From 1st March 2024, new vehicles registered will have a '24 plate' (for example, AB24 CDE). And from 1st September 2024, registrations switch again (to 74 plates), followed by 25 plates from 1st March 2025.
The two year-identifier numbers are just one of three elements that make up a standard reg plate, which is issued by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).
The first two letters represent the region the car was registered in, while the final three are officially a set of randomly generated letters.
Cars with a more recent registered number will be worth more, though other factors such as condition and mileage matter too.
Here are some of the best new vehicles that have either been launched or updated in the last year.
Electric
Kia EV9 - from £65,025
With its concept car looks, long range and effortless drive, the Kia EV9 is a real statement vehicle.
About the same size as a BMW X5, it’s available as a six or seven-seater – the former sporting swivelling middle-row seats. It’s an epic SUV with a bold, boxy design that focuses on maximising interior space and passenger comfort.
All models in the range come with a large 99.8kWh battery, and there are two drive options - a 201bhp Single Motor that powers the rear wheels or a Dual Motor all-wheel drive which has 378bhp.
The former delivers a claimed 349 miles of range, while the 4x4 still offers a respectable 313 miles. Ultra-fast charging is standard, meaning 154 miles can be added in just 15 minutes.
Hyundai Kona Electric - from £34,995
Originally launched in 2018, the Hyundai Kona Electric has always been a family favourite.
The good news is that the second-generation model is even better. With futuristic styling it’s refined, comfortable, spacious, and easy to drive. Standard and Long Range versions are available.
The cheaper version has a 154bhp electric motor and 48kWh battery, with an official WLTP range of up to 234 miles.
The Long Range version outputs 215bhp and a 65kWh battery boosts the range up to 319 miles.
BMW i5 - from £74,105
Quite simply, the all-new BMW i5 saloon is one of the best electric executive expresses on the market.
Plush and packed with tech, it offers top build quality, serious performance, a dynamic drive, and long range - at a price.
The i5 is the latest model to join BMW’s ‘i’ family of all-electric cars and takes on the likes of the Mercedes-Benz EQE, Genesis Electrified G80 and Tesla Model S.
There's a choice of two powertrains – a rear-wheel drive (single motor) eDrive40 and an all-wheel drive (dual motor) M60 xDrive. Both use an 81.2kWh battery, giving ranges of up to 356 and 316 miles respectively.
Hybrid
Honda CR-V e:PHEV - from £53,995
An impressive plug-in hybrid debut from Honda, the CR-V e:PHEV is a step-up from the outgoing model.
Also offered as a full hybrid, it's a big, good-looking SUV up against some strong rivals, including the Toyota RAV4, Kia Sportage, Ford Kuga and Hyundai Tucson.
Featuring a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine paired with a 17.7kWh battery and single electric motor, producing 181bhp, it can travel in pure electric mode for up to 50 miles on a single charge.
In theory, it’s capable of 353mpg but will dip below 50mpg when the battery charge has been used up. It’s worth noting that unlike the full hybrid version, the e:PHEV is only available with front-wheel drive.
Renault Austral E-Tech - from £34,695
Looking for a full hybrid family SUV with serious kerb appeal? Then consider the Renault Austral E-Tech, which in theory can travel up to 683 miles between fuel stops.
Capable of running in EV mode for short distances, it emits as little as 105g/km CO2 and can achieve up to 60.1mpg.
The Austral E-Tech’s 196bhp hybrid system uses a gutsy new 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol engine, two electric motors and a small 2kWh battery. And unlike many hybrids, it uses a conventional automatic gearbox, so it’s more refined than a CVT transmission.
As full hybrids go (its rivals include the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid, Nissan Qashqai e-Power, Honda ZR-V and Toyota RAV4), it’s one of the best.
Toyota C-HR - from £31,290
The latest version of Toyota’s popular C-HR family crossover is a big, bold step-up compared to the outgoing model.
Featuring the new ‘hammerhead’ face of Toyota SUVs and dramatic styling there's a choice of 1.8 and 2.0-litre engines paired with Toyota’s latest fifth-generation full hybrid technology that boosts both power and efficiency.
The 1.8-litre delivers 138bhp and the 2.0-litre ups power to 194bhp. Official figures put fuel economy at 60.1mpg and 57.6mpg respectively, while CO2 emissions are from 105g/km and 110g/km.
Both models are front-wheel drive (there’s no AWD option) and a plug-in hybrid (with an EV range of up to 41 miles) will join the C-HR line-up later in 2024.
Easy to drive, economical, well-equipped and classy, the cool new C-HR certainly stands out from the crowd.
Petrol
Vauxhall Corsa - from £19,625
Launched in 2019, the fifth-generation Vauxhall Corsa has been a big success, ending 2023 as the year's third biggest-selling car in the UK.
For 2023 the Corsa range was treated to a fresh face and new infotainment tech, plus extra power and increased range for the electric version.
However, it’s the petrol versions that account for the vast majority of those sales.
New for 2024 will be the first Corsa Hybrid. Powered by a 1.2-litre petrol engine, an electric motor, plus a small battery mounted under the front passenger seat, Vauxhall claims this mild hybrid will have 20% better overall fuel economy than the standard petrol version.
Mercedes-AMG A45 S – from £63,285
Hot hatches are a dying breed, so the Mercedes-AMG A45 S is hanging in there with the Audi RS3, Volkswagen Golf R and Honda Civic Type R.
Based on the fourth-generation Mercedes-Benz A-Class hatchback (launched in 2018 and facelifted at the end of 2022), the performance models (Mercedes-AMG A 35 and the even-faster Mercedes-AMG A 45 S) have now also received a makeover.
The A 45 S is the most powerful hot hatch on the market (415bhp and 369lb ft of torque) and it features the world’s most potent series-production four-cylinder engine.
The key stats say it all, because that turbocharged 2.0-litre engine means it’s capable of 0–62mph in a blistering 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 168mph.
And all that power is directed to the road via an eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox and AMG’s 4Matic+ all-wheel drive system.
Quite simply, the Mercedes-AMG A45 S is a heady mix of power, superb driving engagement, great build quality and practicality.
Commercial
Ford Transit Courier – from £16,200 (exc VAT)
The Ford Transit Courier is a smart new small van, available with petrol or diesel engines, plus an upcoming 100% electric option (marketed as the Transit E-Courier).
Longer, wider and taller than the outgoing model, it's built on the same platform as the big-selling Ford Puma. Total cargo volume is also up 25% to 2.9 cubic metres and there’s also a new load-through bulkhead option which means it can transport longer items.
There are two body styles - panel/cargo and double cab-in-van - and four trim levels (Leader, Trend, Limited and Active).
Boldly styled with hints of an American crossover, its front-end features cool LED headlights and a central light bar above the grille.
Mercedes-Benz eCitan – from £33,995 (exc VAT)
Co-developed with the Renault Kangoo and Nissan Townstar, the eCitan is the Merc’s first electric small van.
Also offered with diesel power, the EV version has a range of 176 miles, so it's very much an urban delivery van. That said, it's quite capable of longer journeys too, thanks to its ability to charge from 10-80% in as little as 38 minutes via a rapid public connection.
As you can see, it's good-looking, while the interior has the kind of quality you'd expect from a three-pointed star vehicle.
There are two lengths (L1 and L2) offering load volumes of 2.9 cubic metres and 3.6 cubic metres, and the payload is 425Kg (excluding driver) for the L1.
The eCitan pairs a small 45kWh battery with a 120bhp electric motor and power is sent to the front wheels.
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.
