Popularity of manual gearbox cars continues to decline as new analysis shows that they represent fewer than one in 10 new car enquiries via Auto Express Marketplace. In 2026 only one in five new models is offered with three pedals, with experts suggesting the manual gearbox could disappear from the UK altogether by 2030.

In the first half of 2026, just 7.9 per cent of factory order enquiries submitted to Auto Express’ Buy a Car service concerned a car with a manual gearbox. This marks a significant decrease from a 14 per cent share in the same period in 2025, and 21 per cent in 2024.

Such a lack of interest is perhaps no surprise because despite Marketplace including every single mainstream car manufacturer in the UK, just 72 of the 356 (roughly one in five) unique car models available are offered with a manual transmission. In fact, more than half (26 of 48) of the brands on the site only sell automatic cars, with those that do provide manual options typically confining them to entry-level models in the range.

In 2025, the UK’s Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders said just 17 per cent of new cars left the forecourt with a manual transmission, down from 22 per cent in 2024. This is representative of a slow decline in the number of manual registrations over the past few years, with automatic sales having become the majority in 2020.

In fact, some experts believe the manual gearbox could die out completely as soon as 2030; Ben Hermer, operations director at Vehicle Data Global (VDG) said: “The moment is fast approaching when the economics of maintaining a manual transmission option don't add up, given the R&D, certification and other overheads involved in developing and refining gearboxes, even if there remains some demand in the market.”

Read more: https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/366914/death-manual-car-shock-new-data-shows-record-low-demand

Much has been said and reported on the electric Alpine A110 due next year, but punters keen for a first in-person look at the new-age sports car will be granted that wish at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed. 

Alpine will be running a dynamic prototype called the A110 Future and featuring a fully functional powertrain, up and down Lord March’s drive over the entire Festival of Speed weekend. 

This is a big moment for the brand, because – just like the petrol-powered A110 – the new car features a totally bespoke Alpine Performance Platform (APP) chassis to which Alpine’s high-performance electric motors will fitted. This is a different arrangement to the brand’s more mainstream models, the A290 and A390, which both draw their fundamental architectures from the wider Renault Group.

The A110 Future won’t reveal too much of the new model’s design language; instead it’ll use some heavily modified panels from the petrol-powered A110 that have been stretched and squished to fit over the top of the BEV’s slightly different proportions.

Read more: https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/alpine/a110/366941/new-alpine-a110-ev-sports-car-previewed-a110-future-prototype

Damaging a multi-million pound hypercar is likely to be many people’s worst nightmare. So with this in mind, you’d probably want to steer well clear of the all-new Bugatti Mistral Blanc Éternel, because it swaps the standard car’s solid aluminium trim for delicate white porcelain.

Looking like it’s been pulled straight out of an A-ha music video, the Mistral Blanc Éternel is designed in collaboration with Königliche Porzellan-Manufaktur (KPM) – a prestigious Berlin-based porcelain house, founded by King Fredrick the Great of Prussia. The car’s exterior is characterised by its porcelain-white paint and hand-masked black lines. These are intended to accentuate the Mistral’s curves and angles and pay homage to the digital modelling process used to design the model in the first place,

Inside, the Mistral Blanc Éternel is fully dressed in porcelain accents; the speaker covers, gearshifter, window switches and interior trim are all made by KPM. They’re matched by crisp white leather which, like the outside, is accented with black pinstripes. The Mistral doesn’t have any cup-holders, though, which is a shame given Bugatti has collaborated with KPM to produce and sell 1,000 reusable coffee cups that match the car.

The Bugatti Mistral is the French hypercar brand’s last model to utilise a W16 engine, with the Blanc Éternel’s eight-litre, quad-turbo powerplant decorated with white trim pieces and KPM’s iconic sceptre stamp. As with the standard Mistral, this special edition produces 1,578bhp and will reach 0-62mph in 2.4 seconds, continuing to a top speed of 273mph.

Read more: https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/bugatti/369927/new-bugatti-mistral-blanc-eternel-made-china-built-france

The new Lamborghini Urus SE Performante has been unleashed, and is the fastest, most powerful and most outrageous-looking version of the brand's wildly popular super-SUV to date.

