Best New And Refreshed Cars Available On 71 Plate
Published Date: 22nd Jul 2021
Looking for a car on the new 71 plate registration? Here's a selection of impressive new and refreshed models:
- Nissan Qashqai – Wholesale improvements and additions, make the UK’s favourite Crossover a big hit
- New VW Polo - Upmarket small car, the latest model boasts class-leading driver assistance tech
- Toyota Yaris Cross - Smart looking compact SUV with quality interior and dedicated hybrid range
- Facelifted MINI - The 2021 Facelifted MINI includes exterior tweaks and new interior tech
- New 4th Gen Skoda Fabia - Skoda’s 4th generation Fabia features new exterior styling and more space
- New Vauxhall Astra - The new Astra will get a plug-in hybrid version for the time and new features including a ‘pure panel’ digital cockpit
- New Peugeot 308 - The latest 308 model will feature a new plug-in hybrid option and big upgrades inside including a new infotainment system
71 Reg Nissan Qashqai
Available to order now, the all-new Nissan Qashqai sees a host of additions and improvements.
It has been the UK’s best-selling Crossover/SUV for some time but was beginning to lag behind competitors in some areas. The mid-size SUV segment is seriously competitive and so Nissan have really pulled out all the stops in a bid to stay ahead of the pack.
From the outside the new look Qashqai is a sportier, more coupe looking vehicle it looks a lot smarted than its predecessor. The roofline slopes downwards to the rear giving a sleeker appearance and there is a new redesigned version of Nissan’s V-Motion grille with new sleeker C-Shaped light cluster.
There are also more paint colours and customisation options than before, including two-tone options with contrasting roof on higher grade models.
Inside Nissan have gone to town with quality upgrades, including improved materials, more soft touch finishes and tech upgrades. A new 9-inch colour touchscreen infotainment system with sharp screen is a big improvement on the old system and the driver analogue display is replaced with a 12.3-inch digital driver display on higher grade models. Upholstery, materials and finishes have all been upgraded and top-grade models get premium quilted Nappa leather seats.
The new Qashqai also features a tad more interior space in the cabin and more boot space, there is also new driver and safety tech pushing the Qashqai towards semi-autonomous levels of driving.
Nissan have pulled out all the stops with the new Qashqai, if you are in the market for a practical, well-equipped family car or mid-sized Crossover/SUV you should definitely check it out.
Check out our comparison of the 71 plate NIssan Qashqai models here.
71 Plate VW Polo
The all-new Volkswagen Polo gets level two semi-autonomous driver assistance features for the first time
and the option of VW’s IQ.DRIVE Travel Assist. The IQ.DRIVE driver assistance system can control braking/acceleration/deceleration and steering and aid the driver in a number of scenarios to avoid a collision.
The exterior has had some subtle design changes bringing it closer to the new VW Golf’s looks, as it has got bigger over the years, the Polo really has become a ‘mini-Golf’. 2021 Volkswagen Polo exterior updates include new LED lights and new front/rear bumpers.
Inside the VW Polo has one of the classiest interiors of any small car, new features include a digital cockpit (8-inch or 10.25-inch on higher grade models). There’s a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen entertainment system on entry-level models, higher grade editions get an 8-inch or 9.2-inch version.
VW have also removed some dials and buttons in favour of more hi-tech, touch panels that accept tap and swipe gestures to control features like air con and heating.
The R-Line grade fills the sporty option right now offering sports styling with an R-line bodykit, gloss back diffuser and chrome-look exhaust. A full hot hatch GTI version will be available in 2022.
We wrote an in-depth article and comparison of the new 2021 VW Polo models and specs.
All New 2021 Toyota Yaris Cross (Compact SUV)
The all-new Yaris Cross is Toyota’s new compact SUV with a quality interior and excellent levels of standard driver and safety kit.
It’s built on the same platform as the standard Yaris and shares the same excellent interior build quality too.
The bold exterior styling takes a lot of cues from RAV4, Toyota's impressive medium-sized SUV, which recently won ‘Best Mid-sized SUV’ and ‘Best Hybrid Plug-in Car’ at the Fleet News Awards.
The Yaris Cross line-up is an dedicate hybrid range with the option of Intelligent AWD (all-wheel drive) on higher grade models.
All models get plenty of safety and driver aids including Toyota’s Safety Sense which brings together a range of semi-autonomous driving features that can control steering, braking, acceleration/deceleration in certain scenarios, and help reduce the possibility of an accident/collision.
The compact SUV segment is not as crowded as the mid-sized segment and the combination of a hybrid powertrain, quality interior and bold styling should make the Yaris Cross an attractive proposition.
You wrote a detailed comparison all of 2021 Toyota Yaris models and specs here.
The 2021 Refreshed MINI
The latest MINI has been given some tweaks and updates available on new 71 plate models. The changes are more subtle evolution rather than revolution, and the after all the MINI does seemingly need to retain some features that rouse nostalgia.
Exterior-wise you will notice some smoother contours have been replace with a more chiselled look, this is noticeable from the front especially and it also sports a new front bumper, sleeker lights and a body coloured panel that covers a large portion of the grille.
