The team here at Xcite have spent the year working with all of the UK’s manufacturers, meeting dealers across all brands and helping our customers find their new lease cars, which means we’ve learnt a lot about the latest models to reach the market in 2023. So, we’ve put together our top pick of cars that reached UK roads this year.
The Best Cars of 2023
1. Porsche 911
Our first pick is a long-term favourite of the Xcite team and drivers in general – the Porsche 911.
In 2023 the 911 received a revamp with plenty of new features that made it an even more thrilling drive. The team at Porsche have maintained the iconic silhouette of the classic but made significant changes under the hood. There are five turbocharged petrol engines to choose from across the range, starting at the entry-level Carrera up to the incredibly speedy Turbo S.
Some models come with optional four-wheel-drive and it’s standard on the Turbo and Turbo S trim levels, which helps with its rapid acceleration (2.8 seconds in the Turbo S). All models come with adaptive suspension and weighted steering to give you excellent handling and manoeuvrability on the road.
We’re also expecting Porsche to release Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) versions of the 911 in the new year, adding an EV component to the lineup.
2. Honda Civic
Another favourite of ours that received an update this year was the Honda Civic hatchback. The 11th generation has seen quite a change in design inside and out but we still think it’s a fantastic choice for first time drivers, families and those who simply want a reliable and stylish hatchback.
There’s only one engine option (2.0 litre petrol hybrid) and two trims to choose from, unless you opt for the hot hatch Type R version, but these option offer drivers everything they could want and need. The hybrid element of the Civic is self-charging so there’s no need to plug the car in to make the electric system work. The electric system supports the internal combustion engine (ICE) rather than providing an electric powered range.
The newest models still have the low relaxed front seats that the Civic is known for, digital instrument displays and a touchscreen infotainment centre with built in satnav so you’ll be driving in comfort on all fronts if you opt for a Honda Civic as your next car.
3. BMW M3
The M3 is BMW’s top spec version of the popular executive 3 Series. It’s a fast and exciting car that’s popular with drivers who want a performance car without the high price tag of a Porsche or Lamborghini.
BMW’s latest version of the M3 is the most powerful iteration to hit the road yet. With adaptive suspension, a launch control feature and range of engines to choose from it’s undoubtedly one of the punchiest cars on the road.
You’ll also be able to set the car up exactly as you want it with the setup option in your infotainment letting you customise everything from the sensitivity of your brakes to how loud your exhaust is. There’s several preset modes that you can choose from as well, which makes it easier for you to find the settings you like.
For drivers that enjoy the performance of an M3 but need something a little more practical then there is an estate version in the BMW M3 Touring edition.
4. MG4 EV
MG is a brand that’s risen in popularity over the past few years, with their affordable range of electric vehicles (EVs) that are designed for everyday lives. We’ve chosen the MG4 as one of our favourites of the year because it’s a comfortable hatchback that’s suitable for families, first time drivers and EV lovers alike.
There are currently four versions of the MG4 available for you to choose from, all of which offer you a range of 218 miles or more, which is plenty for most drivers’ daily needs. The longest range is 323 miles in the MG4 Extended Range. One thing to be mindful of with the range is that what you actually achieve may be slightly less as your range is affected by a number of factors.
You get everything you need in the MG4 from a comfortable driving position to the digital driving instruments and touchscreen infotainment control centre in a smart and compact package that’s easy to drive.
5. VW ID Buzz
The VW ID Buzz is the only non-car vehicle to make it into our top pick. Whilst it’s capable of carrying five passengers it’s also a campervan and can be used for travelling just as smoothly as it acts a large family car.
With the ID Buzz VW bring back a retro feel to their campervan range, with the two-tone paint design and curved roofline. Although it might have the stylings of 1950s campervans Volkswagen have made sure to kit the Buzz out with all of the latest tech, and not just the visible things like the touchscreen infotainment centre and smartphone pairing but also with features like regenerative braking that automatically adjusts to the road layout and traffic.
