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The automotive market is about to shift in a way we haven’t seen for a long time. While we’re used to new model releases from familiar brands, 2026 is shaping up to be the year of the brand-new car manufacturer. From a tech giant’s first-ever vehicle to startups reimagining what affordable EVs can be, the UK market is about to welcome some exciting newcomers.
At cars2buy, we’ve done our homework to bring you the lowdown on what’s coming, and trust us, some of these entries are groundbreaking.
Startup Brands on the Rise
AFEELA: Sony Enters the Market
Here’s something that would’ve sounded like science fiction five years ago: the company behind the PlayStation is building a car. AFEELA, a joint venture between Sony and Honda, is launching its first vehicle in 2026. This isn’t just a rebadged SUV. The Afeela EV is a luxury electric saloon developed from the ground up as a tech-first vehicle.
AFEELA represents a historic moment: the first time a major consumer electronics company with zero prior automotive manufacturing experience is launching into a major market. Customer orders are opening in 2025, with UK deliveries expected throughout 2026. If you’re curious about driving a vehicle designed by a tech company rather than a traditional carmaker, AFEELA is worth keeping tabs on.
ZEEKR: Performance Redefined
Founded in 2021 as a subsidiary of Geely (which owns Volvo and Lotus), ZEEKR is launching in the UK from 2025 onwards with models that punch well above their weight. The ZEEKR 001 FR quad-motor variant claims the title of world’s fastest-accelerating EV: 1,265 horsepower, 0-62 mph in just 2.07 seconds. Yes, you read that right. That’s quicker than a Lamborghini. If you’re after performance without the supercar price tag, ZEEKR is something to watch.
VOYAH: The Minimalist Approach
Founded in 2020, VOYAH is bringing the Voyah Free to the UK. It’s a 310-mile-range electric SUV with a unique triple infotainment screen setup that feels different from what you’ll find in most EVs. It’s a startup approach to vehicle design: innovative, uncompromising, and refreshingly different.
EXEED: The Premium Chinese Newcomer
EXEED already sells in the UAE, Chile, Kazakhstan, and Australia, where customers have embraced its combination of tech-loaded interiors and affordable pricing. For the UK, the brand is bringing the Exlantix E03 saloon (rivalling the BMW 5 Series and Audi A6) and the Exlantix E0Y, a massive Audi Q8-sized SUV. Both are available with plug-in hybrid and electric powertrains from launch.
What sets EXEED apart is the specification levels. Standard equipment includes heated and ventilated leather seats, dual 12.3-inch screens (Mercedes-style), panoramic sunroofs, and advanced driver assistance systems. The LX SUV (arriving first) offers a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine with 245 horsepower and a plug-in hybrid option with 50km of pure electric range. In many markets, it’s priced thousands less than equivalent German rivals.
The Returning Champions: Brands Coming Back
While brand-new manufacturers are exciting, 2026 also sees the return of some familiar names and the debut of others in the UK market for the first time.
Mitsubishi: The Comeback Story
After exiting the UK market in 2021, Mitsubishi is making its triumphant return this summer with a refreshed lineup built around electrified powertrains. The Outlander PHEV (approximately £40,000) and L200 PHEV pickup (approximately £35,000) are coming back stronger, featuring improved efficiency and modern design that should appeal to families and those needing towing capability. It’s a bold move in a competitive market, but Mitsubishi’s solid reputation for reliability gives it legs.
Leapmotor: Affordable EV Done Right
Sometimes the most exciting launches aren’t brand-new startups but established brands entering a new market with a compelling value proposition. Leapmotor, backed by Stellantis (the automotive giant behind Peugeot, Citroën, Jeep, and Fiat), is launching in early 2026 with three models that prove brilliant EVs don’t need to cost the earth.
The T03 city car starts from just £16,000. That’s affordable EV motoring. The C10 SUV offers 263 miles of range and thoughtful design that rivals far more expensive competitors. The B10 SUV rounds out the trio, giving Leapmotor options across the budget spectrum. Stellantis’s backing means these cars have the engineering pedigree and dealer support of a major global manufacturer, but with innovative thinking on pricing.
HONGQI: Luxury Enters the UK
Less a startup, more a historic brand with fresh ambitions, HONGQI (founded in 1958 but dramatically rebranded in 2021) is entering the UK market for the first time in 2026. As a state-owned Chinese luxury manufacturer already established in Norway and Denmark, HONGQI brings a premium positioning with an oriental flavour. Expect luxury SUVs like the E-HS9 with technology and comfort befitting six-figure pricing.
What This Means for You
The sheer number of genuinely new and returning brands launching in 2026 means unprecedented choice. Whether you’re intrigued by AFEELA’s tech-first philosophy, drawn to ZEEKR’s extreme performance, or simply want a practical Leapmotor at a fraction of traditional EV costs, there’s something for everyone.
The best part? You don’t need to visit dozens of dealerships to work out what’s out there. At cars2buy, we’re bringing together the best lease deals from all these exciting newcomers and the established brands in one transparent, easy-to-compare platform. Whether it’s Leapmotor lease deals, Mitsubishi options, or curious newcomers, we’ve got you covered.
The future of UK motoring is arriving in 2026. And it’s more exciting than ever.
Browse the latest lease deals across all brands, newcomers and established names alike, on cars2buy today. We’ve done the hard work of searching the web high and low to find the very best personal lease deals from trusted partners, so you can be confident that you are getting a fantastic option.