35 hot new cars still to come in 2017

Just because we’re halfway through the year doesn’t mean we’re running low on new cars to get excited about. Here are 35 new models currently scheduled to roll off the production line before the end of 2017. More new car advice on Motoring Research The 30 hottest new cars of 2017… so far Revealed: the […]

35 hot new cars still to come in 2017

Just because we’re halfway through the year doesn’t mean we’re running low on new cars to get excited about. Here are 35 new models currently scheduled to roll off the production line before the end of 2017.


More new car advice on Motoring Research


Ford Fiesta

There might be a new Fiesta on the way, but that hasn’t stopped the outgoing version from topping the sales charts across the UK and Europe. But all good things have to end, and the new seventh-generation Fiesta will be on sale next month, with prices starting at £12,715. The regular hatchback models will be available first, including fancy Vignale trim, with the Active crossover and ST hot hatch following on later.

Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen has teased the new sixth-generation Polo but we’re only a month off the full unveiling now. Debuting on the 16th June, styling changes are will be evolutionary rather than dramatic, based on the leaked images and spy shots. Using the same VW Group MQB A0 platform as the new Seat Ibiza, expectations are high for improved refinement and technology.

Mazda CX-5

The compact SUV market continues to heat up, and the all-new Mazda CX-5 brings good looks inspired by the smaller CX-3. On sale from the 30th June, UK buyers have a choice of Skyactiv 2.0-litre petrol or 2.2-litre diesel engines, with AWD also on the options list. Prices begin at £23,695, with generous standard equipment levels. A special Soul Red Crystal Metallic paint also promises to increase paintwork brightness by approximately 20% compared to the previous CX-5.

Skoda Karoq

The Yeti is dead, long live the Karoq. Replacing a cult-classic like the Yeti was always going to be difficult. However, we can’t help but be a little saddened that Skoda has forgotten the quirky qualities that made the Yeti so popular. Undoubtedly more mature, the Karoq has more than a passing resemblance to the related VW Tiguan and Seat Ateca. Given the success of the larger Kodiaq, we have no doubt the sensible Karoq will still prove to be a winner when it goes on sale later this year.

Hyundai Kona

This is Hyundai’s first ever sub-compact SUV, and it plans to take on the Nissan Juke and Renault Captur. Bold looks are important in this segment, so Hyundai has pulled no punches in making the Kona look as distinctive as possible. Promised to be on sale by the end of 2017, the Kona is named after the eponymous district on the Big Island of Hawaii, apparently famed for its energy and unique lifestyle. The Tucson and Santa Fe are well regarded, so there’s no doubt Hyundai has SUV prowess.

Kia Stonic

Sharing a platform with the Kona will be Kia’s own take on the compact SUV segment. With a name derived from a portmanteau of speedy and tonic – yes, really – the Stonic looks as unique as it is badged. Expect engines to be taken from the Rio supermini, with the Stonic majoring on strong equipment levels and Kia’s generous seven-year warranty to battle the ageing Nissan Juke.

Citroen C3 Aircross

Hot off the press, and heading to showrooms on the 1st November, Citroen has killed off the C3 Picasso MPV and replaced it with a compact SUV. With even the ability to do some light off-roading, the Aircross is an important car for Citroen, which has aims of boosting total brand sales 30% by 2021. The Aircross will emphasise customisation, with a choice of 90 colour combinations, but also technology such as wireless smartphone charging and a colour head-up display.

Nissan Qashqai

Despite being a byword for the compact crossover market, Nissan cannot afford to take market dominance for granted with the Qashqai. New rivals are appearing constantly, so it should be no surprise that the second-generation car is getting a facelift. The changes are mild, with the adoption of the new corporate grille and reshaped headlights being the biggest difference. Inside, and under the bonnet, remain virtually untouched with the option of a high-end Bose sound system being the only notable alteration.

Jeep Compass

Looking very much like a shrunken Grand Cherokee, Jeep is reintroducing the Compass and it’s set to be sold in 100 countries worldwide. It’ll also be built in four global locations, with European-spec cars produced in India. Sadly UK buyers won’t be getting the amusingly named ‘Tigershark’ 2.4-litre petrol engine offered in the USA. Instead we’ll be receiving 140 and 170hp varieties of the 1.4-litre turbo petrol engine, or 1.6 and 2.0-litre diesels. Despite wearing the Jeep name, four-wheel drive is merely optional.

