September and March are the biggest times of the year for new car sales thanks to the latest registration plates being issued.
Here are some of the best new 76 registrations cars on the market, so you can find your perfect ride for 2026.
New car registration dates 2026
From 1st September 2026, new vehicles registered will have a '76 plate' (for example, AB76 CDE).
And from 1st March 2027, registrations switch again (to 27 plates), followed by 77 plates from 1st September 2027.
What do the registration numbers mean?
The two year-identifier numbers are just one of three elements that make up a standard reg plate. These are issued by the DVLA.
The first two letters signify the region the vehicle was registered in, while the final three are a set of randomly generated letters.
The age identifier numbers matter because cars and vans with a more recent registered number tend to be worth more. Though other factors like condition and mileage matter too.
This is especially important when vehicles enter the used market a few years down the line.
What's hot for 76 plates?
We’ve chosen 12 newcomers to the market – a mixture of cars, SUVs, pick-ups and vans, so there’s something for everyone.
Most of the models are fully electric, which is no surprise as EV sales soar. So far in 2026, they make up around a record 25% of new registrations.
The Government’s Electric Car Grant is also helping more drivers switch to electric by reducing the upfront cost of them. And so far, over 140,000 drivers have benefitted from the scheme.
Geely EX2
The biggest-selling car in China, the Geely EX2 is expected to attract attention thanks to its low starting price.
Priced from just £20,990, this compact, all-electric hatchback will be offered with two battery options:
- The entry-level 35kWh battery – paired with an 80bhp electric motor, this will deliver a range of 155 miles.
- The larger 47kWh battery – with a 113bhp e-motor, it’ll offer up to 214 miles of range.
Generously equipped, the five-seat supermini also has a useful 375-litre boot and 70-litre storage space under the bonnet.
Mazda 6e
Sleek, spacious and efficient, the Mazda 6e is an all-electric fastback that stands out from the crowd.
Winner of the 2026 World Car Design of the Year title, it's priced from £38,995. It’s offered with a 78kWh battery which delivers a range of up to 348 miles.
Plus, it can sprint from 0-62mph in 7.9 seconds, while a 10-80% charge from a 195kW DC connection takes just 24 minutes.
Honda Super-N
It looks like Honda has got its EV mojo back with the launch of the Super-N city car.
After the forgettable e:NY1 compact crossover and the flawed Honda e, the Super-N is just the job.
Priced from just £18,995, it’s the ideal choice for city dwellers. It’s got a claimed range of 128 miles – up to 199 in City Mode. And it can charge from 15-80% in around 30 minutes via a 50kW connection.
Jeep Compass
The newest Jeep Compass model has just joined the line-up in time for Jeep’s 85th anniversary.
It’s already available as a mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid, but you can now buy the family-sized SUV as an EV. Take your pick from a front-wheel drive or an all-wheel drive (4xe).
Priced from £34,635 for the e-Hybrid to £45,200 for the 4xe, the Compass range has something for everyone.
With impressive off-road capabilities, the Jeep Compass is a worthy rival to cars like the Kia Sportage, Nissan Qashqai and Citroen C5 Aircross.
Volkswagen ID.Polo
The ID.Polo brings electric power to one of the UK’s household names. It’s a practical choice, with zero emissions and technology usually found in bigger and more expensive models.
It’s about the same size as the current combustion-engined Polo.
Priced from £23,945, it's offered with two battery sizes:
- The entry-level 37kWh battery will be good for a little over 200 miles.
- The 52kWh battery should get closer to 281 miles.
Plus, having listened to some criticism on its recent models, it comes with physical controls for essentials like temperature, fan speed and audio volume.
Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
Mitsubishi Motors is back selling vehicles in the UK after a five-year break.
Priced from £46,995, the first new model is the Outlander PHEV – the latest version of the SUV which put plug-in hybrids on the map.
The original was hugely popular, with nearly 55,000 sold in the UK between 2014 and 2021. It actually outsold every other PHEV and developed a loyal fanbase.
The good news is that the latest Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is better than ever. It's spacious, capable and good to drive. Plus, it’s a rare seven-seat plug-in hybrid if you’re looking for a family car.
KGM Musso EV
The KGM (formerly SsangYong) Musso EV is an all-electric pick-up truck based on the Torres EVX SUV.
