30 memorable new cars driven during 2017
- Gareth Herincx
- @garethherincx
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From SUVs to superminis and SUVs to hot hatches, 2017 has been a great year for new cars.
Except for a few exceptions, we’re concentrating on mainstream cars that have caught our eye over the past year, so there’s everything from the new Suzuki Swift and Seat Ibiza to the gorgeous Jaguar XF Sportbrake, plus a stream of new SUVs including the Land Rover Discovery, Volvo XC60 and VW T-Roc.
There are some surprises too. Who’d have thought the latest SsangYong Rexton and Nissan Micra would make the list? Fasten your seatbelts for a whiz through 30 memorable new cars of 2017…
Suzuki Swift
The latest version of Suzuki’s popular supermini follows on from the previous car offering great value for money, space and cheap running costs, plus an entertaining drive. The smooth, economical 1.0 Boosterjet SZ5 SHVS version is the pick of the range.
Range Rover Velar
With motor show concept looks and lashings of charisma, the Range Rover Velar is like no other SUV on the market. Easily the coolest looking 4×4 ever, its futuristic interior is nothing short of a revelation. If you have the cash to splash out on a sumptuous SUV that dares to be different, this is the car for you.
McLaren 720S
Replacing the 650S as the mid-range model in McLaren’s Super Series, the 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbo 720S has a top speed of 212mph and can reach 60mph from standstill in a blistering 2.8 seconds. A truly breathtaking car – it’s just a shame only a fraction of the performance can be experienced on the open road…
Infiniti Q60
The sleek coupe version of the underrated Q50 takes on the likes of the BMW 4 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe. The classy top-of-the-range Q60S version (pictured) packs 400bhp from its 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 and is capable of 0-62mph in 5.0 seconds and a top speed of 155mph.
SsangYong Rexton
The big new SsangYong Rexton was a the 4×4 surprise of 2017. Priced from £27,500, it’s a real step-up for SsangYong and represents a lot of car for the money. Good looking, solid and easy to drive, it makes light work of towing and can take on terrain many big-name SUVs twice the price would shy away from.
Seat Ibiza
Looking not unlike a baby Leon, Seat’s new Ibiza is something of a revelation. Stylish, safe, spacious, refined, well equipped and entertaining to drive, it’s great value and simply one of the best superminis on the market.
Ford Fiesta
The seventh generation Fiesta supermini is better than ever. The UK’s biggest selling car for the past eight years is now more stylish and it boasts the latest tech and connectivity. It’s also roomier and just as engaging to drive.
Kia Stinger
The Kia Stinger is the South Korean company’s first rear-wheel drive car launched in Europe. An old school GT, its 365bhp 3.3-litre twin-turbo V6 is capable of 168mph and a sprint from standstill to 60mph in just 4.7 seconds, making it the fastest accelerating Kia ever. A real looker with serious peformance.
Nissan Micra
The all-new Nissan Micra was another big surprise of 2017 because for the first time in the model’s history, it looks good. Slightly larger than the outgoing model, the stylish fifth-generation car features autonomous emergency braking (AEB), drives well and offers plenty of personalisation.
Land Rover Discovery
The new Land Rover Discovery is, without doubt, one of the world’s most capable cars. It looks modern, it’s supreme off-road, a comfortable cruiser on the road, plus it’s safe and luxurious. Quite simply, a legend reborn.
Alfa Romeo Guilia
Alfa’s gorgeous new Giulia isn’t just eye candy – it’s a serious rival to those all-conquering German executive expresses. Superb driving dynamics combined with safety, speed and economy make the 2.2-litre turbo diesel a compelling proposition, while the 190mph flagship Quadrifoglio is bonkers.
Jaguar XF Sportbrake
The second generation XF Sportbrake is even sleeker than its predecessor. An effortless cruiser, it’s easily the best-looking estate car on the market. Quite simply, the Sportbrake is station wagon royalty.
BMW 5 Series
BMW has set a new benchmark with the seventh generation 5 Series. No other car in its class can offer the same combination of driver engagement, state-of-the-art tech, build quality, performance and economy – and we’re only taking the entry level 2.0-litre turbo diesel.
MINI Cooper S Works 210
Sitting between the Cooper S and the John Cooper Works, the MINI Cooper S Works 210 blends the everyday practicality of the former with the impressive performance and glorious soundtrack of the latter. Such fun!