This latest variant of the flamboyant foe of the Ferrari Purosangue, Aston Martin DBX and Bentley Bentayga is hurled forward by 801bhp and a whopping 1,000Nm of torque – 144bhp and 150Nm more than the old Performante. 

That’s because the new one is a plug-in hybrid, combining a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 with one electric motor and a 25.9kWh battery. Power is sent to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. It’s the same powertrain found in the regular Urus SE, but Lamborghini has fettled it with some software to make it more responsive and minimise lag.

The addition of the hybrid system does mean the new Urus SE Performante is more than 300kg heavier than its predecessor, weighing in at a hefty 2,473kg. However, its 0-62mph time of 3.3 seconds is exactly the same, and the new heavyweight is even quicker from 0-124mph, taking just 10.8 seconds. Top speed stands at 194mph, which is slightly higher as well.

Read more: https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/lamborghini/urus/366560/new-lamborghini-urus-se-performante-has-more-power-aventador

Welcome to the Auto Express New Car Awards, the definitive verdicts on the best new cars of every type on sale today. 12 months of extensive testing by our expert road testers over thousands of miles went into choosing the winners in 26 separate categories. If you’re buying a new car in the UK today, these are the models we recommend, the ones you should not ignore.

What do you think of our picks?

https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/new-car-awards-2026

When BMW coined the term Sports Activity Vehicle at the launch of the original X5 in 1999, it suggested that this was a car that could do just about anything. It had to drive like a sports saloon, be as practical as an estate, plus have the rugged capability of an off-roader – and what a success this template has proven. Now, this all-new fifth generation will add one more feather to the X5’s cap thanks to its powertrain diversity, with diesel, plug-in hybrid or fully-electric options all offered for the first time – and a hydrogen fuel-cell variant coming in 2028.

Strictly speaking, there’s actually five powertrain options available, as overseas models will also have a pure petrol option. In the UK, we’ll be limited to three powertrains at launch, each promising class-leading figures in terms of performance and efficiency. There’s a high-performance plug-in hybrid M Performance model available from the off, and a full-house M model should be along in time. But it’s the bread-and-butter models which will have the biggest impact.

Read more: https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/bmw/x5/363792/new-bmw-x5-revealed-luxury-suv-gets-electric-ix5-option-first-time

Jeep has confirmed it is developing three new European-designed SUV models that’ll join the Avenger and Compass in the current range. A new supermini-sized SUV, a Jeep Renegade replacement and a tough new family-sized model are all on the way. 

The American 4x4 specialist is at the sharp end of the massive growth plan laid down by parent company Stellantis, so each of these new Jeep models has to deliver big sales numbers if the company is to survive in Europe. That’s why each is targeting critical European volume segments, rather than acting halo products. 

There is, however, a cost to all this. Plans for Jeep’s American or global product lines to be integrated into European markets have stalled. This includes the Jeep Wagoneer S and Jeep Recon, which have been pulled from the UK product plan before they’ve even reached dealerships. 

This is in addition to another major loss for the brand. Jeep’s halo model – the Wrangler – is no longer compatible with European emissions or safety regulations, so has been removed from sale in the UK. Jeep is certain that it can make up for this with its set of far more Euro-friendly models, offering Jeep’s cool Americana image on cars more suited to customers here. 

Read more: https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/jeep/369909/all-change-jeep-3-new-suvs-uk-buyers-two-axed

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The long-running Vauxhall Astra has been green-lit for an eighth generation, but there’s no guarantee it will include a hatchback.

The all-new car will come to market around 2029-30 and be underpinned by Stellantis’ STLA One architecture, which is also bound for the next Corsa in 2027. Opel/Vauxhall CEO Florian Huettl confirmed to Auto Express that the Astra will come as an battery electric vehicle (BEV) but could offer a broader powertrain line-up.

“It will certainly be BEV,” said Huettl. “But then STLA One isn’t limited to BEV only in its capabilities, so we’re currently looking at the right calibration of the powertrain offer.”

