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2009 Family favourites

Practical hatchbacks and saloons set for shake-up in 2009

December 2008

It's the new car market's toughest fought sector, and with reinforcements arriving for battling Vauxhall, as well as BMW, Mercedes and Honda, expect 2009 to be one of the most bloody yet.

Vauxhall's radical new Astra is sure to give the new Focus a fright, while Mazda's new 3 aims to buld on the success of the new 3. BMW and Mercedes will lock horns too, with replacement models for the current E-Class and 5-Series.

New technology fans will have plenty ot cheer about too, thanks to the launch of Toyota's new Prius, and a new rival from Honda called the Insight. Claimed to be the world's chpest new hybrid engined family car, it's promising to shake the sector to its core.
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Vauxhall Astra   BMW 5-Series   Mercedes E-Class   Mazda 3
1. Vauxhall Astra

Debuting a fresher and sportier shape, the Astra promises to deliver a blend of VW Golf quality and Ford Focus driver appeal. The Astra will be on display at September’s Frankfurt Motor Show and will cost from £15,000 when it goes on sale.

Buy it: Septmeber 2009



  
2. BMW 5-Series

BMW has spent a fortune developing a fresh platform that should make the new 5-Series stronger to drive and even more spacious. See it at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

Buy it: September 2009



  
3. Mercedes E-Class

Watch out BMW 5-Series! For so long the E-Class has played second fiddle to its German rival. But the new model will change all that with a dramatic, sleeker body and a sporty chassis that promises to mix long-distance cruising ability with agility and real driver appeal. Prices will start from around £28,000.

Buy it: June 2009



  
4. Mazda 3

Mazda’s biggest seller is back, totally re-engineered and redesigned. Expect the engine line-up to include the new
2.2-litre turbodiesel, as well as 1.6 and 2.0-litre petrol units.

Buy it: April 2009
 
SEAT Exeo   honda Insight   Chevrolet Cruze   Toyota Prius
5. SEAT Exeo

To compete in the executive saloon market, the Spanish firm has taken Audi’s previous-generation A4 and restyled and rebadged it. Expect 2.0-litre petrol and diesel power.

Buy it: September 2009



  
6. honda Insight

This clever five-door, five-seat family car will take the fight to the Toyota Prius – especially as Honda promises it will be the cheapest hybrid around, with a starting price of around £15,000. 

Buy it: April 2009



  
7. Chevrolet Cruze

This four-door family saloon, which succeeds the Lacetti, will have three trim levels and a choice of three engines:
1.6 and 1.8-litre petrol units, plus a 2.0-litre diesel.

Buy it: May 2009



  
8. Toyota Prius

Featuring an all-new lightweight and compact powertrain, the latest Prius promises to be greener than ever. A combination of a 1.8-litre petrol engine and nickel-hydride batteries will enable it to return 75mpg and emit less than 100g/km of CO2. The Toyota is expected to be more costly than the outgoing model though, starting from around £20,000.

Buy it: September 2009
 
Alfa Romeo 149   Toyota Avensis   Skoda Octavia   Hyundai i20
9. Alfa Romeo 149

Easily one of the best-looking cars of 2009 is the Alfa 147 replacement. The model will sit above the MiTo in the range and share the Fiat Bravo and Lancia Delta platform. Mixing beautiful lines – reminiscent of the 8C Competizione – with five-door practicality, the 147 replacement will benefit from Alfa’s clever DNA system. Prices will start from around £16,500.

Buy it: September 2009



  
10. Toyota Avensis

Updated in every way, the new Toyota Avensis is better than ever. It’s smooth, quiet and easy to drive. Factor in a quality cabin, and you’ve got a fine family car.

Buy it: January 2009



  
11. Skoda Octavia

It’s scooped the Auto Express Driver Power customer satisfaction survey for two years in a row – so the news that the Octavia is about to get even better should terrify rivals! Under the bonnet, the 1.6-litre FSI petrol engine is replaced by a new 122bhp 1.4-litre TSI turbocharged unit. Prices should go up by around £450 for the hatchback and estate models, so expect the range to kick off from approximately £11,500.

Buy it: January 2009



  
12. Hyundai i20

Replacing the Getz, the i20 boasts a longer wheelbase and a roomier cabin. There are also two frugal powerplant options – a 75bhp 1.2-litre petrol and a 90bhp 1.4 diesel.

Buy it: January 2009
 
Volkswagen Golf MkVI            
13. Volkswagen Golf MkVI

No stone has been left unturned in overhauling the Golf. The MkVI’s body has been cleverly updated, and under the bonnet, there’s a new 138bhp common-rail diesel, which returns nearly 58mpg. A 158bhp 1.4-litre petrol unit is available, too. And prices will start from £13,500.

Buy it: January 2009



  
 
  
 
  
 
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