Mazda MX-5 RF
The RF (Retractable Fastback) broadens the appeal of the world’s favourite roadster by offering an electrically-operated targa-style top for a little extra comfort and refinement. Not only does it look great, but the slick roof mechanism is something to behold. The RF is as close to a perfect sports car as you can get, yet still great value.
Tesla Model X
Tesla’s first SUV is a distinctive, futuristic and very clever seven-seater electric vehicle. Not perfect and a little pricey, it looks like nothing else on the road. Like the Model S it also has a superb party trick when you need to overtake – 0-62mph in 2.9 seconds!
Honda Civic
The new Honda Civic is a class act. Boasting distinctive, radical styling and plenty of tech, it’s rewarding to drive, spacious and safe. The flagship Type R hot hatch (pictured) is as entertaining to drive as it looks.
Volkswagen T-Roc
Sitting below the Tiguan, VW’s new entrant in the very competitive compact crossover segment not only looks stylish and sporty, it’s good to drive and blessed with a great range of engines. Arguably a little pricey, the T-Roc will sell well.
Volvo XC60
Longer, wider and lower than its predecessor, the new XC60 looks not unlike a baby version of the acclaimed XC90. Slightly more dynamic to drive than the outgoing XC60, it’s solid, safe, well-equipped, comfortable and oozing with Scandi style.
Peugeot 5008
Just like the acclaimed 3008, Peugeot has transformed the 5008 MPV into an SUV. A classy big car with a real quality feel, it’s well made, versatile, surprisingly sporty to drive and economical.
Citroen C3 Aircross
The Citroen C3 Aircross is a breath of fresh air and will definitely appeal to those buyers that want to stand out from the crowd. It’s also spacious, well equipped, easy to drive and there’s a good choice of engines. A fun choice in the very competitive compact crossover sector.
Rolls-Royce Dawn
Driving the new Rolls-Royce Dawn is an astonishing experience. Not only is it the ultimate in luxury open-top motoring, but it also makes you and your passengers feel very special. Enough said.
Mazda CX-5
With head-turning looks and a comfortable, classy interior, the athletic new Mazda CX-5 gets top marks for refinement and driving engagement, making it one of the best all-round SUV packages on the market.
Lexus LC 500
The drop-dead gorgeous Lexus LC 500 isn’t just eye candy – it boasts a 5.0-litre engine producing 465bhp and 398lb-ft of torque, mated to a 10-speed automatic gearbox. Luxurious, entertaining to drive and sporting a glorious V8 soundtrack, it’s a class act.
Honda NSX
Honda’s stunning AWD hybrid supercar is surprisingly easy to drive, despite all that power on tap from a twin-turbo V6 and three electric motors. A worthy successor to the legendary original NSX, it’s capable of 0-60mph in a blistering 2.9 seconds and a top speed of 191mph.
Range Rover SVAutobiography Dynamic
Land Rover has raised the stakes again with the luxurious new 5.0-litre V8 SVAutobiography Dynamic – the fastest most agile Range Rover ever. Arguably, the ultimate SUV.
Seat Leon Cupra 300
Seat’s recently refreshed, souped-up and stylish Leon blends impressive performance with practicality. Using the same 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine found in the VW Golf GTI (modified to produce 296bhp) and paired with a slick DSG (auto) gearbox it has a top speed of 155mph and can reach 62mph from standstill in 5.8 seconds.
Volvo V90 Cross Country
The standard Volvo v90 is one of the best looking load-luggers on the market. The raised Cross Country 4×4 version is also safe, plush and practical – it’s also surprisingly capable off-road and blessed with a smooth ride, making it a great cruiser too.
Skoda Kodiaq
At 4.69 metres long, 1.88m wide and 1.67m high, Skoda big new SUV definitely has road presence. Add Skoda’s signature clean-cut lines, and it’s a substantial, yet stylish package. Go easy on the options list and you could end up with a huge amount of SUV for your money.
Audi R8 Spyder
Powered by an awesome 533bhp 5.2-litre V10, the new Spyder will do 0-62mph in just 3.6 seconds and is good for almost 200mph, making it one of the fastest convertibles in the world. Powerful and beautifully planted, it’s also surprisingly easy to drive.