The 11 best new cars in 2020
Erin Baker
This year will be all about the rise of the electric car, which until now has remained the preserve of those with deep pockets and endless patience with an inadequate charging infrastructure. Motorists in 2020 are promised more electric cars in all areas of the market including the sub-£30,000 end, and more EVs with a realistic range of over 300 miles. But it's not all about dull stats: there are some stunning, exciting supercars due to hit UK shores and serious horsepower on offer, combined with the latest engineering and software developments. Here are the 11 best cars coming out in 2020.
Jaguar F-Type
The often-overlooked (why?) Jaguar F-Type has had a substantial facelift and we can’t wait to get behind the wheel – any excuse to drive this lovable British sportscar. One of Ian Callum’s finest creations, the F-Type has smart tailored lines that are echoed inside, with tightly cut and stitched leather seats and dashboard. The F-Type R V8 sounds like the world is ending, too.
Polestar 2
The Polestar 1 might have been the first car to be launched by this electric brand, formerly of Volvo, but the 2 is really the first proper all-new car to emerge, because the 1 was essentially a souped up Volvo concept coupe. The Polestar 2 will have Google-enabled tech inside, with a price for mass-market pockets.
Ford Mustang Mach-E
The first SUV we’ve seen in a while that we actually lust after. The Mustang Mach-E is Ford’s first all-electric car, with echoes of the Mustang muscle car and a proper range of about 350 miles. Rear-wheel-drive and 0-62mph in under four seconds will give it some character. Pre-order now, but First Edition models are spoken for.
Aston Martin DBX
Almost here… Long have we waited for Aston’s five-seat crossover, the DBX. Air suspension, the brand’s meaty V8, and 550 horsepower promise a fine family driving experience, wrapped in a design which has split opinion but we rather fancy.
McLaren Elva
Sounds like the next model in a Lotus line-up, but this £1.4m, 805 horsepower, open-top, mid-engined beauty is courtesy of McLaren. The McLaren Elva the lightest production car the Woking company has produced, and they say it’s faster than the Senna. Which makes it… fast. It’s a limited edition, so get your order in now.
Bentley Bentayga Hybrid
A Bentley SUV for the eco brigade (sort of). With about 30 miles of electric-only power on tap, owners can feasibly spend their week going from A to B without bothering the Bentayga Hybrid V6 petrol engine on board. An electric Bentley is also a fabulous place to be, ensconced in creamy soft leather, with no noise other than some distant whooshing from the air outside.
Honda E
The urban electric runaround that the style-conscious have been waiting for: the Honda e. Instinctively lovable, this little retro gift promises great Japanese engineering and reliability, and is possibly the first genuinely desirable small Honda to reach our shores (discuss). Form an orderly queue.
Ferrari Roma
Wow. 2019 was a busy year for Ferrari with a raft of launches, but if one model stood out for us it was the Ferrari Roma, which seems like a real design departure for Maranello. A mid-front-engined two-plus-two GT, the Roma is an incredible evolution of the Portofino (which itself was a much better take on the California). A twin-turbo V8 with a few more horses than the Portofino, mated to Side Slip Control, promises considerable larks.
Tesla Model Y
Some customers might still be waiting for their Model X, but we’re moving on to the next car from Elon Musk, the Model Y small SUV. We know it’ll be fast, with a good rapid-charging infrastructure, a 336-mile range and great software that offers things like a fire on the tablet touchscreen and accompanying warm air, for Romantic mode.
Land Rover Defender
We all saw it last year, but 2020 is the time to get your hands on the new Land Rover Defender and experience unparalleled off-roading capability. We’ll take the black window panels that offer tablet storage and charging on the inside. Oh, and the optional ladder to the roof, too. Just because.
Mercedes GLS
If you’re after a luxury seven-seater, look no further than the Mercedes GLS. Merc’s new infotainment technology, called MBUX, is a step above the competition, with augmented-reality satnav that turns the view from a map into a camera view of the road you should take, and a swirling gallery of albums to choose your music from, on a huge glass screen. Loads of space for seven adults.
Jaguar
F-Type
Honda
Honda e
Bentley
Bentayga
McLaren
Elva
Land Rover
Defender
Mercedes
GLS
Polestar
Polestar 2
Ford
Mach-E
Aston Martin
DBX
Ferrari
Roma
Tesla
Model Y
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