As with all of the ID range the Buzz is a fully electric model that offers a range of up to 260 miles (depending on the model you pick) so makes it a great choice for the environmentally conscious traveller.
6. Skoda Superb Estate
Skoda is known as a brand that produces reliable family cars that are comfortable for all passengers, so we had to include one on our list of the best 2023 models. We’ve opted for the Skoda Superb Estate as it’s a spacious car with everything the modern driver could need at an affordable price.
The estate version has a longer wheelbase than the standard Superb, which offers rear passengers a little more room and more space for cargo in the boot area.
In the 2023 version, there are plenty of engines for you to choose from in both petrol and diesel depending on your needs. You’ll also get the choice of trim levels, with options that include Dynamic Chassis Control (adaptive suspension), dynamic steering and across all trim options there’s a digital instrument display that can show the traditional dials or a full satnav for better driver visibility than the centre screen.
We think the Skoda Superb Estate is a great choice for anyone who wants a spacious car that isn’t an SUV, which offers comfort and convenience across the board.
7. Tesla Model Y
Tesla has been at the forefront of EVs since they launched in the early 2000s, and remains a popular choice for drivers that want a brand known for electric success, long ranges and a high tech finish.
Whilst the Model Y isn’t a brand new car it’s remained one of our favourites this year, and from the orders we’ve had one of our customers’ favourites too, which is why we’ve included it in our top pick.
There’s three models available in the range the RWD, Long Range and Performance models each with it’s own benefits. The Long Range offers the longest mileage between charges at 351 miles while the performance offers you the fastest acceleration with a 0-60 mph of just 3.5 seconds.
We think the Model Y is a great choice for drivers that want an electric SUV with all the latest mod-cons.
8. Range Rover Sport
Another car that received a revamp this year was the Range Rover Sport. Designed to be a more agile and compact version of the Range Rover the Range Rover Sport is a luxury five seater SUV for travelling in comfort and style.
The new model offers a range of petrol, diesel and PHEV engine choices that give you up to an impressive electric range of 76 miles.
Thanks to the high driving position, you’ll get an excellent view of the road ahead when you’re behind the wheel. And all of your essential info on the 13.7 inch digital display behind the wheel that you can customise to show the information which is most important for you. There’s also a touchscreen infotainment centre in the central console, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard to cover all of your entertainment and comfort needs.
9. Porsche Taycan
We’ve tried to avoid having more than one model from a manufacturer because there’s such a wide range of cars on the market and each brand has something excellent to offer, but we couldn’t not include the Porsche Taycan in 2023’s best picks. It’s a car that not only meets all of Porsche’s exceptional styling and performance standards but can be practical for everyday life too and is an EV.
Porsche have been slower than other brands in entering the EV sector, which makes sense as their cars are all about power and performance which is an area that electric is still working hard to catch up with their ICE counterparts. But now that they have, they’ve got it right. The Taycan is fun to drive sports car that meets all the styling and performance expectations you could have for a Porsche.
With four doors and a high (for a sports car) roof, the Taycan manages to be spacious enough for two adults to fit in the rear passenger seats, and a surprisingly capable boot.
You’ve got the option of the traditional four-door coupe body, or the estate like Taycan Sport Turisom and the SUV crossover the Taycan Sport Turismo. And there’s several trim levels for you to choose from too across them, with either rear wheel drive or four wheel drive options.
10. Hyundai Ioniq 6
The final car to make it into our top pick is the Hyundai Ioniq 6, another fully electric car. It’s a saloon that improves on the Ioniq 5 and was designed to rival the likes of the Tesla Model 3 in terms of styling, electric capability and features.
It’s available in single or dual motor all wheel drive models and two trim levels (Premium and Ultimate). This might feel like Hyundai have restricted your options but with a lot coming as standard it really just streamlines the process and avoids any confusion over which is the right version for you. They offer drivers a lot of high-tech options with the Ioniq 6 such as all-round parking cameras, head up display and digital side mirrors.
A sleek-looking four-door executive car the Hyundai Ioniq 6 is an ideal choice for company car drivers that want a comfortable and stylish EV.
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