From an electric Mini to an all-new Land Rover Defender. The best new cars of 2019 will revolutionise the roads
This year heralds a revolution for some of the best-known cars on the road. Electric power, 21st century design and cutting-edge technology will transform familiar vehicles into the future of motoring.
Among the models due to arrive in 2019 is an electric version of the Mini, an all-new relaunch of the Land Rover Defender - the first for 70 years - and a brand new Volkswagen Golf.
There will be a new Ferrari, Porsche 911 and Mercedes hypercar. Almost as exciting are the best-sellers due for replacement, including the Nissan Juke, BMW 1 Series, Range Rover Evoque and Renault Clio, which has just been revealed.
But the biggest trend of the year is the wave of new electric cars. As well as the Mini, you’ll also see Audi, Mercedes, Porsche, Honda and Polestar (Volvo’s electric car brand) launching battery-powered cars, the beginning of a new dawn in driving that will only continue to expand and improve into 2020 and beyond.
Read on to find out whether it’s worth waiting for a new car in 2019, or looking for a great deal on a model that will soon be replaced.
2019 BMW X7
On sale April 2019
Price from £72,155
Price from £72,155
Seeing how small the driver looks in comparison to the windscreen of the image above, should give you an idea of how vast BMW's X7 is. The company's largest SUV is claimed to offer space for adults to sit comfortably in any of the car's seven seats, and it should feel airy too, thanks to a standard-fit panoramic sunroof.
For the price, it's unsurprising that the car comes with a two-screen digital dashboard, Merino leather, ten-speaker sound system and BMW's new voice control system, which is claimed to be similar to smartphones, giving occupants the ability to control functions by saying, "Hey BMW" and then speaking conversationally. Whether it's enough to give the car an edge over luxurious rivals, such as the Range Rover and Mercedes, remains to be seen.
2019 Citroen C5 Aircross
On sale Now
Price from £23,225
Price from £23,225
Citroen finally has a rival to the hugely popular Nissan Qashqai, in the guise of the C5 Aircross. It is a large, practical five-seat family SUV that hopes to win over drivers with its overtly adventurous design.
The company is initially launching the C5 Aircross with front-wheel drive and a system called Grip Control, which helps maintain traction on slippery surfaces. A four-wheel drive model and plug-in hybrid are expected to join the range at a later date.
2019 DS 3 Crossback
On sale Spring 2019
Prices from £21,000 (estimated)
Prices from £21,000 (estimated)
The popular DS 3 is being replaced with a crossover version that's taller than the existing car. The all-new DS 3 Crossback promises to be significantly more luxurious, and will be available with a Nappa leather interior, flush-fitting door handles that pop out when the driver approaches the car, and high-end Focal sound system. Expect to pay more for these last two features when the car goes on sale this Spring.
The new car retains the "shark fin" between the windows - like the old car, but comes with two rear doors as standard, giving it a much chunkier and less compact design. An electric E-Tense version will also go on sale next year.
2019 Honda CR-V hybrid
On sale Autumn 2019
Price from £30,000 (estimated)
Price from £30,000 (estimated)
The new Honda CR-V actually arrived in the UK last autumn. It has a 1.5-litre petrol engine and the option of seven, as well as five, seats. However, the version that's already setting tongues wagging is this hybrid version, comprising of a 2.0-litre petrol engine, two electric motors and a single fixed gear ratio, a system Honda calls Intelligent Multi Mode Drive (i-MMD).
This new model will arrive later this year with a job on its hands, because there’ll be no diesel-powered CR-V. The efficient new hybrid version is intended to replace it. With sales of new diesel cars plunging, it’s perhaps not such a tall order – as long as Honda gets the new model’s pricing right. What won’t help is that there will be no seven-seat option with the hybrid model.
2019 Land Rover Defender
On sale Late 2019/early 2020
Price from £30,000 (estimated)
Price from £30,000 (estimated)
Replacing the original Defender with an all-new model fit for the 21st century has been no easy task. The DC100 concept car, above, was unveiled in 2011 and mixed reactions sent Land Rover back to the drawing board. It’s now been two years since production of the old car ceased and potential rivals haven't been slow in coming forward, including a new Jeep Wrangler and a privately-funded start-up company that's aiming to produce the modern equivalent of a Defender.
So, expect the new Defender to be revealed late this year before it goes on sale in 2020. Rumours are that it will be even better off-road than before and have a close family resemblance to Range Rover models.
2019 Mazda CX-30
On sale Late 2019
Price from £20,000 (estimated)
Price from £20,000 (estimated)
Mazda's third SUV is a similar size to the Nissan Qashqai, slotting into the range between the CX-3 and CX-5.
