SMMT Drive Live 2026 : Cars, Coffee and Conversation
I was fortunate enough to attend this week’s SMMT Drive Live event at the beautiful Stanbrook Abbey in Worcestershire; an event that has become a useful fixture in the motoring calendar for journalists and manufacturers alike.
For those unfamiliar with it, the SMMT- the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders - is the UK automotive industry’s trade association, representing manufacturers, retailers and businesses across the motor industry. Drive Live provides a rather more enjoyable way of bringing that industry together, giving journalists and creators the opportunity to catch up with manufacturers, meet fellow creators and journos, and importantly, get behind the wheel of a wide variety of cars in a relatively short space of time.
Events like this are as much about the conversations between drives as they are about the cars themselves, and there’s something particularly useful about being able to talk directly to the people responsible for bringing these cars to market while swapping notes with other journalists.
Here are a few brief notes from a handful of my drives on the day
Lexus ES 350e
The Lexus ES 350e was a car that left a strong impression. Refinement is clearly high on the agenda, and it feels every inch the premium saloon from behind the wheel.
It is exceptionally comfortable and impressively quiet, with a relaxed character that makes it particularly easy to cover long distances in. Rather than trying to be overtly sporty, the ES 350e focuses on providing a calm, cosseting experience — and it does that very well. It’s a Lexus, after all.
Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
The new Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV was another car that really impressed me. From the moment I pulled away, it felt like a very mature and premium SUV, with a beautifully composed ride and a reassuring sense of solidity. There’s a real feeling of refinement to the way it goes about its business, and it feels particularly well suited to longer journeys and family life. It feels like a big step forwards from the original Outlander PHEV which, despite being a trailblazer for plug-ins in the UK, was rather lacklustre behind the wheel.
One detail did catch me by surprise, though: the Outlander retains a CHAdeMO connector for DC rapid charging. With CCS now so firmly established as the standard for most new EVs and PHEVs in the UK, seeing CHAdeMO on an all-new model feels somewhat unusual. It’s certainly an interesting choice by Mitsubishi, if not a bizarre one.
Hyundai IONIQ 3
The Hyundai IONIQ 3 was one of the cars on static display, so unfortunately there was no opportunity to drive it at Drive Live.
Even so, getting an early look at a new model in the metal is always worthwhile, particularly when it is a car that will be competing in such an important part of the market. Seeing it up close also gives you a much better appreciation of its proportions, styling and overall presence than photographs ever can. The interior is a little basic by Hyundai standards but feels like it’s very much built to last. It looks like the IONIQ 3 will be a great value option for UK buyers, so keep your eyes peeled for a full review very soon.
Honda Super N
One of the highlights for me was the Honda Super N. I had a passenger ride rather than getting behind the wheel myself, with Alex Lowe taking me out, and we both came away thoroughly impressed.
It’s the sort of car that immediately puts a smile on your face. There’s a sense of fun and enthusiasm about it that is increasingly difficult to find, and the Super N feels like a car designed first and foremost to be enjoyed. The passenger ride was enough to give me a good feel for what Honda is trying to achieve, and Alex and I were both left wanting more time with it.
Read our full review of the Honda Super N (by Cameron Richards) here.
A big thank you
Events such as SMMT Drive Live are hugely valuable to those of us working in various forms of autmotive media. Being able to experience so many different cars in one location, speak directly with manufacturers and catch up with fellow journalists makes for a genuinely productive and enjoyable day.
So, a big thank you to the organisers of SMMT Drive Live, the SMMT and all of the manufacturers who brought their cars along and made the event possible.
It’s a great opportunity for all walks of the UK motoring media, and one I was very pleased to be part of.