Seat Arona

Don’t confuse the name with the Arosa – Seat’s version of the Lupo city car from the late 1990s. No, the Arona is set to be a new compact crossover from the Spanish brand, which should look rather similar to the pictured IBX concept. Pitched as another rival to the Nissan Juke, and using the MQB A0 platform from the Ibiza, the Arona will be a five-door compact crossover. The finished version should be on display at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, with sales possible as early as November.

Volkswagen T-Roc

After several years of playing it cool on the whole crossover segment, Volkswagen finally seems to have woken up to the big new trend. With the Tiguan pushed further upmarket, the T-Roc will be Volkswagen’s Golf-sized entry into a busy marketplace. Ignore the three-door stance of the pictured concept car, shown at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show, as the T-Roc will be a practical five-door. Engines and drivetrain options will be borrowed from the Golf hatchback, with sales set to begin by the end of 2017.

Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace

Like the Volkswagen Tiguan, but wish it had seven seats instead of five? Your prayers will be answered by the new bigger Allspace version, which looks virtually indistinguishable from the regular Tiguan SUV. With a wheelbase stretched by 109mm, and overall length by 215mm, the Allspace has the option of an extra pair of seats in the rear. Luggage space has also grown by 145 litres, with the potential for a cavernous 1,920 litres with the rear seats folded flat. Expect sales to commence soon.

Volkswagen Touareg

Planned for a big reveal at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, we might have to wait until 2018 to actually drive the new Touareg. Expect styling to change very little from the pictured T-Prime concept vehicle, which was shown off at the 2016 Beijing Auto Show, previewing the increased size of the next Touareg. Volkswagen promises a more upmarket experience, with a high-tech interior, and the option of a plug-in hybrid GTE version. But, as with the current second-generation car, don’t expect a V10 diesel engine to make an appearance.

Renault Koleos

Do you remember the original Koleos, sold from 2008 to 2010 in the UK, and badged as the Samsung QM5 in South Korea? No, we thought as much, given that less than 3,000 examples made it to these shores. The new Koleos is a far more convincing SUV, sharing a platform with the Nissan X-Trail, although still built at Renault’s Korean factory. Prices start at £27,500 for a front-wheel-drive 1.6-litre diesel, rising to £34,200 for the top-spec 2.0-litre diesel with four-wheel-drive and automatic gearbox.

Range Rover Velar

According to Land Rover, the Velar fills the ‘white space’ between the Evoque and the Range Rover Sport. Named after prototypes for the original Range Rover, the Velar is the fourth model in the Rangie family. Related to the Jaguar F-Pace, expect road-biased dynamics, a premium interior, and funky door handles that sit flush with the body until the car is unlocked. Land Rover assures us that the Velar will still get dirty off-road. Prices begin at £44,830, with sales commencing in July. We can confirm that Ellie Goulding is not included on the options list.

Alfa Romeo Stelvio

Alfa is on something of a roll at the minute, with the new Giulia saloon receiving fairly positive reviews across the board. The Stelvio shares the same platform as the Giulia, and is another piece in the Italian company’s plans to expand sales across the globe. Although Alfa displayed a 510hp twin-turbo V6 Quadrifoligio model last year, UK cars will initially be a choice of either 280hp 2.0-litre petrol turbo, or 210hp 2.2-litre diesel. All will have an eight-speed automatic gearbox, and use Alfa’s Q4 4WD system. Prices will be confirmed closer to the official launch date this summer.

Mercedes-Benz X-Class

Mercedes-Benz has seemingly been on a mission since the turn of the century to try and cover virtually every niche possible. Enter the X-Class – a pick-up truck that will be even more luxurious than the Volkswagen Amarok. Based on the Nissan Navara, the X-Class will have a usable payload of more than 1.1 tonnes. Sales will begin later this year, although European buyers may have to wait until 2018 to finally get their cars. Mercedes has had such unprecedented demand it’s had to create a bespoke website in the UK to handle reservations for the first models.

