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Five of the best cars you’ll NEVER drive in Britain – and their best replacements

ACROSS the world, drivers enjoy fantastic cars... but Brits will never get to drive them.

The impressive cars are often unavailable in the UK due to reasons such as road space, manufacturing and preference - although we do have some decent replacements.

The Toyota GR Yaris is a popular choice of car in the UK
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The Toyota GR Yaris is a popular choice of car in the UKCredit: Carsite

Here's a list of the five best cars you'll never drive in the UK as well as their replacements, according to Editor Andy Brady.

Hyundai Elantra

The Hyundai Elantra won the North American Car of the Year in 2021
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The Hyundai Elantra won the North American Car of the Year in 2021Credit: Carsite

The Hyundai Elantra was first made available in 1990 and is on the market in countries such as the US, Canada, China and South Korea to name a few.

Sharp and stylish, the motor is a popular sedan in foreign markets, winning North American Car of the Year in 2021.

It’s affordable as well, starting at just £16,523 for the base model and buyers have the choice of gas or hybrid.

The best alternative for UK motorists is the Hyundai i30.

The larger Elantra is actually sold under the i30 name in Australia, but they are different cars.

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The i30 also has the option of a hatchback or fastback that has faint similarities to the Elantra.

Both performance models are powered by the same engine, so UK drivers can experience the same thrills Elantra N owners enjoy.

Ford F-150 Raptor 

The Ford F-150 Raptor is the most popular car in the US
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The Ford F-150 Raptor is the most popular car in the USCredit: Carsite

The high-performance Raptor is available in the US and Canada and had a whopping 842,405 global sales in 2021.

The F-150 is an iconic motor and is the most popular car in the US. It is used for everything from hauling farm equipment to loading the weekly shop.

The Raptor is the high-performance variant of the F-150 and is powered by a 3.5l V6 that puts out 450bhp.

Rumoured to release later this year is the ‘R’ variant, tipped to pack an even more powerful V8 engine under the hood.

For Brits, the smaller brother to the F-150 Raptor, the Ranger Raptor is perhaps more suited to the thin, winding roads of the UK.

It has a smaller, but still respectable 2.3l V6, as well as smoother aesthetics that aren’t quite as bold and loud as the F-150 Raptor.

Honda N-Box

The uber efficient Honda N-Box is only on the market in Japan
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The uber efficient Honda N-Box is only on the market in JapanCredit: Carsite

The efficient Honda N-Box was made available in 2011 and is only on the market in Japan.

Built for city environments, this compact urban run-around delivers 68.2 mpg from a 660cc engine.

Every feature makes it perfect for cities, including the boxy design that allows for a relatively spacious interior despite the small size.

The Japanese love these "kei cars" and their unique design, so it’s no surprise that the Honda N-Box is one of the best-selling cars in Japan.

Driving one around London would certainly be easier and more economical than the SUVs that are now commonplace

As this motor is off limits for Brits, the best alternative for UK drivers is the Suzuki Ignis.

It captures the essence of the N-Box for UK roads despite being a small SUV.

The boxy design has allowed Suzuki to create a small car that is still practical, and the Allgrip technology gives the Ignis limited off-road ability, for those who want to venture from city to countryside.

Nissan Sylphy/Sentra

The Nissan Sylphy is a popular choice across the globe
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The Nissan Sylphy is a popular choice across the globe

Available in China, Canada, Mexico and the US, the Nissan Sylphy is a popular choice globally with sales of nearly 700,000 in 2021.

While hatchbacks often top the sales lists in the UK, it is larger sedans that are often favoured overseas.

This is true in China, where the Nissan Sylphy reigns as the best-selling car in the country while it is sold in the US under the name "Sentra".

The Sylphy is a sensible sedan, with plenty of space, a comfortable driving experience and an easy-on-the-eye appearance.

It’s a practical car that won’t thrill with the driving experience but will transport the whole family safely and comfortably.

Much like the Hyundai Elantra, the Nissan Sentra occupies a section of the market that the UK simply doesn’t seem that interested in.

However, there are still some saloons around and the closest thing to the Sentra for Brits is the Mazda 3 saloon.

It offers similar performance for a great price with buyers having the option of both hatchback and saloon models.

Toyota GR Corolla 

The Toyota GR Corolla will go on the market in 2023
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The Toyota GR Corolla will go on the market in 2023Credit: Carsite

Last but not least is the Toyota GR Corolla which will only be sold in North America despite the popularity of hot hatches in the UK.

Toyota states that each market will only have 3 GR models with powerful motor boasting a 1.6l 3 cylinder engine putting out 300bhp.

Softening the blow slightly is that it doesn’t release until 2023, so even the Americans will have to wait.

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The GR Yaris is definitely the best bet for UK drivers as it shares the same rally-bred styling and performance-focused components as the GR Corolla.

Having already proved hugely popular in the UK, the GR Yaris still packs a hefty punch and carries the same rally-bred design as its big brother the Corolla.