competitive – the market has become.

Electrification dominates the pipeline. Chinese brands such as Aion, BYD and Changan continue their push into the UK, while established manufacturers are expanding choice through more affordable EVs, longer-range plug-in hybrids and a new wave of compact electric SUVs. At the premium end, brands including Porsche, Alpine and Lotus are leaning heavily into performance-focused electrification, while traditional petrol power hasn’t disappeared entirely – particularly in niche and luxury segments.

For buyers, this means more choice than ever, but also tougher decisions as pricing, charging access and real-world efficiency become key differentiators.

Next week: we’ll break down all 159 new cars, category by category – including EVs, hybrids, SUVs and performance models – to help you understand what’s actually worth paying attention to.