It's very similar to the latest 2019 Mazda 3, with the same sharp, curved styling lines, in a taller SUV profile, bringing a higher driving position.
The CX-30 also borrows from the Mazda 3 under the bonnet. It will feature the firm's latest engine technology, including the Skyactiv-X petrol engine, which can operate like a diesel motor during steady driving, compressing the fuel to ignite it rather than using spark plugs. It's said to combine the performance and sportiness of a petrol engine with the efficiency of a diesel.
2019 Mercedes GLE
On sale Now, first deliveries in Spring 2019
Price from £55,000 (estimated)
Price from £55,000 (estimated)
Mercedes has put as much water as possible between this all-new GLE and the mediocre predecessor that it replaces. The new car looks considerably more modern and comes with the option of some cutting edge technology, including air suspension linked to a camera that adjusts each wheel individually to pre-empt potholes and bumps on the road ahead, which can also lean into corners like a tilting train. A glossy widescreen dashboard comes as standard and there's the option of seven seats for the first time.
2019 Range Rover Evoque
On sale Now, first deliveries Spring 2019
Price from £31,600
Price from £31,600
‘If it ’aint broke, don't fix it’ is Land Rover’s approach to the second-generation Range Rover Evoque, on sale now. It's retains the shape of the current model, with smoother lines that mean it resembles the larger Range Rover Velar.
Technology gets a big boost too. As well as long-awaited Apple CarPlay and Android Auto software, there's the option of "Ground View" display, which uses cameras in the grille and door mirrors to show the ground below the bonnet, which is just as useful to see the white lines in a crowded car park, as it is when navigating boulders while driving over a river bed.
2019 Nissan Juke
On sale March 2019 (estimated)
Price from £15,750 (estimated)
Price from £15,750 (estimated)
With the mechanical parts from the latest Nissan Micra - a good car - Nissan is aiming to bring the Juke back up to date, with more space, comfort and equipment to match the increasingly tough competition.
Expect the individual design to continue: the current car continues to be a hit for Nissan, even though it's almost a decade old. You can read more about the car in our 2019 Nissan Juke guide.
2019 Seat Tarraco
On sale Now, first deliveries in mid 2019
Price from £28,000 (estimated)
Price from £28,000 (estimated)
Seat's seven-seat SUV comes with a high-specification in a bid to win customers in the crowded family SUV market. It's fitted with a fully digital dashboard (including the dials behind the steering wheel) as standard, and feels sturdily-built. Combined with the promise of nimble and comfortable performance, it could be a compelling alternative to the Kia Sorento, Hyundai Santa Fe, Skoda Kodiaq, and even the Land Rover Discovery Sport.
2019 Skoda Kamiq
On sale Summer 2019 (estimated)
Price from £17,000 (estimated)
Price from £17,000 (estimated)
Crossover cars, which combine the mechanical parts of a small hatchback with the taller shape of an off-road car, are becoming more fashionable. In recent months we’ve had the Seat Arona, Citroen C3 Aircross and Kia Stonic, and this year, we’ll have the Skoda Kamiq.
Smaller than the Karoq crossover, it's intended to appeal to city-slickers who want a small SUV to look stylish in. Skoda has hinted at a hybrid system which may appear in the production model, along with a choice of three petrol engines and one diesel one too. A six-speed manual will be standard, while a seven-speed auto will be available on the higher-powered petrols and the diesel.
2019 Suzuki Jimny
On sale Now
Price from £15,499
Price from £15,499
Anyone who has hired a Jimny on their holiday will know just how tough and capable the little off-roader is, so it’s good news that as it comes to the end of its long, 21-year life, there’s an all-new one that has just gone on sale.
Suzuki has sensibly chosen to stick with the rugged, no-nonsense formula that stood the old car in such good stead. Four-wheel drive is standard and it's underpinned by a ladder-frame chassis, which boosts off-road performance at the expense of on-road comfort. Fans can't get enough of the cutesey looks, and strong demand means it's priced at a premium.
2019 Toyota RAV4
On sale Early 2019 (estimated)
Price from £28,000 (estimated)
Price from £28,000 (estimated)
Like the Renault Kadjar above, the RAV4 will face stiff competition in the family SUV sector.
The Rav looks set to be much better off-road than most other offerings in this sector though. Reduced overhangs and a slightly higher ride height than the outgoing model will make sure of that. We should also mention that it’s available as a hybrid.
2019 Volkswagen T-Cross
On sale Now
Price from £16,995
Price from £16,995
Like the Skoda Kamiq further up this list, the T-Cross is a tiddly SUV and will go up against an ever burgeoning small SUV/Crossover segment.