It’s closer to a car than a ladder-framed 4x4. But it can be a good choice if you’re looking for a refined, driver-friendly ride that’s kinder to the planet.
Starting from £39,995, including VAT and the government’s £5,000 Plug-in Van Grant, it offers:
- a 80.6kWh battery
- a claimed range of up to 236 miles
- twin electric motors that produce a combined torque of 235bhp and 339Nm
It comes with a generous seven-year warranty – but also some compromises. For example, its payload is under a tonne, and it has a maximum braked towing limit of 1,800kg.
Kia EV2
Kia's cute EV2 is the South Korean brand's most compact electric vehicle yet.
Prices start from £27,995 but it qualifies for the maximum Government Electric Car Grant. That means you could pay £24,245 instead.
It’s available with two battery options:
- 42.2kWh – with a claimed range of 195 miles
- 61.0kWh – with a claimed range of 275 miles
The EV2 is surprisingly spacious, with an impressive boot capacity of up to 403 litres, plus a 15-litre 'frunk' under the bonnet.
It’ll also come with Kia's generous seven-year/100,000-mile warranty.
Skoda Peaq
The all-new Skoda Peaq is the Czech brand’s first all-electric, seven-seat SUV. Starting from £51,980, it’ll be the largest and most spacious model in the Skoda line-up.
Its highlights include:
- driving range of up to 390 miles
- a length of nearly 4.9 metres
- seating for seven adults
- up to 2,075 litres of luggage capacity
- an 86kWh battery (the largest ever fitted to a Skoda EV)
Plus, you can choose between a rear-wheel or all-wheel drive.
BYD Dolphin G DM-i
Based on the existing all-electric Dolphin Surf, the Dolphin G DM-I pairs a battery and electric motor with a 1.5-litre petrol engine.
Priced from £23,990, it’s an entry-level model. It offers:
- a 7.4kW battery and an electric range of 25 miles
- a bigger 18.3kWh battery with a zero emissions range of 65 miles
In theory, the smaller battery model can return up to 108mpg with CO2 emissions of 60g/km. While the larger battery is capable of 201mpg (32g/km).
More importantly for some, that's an impressive maximum combined total range of 633 or 646 miles respectively.
Hyundai Ioniq 3
Hyundai’s cool new Ioniq 1 hatchback will be priced from £22,245. It combines aerodynamic efficiency with generous interior space.
There’s room for five people, while the luggage capacity is a useful 441 litres.
There are two battery options:
- 42.2kWh - which will deliver an expected range of 213 miles
- 61kWh – which will deliver an expected range of 308 miles
Plus, a 10-80% charge takes approximately 29 minutes.
Hyundai says the Ioniq 3 has had the highest-ever level of customer interest recorded for a new model ahead of going on sale.
Mercedes-Benz Vito Sport-X
Within the next year, Mercedes is expected to launch a next-generation Vito. In the meantime, Mercedes-Benz Vans UK has announced a sporty special edition of the current Vito crew van.
It offers a motorsport-inspired exterior design, upgraded interior and extra standard equipment.
Exterior changes include a redesigned front bumper and grille, gloss black detailing, sport stripes and more.
It’s priced from £56,995, excluding VAT, and will be available as a 5-seater in L2 and L3 body lengths.
It’ll also offer:
- payloads of up to 733 kg
- load capacity of up to 4.1 m³
- towing capability of up to 2,500kg
Want to insure a new car?
Just so you know, it can take a little longer for us to get brand new makes and models of cars set up on our system.
That’s because we need to run a few checks before we can start offering quotes for them. For example, checking if parts are available if your car needs to be repaired.
If you’re getting a quote with us online and can’t find your car, check back soon. We’ll work hard to make sure they’re set up as soon as possible.
Gareth Herincx
Motoring journalist
I'm an experienced journalist, digital editor and copywriter, now specialising in motoring. I’m editor of Automotive Blog and have worked across the media in newspapers, magazines, TV, teletext, radio and online for household names including the BBC, GMTV, ITV and MSN. I’ve produced digital content in the financial sector for Lloyds Bank, Nationwide and the Money Advice Service. I'm married with two children and live near Bath in Somerset.
