Here in Britain, there’s no doubt that cars and the automotive industry are very important to the local economy.
Over 30 manufacturers currently build in excess of 70 different models here in Britain.
In recognition of these impressive feats in the automotive industry, we highlight five of the finest cars on sale now in Britain.
This list is not just for cars of British origin though, instead, this list focuses on models currently assembled in this country. With big name foreign manufacturers including Nissan, Toyota and Honda all operating production plants in this country, the list of candidates is plentiful and strong.
Land Rover Discovery
The British car brand Land Rover offers a very strong line-up of SUV models, including the versatile Discovery – built in Solihull. While the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport may offer more luxury and power, the Discovery is relatively more affordable in comparison and can serve many roles seamlessly.
The tall and heavy build of this SUV might lead you to assume that the Discovery is tricky to drive on the road, but it’s actually quite impressive in this regard. It feels well planted, particularly through long corners, and the raised seating position, huge windows and rear parking camera provide great all-round visibility.
The Discovery’s air suspension helps to soak up bumps and can raise the ride height during off-road driving. Speaking of which, the Discovery, like other Land Rover models, is truly excellent at tackling tricky terrain. The Discovery can adjust its four-wheel drive system to adapt to different types of challenges.
MINI Hatch
The MINI brand has been owned by a German manufacturer, BMW, for over a decade, but that hasn’t stopped it from remaining widely considered one of the best British car names around. A production plant in Oxford is where virtually all the current MINI-branded cars are built, including the latest Hatch.
Available as either a three or five-door model, the MINI Hatch boasts attractive and memorable styling for both the exterior and interior.
The eye-catching looks are enough alone to win some fans over, but other major strengths include its sharp handling, excellent residuals and a diverse engine range. You can find a MINI Hatch spec to suit different priorities, whether it’s the very frugal diesel-run Cooper D or a fast and feisty turbocharged model like the Cooper S.
Jaguar F-TYPE
The two-seater F-TYPE is a stunning looking sports car available in convertible and coupe form which offers exciting performance and handling, regardless of specification.
Built in Castle Bromwich, Birmingham, the F-TYPE is available with two petrol units, a 3.0-litre V6 producing either 335bhp or 375bhp, or a supercharged 5.0-litre V8 with 488bhp for the convertible and 542bhp for the R coupe. Most specifications will cover the 0-62mph sprint in under five seconds, but even the pace of the standard models can easily satisfy adrenaline junkies.
The coupe version of the F-TYPE is also surprisingly practical for a sports car. Its boot, measuring at 407 litres, is bigger than a Volkswagen Golf hatchback’s. Jaguar faced up to a difficult task taking on the likes of the Porsche Cayman and the Audi TT, but the British-built F-TYPE feels like a very worthy opponent.
Honda CR-V
The CR-V crossover is one of two current models that Honda builds at its British plant in Swindon, alongside the Civic Tourer (the Jazz was previously built here up until 2014).
The CR-V has proven popular in the British car market, behind only the Jazz when it comes to best-selling models for the brand. The latest version of the CR-V is an intriguing alternative to luxury models like the BMW X3 and Audi Q3.
Offering the choice of front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, the CR-V makes a generally positive impression when driven. It’s slightly stiff suspension set-up keeps body roll well in check and the nine-speed automatic gearbox available is very smooth.
Also impressive is how practical the CR-V is inside. It’s roomy, packed with gadgets and the standard boot capacity of 589 litres is unbeaten in the crossover segment. If you’re interested in a new crossover, then the CR-V is one of the most practical and easy-going entries that doesn’t wear a premium badge.
Nissan Qashqai
Nissan’s gigantic production plant in Sunderland builds several of the Japanese brand’s current models and the Qashqai crossover is the most sought-after example. The Qashqai played a key role in kick-starting the crossover craze here in Britain and the current-generation model remains one of the finest entries in this sector and is simply just an all-round good family car.
While it's not exactly one for the driving enthusiasts, the Qashqai is on to a winning formula. It combines a comfortable drive, roomy interior, plentiful safety kit and - like most crossovers - a tall, commanding driving position.
A new Qashqai with a 1.5-litre dCi diesel is something we particularly recommended for family car buyers. It officially averages 74.3mpg and emits just 99g/km of CO2, meaning free Vehicle Excise Duty.