There’s a big question mark over the hatchback bodystyle, though, with the ‘C-segment’ market containing the likes of the Astra, Volkswagen Golf and BMW 1 Series hatches suffering an exodus of buyers to SUVs or more luxurious superminis. As you can see from our exclusive image, that is almost certain to mean a rethink for a car that over its 45-year life has always been built in hatchback and estate form.

“It doesn’t mean necessarily that the new Astra is a traditional hatchback,” Huettl confirmed, to our question asking whether the five-door hatchback form should evolve to boost sales. “I can tell you that there will be a station wagon, because that’s what our home market [Germany] requires, and this is what we will serve.”

The next Astra range could be estate only, mirroring a decision taken by Volkswagen with the latest Passat. But it might mean a more crossover-style variant could be spun off the platform, with Opel/Vauxhall capable of adding a second bodystyle at a faster pace having worked hard on its efficiency to battle Chinese brands. 

Read more: https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/vauxhall/astra/369754/new-vauxhall-astra-wont-be-hatch-big-estate-ment-intent-planned

After 27 class champions, the one new car to rule them all is the Nissan Leaf. Its victory is simple in essence: the Leaf is a car that will make owners blissfully happy, because its mission is to prioritise their needs and well-being. It is an outstanding family EV, with class-leading or highly competitive performance in every key measure.

What’s the ideal range for an electric car? Even Goldilocks would be satisfied with the extended-range Leaf’s 386-mile figure: not too big to make it unaffordable, not too small to trigger uncomfortable anxiety.

Indeed we’re struggling to find any rival that can match the Leaf’s compelling quartet of range, horsepower (215bhp), efficiency (4.5 miles per kWh) and price: the 75kWh model costs £32,249 after discounting the Government’s Electric Car Grant, or £28,849 for the standard-range, 52kWh edition.    

But the Leaf’s appeal goes far deeper than mere specs. On the move, its plush ride quality is its standout feature, but not at the expense of response: the Nissan jinks sweetly to follow your inputs and clings on gamely. The cockpit’s clean lines are calming, with an unobstructed view over big, intuitive but low-set touchscreens. These run Google’s operating system, enabling seamless electric route planning and Gemini AI assistance.

The haptic air-con switches are a bit indistinct and the transmission selector needs a quality upgrade, mind you. But the standard spec includes Nissan ProPilot Level 2 driving assistance, a 360-degree camera and a heat pump to maximise range.

And the package is brilliant. This is a seriously compact car, measuring just 4.35m long, yet there’s good rear-seat space and a decent-sized boot. And it’s all wrapped in a genius crossover design, with a coupé-like glasshouse and roofline on top of a chunky, clean body with plenty of SUV attitude.

Nissan’s London design studio shaped the look, its R&D team in Cranfield, Beds, helped with engineering, and the finished car rolls off a production line near Sunderland, fed by the UK’s first and only battery gigafactory. All that makes the Leaf a home win for the UK, and a deserving Auto Express Car of the Year.

New Car Awards 2026: the winners

New Car Awards 2026: introduction	Coupe of the Year 2026: BMW 2 Series
Car of the Year 2026: Nissan Leaf	Convertible of the Year 2026: Mazda MX-5
City Car of the Year 2026: Kia Picanto	Performance Car of the Year 2026: Porsche 911
Supermini of the Year 2026: Cupra Raval	Affordable Electric Car of the Year 2026: Nissan Leaf
Family Car of the Year 2026: Kia PV5 Passenger	Premium Electric Car of the Year 2026: BMW iX3
Estate Car of the Year 2026: Skoda Superb Estate	Affordable Hybrid Car of the Year 2026: MG HS
Small Company Car of the Year 2026: Nissan Leaf	Premium Hybrid Car of the Year 2026: Audi A5
Mid-size Company Car of the Year 2026: Mercedes CLA	Pick-up of the Year 2026: Ford Ranger
Large Company Car of the Year 2026: Audi A6 e-tron	Electric Van of the Year 2026: Kia PV5 Cargo
Small SUV of the Year 2026: Renault 4	Small Van of the Year 2026: Kia PV5 Cargo
Mid-size SUV of the Year 2026: Skoda Elroq	Mid-size Van of the Year 2026: Ford Transit Custom
Large SUV of the Year 2026: Skoda Kodiaq	Large Van of the Year 2026: Renault Master
Small Premium SUV of the Year 2026: Audi Q3	Driver Power Award 2026: Tesla Model 3
Mid-size Premium SUV of the Year 2026: BMW iX3	Driver Power Manufacturer Award 2026: Mercedes
Large Premium SUV of the Year 2026: Range Rover Sport	Previous winners
Hot Hatch of the Year 2026: Volkswagen Golf GTI