Ssangyong Rexton

South Korea’s other car manufacturer is upping the pace in the UK with another new SUV. Last year’s concept version may have had plush shag-pile carpets, but sadly they don’t seem to have reached the production Rexton. But Ssangyong still promises a refined interior, with Nappa leather seats and Apple CarPlay as standard. Mercedes-Benz supplies the seven-speed auto’ gearbox, powering all four wheels courtesy of a 2.2-litre diesel engine. Expect prices under £28,000 when sales begin in the autumn.

Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer

Vauxhall is making a major effort with the latest Insignia and, on the back of the coupe-esque four-door Grand Sport, comes the new estate version. Undoubtedly handsome, the new Sports Tourer boasts more load space with 1,665 litres of room for all your junk in the trunk when the seats are folded flat. Set to be on sale very soon, prices for the Insignia Sports Tourer will begin at £18,615, representing a £1,500 premium over the four-door version.

Jaguar XF Sportbrake

After months of titillation, Sir Andy Murray was responsible for finally pulling the covers off the XF Sportbrake. It’s been one of the worst kept secrets in the motoring world, with only the bizarre tennis ball camouflage disguising the finished product. Production cars will be in showrooms by the end of the year, with engine choices mirroring the saloon equivalent.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class All-Terrain

Despite the insistence of Mercedes-Benz on tackling every segment possible, somehow the brand had avoided the off-road estate market. Until now, that is. With standard air suspension and larger tyres increasing ground clearance by 29mm over the normal E-Class, the All-Terrain also benefits from robust plastic body mouldings and trim pieces. A 4Matic AWD system is standard, with the choice of 2.0-litre straight-four or 3.0-litre V6 diesel engines.

Hyundai i30 Tourer

This might not seem like the sexiest of new estates debuting in 2017, but for those in the real world it’s still an important addition to the wagon market. With one of the biggest boots in the segment – boasting 602 litres with the seats up, and 1,650 litres with them down – the i30 Tourer has practicality on its side. It also majors on safety, with Autonomous Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Detection, and Driver Attention Alert just some of the features included. Sales begin at the end of the summer.

Porsche Panamera Sport Turismo

On the other hand, this is quite possibly the best-looking estate we’ll see going on sale this year. It does lose out to the i30 on luggage space though, with a meagre 1,390 litres of space with the seats folded down. We doubt that most buyers expecting their cars in October will really care, and instead will revel in the shooting brake styling. Priced from £73,017, the range-topping Turbo Sport Turismo is substantially more costly at £117,247. That does bring a 550hp twin-turbo V8 engine to the party, however.

Volkswagen Arteon

In theory the all-new Arteon follows on from the old Passat CC, but in reality Volkswagen wants this to be seen as a further push into premium territory. So whilst it shares a platform with the current Passat, it’s longer and wider, while also likely to be considerably more expensive. Initial engine choices will be a 280hp 2.0-litre petrol turbo, or 2.0-litre turbo diesel with 240hp, and will both feature 4WD as standard. Trim choices will be either the sporty R-Line, as pictured, or the slightly subtler Elegance version. On sale from October, but will it tempt buyers from Audi and BMW?

Kia Stinger

It’s safe to say a rear-wheel-drive Kia saloon, with the option of a 370hp twin-turbo V6 engine, wasn’t top of most predictions for what would be launched at the Detroit Auto Show. Kia took many by surprise with the Stinger, and especially with it being so close to ready for production. Available to buy at the end of the year, UK buyers will have the option of a 255hp 2.0-litre petrol turbo, 200hp 2.2-litre diesel, or the aforementioned 3.3-litre turbo V6.

Audi A8

Although Audi is currently keeping quiet on the finalised design of the new A8 saloon, it isn’t being shy when it comes to the technical details under the skin. Mild hybrid electric technology will be standard across the range, allowing energy recuperation and coasting to save fuel. The Audi Space Frame will use a mixture of aluminium, steel, magnesium and carbonfibre, helping to save weight but keep structural rigidity high. The finished product will be unveiled next month, but expect styling cues to be taken from the 2014 Prologue concept car.