It’s not necessarily sporty, but it is utilitarian, boasting a 385-litre boot. And while the seating position is set high, it won't be available with four-wheel-drive.
Trim levels include S, SE, SEL, and R-Line. A 250-unit, limited run First Edition trim is also available. Two engines are on offer - 95 PS and 115 PS versions of Volkswagen’s 1.0-litre TSI petrol engine, available with a five or six-speed manual, or a seven-speed automatic.
More SUVs and crossovers coming in 2019
2019 BMW X6
On sale Late 2019 Price from £65,000 (estimated)
BMW's X6 was one of the first sporty SUVs on the market and proved that a sizeable group of buyers did want a car that combined the height of an SUV with the lowing lines of a sporty coupe - even if the looks were not universally loved. The third generation of the car arrives late this year and will face tough competition from the new Audi Q8 and Range Rover Velar.
BMW's X6 was one of the first sporty SUVs on the market and proved that a sizeable group of buyers did want a car that combined the height of an SUV with the lowing lines of a sporty coupe - even if the looks were not universally loved. The third generation of the car arrives late this year and will face tough competition from the new Audi Q8 and Range Rover Velar.
2019 Ford Kuga
On sale late 2019 Price from £25,000 (estimated)
Ford's ageing Kuga is no match for the latest family crossovers and SUVs, but the new model is expected to take the smooth ride and agile cornering of the latest Focus and package it with a higher driving position and extra interior space to rival the likes of the Skoda Karoq.
Ford's ageing Kuga is no match for the latest family crossovers and SUVs, but the new model is expected to take the smooth ride and agile cornering of the latest Focus and package it with a higher driving position and extra interior space to rival the likes of the Skoda Karoq.
2019 Mercedes GLA
On sale 2019 Price from £25,000
Part hatchback, part SUV, the GLA is Mercedes’ smallest high-riding family car, and is based on its big-selling A-Class hatchback. A new model is due to be revealed this year.
Part hatchback, part SUV, the GLA is Mercedes’ smallest high-riding family car, and is based on its big-selling A-Class hatchback. A new model is due to be revealed this year.
2019 Mercedes GLB
On sale 2019 Price from £30,000
Mercedes is likely to run out of letters from the alphabet at the rate it’s adding new models to its range. The next arrival to tread new ground is the GLB, which will be sized and priced between the GLA and GLC, and should be priced from around £30,000, making it a posh alternative to a Nissan Qashqai. It will use Mercedes’ new generation of cleaner diesel engine, and the design of the bodywork is said to have been inspired by the chunky G Wagon.
Mercedes is likely to run out of letters from the alphabet at the rate it’s adding new models to its range. The next arrival to tread new ground is the GLB, which will be sized and priced between the GLA and GLC, and should be priced from around £30,000, making it a posh alternative to a Nissan Qashqai. It will use Mercedes’ new generation of cleaner diesel engine, and the design of the bodywork is said to have been inspired by the chunky G Wagon.
2019 Renault Captur
On sale Autumn 2019 Price from £18,000 (estimated)
The first Renault Captur was a huge hit for the French company and rivals swiftly followed with their own versions: Ford-Fiesta-sized cars with a taller stance. This year's new Captur promises to be similarly revolutionary, with plug-in hybrid technology for several miles of electric range and low emissions.
New small cars 2019
2019 Cupra Ibiza
On sale summer 2019 (estimated)
Price from £20,000 (estimated)
Price from £20,000 (estimated)
Seat is a brand known for its sporty Cupra cars but it's decided to discard that reputation and rebadge its most powerful cars under the Cupra name.
One of the first will be a high-performance version of the small Ibiza. The standard car is good to drive, thanks to stable and nimble cornering. Combined with a powerful 200hp engine, it's likely to make some hot hatchback buyers think twice about the new Ford Fiesta ST.
2019 Renault Clio
On sale autumn 2019
Price from £13,500 (estimated)
Price from £13,500 (estimated)
Renault is putting the Va va voom back into its Clio, with a new-generation model that will arrive this autumn. The current Clio is the best-selling small car in Europe, so Renault has understandably been cautious about changing too much of its successful formula. That's presumably why the new car looks so similar to the old one, apart from the c-shaped sections at the side of the headlights.
Inside is a different story, and existing owners will barely recognise it as a Clio, at least if they choose one of the higher-end models with a 9.3in portrait screen, digital display behind the steering wheel and a blend of materials that - in the pictures at least - revive the French chic that was lacking in the previous car.
