Top 50 non-electric cars
Don’t want a car that needs plugging in? Well, worry not: there are lots of really talented models to choose from. And here we count down the 50 best...
Following this week's announcement that the ban on new petrol and diesel car sales will be delayed, we've taken a look at the best cars you don't have to plug in.
While a lot of the models being launched right now are electric, there are still plenty of great petrol, diesel and even hybrid cars on sale that don't require you to faff around with power cables.
Here we've ranked the top 50. So, what's on the list? And what's number one?
50. Peugeot 208
Our pick 1.2 Puretech 100 Allure Premium+ List price £23,150 Target Price £23,150 Target PCP NA Engine 3cyl, 1199cc, turbo, petrol Gearbox 6-spd manual 0-62mph 9.9sec Top speed 117mph MPG 56.7 CO2 112g/km
The 208 is one of the best small hatchbacks on sale today, particularly if comfort is high on your priority list.
Yes, the Ford Fiesta and Seat Ibiza deliver sharper handling and cost less to buy, but the 208 offers a more cosseting ride and quieter cruising manners. And similarly, if you value a classy, well-built interior that provides decent interior space, it won’t disappoint.
As a bonus, the 1.2 Puretech 100 petrol engine is a punchy performer that doesn’t drink a lot of fuel. We’d recommend Allure Premium+ trim, which brings smarter styling, a handy reversing camera and built-in sat-nav.
Read our full Peugeot 208 review or see the latest Peugeot 208 deals
49. Dacia Jogger
Our pick TCe 110 Expression List price £19,595 Target Price £19,267 Target PCP £245 Engine 3cyl, 999cc, turbo, petrol Gearbox 6-spd manual 0-62mph 11.2sec Top speed 114mph MPG 48.7 CO2 130g/km
Like all Dacias, the Jogger is very aggressively priced, but don’t think that means it’s full of compromises.
As a people mover, it’s well thought out, with genuine seven-seat usability, decent driving dynamics and plenty of standard equipment. Indeed, even entry-level versions have cruise control, electric front windows and air conditioning, although we’d recommend going for Expression trim; it adds lots of handy kit without costing vastly more.
The 109bhp 1.0-litre petrol engine is our pick; it’s punchy enough for most situations and much cheaper than the more powerful hybrid. Only a poor Euro NCAP safety score lets the Jogger down.
Read our full Dacia Jogger review or see the latest Dacia Jogger deals
48. Toyota Yaris Cross
Our pick 1.5 Hybrid Dynamic Icon List price £24,855 Target Price £23,360 Target PCP £239 Engine 3cyl, 1490cc, petrol, plus electric motor Gearbox CVT auto 0-62mph 11.2sec Top speed 105mph MPG 62.8 CO2 102g/km
The Yaris Cross makes a strong case for itself against the crowd of small SUVs, especially if your top priorities are reliability and low running costs. It’s the most economical car we’ve ever put through our True MPG fuel economy test, and Toyota consistently performs well in our annual Reliability Survey.
Inside, the Yaris Cross is solidly built and the controls are instinctive to find and use on the move. And while seeing out of the back can be tricky, a rear-view camera is standard to help with parking.
There’s enough room in the back seats for a pair of six-footers, and the 500-litre boot is decent; we fitted seven carry-on cases beneath the parcel shelf.
Read our full Toyota Yaris Cross review or see the latest Toyota Yaris Cross deals
47. Audi Q2
Our pick 35 TFSI Sport List price £29,915 Target Price £28,612 Target PCP £298 Engine 4cyl, 1498cc, turbo, petrol Gearbox 6-spd manual 0-62mph 8.6sec Top speed 132mph MPG 46.3 CO2 138g/km
The Audi Q2 was one of the first cars to add a premium badge to the fashionable small SUV formula. It’s a tidy handler, too, and the 35 TFSI petrol engine delivers peppy performance.
