The five best new cars available on the 17-plate

This week sees the launch of the 17-plate, and we’ve compiled a list of the five best cars available with the new registration. We also explain how much they’ll cost to tax when the new rules for new cars come into effect next month.

Citroën C3

The new Citroën C3 offers everything you need from a small car in a stylish and fun package.

As well as being available in a variety of customisable colour options, the C3 comes in one of three trims:

Touch, the basic level, starts at £10,995 and includes cruise control, speed limit recognition and hill start assist.

Feel is £13,335 and adds features such as a seven-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and 16-inch alloy wheels.

Finally, at £15,085, Flair offers equipment including airbumps, a dashcam plus a reversing camera.

The C3 has a selection of different engines. The three-cylinder petrol unit will cost £140 per year to tax, while the four-cylinder diesel will set you back £120 for the first year then £140 a year in successive years.

Volkswagen Golf

The Volkswagen Golf is an iconic all-rounder with legendary build quality and reliable technology.

The bottom-of-the-range Golf S, starting at £14,375, has Bluetooth connectivity, DAB radio and a front centre armrest.

Match starts at £17,440 and adds features such as adaptive cruise control, satellite navigation and front fog lights.

The GT and R-Line editions, starting at £20,105 and £21,960 respectively, include a panoramic sunroof, a higher-specification satellite navigation system and parking sensors.

There’s also the e-Golf, which starts at £31,680 and is fully electric.

Tax for the petrol and diesel engines will range from £120 to £160 for the first year, reducing to £140 thereafter. The e-Golf, meanwhile, will be tax-exempt.

Alfa Romeo Giulia

The Alfa Romeo Giulia is a stylish saloon that has been lauded by the press. You can choose between more practical versions or one with extra performance.

The basic version of the Giulia costs £29,480 and has all the standard saloon car trimmings, while the £31,180 Super, £35,050 Speciale and £37,880 Veloce introduce a variety of additional features, such as 18-inch alloy wheels, upgraded brakes and aluminium kick plates.

The Giulia Quadrifoglio is the high-performance version of the car and costs £61,000.

The 2.0-litre petrol engine will be £200 to tax for the first year and then £140 afterwards, but tax for the 2.2-litre diesel will always cost £140 a year.

Meanwhile, the tax bill for the 2.9-litre V6 found in the Quadrifoglio will be £800 for the first year, reducing to £450 for the next five years, then £140 after that.

Mazda MX-5 RF

The Mazda MX-5 RF is a unique vehicle. It’s hard to find another retractable fastback sports car for the same price.

The RF starts at £22,195 for the SE-L Nav version, while the Sport Nav specification begins at £24,795 and the limited-run Launch Edition costs £28,995.

The 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine is £200 to tax for the first year and £140 after that. The 2.0-litre version’s first year costs £500, before also reducing to £140.

Tesla Model X

The Tesla Model X is an all-electric SUV aimed at combining eco-friendliness, practicality and performance.

The standard trim starts at £85,335, with everything that you’d expect from a premium vehicle of this nature. The Performance version increases the power output and the Performance Ludicrous variation even more.

The Model X doesn’t emit any CO2, but costs more than £40,000. Because of that, it’ll be free to tax for the first year and £310 for the five years after that.