Some of the best cars still to come in 2018

We might be speedily powering through the year, but you might not be doing it in a particularly new car. That’s because many of the motors we have long most eagerly anticipated for 2018 release are still yet to see the light of day… or, should we say, the light of a showroom near you.

The variety of upcoming stellar cars for 2018 is immense, ranging from beefy vehicles to more conventional options. Here are some of those cars that we reckon warrant the most attention.

Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Whatever you think of Mercedes‘ switch of the A-class to a more traditional design, the move undoubtedly gave A-class sales a shot in the arm. Nonetheless, if you have found innovation wanting since the change, the next iteration of the A-class might satiate your tastes.

Set for release this summer, it features impressive interior technology and new engines that have contributed to The Telegraph opining that “this should be the best A-class yet.”

Audi A1

If you like your cars compact, you will probably struggle to look past the Audi A1 – which, despite only being set for arrival this winter, already has us salivating.

One big reason why is that it will shift to the MQB platform’s A0 version used by the Volkswagen Polo and SEAT Ibiza. Furthermore, a 90mm-lengthier wheelbase should make the new A1 roomier than the current one. The new vehicle is estimated to cost from £15,000, indicates Auto Express.

Audi e-tron

For release this summer, Audi is also readying its first purely electric vehicle, which it has kept concealed so effectively that we haven’t yet seen a production version (above is an artists impression of the Audi Q6 E-tron). The closest we got was catching sight of camouflaged e-tron prototypes at the latest Geneva Motor Show.

Still, we can speculate that the vehicle could offer a range of roughly 310 miles on one charge.

Ford Ranger

This won’t be in UK showrooms until late 2018, but we already have a good idea of what it will look like in those showrooms, as the car made its debut at the Detroit Motor Show in January.

Not that there have really been many changes made to what you see with the present iteration. The headlamps have been reshaped and front grille slimmed down – and, for the UK model, Ford might bring the fuel-efficient 2.3-litre EcoBoost petrol engine that features in the US model.

Dacia Duster

They say that you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but we’ll probably make an exception for the Dacia Duster. After all, while the 2018 version of this SUV very much draws upon its predecessor’s platform, Dacia has implemented an array of pleasing changes to the vehicle’s outer appearance.

Those changes include a new honeycomb grille and higher bonnet line. Like with the current Duster, there are both petrol and diesel engines, albeit refined compared to the current ones.

Hyundai Nexo

Admittedly, there are good reasons to decide against purchasing a hydrogen car here in the UK – not least this country’s limited infrastructure for use in refuelling vehicles of this type.

However, if you remain intent on a hydrogen fuel-cell car, the Hyundai Nexo lined up for UK release in November is, by our reckoning, one of the best options. This five-seat SUV should, judging from test-driving by Auto Express in Korea, let you drive quietly and comfortably considering the car’s size.

Large cars can also be very expensive, however – and, indeed, the Nexo is estimated to carry a £60,000 price tag. That can make insurance pricier, too – but Call Wiser can help you find a value-for-money policy, and so dampen eye-wateringly high premiums.