However, it’s the quality of the interior that really sets it apart from the competition; the materials used feel great, and the switches and buttons operate with a precise, satisfying click.
The Q2 also has one of the best infotainment systems around – better even than those in bigger, more expensive Audi SUVs. And while you’ll pay more for the Q2 than you would for most rivals, it compensates by holding onto its value very well.
Read our full Audi Q2 review or see the latest Audi Q2 deals
46. Volkswagen T-Cross
Our pick 1.0 TSI 95 Move List price £23,470 Target Price £22,626 Target PCP £231 Engine 3cyl, 999cc, turbo, petrol Gearbox 5-spd manual 0-62mph 11.6sec Top speed 112mph MPG 49.6 CO2 130g/km
The VW T-Cross is exactly what many small SUV buyers are looking for: it’s comfortable and easy to drive, with a raised driving position – without feeling like a wallowy barge to drive.
It’s versatile, too. With the sliding rear bench in its rearmost position, there’s more space in the back for six-footers than in many rivals. Or, with the bench fully forwards, the boot is almost as big as some much larger family SUVs’.
Finally, the T-Cross's running costs are regardless of whether you’re a company car driver or a private buyer, and it comes loaded with safety kit. Only the hard interior plastics disappoint.
Read our full Volkswagen T-Cross review or see the latest Volkswagen T-Cross deals
45. Land Rover Defender 130
Our pick D300 X-Dynamic SE List price £78,860 Target Price £78,860 Target PCP £948 Engine 6cyl, 2997cc, turbo, diesel Gearbox 8-spd automatic 0-62mph 7.5secs Top speed 119mph MPG 32.5 CO2 228g/km
Like its historic namesake, the latest Land Rover Defender is incredible off road (especially with the optional locking rear differential), but it’s how this luxury SUV blends that talent with fine on-road manners that puts it in a class of its own.
There’s plenty of choice, too; you can pick any of three body lengths, offering seats for five to eight people. Our favourite is the biggest model, which is called the 130. Yes, it’s the most expensive, but adults will be comfortable in all three rows, whereas the rearmost seats in the shorter 110 are distinctly cramped. The three-door 90, meanwhile, has a very small boot.
Read our full Land Rover Defender review or see the latest Land Rover Defender deals
44. Bentley Continental GT
Our pick V8 List price £186,160 Target Price £186,160 Target PCP NA Engine 8cyl, 3996cc, turbo, petrol Gearbox 8-spd automatic 0-62mph 4.0sec Top speed 198mph MPG 23.3 CO2 275g/km
The Continental GT channels the spirit of a bygone age, when the elite would blast across Europe to relax on the Riviera, but this is a thoroughly modern machine that finds a delicious balance between power and luxury.
As you’d expect, just about everything is trimmed with polished wood or soft leather, and the quality of the fixtures and fittings is exemplary. But it’s also surprisingly practical, with space for adults in the back. We’d take the ‘entry-level’ V8 version over the flagship W12, because it handles better and sounds terrific.
Read our full Bentley Continental GT review or see the latest Bentley Continental GT deals
43. Land Rover Discovery
Our pick D300 S List price £60,540 Target Price £59,362 Target PCP £683 Engine 6cyl, 2996cc, diesel Gearbox 8-spd automatic 0-62mph 6.8sec Top speed 130mph MPG 33.7 CO2 220g/km
Much like its predecessors, the latest Discovery is a whopping great 4x4 that feels at home both on road and off it. However, the latest generation is much classier inside and better to drive.
Perhaps its strongest suit of all, though, is practicality. The sheer width of the Discovery makes sitting three abreast in its second row comfortable for all concerned. What’s more, there are no lumps in the floor to rob passengers of foot space, and even tall adults will be happy in the third row.
Some rivals that are even higher on this list offer sharper handling, though, and many are from brands with better reliability records than Land Rover.
