The 10 cars I'm looking forward to most in 2024 - and they're not all electric
It feels like motoring journalists say this every year, but 2024 really is going to be a big year in the automotive industry.
Obviously, any round-up of cars we're set to see in the next 12 months is going to be dominated by electric vehicles, and there's definitely some to be excited about on the horizon, but manufacturers are still launching cars with petrol engines . There are even a few on the way with diesel engines - remember them?
So whatever side your bread is buttered on, 2024 could be a good year to buy a new car, and it already looks like you'll be spoiled for choice - but here are the ones I'm really looking forward to testing.
1. Kia EV9
There's something about big, practical and innovative cars that really push my buttons. And Kia's EV9 seems like it could be big, practical and innovative enough to become one of my favourite cars in 2024.
In fact, I can see it being a big year for the Korean manufacturers, and it needs to be, as they've got Chinese manufacturers cropping up all the time trying to fill the gap they've left behind.
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This could be the year we see people starting to trade in cars from premium brands for Kias and Hyundais, and the EV9 could spark that exodus.
It has a 100kW battery, up to 380bhp, up to 359 miles of range and a fantastically clever six-seat layout.
Alarmingly, with a few options piled on, this will be the first £80,000+ Kia - but if you're just about to put down a deposit for a Discovery, you might want to pause for a moment and look at the EV9 first. Because it looks awesome.
2. MG Cyberster
Could this finally bring a true sports car back to the MG brand? OK, so it's a full EV, which won't please everyone, but affordable electric sports cars are like hen's teeth for some reason, and the Cyberster could be the perfect pathway to genuinely exciting EVs.
Worryingly, it weighs nearly two tonnes, but I guess that's something we're going to have to get used to. Happily, it'll sprint to 60mph in 4.6 seconds thanks to a healthy 335bhp, and it takes 10 seconds to drop the roof.
Oh, and it looks fabulous. I was worried there'd be a yawning chasm opening up while internal combustion sports cars died, and full-EV sports cars started to arrive. But it looks like MG is going to plug the gap in sensational fashion.
3. Hyundai Ioniq 5 N
It still amazes me that Hyundai makes some of the best hot hatches out there, with the i30N and i20N. And I already love the fully electric Ioniq 5 - so sticking an N badge on its popular EV seems like a recipe for fun.
But the Ioniq 5 N promises not only to become the best EV hot hatch, but to actually rewrite the rule book for fun EVs.
It has 641bhp if you use the overboost mode, 0-60mph is dusted off in just 3.4 seconds and it can light up all four wheels with consummate ease, thanks to some frankly idiotic driving modes.
A synthetic engine sound and even pretend gear shifts will please the petrolheads, and it might even be enough to turn the tables among the skeptics and start convincing us that there are genuine thrills to be had from an EV.
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It's not the first fast EV by any stretch, and it's by no means the fastest or the cleverest, but if it brings genuine driving thrills, then I'm all for it.
4. Dacia Duster
Let's slow things down a bit. Dacia's Duster has always been one of the most loveable SUVs out there, thanks to its no-frills approach to carting a family around. It's a terrific workhorse, cheap as chips, and wonderfully simple.
And it looks like Dacia will be staying true to that theme, with no talk of an EV, and the promise of a sub £20k price tag for the attractive new version of the Duster.
We will be seeing a hybrid version and, unusually, they're sticking with an LPG option. But the original formula that makes the Duster so endearing looks to be all present and correct, so it could be another of my firm favourites when it goes on sale in the second half of 2024.
5. Range Rover EV
This luxury leviathan will mark a big turning point for Land Rover, and we don't know all that much about it yet, but it'll be built in Britain, it'll inevitably cost a six-figure sum, and it could be quite magnificent.
We've seen from Rolls Royce what going electric can do to a luxury car, with the added refinement it will bring, and many people are excited to see what the EV treatment will bring to Range Rover's legendary off-road prowess.
Personally, I'm just looking forward to getting to know what might be one of the most desirable electric cars ever produced.
6. Toyota Land Cruiser
Another car we don't know a huge amount about, but we're still desperately excited about, is Toyota's reboot of the legendary Land Cruiser.
Its chunky silhouette and retro features will make it instantly recognisable, and its off-road capabilities will doubtless be a big talking point when it finally launches.
It's clearly going to be aimed at Land Rover's reborn Defender, so we can expect some rather lavish touches among the utilitarian features, but my hope is it will fulfill broadly the same brief, of being able to go pretty much anywhere in absolute comfort.
7. Volvo EX90
On the face of it, this doesn't seem like a huge departure from the XC90 it replaces, but it's been designed from the ground up as a full EV, and that could make for some interesting new levels of practicality, from what is already one of the nation's most versatile cars.
Volvo EX90Big batteries, powerful motors and the promise of a full seven-seat layout returning could make this potentially one of the best family cars out there.
And I can't wait to see what new safety and infotainment tech Volvo bundles in. The only trouble is, I can't see it being available on the happy side of £100,000 when it finally launches. Thankfully, there's an equally exciting EX30 due for those of us on more realistic budgets.
8. Renault 5 E-Tech
As a child of the 1980s, I find this particularly exciting. Yes, it's going to be fully electric, which won't please everyone, but get over it. Because, on looks alone, it's just so beguiling.
Renault knows a thing or two about making exciting small cars, so this could be a little corker. Even if it won't have a fizzy little four-pot pumping away.
9. Fiat 600e
Bear with me on this one. I'm a closet Fiat fanatic and, although the 500 has never really pushed my buttons, I always thought its larger sibling, the 500X was quite underrated. And this reminds me of that in so many ways.
The 600e is a fully electric, bigger version of the 500, and it's going to suit young families whose nest is bulging beyond their trusty 500's carrying capabilities, and it will mean die-hard 500 fans - of which there are many - can carry on piling on the style.
Critics might argue that we're pushing the retro reboot thing a bit too far, but it's worked fine for Mini, so why shouldn't Fiat get involved? I can't wait to drive one of these.
10. Lotus Emeya
It has 905hp, a 320-mile range, looks to die for, and there's talk of an estate version. What is not to like about Lotus's incredible Emeya?
I think 2024 will be an incredible year for Lotus. Yes, I know, we've said that before, but all credit is due for those dudes from Norfolk taking on Tesla with what promises to be one of the best EVs we see in 2024.
Yes, yes, an all-electric Lotus might seem to some like sleeping with the enemy, but if this car can't convince you it's the way forward, nothing will.
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