With the easing of supply chain issues and shorter lead times, getting hold of a factory-fresh car is now much easier.
A plethora of new car models are arriving in 2023, from all corners of the globe.
Many of these new designs are either pure electric or hybrids, but there’s the occasional old-school combustion engine model, too - such as the Ferrari Purosangue SUV.
Indeed, the following list contains a number of luxury or sports-focussed models (including the stunning new Rolls Royce) alongside more affordable cars, (such as the Hyundai Ioniq 7).
Alongside EVs with better range, this list of the best new cars in 2023 is typified by eye-catching, futuristic styling.
Sometimes It works, sometimes it doesn’t - but there’s no denying these are the kind of Blade Runner-esque cars people decades ago imagined we’d be driving.
The future has finally arrived…
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BMW XM
The boffins from Bavaria threw out the auto design rule book when they dreamt up the XM SUV - and possibly not in a good way.
Resembling a kind of corrupted polygonal vehicle from a dystopian video game, the XM is nothing if not audacious.
Looks aside, it is the first plug-in hybrid from the marque's 'M' division, and features a twin-power V8 producing more than 640 HP.
Despite weighing more than 2.7 tonnes, it still posted a 0-62mph figure of 4.3 seconds.
This is arguably a head turner for all the wrong reasons, and it starts from 145,000GBP.
Polestar 6
Originally called the O2 Concept, the all-electric Polestar 6 remains true to its groundbreaking prototype, with a beautifully proportioned coupe body.
It is not clear if the production version will have a built-in drone to take videos of yourself driving (as the prototype did), but it will be one of the most unique cars on the market.
Producing 833 HP, the Polestar 6 promises to be one of the best performing EVs on the market, and it is coming soon.
Car luddites who won’t let their petrol engines go may finally be won over by this beauty!
Astra E
The new electrified Astra appears to be a genuine alternative to competitors such as the VW ID.3 and MG 5
The estate version will have a 54kW battery which will deliver around 258 miles of range.
Interestingly, you can barely tell this is an EV - since it looks exactly the same as its combustion-engine counterpart.
Sadly this Astra is not made in the UK; production of both the ICE and EV version has moved from Ellesmere Port to Opel’s Rüsselsheim site in Germany.
Munro Mk_1
The "all terrain, all electric" Munro Mk 1 promises to be one of the most rugged off road EVs available, and it’s coming this year.
What's more, it's being built in Scotland.
It aims to be the ultimate workhorse, and boasts a super-boxy design and the kind of build quality that could see it survive a war zone.
It also features Upol Raptor® Paint protection, which can withstand some serious punishment.
In optimal conditions the Mk_1 has a range of 190 miles, reduced to 152 miles in adverse conditions.
Its specialisms will be land management, infrastructure, industry and emergency response.
The £75,000 model has the slightly less boxy Land Rover Defender in its sights.
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Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato
The Huracan sub-brand is being wound up by Lambo, but not before they release a breathtaking swan song model - in the form of the Sterrato.
This V10 model has been designed to go off road, and is therefore 44mm higher off the ground than the regular Huracan. It also features a large intake to cool that all-important engine (but don’t worry too much about fires - this isn't part of the Aventador series!).
We're not sure how big the market is for off-road supercars - not least because the paintwork will get ruined immediately - but it will cut a fine silhouette on the sun-drenched avenues of Dubai, LA and Kensington.
Expect 610HP and a 0-62mph figure of 3.4 sec (on gravel!) and a flat-out speed of 160mph.
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BMW M3 Touring
Based on the M3 saloon, the M3 Touring will deliver 510HP and a 0-62 time of 3.6 seconds.
The key attraction to this model is that it combines the performance of the M3 with the extra boot space of an estate.
Rolls Royce Spectre
While similar in design to the Wraith, this two-door coupe is a step-change for Rolls due to its electric power train.
The motors will deliver 577 HP while the batteries will be good for around 300 miles of travel.
The Spirit of Ecstasy has also been redesigned - after hundreds of hours of wind tunnel testing - and the grille is now illuminated. And complementing the usual starfield ceiling will be star-field doors, too.
Overall, it is one of the greenest Rollers ever, but as you might imagine, in this instance saving the earth costs the earth - to the tune of 300 grand!
Aston Martin Valhalla
This otherworldly machine boasts a 4-litre AMG V8 petrol engine paired with two electric motors - which combine to produce a whopping 1,000 HP and a 0-62 time of just 2.5 seconds.
And with a top speed of 217 mph, Aston claims it can do the Nurburgring in 6m 30s.
The Valhalla will have a carbon tub, weigh 1500kg and have ‘active aero’ that can generate up to 1600 kg of downforce.
Just 700 will be made available to the public - each costing 700K!
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Lotus Eletre
This British sports car brand has never been associated with SUVs nor EVs, but the Eletre changes all that. Even the styling has little in common with Lotus’ regular sports cars.
The stunning interior is spacious enough to take the family, with plenty of rear-seat entertainment.
Its two motors will produce up to 905HP, which will translate to an under 3-second 0-62mph time - making it as quick as any two-seater Lotus.
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Porsche 911 Dakar
The classic 911 gets an off-road facelift with the Dakar model, which boasts "only" 480HP and a 0-62mph time of 3.4 secs.
Inspired by the 1984 Paris Dakar-winning 911 Carrera off road, the Dakar has 50mm of ground clearance and can be raised a further 30mm (which can be done at up to 93 mph!).
Porsche is billing the Dakar as one of the few cars that looks just as good crossing arid north African landscapes as it does arriving at the opera!
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Ferrari Purosangue
Historically, the prancing horse was not keen to enter the SUV market. But after the Urus became a cash cow for Lamborghini, Ferrari simply had to make a sports utility of their own.
The Purosangue - which means thoroughbred in Italian - has a naturally aspirated 6.5 litre V12 and an eight-speed dual clutch transmission.
With a 0-62 figure of 3.3 seconds, it's sure to outstrip the competition.
However, this petrol-guzzler goes against the current zero-carbon grain - although it makes amends by boasting carpets made of old fishing nets!
Hyundai Ioniq 7
Hyundai decided to call their latest model the Ioniq 7, not least because the previous incarnation was named the Ioniq 6.
Boxy yet futuristic styling sets it apart from its predecessors, especially when it comes to the audacious bluff front.
The prototype of this all-electric SUV was rather unique in that it had lounge-style seating. However, the production version is likely to feature a regular seating plan.
It's not yet clear how big the battery will be.
Squad Solar
This diminutive Dutch runabout is the cheapest vehicle on this list - coming in at 9,300 euros before tax.
It's also one of the leanest and greenest, taking up a tiny footprint and boasting up to 100 km of range - which is more than enough for most urban trips.
But the most interesting thing about this vehicle - as you may have guessed from the name - is that it is solar powered.
And if the L6 version's plodding 45 km top speed breaks you out in a cold sweat, fret not - it can be upgraded to the L7/70 km/h variant at a later date.
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Audi A6 e-Tron
The prototype of this model replaced the traditional grille with a single panel, in which the Audi rings are illuminated.
The A6 will also be able to project images forwards - so you can organise your own drive-in movie showing (but only in black and white).
The original concept had many other projectors - such as one that beamed onto the ground to warn other road users the door was about to open.
The DRL headlights can be programmed to display various patterns.
Audi is releasing hatchback and estate versions, both of which are incredibly easy on the eye.
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