Back in the eighties, if you were after a car with serious power – let’s say, more than 400bhp – you needed Porsche, Ferrari or Lamborghini amounts of cash. Nowadays though, average family cars can deliver a similar amount of grunt, and I don’t know how to feel about that.

On one hand, I enjoy the idea of a car that costs about as much as a base-spec BMW 3 Series being able to keep up with a Lamborghini Countach away from the lights. But I don’t think anyone actually needs a family runabout that’s as potent as a jar of moonshine brewed under their sketchy cousin’s sink. The issue is that some of these cars simply are not equipped to handle the grunt they’ve been given.

The BYD Atto 3 EVO is a perfect example of this, because the fairly ordinary SUV that previously produced just 200bhp was recently given a whacking great 443bhp, plus 560Nm of torque – that’s more than a Porsche 911 Carrera – yet the suspension and brakes on this flagship car are the same as those on the base 303bhp version, which doesn’t inspire much confidence. Neither does the way the car handles, because while it is relatively comfy, it leans quite a bit through corners, the ride is unsettled and wallowy, and the steering is vague. 

Similarly, the Chery Tiggo 9 has 422bhp and feels rather clumsy on a twisty road because its chassis struggles to cope with so much power. The ludicrously quick 429bhp MG4 XPower does get some suspension upgrades compared with regular versions, but also feels like a bit of a loose cannon as it fires you into the next county.

This phenomenon is not just confined to Chinese cars, however. The dual-motor versions of the Volvo EX30, EX40 and EC40 are astonishingly quick, but I think the amount of power they have is over the top. 

It comes down to a matter of trust. For a long time, we didn’t trust a Ford Mustang to go around corners as fast as a BMW M3 and, for me, it’s the same with these cars. I’m always more tentative behind the wheel of one of them because I’m not sure what might happen if I approach a corner at the great speeds they can so easily reach. 

And with these cars being so fast, drivers who have never had access to so much firepower can easily find themselves going way beyond the speed limit without even trying. A 400bhp+ family car sounds like a fun idea, plus it’s great the first time you launch it. But you might not feel quite so clever after your third speeding ticket.

https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/opinion/369879/many-family-cars-are-now-too-powerful-their-own-good

Disappointed the Hyundai Vision 74 Concept never materialised? Don’t worry, the new Hyundai Avante saloon looks nearly as good…and this one might come to the UK. 

This is the brand’s core medium-sized saloon that sells in massive numbers across the United States and Asia, effectively acting as a four-door version of the i30 hatchback that operates in the same class in Europe. 

However, with the demise of the European i30 confirmed, and Hyundai now fitting this model with more Euro-friendly hybrid powertrains, the funky-looking saloon could be on its way back to showrooms on this side of the Atlantic.

This new eighth-generation model is a very different creature to the last medium-sized saloon Hyundai sold in Europe. To start with, it’s much bigger at 4,765mm long – that’s about the same size as an Audi A5 Sportback – and it looks it, too, with much more grown-up proportions and scalpel-sharp styling. 

Coming from Hyundai’s Korean studio, the new Avante features the brand’s Art of Steel design language. This will also be applied to future models such as the next Tucson and Kona SUVs, but here it has produced an aggressive saloon with bulging wheelarches, a low-set and pointy nose and razor-sharp lighting. In fact, the h-pattern lighting design will be one that’ll spread to most, if not all, combustion-powered Hyundai models moving forward. 