Read our full Land Rover Discovery review or see the latest Land Rover Discovery deals
42. Hyundai Tucson
Our pick 1.6 T-GDi Hybrid 230 SE Connect List price £34,940 Target Price £33,064 Target PCP £364 Engine 4cyl, 1598cc, turbo, petrol, plus electric motor Gearbox 6-spd automatic 0-62mph 8.0sec Top speed 120mph MPG 50.4 CO2 127g/km
If you’re shopping for a family SUV that can handle a tall family of four, you should take a look at the Hyundai Tucson.
Six-footers will have plenty of room, whether they’re in the front or the back, and the boot is cavernous. Meanwhile, quality also impresses; the plastics are soft and dense where it counts, and the buttons have a precise feel to them.
There’s a plug-in hybrid version, but we prefer the regular hybrid because it’s significantly cheaper and still impressively frugal. Just bear in mind that some family SUVs ride and handle better than the Tucson, including the closely related Kia Sportage.
Read our full Hyundai Tucson review or see the latest Hyundai Tucson deals
41. Volkswagen Polo
Our pick 1.0 TSI 95 Life List price £21,010 Target Price £19,857 Target PCP £196 Engine 3cyl, 999cc, turbo, petrol Gearbox 5-spd manual 0-62mph 10.8sec Top speed 116mph MPG 54.3 CO2 118g/km
This classy small hatchback is available with a broad range of petrol engines, but we reckon the 1.0 TSI 95 strikes the best balance between performance and affordability.
The Polo also has an upmarket-feeling interior that’s well equipped even in entry-level Life trim. And few small cars are as good at soaking up bumps in the road or do a better job of suppressing wind and road noise on the motorway.
Previously, the Polo was beaten by its Seat Ibiza sister car because it couldn’t justify its higher price, but impressive deals and monthly finance rates mean that’s no longer the case.
Read our full Volkswagen Polo review or see the latest Volkswagen Polo deals
40. Skoda Kodiaq
Our pick 1.5 TSI 150 SE L Executive 7 Seat DSG List price £38,730 Target Price £37,233 Target PCP £397 Engine 4cyl, 1498cc, turbo, petrol Gearbox 7-spd automatic 0-62mph 9.8sec Top speed 126mph MPG 40.3 CO2 159g/km
If the seven-seat SUVs on this list so far have been on the pricey side for you, this one could be right up your street.
Like most Skodas, the Kodiaq is great value for money, especially if you stick with the lower engines and trims. Our favourite, the 1.5-litre petrol, is among the cheapest in the range yet provides all the pep you could reasonably want – even if you plan on filling every seat.
Speaking of seats, front and second-row passengers get plenty of space, and while those in the third row would be better off in the rival Peugeot 5008, most people will be happy enough to sit back there on a shorter trip.
Read our full Skoda Kodiaq review or see the latest Skoda Kodiaq deals
39. Volkswagen Touran
Our pick 1.5 TSI 150 SEL List price £36,105 Target Price £34,086 Target PCP £494 Engine 4cyl, 1498cc, turbo, petrol Gearbox 6-spd manual 0-62mph 8.9sec Top speed 130mph MPG 42.2 CO2 151g/km
With its three rows of seats, the Touran can match the seven-seat flexibility of bigger MPVs, including the Ford Galaxy. There’s space for adults in all seats, and you can fold down some or all of the seatbacks to create a vast load bay.
So far, so practical – but the Touran’s main party piece is combining all that practicality with tidy handling and a supple ride. Its relatively compact exterior dimensions help it to feel much like a hatchback from behind the wheel.
Yes, this is a car that exists to carry lots of people and provide an abundance of functionality, but that doesn’t define the way it drives at all.