There are some new paint colours, customisation options and notably a new multitone roof which effectively graduates two colours together in what is a fairly unique idea.
Inside there’s a 5-inch digital driver display, and the infotainment touchscreen is framed by a round bezel which tips its hat to the MINI of yesteryear! As you would expect from a vehicle that belongs to the BMW group the interior build quality is pretty darn good.
Sport models get a damper system which should retain the MINI’s infamous karting-like nimbleness whilst improving comfort and balance.
There is also a smattering of updated and new driver aids, the optional Driver Assistance pack has been improved, the camera-based system can perform several tasks and warn the driver or apply the brakes to prevent a collision.
The MINI is a quality small car which is immense fun to drive, it has its core fan base and if you have never owned one, our advice is, book a test drive at your local dealership.
Start your search for your perfect MINI deal here.
71 Reg New Skoda Fabia
The Fabia is Skoda’s small car that rivals vehicles like the VW Polo and SEAT Ibiza. The days when driving a car sporting the Czech car makers badge was considered a standing joke are long gone, they make very good, affordable and well-equipped cars that sell in large numbers.
The latest Fabia is a tad bigger than its predecessor, offering more interior space to what was already a spacious small car, the boot also offers extra storage, and trumps a lot of rivals.
The new Fabia exterior design looks smart, with creases and bolder lines and the distinctive front grille design which has become a trademark of Skoda cars. The real revolution is on the inside of the Fabia, which takes a big leap forward.
Inside the Fabia everything looks classier than its predecessor, build quality is better, materials are improved, and there’s also new tech thrown in.
You get a standard 6.5 touchscreen infotainment system on lower grade models (can be upgraded to an 8-inch one with integrated navigation or a range topping 9.2-inch system with Amundsen premium sound system). The entry level infotainment systems get wired Android Auto/Apple CarPlay while, the higher-grade systems get the wireless version.
The standard driver instrument panel features analogue dials and a small information display panel, this can be upgraded to an impressive 10.25-inch digital ‘virtual cockpit’. There is also a range of new, next generation driver aids and safety tech, that Skoda say would previously only have been available on higher-class vehicles.
Compare the latest Skoda Fabia deals here.
New 71 Registration Vauxhall Astra
You might have to wait a bit longer for the all-new 8th generation Vauxhall Astra, it should be available early 2022 and with the option of a plug-in hybrid powertrain for the first time.
Vauxhall is part of the Stellantis brand along with other popular car brands like Citroen, FIAT and Peugeot, it also shares the same platform as the Peugeot 308 so you can expect the plug-hybrid powertrain to essentially be the same one found in the 308. The plug-in hybrid will likely be able to run in full electric mode for 30 miles or so and you should get a full charge from your home charger in around 7 hours.
Vauxhall have been tight-lipped on the engine range, but there will likely be a range of petrol and diesel engines taken from those already seen in the Peugeot 308 line-up.
First deliveries are expected early 2022, you can call us on 0161 946 3500 for the latest information on pre-ordering.
The design of the all-new Astra is quite a radical one and significantly different to its predecessor. It sports a sculpted look with sharp lines and a new ‘Vizor’ front end.
It’s a tad longer than its predecessor, and rear passengers are the main beneficiaries with a tad more leg room, boot space is pretty good too and trumps several rivals.
The new Astra will also see Vauxhall’s ‘Pure Panel’ display for the first time, which combine two large digital colour displays, one for for driver information and the second for the infotainment system. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are also available for smartphone mirroring to the infotainment system’s screen.
Next level semi-autonomous driving aids will be available with Vauxhall’s ’Intelli-Drive’ system which uses a series of cameras combined with the latest tech that are capable of taking control of braking, steering, change lane and accelerate/decelerate the vehicle.
Contact UK Car Discount on 0161 946 3500 for the latest on the new 8th generation Astra and pre-ordering details.
New 2021 Peugeot 308
The 308 is Peugeot stylish hatchback, the latest version gets an exterior makeover that gives it a lower profile/sleeker look. The new styling also comes as Peugeot have had something of a rebrand as they look to be more ‘upmarket’ and the new 308 sports the new Peugeot logo. At the front there’s a new grille and a sportier stance, as the bonnet slopes downwards to the front giving it a lower profile look, from the front you get what is sometimes referred to as the ‘fangs’ or ‘Sabre Toothed’ look (look at one from the front and you’ll instantly see why).
There is a new plug-in hybrid option that can cover a tad over 30 miles in full electric mode, the hybrid models can get a bit expensive, especially the higher-grade trim-levels.
Inside you get Peugeot’s ‘i-Cockpit’ driver display and a steering wheel which has in recent years been cleverly reduced in sized and flattened ever so slightly across the top. This was a smart design feature to ensure the steering wheel does not obscure the driver’s view of the i-Cockpit display. The i-Cockpit driver display is also available with new 3D image technology.
The new 308 features a new infotainment system called i-Connect, available with a sharp 10-inch colour touchscreen. There’s also a higher-grade infotainment system ‘i-Connect Plus’ that comes with integrated navigation, both come with Android Auto/Apple CarPlay for smartphone mirroring.
Check out the latest 2021 Peugeot 308 deals available on the new 71 plate here.