This medium car category is the most competitive sector of the UK’s new car market, and a large bulk of the class of 2026 belong in this category.
Our medium car category includes mid-sized hatchbacks, saloons and SUVs. Last year, The Car Expert came to the conclusion that the line between ‘car’ and ‘SUV’ has become so blurred that it’s effectively pointless, so we’ve grouped them all together.
Instead, we’ve separated medium cars into mainstream and premium, as that tends to better reflect how real-world car buyers look for their next vehicle. The badge and feature list tend to be more important than the body style, although customers are overwhelmingly choosing SUV-style cars instead of conventional hatchback/saloon/estate models – even if they’re no more practical and no more spacious (and have zero off-roading capabilities).
This category is one of the largest in our awards this year, with 13 new models. The eligible cars this year were:
Our awards recognise both the best new models launched over the last 12 months and the best overall cars in each category – because newest doesn’t always mean best, as you can see below.
Best new medium car: Kia EV4
Kia is on a roll. Hot on the heels of the Kia EV3 hatchback – winner of The Car Expert’s Car of the Year 2025 – the Korean manufacturer launched its larger EV4 saloon and hatchback range this year, which has been given an overwhelmingly positive reception of its own.
The EV4 is another knockout electric model from Kia, and continues the brand’s determination to challenge in every sector with its signature combination of striking design and advanced technology.
The EV4 brings much-needed new inspiration to the mid-sized car category, and is a fresh alternative to the endless sea of SUVs and crossovers. Available in a space-age fastback design or slightly more conventional five-door hatchback, it offers buyers a comfortable ride with driving dynamics that are a cut above the class average.
Kia is firmly establishing itself as a leading light in the EV revolution, and the new EV4 will only enhance that reputation.
In many ways, the EV4 is a smaller, more affordable alternative to The Car Expert’s Car of the Year 2022, the Kia EV6, and has picked up plenty of reviewer praise for its well-designed, spacious interior, sprightly handling, comfortable driving experience, and competitive battery range.
Class champions
Although the Kia EV4 is the top-rated medium car launched in the last 12 months, that doesn’t mean it immediately moves to the top of the pile. As of December 2025, another model still carries a higher Expert Rating score.
Class champion, electric: Hyundai Ioniq 5
The new Kia EV4 might be a great car, but it’s not the outright best electric car in this category. Instead, it’s the retro-futuristic Hyundai Ioniq 5 that scores highest on our Expert Rating Index – just edging its Kia EV6 twin to top spot.
The Ioniq 5 is around £5k more expensive than the smaller EV4, but that extra money gets you two of the finest medium-sized EVs on the new car market. So if your budget stretches to £40K or more, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 remains the best car in this segment.
Class champion, petrol/diesel/hybrid: Volkswagen Golf
The Mk8 Volkswagen Golf has been a popular and dependable choice for UK buyers for years now, and became a regular fixture in the UK’s top ten new car sales charts again this year.
The highest-ranked medium car in our Expert Rating index by Media Rating, the Volkswagen Golf was most recently updated in the summer of last year, and has been widely commended for its great ride comfort, excellent safety standards, and its handling and refinement.
The Car Expert Awards 2026 – all the category winners