Read our full Volkswagen Touran review or see the latest Volkswagen Touran deals
38. Kia Sorento
Our pick 1.6 T-GDi HEV Edition List price £51,055 Target Price £48,944 Target PCP £603 Engine 4cyl, 1598cc, turbo, petrol Gearbox 6-spd automatic 0-62mph 8.6sec Top speed 120mph MPG tbc CO2 168g/km
Like the Volkswagen Touran, the Sorento is a brilliant seven-seater, but in SUV rather than MPV form. Although it’s relatively expensive, it has lots of standard equipment to help compensate, and is hugely practical.
You also get the reassurance of a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating and a seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty (although Kia’s excellent reliability record means you shouldn’t need it).
We reckon most buyers will be best served by the regular hybrid model, badged HEV. That version’s fuel economy is good for such a big vehicle, with an average of 38mpg in our real-world testing, plus it delivers all the performance you need
Read our full Kia Sorento review or see the latest Kia Sorento deals
37. Dacia Sandero
Our pick TCe 100 Bi-Fuel Expression List price £14,795 Target Price £14,586 Target PCP £188 Engine 3cyl, 999cc, turbo, petrol/LPG Gearbox 5-spd manual 0-62mph 12.2sec Top speed 109mph MPG 53.3 CO2 119g/km
The Sandero has a supple ride, is very spacious by small hatchback standards and comes generously equipped in our recommended Expression trim.
Add in the fact that the TCe 90 and TCe 100 Bi-Fuel engines are both great, and it matches the ride comfort of most small cars, and the Sandero would be well worth considering even if it cost the same as rivals. Except it doesn’t – it’s the UK’s cheapest new car. And if you pick our preferred Bi-Fuel engine, you can run it on LPG as well as petrol.
Just bear in mind that there are quieter and safer alternatives if you’re prepared to spend (quite a lot) more.
Read our full Dacia Sandero review or see the latest Dacia Sandero deals
36. Porsche Macan
Our pick T List price £60,675 Target Price £60,675 Target PCP NA Engine 4cyl, 1984cc, turbo, petrol Gearbox 7-spd automatic 0-62mph 6.4sec Top speed 144mph MPG 28.0 CO2 229g/km
Sports SUVs, above all, have to be fun – and the Porsche Macan delivers that.
You can have a V6-engined version in S or GTS trim, but our pick, the Macan T, has more than enough power from its 261bhp 2.0-litre petrol engine.
In addition, its handling really helps it to shine. It’s the most agile model in the range, because it’s carrying less weight than the larger-engined S and GTS versions. There’s also minimal body lean during cornering, and you get lots of feedback through the steering.
The only real disappointment is that you have to pay extra for safety kit that rivals include as standard.
Read our full Porsche Macan review or see the latest Porsche Macan deals
35. Porsche 911
Our pick Carrera List price £99,275 Target Price £99,275 Target PCP NA Engine 6cyl, 2981cc, turbo, petrol Gearbox 8-spd automatic 0-62mph 4.2sec Top speed 182mph MPG 27.4 CO2 233g/km
Ask 100 people to name a sports car and we reckon a good chunk of them will come up with the 911. It’s a true motoring icon, and even in entry-level Carrera form it offers 380bhp from its 3.0-litre flat-six petrol engine.
It’s astonishingly good in corners, thanks to beautifully weighted steering that’s communicative and very accurate. You can push it to the limit of grip with utter confidence – something that can’t be said of the Aston Martin Vantage.
The 911 is even quite practical for a sports car. Visibility is excellent and you get two small back seats that are tolerable for short journeys.
Read our full Porsche 911 review or see the latest Porsche 911 deals
34. Audi S8
Our pick S8 Vorsprung List price £119,570 Target Price £109,398 Target PCP £1246 Engine 8cyl, 3996cc, turbo, petrol Gearbox 8-spd automatic 0-62mph 3.8sec Top speed 155mph MPG 24.6 CO2 260g/km
As the flagship version of the Audi A8, the S8 is a limo in size and intention. However, thanks to a mighty 563bhp 4.0-litre V8 engine, it’s almost as fast as Audi's R8 supercar.
