Car trends for 2026: What can we expect to see?
Car trends over the last few years have focused on electrification, SUVs and meeting tougher emission regulations.
Last year, the UK new car market saw the takeover of Chinese car firms, while there was an uptick in the compact EV segment, with all of the offerings bringing funky designs and good driving dynamics.
It’s been reflected here at UK Carline, too, with a wide number of vehicles from the likes of Jaecoo and Omoda – among others – joining our ranks.
So, what can we expect to see in 2026? Will the trends of last year continue this year?
Here is everything you can expect to see from the automotive industry over the next 12 months.
More Chinese car brands entering the UK market
Last year, the UK new car market saw a flourish of Chinese car manufacturers dominate the industry with their ultra-low price tags, impressive equipment levels and up-to-date electric powertrains.
For 2026, Chinese brands will continue to flood the market with manufacturers such as Hongqi, Denza, Exeed, Firefly and Aion destined for the UK.
Additionally, Chinese carmakers already selling vehicles on our shores will expand their model lineups even further, with the likes of BYD, Omoda, Jaecoo, and Chery continuing to widen the electrified SUV market.
Greater physical buttons
A criticism of many modern cars is the lack of physical buttons. The reason behind this is it reduces manufacturing costs, and it gives a car’s interior design a sleeker look.
Manufacturers such as Volkswagen recently updated its Golf hatchback and brought back physical buttons on the steering wheel, after many customers complained about the haptic touch-sensitive buttons in the previous model.
For 2026, the European New Car Assessment Program, Euro NCAP, has announced tougher rules on how intuitive a car’s controls are to operate on the move. Having physical buttons for the climate control, for example, will score the car higher safety points, which will put pressure on car makers to bring back more buttons into the interior of cars.
More hybrid options
Although EVs are swarming the markets, not everybody is ready to make the switch from petrol and diesel, which is why there are more hybrid options than ever before.
A hybrid is the perfect stepping stone into EV ownership as it’s equipped with a petrol engine and an electric motor.
Standard hybrids never need to be plugged in as the petrol engine on board acts as a generator to charge up the battery as you drive along, while the electric motor kicks in around town, and on certain hybrids, they can be driven at speeds of up to 30mph on electric power alone before the petrol engine fires back into life.
The rise in compact, affordable electric vehicles
Last year was the year that the affordable compact EV market took off, and this year, that trend is only going to increase.
With the success of the Renault 5, Hyundai Inster and BYD Dolphin Surf, several car manufacturers are wanting a share in this sector of the market, with Renault already expanding its range one step further with the return of the Twingo.
Honda will also bring its Super-N micro EV to the market, which is the successor to the firm’s E electric supermini.
Plus, Kia is just about to launch its smallest EV with the EV2, while the Volkswagen Group is also having a crack at this segment with the ID.Polo and Cupra Raval.
SUVs will continue to dominate the market
The SUV market has continued to rise year-on-year, and 2026 shows no signs of stopping this fiercely competitive sector
Car manufacturers are stepping away from city cars, superminis, estates and saloons for jacked-up family wagons for their spacious cabins and affordable prices.
SUVs are now the most popular choice of vehicle, and this year, several models are coming to the market to make the sector even more competitive with the likes of the new BMW iX3, Kia Seltos, the Range Rover EV, Mercedes GLB, Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, Omoda 7, Omoda 4 and Porsche Cayenne Electric.
Can’t wait for the future to arrive? Don’t panic – we’ve got some of the very latest cars available here at UK Carline, so check them out today or get in touch with a member of the team to find out more.
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