As we progress more into October, the evenings are growing darker, and the recent heavy rains have turned the sunny days of a few weeks ago into a distant memory. This shift often leads people to transition their car buying preferences from supercars and sports cars to SUVs. However, the end of summer doesn't mean your car-buying options have to be limited. We've compiled a useful guide to the Best Cars for Autumn, highlighting choices you might not have considered, ensuring you can still relish the excitement of driving, even without the summer sun.
Autumn Grand Touring
Driving hundreds of miles across countries or cruising to the South of France for a summer getaway is precisely what GT cars are designed for. They offer an ideal blend of power and speed, combined with the highest levels of luxury and refinement, making every journey a delight. However, as the seasons shift, it's essential to ensure you can still enjoy the same kind of experience, regardless of the weather conditions.
Bentley Continental GT
The epitome of Grand Touring motoring has for many years been the Bentley Continental GT. All the power you would ever need, the ability to effortlessly conquer mile after mile and one of the most lavish and finely detailed interiors on the market, the Continental GT has everything. Bentley has always exuded luxury and opulence, yet the latest version also offers the very latest technology and sophistication to ensure the ride, handling and performance are also on parr with the very best. Not to mention a sophisticated four-wheel drive system akin to that of sister company Audi, ensuring your grand tour can take you to any climate you wish. Now with a new facelift and hybridised version on its way, the Continental GT can stay at the top of the grand touring game for many years to come.
Jaguar F-Type
If you're seeking a blend of power, style, all-wheel drive, and grand touring capability on a more modest budget, the Jaguar F-Type is an excellent choice. Its design clearly draws inspiration from the iconic E-Type, with Jaguar's design team nailing the aesthetic from nearly every angle. The long, sculpted bonnet, muscular rear arches, and sleek, refined lights exude a timeless elegance, paying homage to the legendary 60s model. With its ability to cover long distances in comfort, the F-Type is perfect for year-round driving. However, with Jaguar's shift toward an all-electric lineup, the F-Type’s days are numbered, and there won’t be an electric successor. This may be your last chance to own one of the finest-sounding combustion engine cars out there.
Autumn SUVs
The SUV, 4×4, or 'off-roader' should be more than capable of handling whatever autumn weather throws its way. However, capability doesn’t have to come at the expense of style and desirability. While many SUVs claim to balance both aesthetics and performance in challenging conditions, this is often not the reality. Fortunately, there are a few that manage to excel in both areas.
Mercedes Benz G63 AMG
The utilitarian design, immense power, and luxurious interior of the Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG form a combination that, on paper, seems unlikely to work. Yet, with minimal changes to its retro styling over more than 40 years of production, it's the G63's rugged charm and indestructible persona that attract so many. Inside, it's all about Mercedes-Benz opulence—premium leather, cutting-edge technology, and advanced driver assistance systems, all accompanied by the unmistakable roar of the AMG V8 engine. While the 'G-Wagon' now feels at ease cruising city streets, its origins as a military vehicle ensure it’s equally capable of tackling true off-road adventures.
Land Rover Defender
If you're after a blend of sleek design and true off-road capability, one vehicle has always stood at the top—and it’s recently undergone a complete transformation to bring it fully into the modern age. The Land Rover Defender has long been the benchmark for reliability when conditions get tough and you need to keep moving. However, on the road, many drivers were previously deterred by its spartan interior and basic driving experience. With the latest Defender, Land Rover has preserved the iconic silhouette and design elements of the original while incorporating cutting-edge technology, luxurious interior comfort, and the on-road performance you'd expect from a top-tier SUV.
Autumn Hybrids
For many years, hybrids were often seen as quirky vehicles with limited performance—both in terms of speed and range—viewed as the sacrifice owners made to help the environment. Today, however, most mainstream manufacturers offer hybrid options that are nearly indistinguishable from their petrol or diesel counterparts. These vehicles play a crucial role in making the shift to electrification more seamless, offering a smooth transition by combining the best aspects of both electric and fossil fuel power.
Range Rover
One of the most impressive hybrid options available today comes from Land Rover, in the form of their flagship Range Rover model. The latest version enhances everything you already love about the Range Rover, and unless you notice the car gliding silently in electric mode, you might forget you’re even driving a hybrid. With an electric-only range of just over 70 miles, the top-tier P550e engine also delivers an astonishing combined fuel efficiency of up to 366 miles per gallon. This seems almost paradoxical considering the 550 bhp under the hood and the fact that this 2.8-ton vehicle can sprint from 0-62 mph in just 4.8 seconds. Add to that the luxurious interior and the renowned off-road prowess, and this car isn’t just perfect for autumn—it could be the ultimate vehicle for any season and any occasion.
Honda NSX
On the other end of the spectrum, yet still firmly in the hybrid category, is the often overlooked but highly impressive Honda NSX. A modern reimagining of the iconic NSX supercar, Honda incorporated cutting-edge hybrid technology, similar to what was used in the Porsche 918 Spyder hypercar, but at a fraction of the cost. The combination of a twin-turbo V6 engine, three electric motors for enhanced power and efficiency, and four-wheel drive for added stability makes the NSX a true standout. Even eight years after its debut, its futuristic design and advanced hybrid system remain an enticing proposition.
While its blistering speed and futuristic looks are striking, perhaps the most remarkable aspect of the NSX is how effortless it is to drive. Whether cruising through town or on a daily commute, you'd almost forget you're in a supercar—it feels as comfortable and seamless as driving a Civic, thanks to the smooth transition between electric and petrol power. The NSX demonstrates the potential of hybrid technology, delivering efficiency without compromising the driving experience.
