[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/blog\/not-available-in-the-uk\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/blog\/not-available-in-the-uk\/","headline":"Not available in the UK – the great cars we can’t have","name":"Not available in the UK – the great cars we can’t have","description":"We Brits are spoilt for choice when it comes to what we can drive. In the UK, there are more than 50 different car brands, offering literally hundreds of different models collectively. Of course, the most popular cars are offered by Ford, Vauxhall, Volkswagen, BMW, Citroen, Toyota and Audi among others, but there are also many models built by some of these mainstream manufacturers that aren\u2019t offered on the UK market that are instead enjoyed by our European and US […]","datePublished":"2017-05-24","dateModified":"2017-05-25","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/#Person","name":"Isabelle Lawrence","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/","identifier":30,"description":"Max Wheeler is a leading motoring journalist and classic car specialist at Smart Motoring, renowned for his sharp insight and infectious passion for all things automotive. With years of experience covering motoring news, supercars, and the enduring legacy of classic cars, Max brings stories to life with style and authority. Whether it\u2019s the roar of a Lamborghini, the elegance of an Aston Martin DB5, or the cultural impact of vintage motoring icons, he delivers expert commentary that inspires enthusiasts and collectors alike. Dedicated to celebrating the heritage and future of driving, Max Wheeler is your trusted voice for classic car news and beyond.","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Smart Motoring","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Volvo_S60_Polestar-feature.jpg","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Volvo_S60_Polestar-feature.jpg","height":520,"width":1200},"url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/blog\/not-available-in-the-uk\/","about":["BLOG"],"wordCount":602,"keywords":["Hyundai Veloster","Opel Ampera","Renault Clio Estate","Renault Talisman","Skoda Rapid Spaceback Scoutline","Toyota Corolla","Toyota Highlander","Volvo S60 Polestar"],"articleBody":"We Brits are spoilt for choice when it comes to what we can drive. In the UK, there are more than 50 different car brands, offering literally hundreds of different models collectively.Of course, the most popular cars are offered by Ford, Vauxhall, Volkswagen, BMW, Citroen, Toyota and Audi among others, but there are also many models built by some of these mainstream manufacturers that aren\u2019t offered on the UK market that are instead enjoyed by our European and US counterparts.We\u2019ve listed the standouts here\u2026Renault TalismanHistory will tell you that Brits aren\u2019t very keen on big cars if they carry a French badge. Poor performers over years gone by include the Renault 25, Peugeot 605, Renault Vel Satis, Peugeot 607 and Citroen C6, which famously failed to reach double-digit sales figures one year.The failure of these cars to make an impression on the British car buying public means you\u2019ll never find a Talisman in a Renault showroom in the UK. It may not be worth Renault\u2019s time bringing it across the Channel, but we still wouldn\u2019t mind having a spin in this stylish saloon\/estate.Opel AmperaOnce upon a time, you could walk into a Vauxhall showroom and test drive an Ampera. But not any more.This four-seater petrol-electric hybrid fell short in every area when competing with Toyota\u2019s Prius Plug-In Hybrid and anyone keen to exploit the eco-cred and fuel-saving capabilities of a plug-in knew that.After the original Ampera\u2019s run came to an end, General Motors replaced it with the all-electric Ampera-e in the States, but decided against offering the successor in the UK under the Vauxhall marque.Hyundai VelosterWhat do you get when you merge a three-door with a five-door? Something resembling the Veloster perhaps, which has two passenger doors on the off-side and one on the driver side. Ker-ay-zee.It\u2019s a kooky idea and the Turbo had a fair bit of wallop, hitting 62mph in under eight seconds, but not enough to make it worthwhile for Hyundai to sell the model in the UK.Toyota CorollaBefore the Focus, the Corolla was the world\u2019s biggest-selling car and it still seems remarkable that a car with 40 million sales over 50 years is being kept from British motorists.Toyota HighlanderThe film famously claims \u2018there can be only one\u2019, but in the UK, there can\u2019t be any.This \u2018sophisticated\u2019 seven-seat SUV is built in Indiana and only available in the US and oddly enough, in Moldova and Ukraine.Volvo S60 PolestarThe S60 is one of Volvo\u2019s less popular models so the idea of a performance version coming here is a non-starter. Brits much prefer wagons to saloons, which is why we have the raspy and potent V60 Polestar instead.Skoda Rapid Spaceback ScoutlineLike the Volvo we just mentioned, the Rapid and its fat-bottomed Spaceback variant is another poor seller. Consequently, there would be few takers for a version that has delusions of off-road capability.Renault Clio EstateWe love the Clio in the UK.The current fourth-gen Clio is great, thanks to having the wispiest handling in the supermini segment, attractive running costs and it\u2019s well styled too.But an estate version? Not for the British, even if its rivals such as the Skoda Fabia and Seat Ibiza are available in load-lugger mode.There are tons more examples we could\u2019ve gone at but we\u2019ve picked out our personal favourites here. Which car would you like to drive that is still being kept from UK motorists? Tell us down there in the comments. 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