Read more: https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/hyundai/369898/wild-new-hyundai-avante-saloon-says-hello-future

Following the F1 and P1 is a bit like applying to be the third member of the Beatles after John Lennon and Paul McCartney. It’s a tough gig. But the McLaren W1 is a fabulous and surprisingly easy car to drive. A mixture of old and new-school, it is sensationally fast, yet is also tactile at low speeds. If you’re lucky enough to be one of the 399 new owners spending £2million on your next hypercar, then you have a hit on your hands. 

Read the full review: https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/mclaren/w1/369903/new-mclaren-w1-review-f1-p1-and-now-landmark-hypercar

Repairing an electric car is more expensive and time consuming than a petrol or diesel equivalent – that’s the verdict from fleet accident management firm, AX, following analysis of more than 40,000 incidents across the UK.

AX says that the average repair cost for an EV following a non-fault crash is £6,363, which is roughly a fifth more (19.2 per cent) than the typical £5,338 cost to fix an internal combustion (ICE) vehicle. Furthermore, while the average repair time for an ICE car is 23 days, an EV is usually off the road for 25 days, due to more time-intensive repairs.

The firm’s chief commercial officer, Scott Hamilton-Cooper, explained: “While the gap between EV and ICE repairs is narrowing as repairers gain experience and technology improves, our AX Repair Index shows that electric vehicles still place a greater overall burden on the repair process. This is partly due to more costly EV parts and because they usually require calibration even for small repairs.”

The difference in repair cost and complexity is why many electric cars are burdened with higher insurance group ratings than their petrol equivalents; according to price comparison site MoneySuperMarket, the average comprehensive car insurance premium is 13 per cent higher for EVs than it is for petrol models. This is compounded by the fact that many EVs produce more power than petrol and diesel rivals and are thus deemed more of a risk to insurers.

Read more: https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/369880/hidden-cost-evs-electric-car-repairs-cost-20-more-petrol-and-diesel-cars

The new Porsche Taycan virtual gearchanges are just as convincing here as they are in a Hyundai Ioniq 5 N or a Honda Super N. It’s easy to forget you’re driving an EV sometimes, with the Taycan offering the kind of tactile and aural feedback that some owners might miss from their old Panamera or other combustion-powered saloon. And being optional, you can, of course, still drive it like a conventional electric car. Furthermore, Porsche’s 2027 infotainment and range updates make it a stronger package all round.

Full review: https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/porsche/taycan/369894/new-porsche-taycan-e-shift-2026-review-manual-ev-surprisingly-convincing

Behold, the all-new Skoda Peaq: the biggest, boldest and priciest model the company has ever made. It’s a seven-seat electric SUV, but this is not merely a Kodiaq without an engine, because the new peak of the Skoda range embraces what we expect from this much-loved brand and takes it up another level.

We’ve been waiting four years for the arrival of the Peaq because Skoda previewed its new flagship model back in 2022 with the bold Vision 7S concept. It also introduced us to the brand’s latest design language, Modern Solid, which has since shaped its three other electric SUVs: the Enyaq, Elroq and Epiq.

Amazingly, the design hasn’t changed too much during the Peaq’s long gestation from concept to production. The ‘Tech-Deck Face’ mask is that sleeker interpretation of Skoda’s traditional grille shape we’re familiar with from the Elroq, and is used to hide all the car’s sensors. The blanked-off grille is framed by T-shape running lights, with the main headlight units tidily concealed underneath, and a black loop – both elements carried over from the Vision 7S, and similar to those seen on the £25k Epiq.

Skoda’s lead exterior designer, Romain Bucaille, told Auto Express that simplicity was one of the guiding principles with the Peaq. “When you look at the side section, it's really simple, it's really clean. We wanted everything to be as flush as possible, so the car would really be clean and a little bit timeless.”

Read more: https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/skoda/peaq/365605/new-skoda-peaq-revealed-brands-poshest-car-ever-aims-summit-style

Of all the unfathomable, eyebrow-raising ideas we’ve seen in the world of cars, this could be the most insane: a hypercar with a previously unheard-of, legs-back driving position inspired by superbikes. To our eyes, it looks unbelievably uncomfortable but could they be on to something?  

