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2012 Renault Sport Megane 265 Cup
In the first year of CarFest, Renault’s performance arm produced one of the finest hot hatchbacks ever. The 265 Cup was a fast, fun, and very French high-octane newcomer, capable of thrilling on the road or on a track.
2013 McLaren P1 / Porsche 918 Spyder / Ferrari LaFerrari
It’s impossible to choose one from the trio of spectacular hypercars that all launched in CarFest’s second year – so we’ll pick all three. Each represented a different take on hybrid performance, but all offered an equally exciting glimpse of an electrified future.
2014 Alfa Romeo 4C
In the year that Jools Holland was on the CarFest mainstage, Alfa Romeo’s pretty 4C sports car reached UK shores. The featherweight Italian (the 4C, not Jools!) was a welcome injection of fun to Alfa’s range that offered a compelling alternative to the Porsche Cayman.
2015 Skoda Fabia
Fantastic value for money and without compromising on personality or fun, Skoda’s 2015 Fabia was as impressive as any other newcomer of the year. Practical and spacious, at the time you could pick one up from a barely believable £10k new!
2016 Ford Focus RS (Mk3)
With all-wheel drive and a turbocharged 2.3-litre engine, the Focus RS offered genuine sports car performance in a practical, five-door body. Want to take the kids to school and then scare your hair off on track? The RS was – and still is – the one to pick.
2017 Tesla Model 3
Easily one of the most prominent and popular electric cars of recent years, the Model 3 is the Tesla most of us will come across in the wild. Rapid in a straight line with good battery range, it’s a certified game-changer.
2018 Ford Fiesta ST (Mk8)
Much like CarFest, Ford was well and truly on a roll when the eighth-generation Fiesta ST arrived. It switched to a more economical engine and more agile setup that still boasted 200hp, and in 2018, you could buy a new one for just £19k.
2019 Suzuki Jimny
Don’t be fooled by the cute looks of the Suzuki Jimny. This proper 4x4 can go further than most when the going gets tough. With retro styling, good ground clearance and short overhangs front and rear, the Jimny shamed (and still shames) far pricier off-roaders.
2020 Fiat 500e
Proof that Italian car design is alive and well, the 500e didn’t just evolve Fiat’s most popular car for an electric future, it elevated its most recognisable design to new heights. City drivers and fashionistas have had it good since the 500e landed in 2020.
2021 Toyota GR Yaris
Nothing like the humble hatchback most of us know, the GR Yaris was born from motorsport with rallying in its veins. Using a punchy three-cylinder engine and a clever all-wheel drive system, this character-packed car is as loveable as it is rapid.
2022 MG4
The formerly British but now Chinese-owned MG brand positively shook up the car world with its latest all-electric hatchback. The MG4 offers a range of more than 250 miles for a sub-£30k price that many rivals can’t get close to. MG is very different these days – but it’s certainly back!
2023 Hyundai IONIQ 5 N
First turning heads with its futuristic looks in 2021, Hyundai’s brilliant IONIQ 5 electric hatchback is due to spawn a performance version from N, which is Hyundai’s sporting division. With more muscle and more power, it’s set to be a tailpipe-free thriller.