2019 Peugeot 208
On sale March 2019. Deliveries in the summer
Price from £14,900 (estimated)
Price from £14,900 (estimated)
In 2018, small cars got a lot better. The Seat Ibiza, Ford Fiesta and Volkswagen Polo brought new standards of comfort, quietness, quality and technology to the segment, while maintaining relatively affordable prices. Could 2019 see a similar leap forward? That depends on the standard of the new Peugeot 208.
it looks promising from the initial details. It will be available as an electric car, called the e-208, which is set to have a 211 mile range. Of course, there are also petrol and diesel versions. Plus, a GTI in the near future.
More small cars coming in 2019
2019 Vauxhall Corsa
On sale 2019 Price from £10,000 (estimated)
The Corsa is an important car for Vauxhall – not only historically, but for its future survival. The affordable hatchback has been sliding down the UK’s sales charts in an alarming fashion, losing huge ground to the Ford Fiesta and suggesting that the outgoing model simply wasn’t good enough in today’s competitive car market. Now owned by the Peugeot-Citroen group, it will get new underpinnings, new engines – including an electric version - and, well, new everything, frankly. If that doesn’t stop the rot, nothing will.
The Corsa is an important car for Vauxhall – not only historically, but for its future survival. The affordable hatchback has been sliding down the UK’s sales charts in an alarming fashion, losing huge ground to the Ford Fiesta and suggesting that the outgoing model simply wasn’t good enough in today’s competitive car market. Now owned by the Peugeot-Citroen group, it will get new underpinnings, new engines – including an electric version - and, well, new everything, frankly. If that doesn’t stop the rot, nothing will.
New family cars 2019
2019 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe
On sale Late 2019
Price from £28,000 (estimated)
Price from £28,000 (estimated)
Despite the rise in sales of tall crossovers and SUVs, four-door cars are having a renaissance by combining the curvy styling of sporty coupes with the extra practicality of rear doors. Mercedes has the CLA, and Audi its A3 saloon. Hyundai's i30 Fastback has a similar shape too.
Later this year, BMW will launch the 2 Series Gran Coupe. It's not just an extended version of the existing 2 Series, but an all-new model that will be used as the basis for the new BMW 1 Series and 2 Series Coupe. All we've seen so far is a teaser shot from the back of the car, shown above.
2019 BMW 3 Series
On sale Now
Price from £33,610
Price from £33,610
When you make one of the world's best medium-sized cars, there's no shame in introducing a new model that offers more of the same. So this year's brand new BMW 3 Series has the brand's familiar design, a similar interior layout and the same promise of a comfortable ride combined with sporty and nimble performance.
It's slightly larger, bringing more interior space, and the technology has, naturally, been upgraded. For more information, read our guide to the 2019 BMW 3 Series.
2019 Ford Focus Active
On sale Now
Price from £21,900
Price from £21,900
For years, you've been able to choose different versions of the same car, based on the type of boot or the number of doors. Now you can choose different heights. If the standard Ford Focus seems a bit too low for you, but you don't want the lofty height of the similarly-sized Ford Kuga, then the Ford Focus Active sits in the middle.
There's more 30mm space between the bottom of the car and the ground, compared with the standard Focus, so the car's less likely to be scraped on rough dirt tracks or rocky ground. It doesn't come with four wheel drive for optimum performance off road, but does have some clever electronics that can reduce wheelspin when accelerating on a slippery surface.
2019 Mazda 3
On sale mid-2019
Price from £20,500 (estimate)
Price from £20,500 (estimate)
The moody photos released by Mazda make it clear that the new 3 will be sold on its eye-catching looks as the technology underneath, which could mean that the company has a hit on its hands because the car isn't lacking in either department.
It will use Mazda’s new-fangled internal combustion engine, called SkyActiv-X. It is capable of working like a petrol motor or a diesel, with spark plugs for petrol engine-style combustion, and the ability to switch to diesel-style compression ignition, too. The idea is to offer the economy of a diesel with the smooth nature and lower emissions of a petrol.
2019 Mercedes B-Class
On sale Now
Price from £23,000 (estimated)
Price from £23,000 (estimated)
The people carrier, or multi-purpose vehicle, is clinging on for dear life, as drivers flock to SUVs. That’s a shame, because when you ignore image for a moment, people carriers make better family cars and are mostly more affordable to buy and run.
Mercedes is sticking it out, and its replacement for the B-Class will go on sale at the end of this year, with the first deliveries arriving in February. It's more sophisticated than ever, with Mercedes' double-widescreen dashboard and more space. Mercedes claims that it should feel sporty to drive, despite the tall shape: the driver sits 9cm higher than in the company's new A-Class.