Autumn Electric Motoring
No matter what opinions we hold, it's clear that electric cars are the future of motoring. The upcoming ban on combustion engines shows no sign of delay; in fact, the government recently reinstated the original 2030 deadline rather than pushing it back. Fortunately, car manufacturers have prioritised the driving experience with electric vehicles, creating models that offer real enjoyment without needing to apologise for being electric. For some, the end of combustion engines might feel like the end of an era, but compared to where electric cars were just a decade ago, the progress has been remarkable.
Rolls Royce Spectre
The best way to escape autumn's wild winds and heavy rains is by finding a car that wraps you in unmatched comfort. An electric vehicle that not only delivers silent driving but also offers the most luxurious ride, cutting-edge technology, and all the power you could ever need. It seems only fitting that the 'Rolls Royce of electric cars' would be an actual Rolls Royce—and the Spectre doesn’t disappoint. Combining Rolls Royce's signature excellence with the effortless surge of power from its 576bhp twin-motor setup, the Spectre is a perfect match for electric motoring. While the V12 engine in traditional models was already the pinnacle of smoothness, an electric Rolls Royce feels like a natural evolution. With the Spirit of Ecstasy on the bonnet, Rolls Royce has ensured that their entry into the electric vehicle market positions them firmly at the top, staying true to their reputation for producing the finest cars money can buy.
Maserati GranTurismo Folgore
If you were asked to name a manufacturer likely to be among the first to create an all-electric, high-performance sports car that stays true to its brand, reflects a rich racing heritage, and even enhances its reputation for build quality and reliability, Maserati probably wouldn’t be the obvious choice. Yet, with the launch of the all-electric ‘Folgore’ version of their new GranTurismo—alongside V6 and V8 variants—they’ve shown they’re not ready to alienate their loyal customers just yet. The numbers make it clear how serious they are about the electric model. While the V8 version delivers an impressive 542bhp, the tri-motor BEV variant takes it to a whole new level with 750bhp. Thankfully, it’s equipped with all-wheel drive for handling slippery British roads, along with Maserati’s trademark luxury, including premium Italian leather and stunning design. For those rare sunny autumn days, you can even opt for a convertible version, offering silent, top-down motoring.
Autumn Convertibles
While the pleasant weather may be fading, there’s still a chance for an Indian summer before the temperatures really drop, if we’re lucky. With this in mind, it’s a great idea to think about getting a convertible for those remaining sunny days this year. Instead of dealing with a rainy autumn under a noisy fabric roof, why not choose a model with a folding hardtop? And while you’re at it, opt for one that features four-wheel drive to handle any unexpected weather changes.
Ferrari SF90 Spider
For those with a larger budget, the stunning Ferrari SF90 Spider is an exceptional choice. It boasts the looks, power, and speed of a supercar, but, unusually for Ferrari, it’s their first plug-in hybrid featuring a hardtop folding roof and four-wheel drive. While the SF90 may not fit the traditional image of a prancing horse on paper, in terms of performance, aesthetics, and sound, it embodies everything that represents Maranello’s finest. With the assistance of three electric motors and a 4.0-litre V8 petrol engine, the SF90 can accelerate from 0-62 mph in just 2.5 seconds, generating a remarkable 987bhp, all while its four-wheel drive system ensures stability during the less-than-ideal British autumn weather.
Porsche 911 Targa
For a similar open-air experience at about a third of the price, the Porsche 911 Targa 4, 4S, and 4 GTS provide an impressive combination of sports car performance and style, along with the stability of four-wheel drive and undoubtedly the coolest folding roof mechanism on the market. The way the roof folds up and down is a marvel of engineering, and you'll likely find yourself raising and lowering it repeatedly just to enjoy the spectacle. While the 911 is widely regarded as the ultimate everyday sports car, you can trust that, as a Porsche, it will remain reliable and deliver exceptional performance day after day. With its all-wheel drive, it can handle whatever weather conditions you encounter. The Targa offers effortlessly stylish motoring and enough power to make it a contender for the ultimate all-season vehicle.
Autumn Performance
In recent years, performance cars have become much more accessible. This is due in part to the fact that newer models are getting faster with each generation, but also because you can now find near-supercar performance in a select few hot hatches lower down the automotive hierarchy. If you're looking for a blend of power and practicality, along with the confidence of four-wheel drive and all-weather capability, the Audi Sport range has you covered.
Audi R8
At the pinnacle of Audi’s lineup is arguably the most user-friendly supercar of all: the incredible R8. Featuring a roaring naturally aspirated V10 engine, all-wheel drive stability, breathtaking exotic looks, and the familiarity and ease of driving found in the rest of the Audi range, the R8 is simply a joy to drive in any season and at any speed. Its refinement, build quality, and reliability ensure that this flagship model can handle challenging weather conditions and cooler temperatures where many supercars would struggle. As most manufacturers transition to hybrid power and electrification, the V10 R8 may very well be the last of the great combustion engine supercars, and it is already confirmed to be the final iteration of the R8. What a spectacular way to make an exit!
Audi RS
As you explore the rest of the Audi lineup, the 'RS' models provide 90% of the performance of the flagship R8, all while adopting a 'something for everyone' approach. The practical RS6 and RS4 super estates deliver not only speed but also versatility. The stylish RS5 and TT RS coupes combine striking design with muscular bodywork that hints at the power beneath, while the compact RS3, available in both saloon and hatchback versions, boasts 400bhp and can achieve 0-62 mph in under 4 seconds—allowing it to compete with and even outpace cars it shouldn’t be able to. All RS models offer an ideal combination of performance in any weather, thanks to the legendary quattro four-wheel drive system, along with bold styling, comfortable cruising, and the latest technology for the ultimate all-around package, perfect for the unpredictable autumn weather.
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