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The MG HS PHEV has now won the What Car? Plug-in Hybrid of the Year award in both 2025 and 2026. That kind of repeat recognition in a competitive category is not given lightly. After time spent with the latest version, it is not hard to see why the judges keep returning to it. The PHEV powertrain is genuinely impressive.

The Jaecoo 7 topped the UK new car sales chart in March 2026 - a remarkable achievement for a brand that barely anyone had heard of two years ago. Built by Chinese giant Chery, it styles itself as a Range Rover-adjacent SUV at a fraction of the price. The question is whether the substance matches the sales numbers. The driving experience is where the Jaecoo 7 shows its limitations.

Toyota’s Aygo X Hybrid doesn’t just improve on the outgoing model — it transforms it. That’s likely why it was crowned Small Car of the Year at the What Car? Awards, a strong endorsement in a competitive segment. The move to Toyota’s self-charging hybrid system is the biggest upgrade. There’s no plug-in required, yet fuel economy and everyday drivability are significantly improved. Prices start at around £19,000, rising for higher-spec trims like the GR Sport.

The BMW iX3 has been crowned 2026 What Car? Car of the Year, with judges praising its long electric range, ultra-fast charging capability and everyday usability. A standout feature is its claimed WLTP range of up to 500 miles, making it the longest-range electric vehicle available in the UK at launch. The iX3 also supports 400kW DC fast charging, allowing drivers to add up to 231 miles of range in around 10 minutes, helping reduce downtime on longer journeys.

The Kia EV2 is Kia’s upcoming compact electric SUV, positioned as an affordable entry point into EV ownership. It’s aimed squarely at urban drivers who want something small on the outside, practical on the inside, and easy to live with day to day. Built around Kia’s “Opposites United” design philosophy, the EV2 is designed to balance compact dimensions with usable interior space.

What is it? The MG S6 EV is MG’s all-electric family SUV, pitched squarely at buyers who want zero tailpipe emissions without a zero in the bank balance. Sitting between the smaller MG4 and the larger Marvel R in spirit (if not strictly in size), the S6 EV aims to deliver sensible range, modern tech and a long warranty, all wrapped up in a shape that won’t upset the neighbours. It’s very much an everyday EV rather than a techno-showpiece—and that’s sort of the point.

What Is It? So, what’s this then? The Vauxhall Mokka GSE is the most powerful version of Vauxhall’s small electric SUV so far—and it’s got a bit of oomph about it. The GSE badge used to be slapped on the faster petrol and diesel Vauxhalls back in the day, but now it’s back with a spark. Based on the same e-CMP platform as a few other Stellantis cars, this one's got more punch and sportier handling than the standard Mokka Electric.

So, straight to the big news: the updated T-Roc R now puts out 328bhp. That’s a bump up from the previous version’s 300PS (or about 296bhp)—a solid step up. The power goes through a 7-speed DSG dual-clutch gearbox and VW’s 4MOTION all-wheel drive, nicked straight from the Golf R. It also gets adaptive suspension and torque vectoring, both managed electronically to keep everything feeling tight on the road. But yeah, drift mode. That’s the party trick here.

What Is It? Think of the Hyundai Ioniq 6 N as an electric saloon with proper performance chops — like a mad science project where they took the sensible Ioniq 6 and decided to give it some serious bite. It's got enough power to go head-to-head with the Tesla Model 3 Performance and even the base versions of the Porsche Taycan. But this isn’t just a case of sticking on a body kit and calling it a day.

This is a big move for Toyota, really. The Century has been around in Japan for ages as a fancy sedan, but this relaunch makes it a stand-alone luxury brand of its own. They pulled the covers off a new flagship coupé concept at the show, making it clear they’re not messing about — they want Century to be a serious player among the ultra-luxury names, traditionally dominated by Bentley and Rolls-Royce. Akio Toyoda, the big boss of Toyota, said: “Together, we have decided to launch the Century brand.