TL;DR: From April 2026, UK road tax rates for the highest-emission vehicles will rise to £5,690 for the first year of registration. This £200 increase affects 59 specific car models emitting over 255g/km of CO2, including the Audi RS6, Range Rover Sport, and Ford Mustang. While first-year rates for average petrol cars (143g/km) sit at £560, the standard annual rate for existing vehicles will also rise to £200.
Brace yourselves, because if you’ve got your eye on a high-performance motor, the Treasury is about to get a lot more expensive. Recent data reveals a massive financial headache for owners of nearly 60 different car models. From April, the UK road tax rates are hitting a new peak, with some first-year charges skyrocketing to a painful £5,690.
The Numbers You Need to Know
- £5,690: This is the top-tier first-year VED rate for anything pumping out over 255g/km of CO2.
- 59 Models: The unlucky list of performance cars and luxury SUVs caught in this specific net.
- £200: The new standard annual rate for cars registered after April 2017 (up from £195).
- £10: What you'll pay for a brand-new electric car in its first year.
Honestly, the logic is pretty clear. The government wants us out of big engines and into batteries. This £200 jump for the 2026 tax year follows a massive shift in 2025, when first-year bills for petrol and diesel cars essentially doubled.
When you buy a brand-new car, you pay a 'First-year VED' based on those tailpipe emissions. After that initial twelve-month honeymoon, you move to the 'Standard Rate' every year after. While that standard rate is creeping up to £200, it’s that first-year gut punch that’s rattling buyers of powerful SUVs and sports cars.
Petrol vs Diesel: The 2026 Reality Check
If you're sitting there wondering exactly how much road tax for petrol or diesel cars in 2026 will set you back, it’s all about the CO2.
For a typical petrol car (around 143g/km), you’re looking at a first-year charge of £560. Diesels are usually thirstier and heavier, often averaging 164g/km, which leads to a far more aggressive £1,360 bill. If you want to dodge these costs, looking at electric vehicles is a smart move, though even they started paying a small share from 2025 onwards.
The £5,690 Club: Is Your Car on the List?
We’ve looked at the data, and 59 models currently sit in that dreaded 255g/km+ bracket. It’s a real mix, from the rugged Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux to the pure luxury of a Bentley Continental or a Rolls-Royce Ghost.
Here is the full list of models that will be hit with the £5,690 charge in the first year:
- Audi RS6 4.0 TFSI V8
- Audi S8 4.0 TFSI V8
- McLaren GT 4.0T V8
- Audi R8 5.2 FSI V10
- Lamborghini Huracan 5.2 V10
- Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 6.2 V8
- Volkswagen Amarok 3.0 TDI
- Aston Martin DBX 4.0 V8
- Ferrari Roma 3.8T V8
- Audi SQ7 4.0 TFSI V8
- Range Rover Sport 4.4P V8
- Jaguar F-Pace 5.0 P575 V8
- Aston Martin DB12 4.0 V8
- Porsche 911 3.7T 992 Turbo
- Jeep Wrangler 2.0 GME
- Ford Ranger 2.0 TD EcoBlue
- Audi RSQ8 4.0 TFSI V8
- Lotus Emira 3.5 V6
- Bentley Continental 4.0 V8
- Audi SQ8 4.0 TFSI V8
- Aston Martin Vantage 4.0 V8
- Toyota Hilux 2.8D
- Porsche Macan 2.9T V6
- Mercedes-Benz SL55
- Range Rover 4.4 P530 V8
- Mercedes-Benz AMG GT 4.0 V8
- Porsche 718 Cayman 4.0 GT4
- Lamborghini Urus 4.0 V8 BiTurbo
- Audi RS7 4.0 TFSI V8
- Ford Mustang 5.0 V8
- Toyota Land Cruiser 2.8D
- Bentley Continental 6.0 W12
- Mercedes-Benz GLC63
- Ford Ranger 3.0 V6
- INEOS Grenadier 3.0P
- Range Rover 4.4 P615 V8
- Land Rover Defender 90 5.0 P425 V8
- Rolls-Royce Ghost 6.75 V12
- Ford Ranger 3.0 EcoBlue
- Mercedes-Benz G63
- Ferrari Purosangue 6.5 V12
- Rolls-Royce Cullinan 6.75 V12
- Alfa Romeo Stelvio 2.9 V6 Bi-Turbo
- Mercedes-Benz GLE63
- Maserati Levante 3.0 V6
- Porsche Cayenne 4.0T V8
- BMW M8 4.4 V8
- Maserati MC20 3.0 V6
- Land Rover Defender 110 5.0 P425 V8
- Mercedes-Benz G400D
- Lamborghini Revuelto 6.5 V12
- Bentley Bentayga 4.0 V8
- BMW X7 M 4.4 V8
- BMW X6 M 4.4 V8
- BMW Alpina XB7 4.4 V8
- Bentley Flying Spur 4.0 V8
- Maserati Levante 3.8 V8
- BMW X5 M 4.4 V8
- Mercedes-Benz GLS63h
BMW fans will feel the pinch with the M8 and X7 M, while Audi owners aren't safe either—the RS6 and RSQ8 are both firmly on the list. Even the 'workhorse' market is hit, with the Volkswagen Amarok and various Land Rover Defenders facing the maximum UK road tax rates charge. It’s a tough pill to swallow for anyone who needs a heavy-duty vehicle for work or just loves a V8 growl.
What’s Coming Next?
Look, the road ahead isn't getting any cheaper. Motorists really need to plan for these UK road tax rates in 2026 and the changes lurking beyond. We're already hearing whispers about pay-per-mile schemes arriving by 2028 to plug the gap left by falling fuel duty.
If you’re worried about your budget, it might be the right time to see if a second-hand EV makes more sense than a thirsty petrol SUV. Between these tax hikes and upcoming law updates, staying informed is the only way to keep your motoring costs from spiralling out of control.
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