EASING ourselves out of a horrid winter, the thought of buying a new car might be some way from the top of your personal to-do list.

But there might just be reasons to the cheerful on the 21-plate registration front, thanks to a double whammy of vaccines for many and the lack of something to spend our money on these past dismal months.

Put the two together and there's the prospect of pandemically protected punters breaking our their wallets and hunting for a new set of wheels. Fingers crossed.

Should you be in the lucky position of looking for something new, there's no lack of choice.

How about an Alfa Romeo Tonale? It's due soon and could well be the best looking newcomer of 2001, with sleek mid-sized SUV lines and the possibility of petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid power and all-wheel drive.

Similarly handsome is the Audi Q5 Sportback, mixing coupe and SUV looks and offering petrol and diesel power under the bonnet.

Giving dearer makes a run for their money in looks is the new Citroen e-C4, with a range topping 200 miles from its battery. Conventional power units are on offer too for non-e versions.

Cupra is the stand-alone brand name for posh SEATs and the Cupra Formentor is a sporty SUV coupe in looks with a plug-in petrol/electric powertrain with more than 200 horses available for a sporty feel.

Dacia builds on its value credentials with the new Sandero, starting from an ultra modest £7,995 but promising properly modern motoring thanks to underpinnings taken from the new Renault Clio.

Fiat has enjoyed immense success with its little 500 - now in a new guise an electric-only urban warrior, offering a 199 mile range and all the looks of the older version, which continues with petrol power and 500 Classic name tag.

Ford can be relied on to make its cars fun to drive, so the new Puma ST ought to thrill, adding genuine performance to a midi-sized SUV that's already dripping in stylish practicality. Zero to 62mph in 6.7 seconds anyone?

Or there's the new all-electric Ford Mustang Mach-E, available to order now and promising vivid performance, modest running costs and family carrying capacity and costing from £40,350 before deducting the £3,000 government grant this car qualifies for.

Bang on trend dual screens dominate the cockpit of the new Hyundai i20, while mild hybrid power and a sculpted new look add to the appeal.

Much bigger is the latest Hyundai Tucson, a family spacious SUV now offering a plug-in hybrid version for up to 30 miles of near silent running.

Smallest SUV in the Jaguar clan, the E-Pace moves to a new platform which gives room for mild and plug-in hybrid versions and a refreshed cabin that includes a greatly enhanced infotainment system.

Kia is renewing the looks of its big and handsome Stinger, which now becomes available only with a turbocharged 3.3 litre V6 petrol engine with a mighty 365bhp.

Mazda's new MX-30 mixes all-electric power with stand out looks in a four-door shape and modest range of 124 miles - enough for its forecast urban use, says Mazda.

Mercedes-Benz has introduced the EQA as its new entry-level model in its EQ range. Launched as the EQA 250, this SUV promises up to 301 miles on a full battery, with more powerful and longer ranged versions to follow.

Diesels won't feature in the next Nissan Qashqai, the immensely popular SUV that's getting a new look and petrol hybrid-only set up for its third generation roll out, along with new cockpit and a sleek new look.

it's all-electric for the new Skoda Enyaq, the firm's first purpose built EV and stretching room in the spacious cabin is a leading feature, along with the choice of three battery sizes to suit more pockets.

Toyota was early to the hybrid party and the new plug-in hybrid version of the RAV4 has a pure electric range of 38 miles, with potent performance (6.2 seconds to 62mph) and ultra modest emissions (29g/km) as other assets from its mix of volts and 2.5 litre petrol engine.

The Yaris Cross will give Toyota a potent entry to the smaller SUV market, offering more interior space than the smaller Yaris from which it's derived. Two and four-wheel drive versions are being offered.

Stand out looks are part of the package that arrives as the latest Vauxhall Mokka, along with power plants that take in petrol, diesel and pure electric.

It's electric only for the new Volkswagen ID.4 SUV, second model in the German giant's fast forward march to pure electical power. Range up to 323 on a single charge is offered with the larger of the ID.4's two battery choices.