Beyond the rampant straight-line pace, it’s a spectacularly indulgent form of transport, with some of the most advanced driver aids available. The immaculate interior comes with two huge high-definition touchscreens and 22-way electrically adjustable sports seats in diamond-stitched leather.
Interior quality matches rarefied alternatives such as the Bentley Flying Spur, and the S8 is actually better than that car to drive or be driven in.
Read our full Audi S8 review or see the latest Audi S8 deals
33. Skoda Octavia
Our pick 1.5 TSI 150 SE Technology List price £26,245 Target Price £26,245 Target PCP £397 Engine 4cyl, 1498cc, turbo, petrol Gearbox 6-spd manual 0-62mph 8.5sec Top speed 138mph MPG 52.7 CO2 121g/km
If you want a family hatchback and practicality is your priority, you’ll be very well served by the Octavia.
Taller people will be comfortable in the front and rear, thanks to generous leg and head room. The wide back seat makes carrying three passengers side by side easier than in many rivals, and the cushy ride is very welcome on long journeys. Plus, the boot is even bigger than in many family SUVs.
The Octavia isn’t just big, comfy and practical – it’s also cheaper than rivals. SE Technology trim is the best value, coming with voice control, front parking sensors and an infotainment upgrade.
Read our full Skoda Octavia review or see the latest Skoda Octavia deals
32. Audi A3 Sportback
Our pick 35 TFSI Sport List price £29,195 Target Price £27,854 Target PCP £323 Engine 3cyl, 1498cc, turbo, petrol Gearbox 6-spd manual 0-62mph 8.7sec Top speed 139mph MPG 48.7 CO2 131g/km
Among premium family cars, the A3 is the best you can buy. Okay, it’s not as posh inside as the previous-generation car, but it’s still plush and well built, with a fantastic driving position and a well laid out dashboard.
The A3 is great to drive too. It handles well without sacrificing ride comfort, and offers better refinement than its key rivals, the BMW 1 Series and Mercedes A-Class.
We recommend mid-level Sport trim, because it adds quite a few desirable features, including 17in alloy wheels, leather seats, dual-zone climate control and 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats.
Read our full Audi A3 review or see the latest Audi A3 deals
31. Peugeot 5008
Our pick 1.2 Puretech 130 Allure Premium+ List price £39,325 Target Price £36,277 Target PCP £360 Engine 3cyl, 1199cc, turbo, petrol Gearbox 8-spd automatic 0-62mph 10.2sec Top speed 117mph MPG 46.4 CO2 138g/km
The Peugeot 5008 combines SUV looks with seven-seat MPV versatility, plus it handles tidily and treats your passengers to a comfortable ride.
Our recommended 1.2-litre petrol engine has a modest 129bhp but pulls strongly even with all seven seats filled, while keeping fuel consumption sensible. Interior quality is another strength. Most surfaces are soft to the touch, and there’s an eclectic mix of materials that give it an upmarket feel.
Just bear in mind that the optional panoramic sunroof eats into rear head room, so avoid it if you have a tall family.
Read our full Peugeot 5008 review or see the latest Peugeot 5008 deals
30. Porsche Cayenne
Our pick S List price £87,060 Target Price £87,060 Target PCP NA Engine 8cyl, 3996cc, turbo, petrol Gearbox 8-spd automatic 0-62mph 5.0sec Top speed 170mph MPG 21.2 CO2 303g/km
It’s more than 20 years since Porsche wowed us with the original Cayenne and proved that an SUV could corner as nimbly as a hot hatch. And while the first-generation Cayenne was a game-changer, this third-generation model is in a different league.
In our favourite S form, with a 468bhp 4.0 V8 engine under the bonnet, it’s savagely quick, making most other SUVs seem positively ponderous. Yet, with air suspension fitted, its ride comfort is remarkably good.
A regular Porsche Cayenne offers a bit more practicality, while the Coupé serves as a more stylish alternative.