A fledgling outfit called Sanrivatti came up with the idea, which it calls the ‘Apex Position’. This is supposed to place the driver – who is going to have to be incredibly flexible, we think – “at the very centre of the hypercar experience”.  

From what we can tell, Sanrivatti’s as-yet-unnamed creation doesn’t have any room for a passenger. But that’s probably a good thing, because they would have to go directly behind the driver, giving them a better view of the backside ahead than the road. We also don’t know what kind of controls the driver will have, pedals might be a challenge to incorporate.

Read more: https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/369863/sitting-overrated-new-sanrivatti-hypercar-reinvents-way-you-drive

After counting down the 50 best cars to own to kick off our 2026 Driver Power survey results, it’s time to focus on the manufacturers. Your feedback gave us an insight about your likes and dislikes overall about the brands, with each marque assessed in the same 10 main categories as the best cars to own survey, which includes a variety of sub-sections.

Of the top-30 manufacturers in this year’s survey, there have been some strong performances, with owners reporting higher satisfaction with premium names than those championing value. Scroll down below for a more detailed view of each car manufacturer.

Read more: https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/best-car-manufacturers

Have your say on the next set of results and take the Driver Power survey today. It only takes 10 minutes, so click here now...

The Audi A3 has been updated for the second time in just two years. But rather than the subtle nip-and-tuck it got in 2024, the popular premium hatchback has received an interior makeover including a completely new dashboard, bigger screens and, disappointingly, the removal of its physical climate controls.

The new less angular dashboard design is similar to that in the brand’s latest models, including the next-generation Q7 SUV. The centrepiece is what Audi calls the ‘Digital Stage’ – a single curved panel on top of the dashboard that houses a 12.8-inch touchscreen and an 11.9-inch ‘virtual cockpit’ driver’s display, which are both larger than before.

Audi’s latest infotainment system also features, and just as in the Q7, the designers have added a strip of ambient lighting underneath the central display to create a floating effect. Meanwhile, instead of having plastic cover the entire dashboard, the A3 will be offered with a variety of materials, including fabrics and carbon fibre for sportier models.

However, as we said, the A3 has lost its panel of physical climate controls during this overhaul. As in all of the brand’s other models, drivers will now have to use the touchscreen or voice assistant to adjust those settings, although there are icons for certain functions, including the cabin temperature, at the bottom of the touchscreen. 

Read more: https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/audi/a3/369848/major-audi-a3-updates-and-price-cut-are-part-second-facelift-two-years

Volkswagen has revealed a new Good-Night package that will turn the electric ID. Buzz into an eco-friendly camper suited to overnight stays. It brings physical changes and some new software, and is available now in Germany as an accessory to existing variants. 

Key elements of the package include a bedframe that sits over the rear seats, with a custom-made two-metre-long mattress, plus a foldable table and chairs. There are also internal blackout window covers and ventilation grilles for the front doors. But unlike the more heavily modified California models, there’s no kitchen or permanent built-in furniture. 

However, where the Buzz does score is making full use of its electric powertrain. The battery can power the climate control for up to 48 hours, keeping the cabin toasty in the winter or cool in summer. It also has more finely controlled interior lighting that dims at night to make for a good night’s sleep. 

A vehicle-to-load (V2L) function in effect turns the ID. Buzz into a mobile power station. It’s capable of supplying 230 volts, which is enough to power cool boxes, coffee machines or even an electric-bike charger. 

Volkswagen is very careful to call this an occasional camper, because there are no modifications to the main body or a pop-top roof. However, this package is sold as an accessory, and that means the ID. Buzz remains a perfectly usable daily driver without permanent hardware fitted in the back.

The Good-Night package will cost 2,600 Euros in Germany, and can be fitted to any ID. Buzz variant, whether short or long-wheelbase, and with any seating configuration.. This package will be offered in the UK, too, although it will be optimised for the British market, so has yet to be finalised. 

https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/volkswagen/id-buzz/369858/vw-id-buzz-gets-new-good-night-package-camper-van-capability