11 of the best new 74 plate vehicles

September and March are the biggest times of the year for new car sales, as these are the months when the latest registration plates are issued.

From 1st September 2024, new vehicles registered will have a '74 plate' (for example, AB74 CDE).  

And from 1st March 2025, registrations switch again (to 25 plates), followed by 75 plates from 1st September 2025.

Here are some of the best new models that have either been launched or updated in the last year.

How do the registration plates work?

The two-year identifier numbers are just one of three elements that make up a standard reg plate, issued by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (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 such as condition and mileage matter too.  

This is especially important when vehicles enter the used market a few years down the line.

Hybrid

MG3 Hybrid+ - from £18,495

Easy to drive, surprisingly spacious and well-equipped, the all-new MG3's self-charging hybrid system (no need to plug it in) pairs a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor.

It delivers economy as high as 64mpg and CO2 emissions as low as 100g/km.  

Add the seven-year/80,000-mile warranty, and this stylish supermini offers great value for money.

Nissan Qashqai - from £30,135

The UK's best-selling family SUV (sport utility vehicle) has been treated to a mid-life facelift.  

Not only does it now sport a striking new look, but it's been given an interior trim upgrade, better tech (including a Google-powered infotainment system) and more safety and driver assistance systems as standard.  

So, the Qashqai is better than ever. And remember, it's designed and built in Britain too.

Toyota Yaris Cross - from £25,530

A compact crossover based on the ever-popular Yaris, the dinky Yaris Cross has also had a makeover for 2024.  

Apart from various technology enhancements, there's now a beefed-up 1.5-litre self-charging petrol-hybrid system with a 14% increase in power, reducing the 0-62mph time by half a second to 10.7 seconds.  

If you choose to opt for the 114bhp version or the new 128bhp unit, the Yaris Cross is impressively frugal (up to 58.8mpg and-62.7mpg respectively) - it's an impressive all-round package.

Electric

Volvo EX30 - from £32,850

Volvo’s smallest SUV is electric, sharply-styled, packed with recycled materials and priced competitively.  

You can choose from three versions - two Single Motor rear-wheel drives with a range of up to 296 miles, plus a Twin Motor 4x4 capable of 0-62mph in a blisteringly fast 3.6 seconds.  

A 10-80% charge can be achieved in as little as 26 minutes, while its state-of-the-art interior oozes Scandi cool.

Hyundai Ioniq 5 N - from £65,000

A genuine gamechanger, Hyundai has transformed the Ioniq 5 electric family hatchback into something very special.  

Yes, it's pricey, but it looks stunning, handles superbly - and there's more than 600bhp on tap (0-62mph in just 3.4 seconds).  

Most of all, technical wizardry has resulted in an EV that drives and sounds much like a conventional performance car, but with a convincing simulated engine noise and paddle-shift gearbox.  

In short, it's an electric vehicle guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

BYD Seal - from £45,695

The best car yet from Chinese newcomer BYD, the Seal is a serious Tesla Model 3 rival.  

Good looking, fun to drive, fast, refined and well-equipped, there are two versions (rear or all-wheel drive), with range figures of 354 and 323 miles respectively.  

The BYD Seal can be charged from 30-80% in just 26 minutes via a 150kW connection.

Commercial

Isuzu D-Max Steel Edition - from £38,495, plus VAT

The Steel Edition is another special edition for the rugged Isuzu D-Max pickup truck, originally launched in 2021.  

Limited to 300 vehicles, it's painted in Steel Grey Mica, there's special 'Steel' badging, and it's packed with accessories fitted as standard.  

Just like a regular D-Max, it has a 1-tonne payload and 3.5-tonne towing capacity, shift-on-the-fly 4WD and a wading depth of 800mm.  

It also comes with a five-year/125,000-mile warranty and five-year roadside assistance.  

Renault Kangoo - from £20,250 plus VAT

Renault's award-winning Kangoo van has been updated for 2024.  

The most obvious difference is the redesigned front end.  

However, standard equipment now includes features such as a new 4.2-inch colour driver information display, electric parking brake, automatic high beam assist and rear parking camera. 

Competitively priced, versatile and great to drive, the Kangoo is available in two body lengths with a choice of petrol and diesel engines.  

There's also the E-Tech 100% electric, which has a range of up to 186 miles and can be charged up to 80% in 43 minutes via an 80kW connection.

Petrol/Diesel

Skoda Kodiaq - from £36,645

New for 2024, the second generation of Skoda's popular seven-seater SUV is available with a choice of efficient petrol and diesel engines, plus a new plug-in hybrid option capable of 62 miles of electric-only driving.  

The latest Kodiaq also gets a smarter look, more space and technology - and it's as practical as ever. In short, it's a fantastic value-for-money family car.

Kia Picanto - from £15,595

Radically updated for 2024, the new Picanto city car is better than ever with its bold new look and equipment upgrade. 

There are two engines available: a 1.0-litre three-cylinder and a larger 1.2-litre four-cylinder.  

Economy is as high as 55.4mpg, while CO2 emissions are a low 111g/km. There's peace of mind too, thanks to Kia's generous seven-year/100,000-mile warranty.  

Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate - from £57,780

If you're not a fan of SUVs, this plush load-lugger proves that there's still plenty of life left in estate cars.  

The latest E-Class is spacious, looks fantastic and is loaded with cool technology.  

Delivering a refined and comfortable driving experience, it's available as a saloon too.  

There's a range of petrol and diesel engines, plus a plug-in hybrid capable of around 70 miles in EV mode. If you spend hours on motorways, the diesel is a particular highlight.  

Not only will a full tank take your several hundred miles, but it will return around 55mpg.