Read our full Porsche Cayenne Coupé review or see the latest Porsche Cayenne Coupé deals
29. Seat Leon
Our pick 1.5 TSI 130 EVO FR List price £27,150 Target Price £25,940 Target PCP £358 Engine 4cyl, 1498cc, turbo, petrol Gearbox 6-spd manual 0-62mph 9.7sec Top speed 129mph MPG 50.0 CO2 128g/km
If you want a family hatchback that’s huge fun to drive, you’ve got two main options: a Ford Focus or a Seat Leon. We think the Leon is the better choice of the two, because it is sure to put a smile on your face on any twisty road, yet it’s very easy to live with the rest of the time.
It has a spacious interior, a big boot and impressive fuel economy for a non-hybrid petrol model – plus, it’s around £2000 cheaper than an equivalent Focus.
The sporty FR trim we prefer includes lots of kit, including a 10in touchscreen infotainment system, wireless phone charging and climate control with a separate zone for rear passengers.
Read our full Seat Leon review or see the latest Seat Leon deals
28. Audi R8 Coupé
Our pick V10 Performance RWD List price £135,045 Target Price £132,081 Target PCP £1800 Engine 10cyl, 5204cc, petrol Gearbox 7-spd automatic 0-62mph 3.7sec Top speed 204mph MPG 22.4 CO2 285g/km
Buy one while you still can. That’s our advice to anyone with the means to pay the R8’s six-figure price tag. Yes, sadly, Audi’s seminal sports car will soon be killed off before being reincarnated as an all-new, fully electric version in 2026.
Now, we’re big fans of electric cars, and we don’t doubt that the replacement will have a quicker 0-60mph time. What it won’t have, though, is a 5.2-litre V10 petrol engine that makes Ferraris and Porsches sound boring.
We think the R8’s engine is one of the best of all time, and the rest of the car is brilliant too, especially if you choose the more playful rear-wheel-drive version.
Read our full Audi R8 review or see the latest Audi R8 deals
27. Skoda Kamiq
Our pick 1.0 TSI 95 SE List price £22,780 Target Price £22,780 Target PCP NA Engine 3cyl, 999cc, turbo petrol Gearbox 5-spd manual 0-62mph 11.1sec Top speed 117mph MPG 51.4 CO2 124g/km
If you’re looking at small SUVs because you want to be much higher up than in a hatchback, the Kamiq probably isn’t the model for you. But by other measures, Skoda’s smallest SUV is tough to fault.
Not only is it more practical than most of its rivals, with loads of rear seat space and a big boot, but you’ll also be comfy. The ride is one of the Kamiq’s standout strengths, and it’s at its best in our chosen SE trim (the modest-sized 17in alloy wheels mean there’s plenty of tyre sidewall to cushion impacts).
It’s competitively priced, too, so you’ll save at least £3000 by choosing one over a Ford Puma or Volkswagen T-Roc.
Read our full Skoda Kamiq review or see the latest Skoda Kamiq deals
26. Mercedes-AMG A45 S
Our pick Plus List price £63,285 Target Price £63,285 Target PCP £830 Engine 4cyl, 1991cc, petrol Gearbox 8-spd automatic 0-62mph 3.9sec Top speed 168mph MPG 30.7 CO2 208g/km
With a ferocious 2.0-litre petrol engine pumping out 415bhp, the fastest of Mercedes-AMG’s A-Class-based hot hatches is ballistically quick.
The way the A45 S gathers speed as it rockets you from 0-62mph in less than four seconds is only half the story, though. It’s incredibly agile in corners, and the four-wheel drive system gives you the choice between maximum grip and the ability to slide around a track.
True, the ride is firm and you’ll need deep pockets to fuel one, but if ultimate excitement is at the top of your agenda, the A45 S is one of the most thrilling options around.
Read our full Mercedes-AMG A45 review or see the latest Mercedes-AMG A45 deals
