10 exciting cars and auto advancements that’ll get your motor running in 2025

2025, huh. Kids from the 1960s, 70s and 80s would have thought that by the time they got to the futuristic-sounding year of 2025, cars would be almost unrecognisable to what existed then. Possibly flying, definitely hovering, and perhaps even driving themselves.

2025 is here and, well, sorry kids. Cars still have four wheels and an engine, require a human to drive them, and to add insult to injury, get stuck in even worse traffic. We do have the Tesla Cybertruck though, so there’s that crumb of solace (or despair, depending how you view it).

While we can’t promise flying cars or ubiquitous self-driving, there’s plenty to look forward to in 2025 for any automotive fan. From daring new models and exciting launches, to refinements of modern classics, more screens and fewer buttons, here’s what we’re excited about for the next 12 months of motoring.

1. Jaguar ready to roar

Jaguar sent shockwaves through the car industry in 2024, halting production of all current vehicles to make way for a new range of fully electric cars. Things hit fever pitch with the launch of its bold new brand identity, dividing opinions and generating huge publicity - not all of it complimentary. In 2025, ready yourselves to see Jaguar take it up another notch, with the official launch of the first model for its new era. Expect to see a sleek, streamlined and earth-shatteringly expensive Jaguar GT. Jag’s even shared shots of the disguised prototype in testing, so things are moving in the right direction. All we want to know is, will it be available in the Lady Penelope pink of the concept?

2. A Renault you actually want

In the UK, the A290 is an unremarkable stretch of tarmac linking Whitstable to Canterbury. The Alpine A290 is something far more exciting. This is the hot hatch sibling of one of the best looking cars of 2024 - the reborn, fully electric Renault 5. Alpine turns things up to 11, increasing power and fine tuning handling for what promises to be an absolute hoot to drive when it lands on UK roads later this year. With 217bhp in the top spec version and 0-62mph in 6.4 seconds, this dinky EV will have middle-aged hot hatch enthusiasts yearning for their youth.

3. BMW’s screen that isn’t a screen

BMW showed off its new iDrive infotainment system during CES 2025, which will land in every newly launched car from the end of the year. At first glance things look relatively standard. There’s a large central touchscreen display on the dash and a severe lack of physical buttons - not ideal, as adjusting the climate control while driving is tricky on a touchscreen. But it’s what’s behind this display, spanning the entire width of the car, which is interesting. This black bar can display a variety of information, but it’s not a screen. Instead, there’s a projector which beams the information onto the space with a natty 3D effect.

4. VW’s all-electric Polo/Golf

VW debuted the ID.2all concept in 2023, but this year we’re set to see the production version of its smallest ID-branded EV to date - and possibly the one many VW fans have been waiting for. Externally the ID.2 is shaping up to be a similar size to the current Polo, while on the inside the firm's MEB platform allows for the roominess of a Golf. In terms of range we’re looking at around 200 miles for the smaller battery version, and 280 miles for the bigger power pack. It should be competitively priced too, filling the void of the now-cancelled $25k Tesla Model 2.

5. Aston Martin Valhalla

This ain't your grandad's Aston. A mid-engined beast with a hybrid heart, the Aston Martin Valhalla boasts a 1064bhp powertrain. A combo of an 817bhp 4.0-litre AMG V8 and a trio of electric motors generating 248bhp for face-melting acceleration. It’s a hypercar that’s ready to take on the Ferrari SF90 and Lamborghini Revuelto, and only 999 will be made. 0-60mph in 2.5 seconds? You bet. Top speed? Limited to 217mph. Price? More than we care to think about (from £850,000, yikes). At least it can do nine miles on EV-only power.

6. Audi RS6 e-tron

True petrol heads know the Audi RS6 is the ultimate stealth fast car. At first glance you’d be forgiven for overlooking it as just another family estate, but in reality it's a high-performance vehicle that blends practicality with blistering speed. Think sleek design, cutting-edge tech, and instant acceleration that'll pin you to your seat. And for 2025, the iconic RS6 is going fully electric with the introduction of the Audi RS6 e-tron. We’re still waiting for Audi to officially announce this missile on wheels, but rumors suggest it could have over 800bhp. One thing is for sure, it’ll be quick.

Note that the image here is of the petrol-powered Audi RS6 Avant, not the fully electric RS6 e-tron.

7. Range Rover Electric

Range Rovers are everywhere in big cities now. They're like the ultimate status symbol – super stylish and luxurious. Most never see anything rougher than a speed bump, despite being extremely capable off-road machines, and now the top-of-the-line Range Rover is going fully electric. Spy photos of test models show it's going to look practically identical to the gas version. It was supposed to be with customers in 2024, but we’re still waiting on an official launch. 2025 looks set to be the year we see it.

8. Dacia goes Big(ster)

A pricey Range Rover is nothing more than a pipedream for many of us, so those looking for a big SUV need to shop elsewhere. At the other end of the big-car spectrum, cheap auto maker Dacia is lining up a big addition to its low-cost fleet. And it’s called… yep, the Dacia Bigster. With its sights set on disrupting SUV incumbents such as the Skoda Kodiaq, Kia Sportage, Hyundai Tuscon and Nissan Qashqai, the Bigster will be a tempting budget option when it pulls up this year at a rumored price of under £30k.

9. We might finally get the second-gen Roadster

Now, Tesla has a track record of missing deadlines, delaying production, and in the case of the Model 2, canning vehicles entirely. However, the Tesla Roadster 2 sports car is still alive, even though it was supposed to originally arrive in 2020. While we’ve seen production pushed back multiple times over the years, Elon Musk’s Tesla is “close to finalising the car’s design” according to an earnings call towards the end of 2024. There’s a chance then we’ll get some concrete information about the sportscar in 2025, but deliveries are unlikely to start until 2026 at the earliest. We’re waiting, Elon.

10. New car, who dis?

The electric automotive age is spawning more car brands than we can keep up with, and in 2025 you’ll be hearing from many more manufacturers you’ve never come across before. The likes of Jaecoo, Leap Motor, Skywell, Omoda and Xpeng all have plans to unsettle the legacy manufacturers this year, following in the footsteps of BYD, GWM, Polestar and co. They’ll help energize the EV market with eye-catching designs, exciting new tech and competitive price points, helping bring down costs throughout the industry. Not all will be successful, and we’d recommend caution before buying as aftercare services can be limited for brands entering a new market.

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