The cars you must see from the 2026 Brussels Motor Show

The 102nd Brussels Motor Show took place from January 9 to 18, 2026, at Brussels Expo. That’s not a statement you’d usually hear given that Brussels is traditionally quite far down the glamour-list when it comes to car shows. Covid changed a lot of that, and so this year’s trip to Brussels saw the unveiling of an unusually exciting range of new models from the major manufacturers, as well as hosting the European Car of the Year award ceremony.

Over 60 automotive brands appeared at the show, displaying a wide range of production cars and out-there concepts, including many new electric models. There was even time for a few world premieres as household names such as Kia, Mazda, and Hyundai chose to launch new models in Brussels.

The new Mercedes-Benz GLB introduced electricity to the brand’s seven-seat SUV lineup, taking many a breath away with its updated looks and almost 400-mile range. Hyundai continued to explore the hydrogen route with the all-new Nexo, a family-friendly compact SUV, while Peugeot were busy unveiling the all-new 408 saloon and a sporty new E-208 GTI.

And for those of you looking for something a bit chunkier, the ninth-generation Toyota Hilux made its first appearance. New looks, same rugged capabilities, and now with the choice of either a 48v mild hybrid/diesel powertrain or fully electric version of this legendary pick-up.

The 2026 Brussels Motor Show generated significant interest across the board, so we thought we should give you a quick breakdown of the cars that attracted the most attention.

Mercedes-Benz CLA

It would be rude not to start with the winner of the 2026 European Car of the Year, the electrified Mercedes-Benz CLA. A mid-size four-door saloon with coupe styling and next-generation technology, Mercedes claim this is the cleverest car its ever made.

On top of the latest battery design, artificial intelligence, and cloud computing technology, you also get a comfortable saloon with lots of practical space and a choice of power outputs, a range of around 480 miles, and rapid charging for extra convenience when you do have to top it up.

An estate version will also be joining the lineup relatively soon, along with hybrid powertrain options to complement the all-electric version that has launched the new CLA model range.

Kia EV2

The unveiling of Kia’s smallest EV to date was highly anticipated long in advance of the actual event. Sliding into the compact SUV segment, the new Kia EV2 will be packed full of useful features when it goes on sale in the UK.

Two battery options (42.2kWh and 61.0kWh) offer driving ranges of around 197 miles and 278 miles respectively. Despite the EV2’s compact footprint, practicality is covered. You can specify a four or five seat interior layout, it boasts a boot capacity of 403 litres, an additional 15-litre frunk beneath the bonnet, and lots of rear leg room thanks to the sliding and reclining back seats. Every trim level also features the latest technology and infotainment system as standard.

Kia also hasn’t ruled out making a hot-hatch GT version at some point in the future either.

Renault Twingo E-Tech

We’ve mentioned the new electric Twingo before, but Brussels was the first chance many people got to see it in the metal, and it’s fair to say it impressed. This redesigned and reinvented city car drew the crowds to the Renault stand ahead of its UK arrival later this year.

The new Renault Twingo E-Tech takes an old, much-loved car and reinvents it for the 21st century. It features a 27.5kWh battery, an 82bhp motor, and a range of up to 163 miles from a single charge. That will make it nimble and nippy in traffic. Fast charging (10-80% in 30 mins/50kW DC), one-pedal driving, and V2L (Vehicle-to-Load) functionality, also appear on the equipment list.

It aims to be an accessible EV, and with sliding rear seats and a decent boot space, and prices expected to start below £20,000, accessible is a very apt description.

Mazda CX-6e

Making its world premiere in Brussels, this sleek all-electric SUV is based on the same platform as the 6e saloon, offering a bold new look and a driving range of around 300 miles between charges.

The Mazda CX-6e is scheduled to arrive in the UK by the end of 2026, and as the name implies, it will be an electric alternative to the current CX-60 SUV. Sporting a high-tech interior, it delivers a lot of firsts for Mazda, including a 26-inch infotainment screen, camera door 'mirrors', Bluetooth speakers in the front headrests, and the complete removal of a physical instrument cluster in favour of an enlarged head-up display.

Full specifications will be confirmed closer to launch, but you’ll probably be looking at around 250bhp, a 78kWh battery pack, and a respectable 0-62mph time in the region of 8 seconds.

Zeekr 7GT

Zeekr is part of the Geely family (which also owns Volvo and Polestar among others), and the 7GT is a brand-new, fully electric shooting brake offering high performance, ultra-fast charging, and a luxurious, tech-filled interior set to launch in the UK in 2026.

Revealing its Scandinavian influence, the Zeekr 7GT features a clean and uncluttered interior. The cabin wraps around the driver with a high centre console, and it offers features like heated and power-adjustable seats, with the top trim adding ventilation and massage functions. It boasts a large central infotainment touchscreen, 13-inch driver information display, and a massive 35.5-inch augmented reality head-up display on higher trims.

Built on an 800V platform that allows for rapid charging (10-80% in as little as 15 minutes), it will be available with two battery options and in both a rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive version. Depending on specification, power output ranges from 420bhp up to an incredible 630bhp, easily delivering sub-5 second sprint times whilst still achieving a battery range of up to 400 miles.

Hyundai Staria Electric

The Hyundai Staria EV is a new electric MPV (Multi-Purpose Vehicle) aiming to electrify larger family vehicles without compromising on space. It’s a breath of fresh air in an SUV-centric world.

Offering space for 7-9 people and packed with Hyundai’s latest technology, the new Staria MPV is firmly directed at the leisure and lifestyle segment of the market. You get large windows, wide sliding doors for easier access, Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) power, and a refined interior with dual 12.3-inch screens, not to mention all that space.

Despite being the largest EV to date from Hyundai, you can still expect a range just shy of 250 miles from the 84kWh battery. An 800v system means you can access ultra-fast charging (10-80% in around 20 mins), and the 216bhp motor generates enough torque to give it a towing limit of up to 2 tonnes.

Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio Luna Rossa

It’s a bit of a mouthful, but it wouldn’t be a motor show without something that you’ll never even see, let alone drive. This is an extremely limited edition created between Alfa Romeo and the Italian Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli sailing team. You may have already noticed the body kit, but what you may not know is that only 10 examples will be produced.

Waving the flag for internal combustion, the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio Luna Rossa shares the same core powertrain as the standard Quadrifoglio - a Ferrari-derived 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 producing 513bhp. That’s where the similarities end.

A newly developed carbon-fibre low-drag kit and dual-profile rear wing generate up to five times more downforce than the production version. The exterior boasts a hand-painted iridescent metallic finish, a two-tone "boat deck" bonnet and roof, red Alfa Romeo badges, and two-tone black and red "Teledial" alloy wheels. The interior is also upgraded with Sparco seats, and the dashboard incorporates actual fragments of Luna Rossa sail material.

Oh, and 0-62mph takes 3.9 seconds and it has a top speed of 191mph, in case you were wondering.

Citroen ELO Concept

And while we’re on the subject of cars you can’t buy, how about an electric MPV with insane styling, a unique configurable interior, and what has been described as futuristic visibility?

The Citroen ELO is a compact, fully electric concept car with a versatile, modular interior, and a central driving position. It’s shorter than some current city cars but offers surprising interior space. The cabin converts from a six-seater people carrier to a mobile office or relaxation/sleeping space with inflatable mattresses and integrated screens for video projection. With no central pillar and doors that open in opposite directions, the entire side of the car can be opened up, allowing for both easy entry as well as a campervan feel.

Citroen has no plans to put the ELO into production, but that doesn’t mean some of its features won’t make it into other models in the future.