The 5 best cars you can’t buy in the UK, and the ones you should buy instead
Car changing is a big deal
There are loads of great cars sold around the world which we will never see in the UK. Some are insanely cheap, while others are packed with cool technology. Here are five of the best cars you can’t buy on our shores, plus their closest alternatives which you can.
If you’re in the market for a new car, you’re pretty spoiled for choice. There are hundreds of different models available in UK showrooms, whether you’re after something small and cheap, fast and sporty or big and luxurious.
However, some manufacturers are holding out on us Brits by keeping some brilliant cars from our shores. We’re going to show you five of the best cars you can’t buy in the UK, along with a quick explainer as to why we’ve been deprived of them and an alternative to consider instead.
Remember, you can buy a brand new or used car right here on Carwow. And you can sell your car, too. We’re here to help you through every step of your car-changing journey.
The five best cars you can’t buy are:
- AUDI E5 Sportback – sold in China
- Renault Duster – sold in India
- Toyota Land Cruiser 70 – sold in Australia
- Skoda Kylaq – sold in India
- Dacia Duster pickup truck – sold in Romania
1. AUDI E5 Sportback – Sold in China
AUDI (all caps) is a brand launched by Audi specifically for the Chinese market, and the E5 Sportback is totally different to anything you can buy in the UK or Europe. The design shares nothing in common with cars like the Q6 e-tron, with that massive rectangular grille really setting it apart. You also won’t find the four-ring logo anywhere on this car.
It’s powered by a pair of electric motors which produce a combined 780hp, and inside you’ll find a 27.0-inch display screen which spans the entire width of the dashboard. The E5 Sportback has been designed specifically for the Chinese market, so a UK launch isn’t on the cards.
AUDI E5 Sportback alternative: Audi Q4 e-tron
The E5 Sportback is roughly the same size as the petrol-powered Audi A5, so the Audi Q4 e-tron is the closest alternative if you’re after an electric car. It may not be as striking as the Chinese AUDI, but the Q4 e-tron is comfortable, spacious and well-made.
2. Renault Duster – Sold in India
The Dacia Duster is one of the most affordable SUVs on sale in the UK, but in India it’s positioned slightly differently. It’s sold over there as the Renault Duster, and it’s marketed as a premium car.
It may look very similar to the Dacia Duster on the outside, but inside you get two massive screens, a Google-based infotainment system and slightly posher materials. It’s also available with adaptive cruise control, which our Dacia does without.
Renault Duster alternative: Renault Captur
Renault would never sell this version of the Duster in the UK because we get the Renault Captur. It’s a similar size to the Dacia Duster, but is a bit more sporty-looking and has a more posh-feeling interior.
3. Toyota Land Cruiser 70 – Sold in Australia
This is the Toyota Land Cruiser 70, and it’s basically a brand-new car from the 1980s. It’s a stripped-back off-roader which is about as basic as you can get, with no remote central locking, steel wheels and old-school mechanical sliders for the heater.
The Land Cruiser 70 is hugely popular in Australia, where the treacherous terrain of the Outback calls for a go-anywhere 4X4 which is as simple as possible. It would never meet emissions standards in the UK though, or safety regulations for that matter, which is why you won’t see them sold here.
Toyota Land Cruiser 70 alternative: Toyota Land Cruiser
Despite how basic it is, the Land Cruiser 70 would cost you close to £70,000 by the time you’ve personally imported one into the UK. For £80,000 you could get the standard Land Cruiser, which is just as capable off road but offers much more in the way of modern creature comforts.
4. Skoda Kylaq – sold in India
In India, Skoda sells a small SUV for the equivalent of just £6,000. The last time any new car was that cheap in the UK was back in 2012 when the Dacia Sandero first went on sale. It’s not like the Kylaq is baron inside either, because it has things like a digital driver’s display, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and LED lights.
Sadly, we’ll never see the Kylaq in the UK. It’s designed specifically for the Indian market, is built in India and is made using locally-supplied parts. It’s also under four metres long, meaning it qualifies for a lower tax rate in its native country.
Skoda Kylaq alternative: Skoda Kamiq
The Kamiq is the smallest and cheapest SUV Skoda sells in the UK. It starts from £25,500 – although you can save an average of £2,500 through Carwow – and offers ample interior space, decent standard equipment and it’s comfortable to drive.
5. Dacia Duster pickup truck – sold in Romania
We recently imagined what a full-size Dacia pickup truck would look like, but such a vehicle already sort of exists. In Romania you can buy a Duster with a stubby little load bed, although it can only carry a measly 430kg.
It won’t be worrying the Ford Ranger when it comes to payload, but the Duster pickup costs the equivalent of around £23,000. That’s a bit of a bargain for a rufty-tufty commercial vehicle, and it’s available with four-wheel drive.
Dacia Duster pickup truck alternative: Dacia Duster Commercial
You can buy a van version of the Dacia Duster in the UK, which in some ways is more useful than the pickup truck. You get loads more cargo space, but this is thanks to the lack of rear seats. The payload is also exactly the same, and the 4X4 model costs just under £29,000.
Car change? Carwow!
Looking for a new set of wheels? With Carwow you can sell your car quickly and for a fair price – as well as find great offers on your next one. Whether you’re looking to buy a car brand new, are after something used or you want to explore car leasing options, Carwow is your one stop shop for new car deals.
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