Best new cars for 2019
These are the best new cars set to arrive in 2019, featuring a particularly fine crop of EVs, hybrids, SUVs and sports cars...
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Vauxhall Astra
Price: From £18,905 On sale: Now
Vauxhall’s key compact hatch competitor has been updated for 2020, with the revised Astra gaining significant hardware updates alongside a mild facelift. The latest model will be hard to spot; only minor changes have been made to the front grille to give the car improved aerodynamics, while the cabin remains as before. Underneath, however, the latest Astra gains a range of new three-cylinder petrol and diesel engines. The 1.2-litre petrol is available in 108bhp, 128bhp and 143bhp versions, all of which offer 51.4mpg and 99g/km of CO2.
The new 1.4-litre petrol also offers 143bhp, but with extra torque, and is paired with a CVT transmission. Finally, there’s a choice of 104bhp and 120bhp variants of the 1.5-litre diesel. The revised Astra gains suspension changes, including new dampers for improved ride quality, while its front-facing camera has been upgraded to offer improved traffic-sign recognition.
Vauxhall Corsa
Price: From £15,550On sale: Now
An all-new Vauxhall Corsa supermini is arriving in showrooms ready for the new year, with a fresh platform, upgraded tech and a pure-electric model for the first time. A 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine, which is available in 74bhp and 99bhp guises, will make up the bulk of the hatchback range, alongside a 1.5-litre four-cylinder diesel.
In the spring of 2020 the new e-Corsa EV will arrive, with a 134bhp electric motor and offering a claimed range of 211 miles on a single charge. The Corsa’s new CMP platform contributes to significant weight savings of 10 per cent across the line-up, and the lightest model weighs less than one tonne. Despite this, the new Corsa is bigger than the previous version, with a longer wheelbase, increasing room for passengers and their luggage.
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...
