Best new cars for 2019

Vauxhall Grandland X PHEV

Price: £35,590On sale: Now

The Grandland X PHEV is heading Vauxhall’s push into alternative fuels. A 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine combines with a pair of electric motors to give a total output of 296bhp and 450Nm of torque. With the engine driving the front wheels and electric power going to the rears, the Grandland X can hit 62mph in 6.5 seconds and reach 136mph. A 13.2kWh battery pack feeds the electric motors and provides an electric-only range of 32 miles. Charging takes two hours via the optional 6.6kWh cable. The driver can choose from four powertrain modes, including E-Save, which keeps battery charge in reserve for the end of a journey.

Volkswagen Golf Mk8

Price: From £19,000 (est)On sale: Late 2019

It’s better ‘eight’ than never for the next-generation Golf, as the Mk8 version of the big-selling compact hatchback undergoes final testing ahead of its official launch this autumn. Volkswagen is looking to set the class benchmark once again by adding the latest powertrain and connectivity. The MQB platform will continue but with a significant weight loss of 70kg thanks to lightweight materials. Much of the existing engine line-up will remain, bolstered by mild-hybrid technology on some variants. Inside, the cabin has been changed significantly, with a large infotainment screen and digital instrument panel. Volkswagen has promised the Mk8 Golf will be “fully connected 24/7”, hinting at added digital services.

Volkswagen ID.3

Price: From £26,000 (est)On sale: Autumn 2019

Volkswagen’s most important car for a generation will arrive next year when the ID.3 reaches its first customers. The pure-electric model has been designed from the ground-up for electrification, with different battery sizes giving WLTP-tested ranges between 205 and 261 miles, or 342 miles on the range-topping version. Support for fast charging of 100kW or more is expected to be standard on all models, with customers in the UK benefiting from 2,000kWh of free fast charging in the first year of ownership. Launch Edition ID.3s will have satellite navigation, LED matrix headlights and a contrast roof as standard, with advanced technology such as an augmented-reality head-up display among the options.

Volkswagen T-Roc R

Price: From £38,450On sale: Now

It’s been a long time coming, but Volkswagen now has a second model in its high-performance R range after the introduction of the T-Roc R. Like its Golf counterpart, the T-Roc R has a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine providing 296bhp, which is sent to all four wheels via a seven-speed DSG gearbox and 4MOTION four-wheel drive. That combination gives a claimed 0-62mph acceleration time of just 4.9 seconds and a limited top speed of 155mph. The R is marked out from regular T-Rocs by wide flared wheelarches, quad exhausts exiting beneath a larger rear bumper and a more aggressive stance thanks to a 20mm lower ride height. It has 18-inch alloy wheels as standard, with 19-inch rims and an Akrapovic exhaust system among the options. 

Which car are you most looking forward to in 2019? Let us know in the comments below and check out the best new cars for 2020 and beyond here...