Honda Civic Type R

As the first Civic Type R to be built for the global market, including the USA, Honda has high hopes pinned on this car. A new Nürburgring Nordschleife lap record has been set, which is almost de rigueur for any serious hot hatch these days. The 2.0-litre VTEC Turbo engine now produces 320hp, with the gear ratios for the six-speed manual gearbox lowered to aid acceleration. Hitting forecourts next month the base car is priced at £30,995, with the higher specification GT model an additional £2,000. Both versions come with that bodykit though…

Renault Sport Megane

This may be another car that we’ll see before the end of the year, but buyers might have to wait until 2018 to play with. Building on the legacy of previous Megane generations, expectations are high for the full reveal at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. While Renault is playing coy on the exact details, we do at least know the new performance Megane will have the option of a traditional six-speed manual, or EDC dual-clutch gearbox. Much to the delight of Renault Sport enthusiasts everywhere we imagine.

Hyundai i30 N

Anyone who doubts how seriously Hyundai is taking development of the I30 N hot hatch should look to the recent performance at the Nürburgring 24 hour race. Two production-spec I30 N models were entered, racking up more than 6,000km between them. Hyundai has also tested the I30 N on UK roads, which should hopefully mean it suits our broken tarmac. Full details will come in September, but we do know the front-wheel drive hatch will feature a 2.0-litre turbo engine producing in the region of 260-290hp.

Toyota Yaris GRMN

First things first – GRMN stands for Gazoo Racing Masters of Nürburgring. Catchy, we know. Built to coincide with Toyota’s return to the World Rally Championship, this supermini-sized hot hatch is a genuine hardcore machine. Powered by a 1.8-litre supercharged engine producing more than 205hp, with a limited-slip differential and six-speed manual gearbox as standard, this is not your Grandmother’s Yaris. Whilst we’re still awaiting an exact on-sale date, expect the first cars before the end of 2017.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet

It might still have a fabric roof, but Mercedes is keen to point out that the new E-Class Cabriolet can be enjoyed all year round. Not only does it feature the optional Airscarf to blow warm air around your neck, but also a new Aircap system can be specified which reduces roof down turbulence. Engine choices are shared with the Coupé version, whilst 4Matic 4WD is available for the first time on a soft-top E-Class.

Lexus LC

Despite looking much like a concept car, the new LC coupe is genuinely a production-ready GT. Aimed at enhancing the sporting credibility of the Lexus brand, but with a unique slant on things, think of this as a leftfield alternative to a Porsche 911. Curiously, pricing is the exact same amount at £76,595, regardless of whether buyers opt for the 467hp 5.0-litre V8 LC 500, or the 3.5-litre V6 hybrid LC 500h. Deliveries will begin to UK customers in August this year.

Audi RS5 Coupé

Gone is the 4.2-litre V8 engine for the new RS5 Coupé, and in comes a 2.9-litre turbocharged V6 engine with 450hp and 443lb ft of torque. So while the V8 noise may have departed, performance is still suitably rapid with 0-62mph in 3.9 seconds. Audi also seems to want us to know the RS5 can drift, presumably thanks to the Quattro Sport Differential, which all UK cars receive as standard. This apportions torque more effectively to rear wheels, allowing for things to get a little lairy. With the RS5 having been available to order since May, the first customers should receive their cars later this summer.

BMW M4 CS

Another special edition BMW M4? Oh yes, indeed. Designed to sit between the hardcore M4 GTS and M4 Competition Pack, the CS blends elements of both cars together. Power is upped to 460hp, with suspension settings carried over from the Competition Pack machine. The carbonfibre bonnet and rear diffuser from the GTS make an appearance, but the CS features rear seats and does without a roll cage. Sales begin next month, priced at £89,130 – more than £30,000 cheaper than the M4 GTS.

Alpine A110

Recreating a sports car first introduced in the 1960s, the new Alpine A110 is a modern reinterpretation of that retro machine. The engine has moved from the rear to the middle for 2017, with a 1.8-litre turbocharged unit producing 252hp. The initial launch edition ‘Premiere’ model is priced at €58,500 (£51,427) and is limited to 1,955 models. While customers in left-hand drive countries will receive their cars by the end of 2017, UK buyers will have to wait slightly longer for right-hand drive versions.

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John Redfern
John Redfern
U.S. Editor with a love of all things Americana. Woodgrain-clad station wagons and ridiculous muscle cars a speciality.

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