Auto Innovation Forward
Ford Transit Custom, Nissan Leaf, Golf GTI, and Renault 4 Lead Auto Sector Innovation
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Key Points
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Ford Transit Custom Multicab uses an L-shaped bulkhead that keeps the load length the same as the standard panel van on one side of the load bay, enabling a five-seat three-plus-two configuration without sacrificing cargo space.
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The Transit Custom’s electric MS-RT variant boosts power to 281bhp, matching its rally-inspired image, with the e-Transit option also available across the lineup.
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The Nissan Leaf is built in Britain, carries a group 31 insurance rating, and, at current energy price caps, costs around five pence per mile to charge, making electrification financially appealing alongside leasing deals.
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The Volkswagen Golf GTI remains exceptionally versatile, with a 0-62 mph time of 5.9 seconds in base form, around 40 mpg on the WLTP cycle, pricing under £42,000, and available higher-performance Clubsport and Edition 50 variants; it also offers a practical 381-litre boot.
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Renault 4’s boot is a sizable 420 litres, and the car is praised for intuitive Google tech and easy one-pedal driving, combining retro charm with everyday practicality.
The Ford Transit Custom has held on to its Mid-size Van of the Year title at the Auto Express New Car Awards 2026, beating rivals with a lineup that spans diesel, plug-in hybrid, and fully electric powertrains. The range tops out with a rally-inspired MS-RT electric variant pushing 281bhp — a figure that matches its aggressive styling.
The awards ceremony also crowned the third-generation Nissan Leaf as overall 2026 Car of the Year, while the Volkswagen Golf GTI and Renault 4 picked up class wins of their own — a sweep that signals a clear industry shift toward practical, affordable electrification.
Transit Custom's Multicab Trick Solves a Van Dilemma
The Ford Transit Custom's secret weapon is its Multicab configuration. An L-shaped bulkhead lets the van seat five people in a three-plus-two layout. Crucially, one side of the load bay keeps the same full cargo length as a standard panel van. That means drivers can still carry 3-metre-long items like ladders or pipes, according to Auto Express.
Hans Schep, General Manager at Ford Pro Europe, called the E-Transit Custom a "huge leap forward" designed to "redefine productivity for our customers in the electric, connected era." The electric BEV version carries a payload of up to 1,100 kg. Ford's Kocaeli plant in Turkey — a €2 billion investment — will serve as the centre of European electric van production going forward.
Nissan Leaf Wins Big by Becoming an SUV
The all-new Nissan Leaf swept three prizes at the Auto Express awards: overall Car of the Year, Affordable Electric Car of the Year, and Small Company Car of the Year. The third-generation model ditches the old hatchback shape for a crossover-SUV body, adding more interior space and addressing long-standing complaints about the cabin feeling cramped.
The numbers make a strong case for buyers. The Leaf delivers up to 386 miles of WLTP range and starts at £28,849. It carries a group 31 insurance rating and costs around five pence per mile to charge at current energy price caps, according to Nissan UK. Business drivers also benefit from low Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) tax — a percentage of a car's value paid as tax by company-car users. Mike Hanley of Cars.com noted the Leaf proves that "value, innovation, and everyday usability can still coexist."
Golf GTI Turns 50 and Still Sets the Benchmark
The Volkswagen Golf GTI celebrated its 50th anniversary with a new Edition 50 variant. The base GTI runs 0–62 mph in 5.9 seconds, returns around 40 mpg on the WLTP cycle, and is priced under £42,000. It also offers a genuinely useful 381-litre boot — handy for a car that doubles as a family hatch and a performance machine.
The limited Edition 50 cranks output to 321bhp and completed a Nürburgring lap fast enough to make it the quickest front-wheel-drive production car on the circuit. However, its £48,000 price tag drew criticism. Autocar's Matt Saunders suggested the cost pushes the "people's hot hatch" into premium territory that rivals the more powerful all-wheel-drive Golf R.
Renault 4 Wins Small SUV Crown on Charm and Practicality
The Renault 4 E-Tech took Small SUV of the Year by mixing retro looks with modern everyday usefulness. Its boot measures 420 litres — bigger than many rivals in the class. The car also features Google-based infotainment with live route optimisation for charging stops, and supports one-pedal driving, where lifting off the accelerator brings the car to a full stop.
Auto Express editor Paul Barker praised Renault's "character, charm, and keen pricing," saying the brand has regained its form by looking to its heritage to solve modern EV adoption hurdles. Renault UK's Managing Director Adam Wood added that the new retro-styled models are "appealing to the head as much as to the heart." Future versions are set to gain cheaper LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) batteries to keep costs competitive into 2027.
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