Heading into 2025 it makes sense to take a look back at what the best cars of 2024 were - and ahead to those likely to take centre stage as 2025 progresses. With most available to lease through Xcite Car Leasing, the following vehicles, in no particular order, top our pick of the most loved cars of the moment:
The Tesla Model 3 was recently named Whatcar?’s Best Executive Car at its Car of the Year Awards. The Tesla Model 3’s a staple among electric company car drivers and a new variant launched in October, with one of the longest ranges of any EV. The Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive model is positioned between the entry-level car with a smaller battery and the pre-existing long-range variant. By combining the bigger battery with the less powerful single-motor drivetrain, Tesla now offers a Model 3 capable of a claimed 436 miles on a charge.
Another electric vehicle that’s won a deluge of awards and critical acclaim is the Kia EV9. It recently received the title of 'Best Large Electric Car' in the 2025 Carbuyer Awards and 'Best Electric 7 Seater' as a sub category of 'Best 7 Seater' by What Car? in 2024. Since it entered the market in 2023, the EV9 has earned numerous accolades for excellence in design, performance and innovation across the world, including ‘2024 UK Car of the Year’ and ‘2024 World Car of the Year’ at New York’s 2024 Motor Show. Dubbed ‘a Range Rover for the modern era’, it also took the World Electric Vehicle category, from a final fully-electric shortlist that included the BYD Seal and Volvo EX30.
The Cupra Born’s another electric car that’s won numerous accolades including the top spot in Autocar’s ‘Top 10 Best Electric Cars 2024’ lineup, the "Best to Drive" award in the "Small Electric Car" category of the What Car? Awards 2025 and Best Electric Car accolade at Autocar Awards 2024. It’s been praised for its dynamic driving experience, cutting-edge electric powertrain and for offering a great all round package.
The Born delivers 220 real-world miles of range and is a practical choice for everyday driving. With a sustainable refined interior and seats constructed using an innovative material made from recycled plastics, CUPRA is dedicated to reducing environmental impact. This commitment sits alongside technical features including 12” infotainment system, augmented-reality head up display and wireless charging capabilities. CUPRA Born is available in the UK in three variants: 59kWh 230PS e-Boost Auto, 77kWh 230PS e-Boost Auto and 79kWh 326PS e-Boost Auto.
The MG4 EV won the 'Small Electric Car of the Year' award at the 2024 What Car? Awards for the second time in successive years, in addition to to over 30 major motoring awards it’s collected since its launch in 2022. Admittedly it adds yet another electric car to our line up of best cars, but we really couldn’t complete the list without it. MG4 has been praised for offering excellent value for money as well as a broad range of model choice catering to a variety of needs, from extended range to small, affordable family car requirements and even high performance, through theXPOWER, which can sprint from 0-62mph in 3.8 seconds.
The all-new Sante Fe has received Carwow’s Car of the Year title in addition to a number of other awards including Best Hybrid Seven-seater from WhatCar? and Large ICE Car of the Year from the Association of Scottish Motoring Writers. This one's not an all-electric car, however the Santa Fe does comes with one Plug-in Hybrid set-up and 2 efficient Hybrid powertrains, which mean that drivers who still aren’t ready to transition to a fully electric vehicle can access better fuel economy despite filling the tank with fuel in the way they’re accustomed to.
Designed to accommodate outdoor and urban activities, the SANTA FE offers striking design alongside a customer-centric spacious interior. Fully foldable second- and third-row seats provide class-leading interior space, and a considerable array of safety features include Smart Sense Advanced Driver Assistance Systems.
Now let's look ahead to the best of 2025 and beyond:
6. BMW Neue Klasse
BMW Neue Klasse comprises a range of vehicles designed to bring about significant improvements to range, charging and performance, underpinning BMW’s full-range of EVs. These cars are expected to use a fast-charging 800-volt electrical system, with 3 battery size options of 75, 90 and 105 kWh.
The new battery and electric motors that’ll be used will provide 30 per cent faster charging and a 30 per cent increase in range over fifth-generation eDrive models like the iX3 (which tops out at 285 miles of WLTP range currently). Described as BMW’s project of the century and biggest investment in their history, the R&D behind the Neue Klasse won’t only be used on EVs; the technological progress achieved will inform their production of vehicles of all drivetrains. Neue Klasse and larger Neue Klasse X due on the market in 2025 are a saloon car the same size as the 3-Series and an SUV and these are likely to be the first to arrive on the market, with the Neue Klasses iX3 mid-sized electric SUV Expected first, in the second half of 2025. This will be followed by the next BMW 3 Series and then other models in the family over time.
7. Cupra Raval
The Cupra Raval’s an entry-level electric supermini built on VW’s MEB short platform going into production in 2026. Sharing architecture with the forthcoming VW ID.2 and Skoda Epiq, there's likely to be a choice of 2 battery sizes: 38kWh and 56kWh to power a 222bhp electric motor on the front axle with as many as 273 miles in the higher range version. Described as VW’s answer to the electric mini, the Raval is creating a buzz as it’ll be the first of a family of VW Group's new subcompact EVs based on the MEB short platform. Cupra is considered to produce some of the best cars in the entire VW Group lineup, cars that are often faster, and more interesting looking.
8. Range Rover EV
Tipped to go on sale in 2025, the first all-electric Range Rover, which is due on sale soon, will look almost identical to the current model with a 800-volt charging architecture for fast charging capabilities which is double the voltage of most other EVs, and should give it a maximum charge rate of over 250 kW.
Set to be available to buy or lease in 2025, it’s expected to provide a benchmark for all-electric luxury, trademark Range Rover style and near-silent operation, offering the ultimate in refinement and a truly caplable off-road vehicle. It'll provide an all-wheel drive vehicle with 2 motors, one for each axle in addition to a newly developed Intelligent Torque Management system for quicker response.
9. Kia EV5
Slightly smaller than the EV9, the Kia EV5 is expected to be available to buy or lease in 2025. Signifying Kia’s entry into the electric compact SUV segment, the Kia EV5 will provide families looking to embrace electric mobility an exciting new option from a firm already winning lots of awards for their electric vehicles.
Anticipated to provide a spacious cabin with a focus on comfort and practicality, versatile cargo options and smart storage solutions are expected to be key highlights of an EV that is ideal for family use. The EV5 is expected to follow in the footstesp of Kia’s other electric vehicles and offer similarly competitive range, practicality and modern features including a large touchscreen infotainment system with connected car features, smartphone integration, and real-time navigation. Safety features will also be a key priority.
10. Dacia Bigster
The all-new Dacia Bigster is available to buy or lease now and will provide affordable access to a huge family SUV for less than £25,000, making it a really attractive option for families looking for excellent value for money. The Dacia Bigster took the prize for Most Anticipated Car in the Carwow Car Of The Year Awards 2025.
With a huge 667 litres of boot space, generous rear head and legroom, there are 3 engines on offer in the new Dacia Bigster, petrol or hybrid engines and the petrol-powered version has a 4x4 option too. It can drive at low speeds in electric-only mode 80% of the time when you’re driving in town.
There are 3 models to choose from. Dacia Bigster Expression is a well-equipped entry-level model, with Extreme and Journey jointly positioned as the slightly more expensive range toppers. The Extreme has a more rugged off-road look, while Journey focuses on delivering sophisticated on-road style.