The constant clicking of the camera lenses and the bulky press packs may be a thing of the past at modern-day car shows with smartphones and social media taking over, but one thing never changes and that’s the draw of the crowds.

With the sad decline of the Geneva show, the Brussels Motor Show has become ever more significant and even plays host to the coveted European Car of the Year award these days. It’s also the first major international car show of the calendar year, so definitely one not to be missed.

In excess of 300,000 car fans and petrol heads passed through the doors last year and organisers were expecting even more in 2026, so it was the ideal opportunity for manufacturers to launch their new star attractions, along with the more fun-packed concept cars that give us a glimpse inside the minds of those designers.

One brand that really commanded attention this year was Korean carmaker Kia that launched not one, but four models, including the all-new EV2 – the companies smallest electric car to date. The compact four- or five-seater will be sold with a choice of two batteries – the 42.2kWh unit that can deliver up to 197 miles on a single charge, or the larger 61.0kWh unit that sees the distance increase to 278 miles.

The vehicle boasts a modern, clutter-free interior and is packed with technology. Despite its compact size, stretching just four metres in length, the EV2 is deceptively spacious and has rear seats that tilt and slide for added convenience, along with a boot that can swallow 403 litres of kit. Additionally, the frunk beneath the bonnet, offers an extra 15 litres of storage room.

Prices have not yet been confirmed, but the EV2 is expected to cost around the £26,000 mark and, like the EV4, it is built at Kia’s Zilina facility in Slovakia so should be eligible for the full government Electric Car Grant.

Kia also took the opportunity to reveal sportier GT versions of the EV3, EV4 and EV5 which bring added power and more muscular styling to the line-up.

Elsewhere, Kia’s stablemate, Hyundai proved its quest for hydrogen technology is not dead with the unveiling of the latest version of the Nexo, plus the impressive Staria EV which can carry seven or nine occupants and has a 248-mile driving range. Other crowd pleasers from Hyundai included the Ioniq 6 in N and N Line guise.

Pick-ups were out in force too with Toyota launching its ninth-generation Hilux, complete with the choice of a 2.8-litre diesel engine or fully electrified powertrain. Whichever model customers opt for, the Hilux still possesses all those go-anywhere capabilities. Ford had its latest Ranger on show too.

Stellantis brands took up a vast area of one of the halls with the new Peugeot 408 gaining lots of attention, alongside the latest Alfa Romeo Tonale, new Fiat 500 Hybrid, Jeep Compass and lots more.

Additionally, there was a raft of Chinese models from Xpeng, Jaecoo, Omoda and Nio with its innovative Firefly model.

Mazda kept its new arrival under wraps until the last minute, when the covers were pulled from its all-new CX-6e – a fully electrified SUV developed alongside Chinese carmaker Changan. With a 0-62mph sprint time of just 7.9 seconds, it still features plenty of traditional Mazda traits.

Concept cars are always fun to explore and the main crowd pleaser was Citroen’s ELO – a flexible six-seater that can be transformed into an office or sleeping area for two adults. The ELO gets its name from the second letters in the words ‘rest’, ‘play’ and ‘work’ and has nothing to do with the Electric light Orchestra. In addition, there was the futuristic Hyundai Insteroid, Dacia Hipster, Corsa Vision and stunning DS Talor Made No 4, which has been created in recognition of signing Taylor Barnard to its Formula E race team.

Elsewhere, the European Car of the Year title was awarded to the Mercedes-Benz CLA which beat opposition from the other shortlisted cars – the Citroen C5 Aircross, Dacia Bigster, Fiat Grande Panda, Kia EV4, Renault 4 and Skoda Elroq.

All in all, the Brussels Motor Show was a resounding success – not too big, not too small, with a wealth of exciting and interesting new models to explore.