2019 Mercedes CLA
On sale May 2019
Price from £28,500 (estimated)
Price from £28,500 (estimated)
There's no secret to Mercedes' best-selling A-Class: it's practical and efficient, but also desirable, thanks to its well-finished interior and large dashboard screens - as well as the Mercedes star on the bonnet, of course.
Outside, however, the car's sensible hatchback shape doesn't necessarily stir the emotions. That's the job of the CLA. From the front to the middle, it's similar design to Mercedes A-Class inside and out, but the back half is focused on style, as the roof curves down into the bootlid, which gently kicks up. This makes the silhouette sportier and more elegant. But it does come at a starting price that's expected to approach £30,000
2019 Peugeot 508 SW
On sale Now
Price from £27,000 (estimated)
Price from £27,000 (estimated)
Ooh La La - Peugeot’s next large estate car is a bit of a looker. The new 508 SW, which goes on sale in January, trades some of the practicality of the model it succeeds (the 530-litre boot has lost 30 litres) but most buyers are unlikely to care when the car looks so much more arresting.
It’s part of Peugeot’s attempt to shift its image upmarket a notch or two, and the rest of the interior is more stylish and upmarket than Peugeots of old. Petrol and diesel models will go on sale first, and a plug-in hybrid – like the VW Passat GTE - will be added in the autumn.
2019 Skoda Scala
On sale Summer 2019
Price from £16,500
Price from £16,500
Skoda has moved a long way from its budget brand roots - so much so that it has struggled to sell the low-priced Rapid hatchback, with an obviously cheap interior. The information released so far for the Scala, emphasises the use of high-quality interior materials, mood lighting and a large dashboard touchscreen, which should move the car upmarket.
The 467-litre boot is said to be the largest in the category, giving the car greater capacity than a Volkswagen Golf or Ford Focus, and Skoda claims plenty of passenger room too. if the Scala can offer value-for-money too, it could be a hit.
2019 Toyota Corolla
On sale Now
Price from £21,300
Price from £21,300
Slowly but surely, Toyota is shifting its cars on the internationally recognised official excitement scale (okay, we made that up) from ‘Watching paint dry’ to ‘Stepping onto the dancefloor’.
The new Corolla is efficient, practical and well-built - but now has a decent blend of comfort and agility, which means that it no longer feels like the more lumbering Auris it replaced. There's no longer a diesel option: petrol or petrol-electric hybrid power are the only choices.
2019 Toyota Camry
On sale summer 2019
Price from £26,000 (estimated)
Price from £26,000 (estimated)
Another blast from the past in the Toyota stable is the Camry, a name that hasn’t been used in Britain’s Toyota showrooms for nearly 15 years.
The Camry is coming back to replace the slightly old-hat Toyota Avensis. So expect massive discounts on them soon enough. But back to the Camry. This time around it'll be a hybrid, with a 2.5-litre petrol engine being supplemented by an electric motor.
More family cars coming in 2019
2019 BMW 1 Series
On sale 2019 Price from £23,000 (estimate)
BMW has built its reputation on its claim that it builds the ‘ultimate driving machine’, a hint at the fact that unlike many rival cars, most of its models drive the back wheels, to ensure a more exciting experience for drivers. That’s all set to change for the next 1 Series, which is to be built on a front-wheel drive platform, shared with the Mini. Four-wheel drive will be offered with sporty models. The new generation 1 is expected to be a much more practical and spacious family car, which will please many owners of the past two generations of BMW’s entry-level model.
BMW has built its reputation on its claim that it builds the ‘ultimate driving machine’, a hint at the fact that unlike many rival cars, most of its models drive the back wheels, to ensure a more exciting experience for drivers. That’s all set to change for the next 1 Series, which is to be built on a front-wheel drive platform, shared with the Mini. Four-wheel drive will be offered with sporty models. The new generation 1 is expected to be a much more practical and spacious family car, which will please many owners of the past two generations of BMW’s entry-level model.
2019 Audi A3
On sale winter 2019 Price from £23,000 (estimate)
Will the new generation of Audi’s A3 make it into UK showrooms by the end of 2019? The German company isn’t saying, but development of the big-selling model is nearing completion – but politics and logistics mean Audi must wait for sister company Volkswagen to launch its new Golf first.
Will the new generation of Audi’s A3 make it into UK showrooms by the end of 2019? The German company isn’t saying, but development of the big-selling model is nearing completion – but politics and logistics mean Audi must wait for sister company Volkswagen to launch its new Golf first.
2019 Seat Leon
On sale late 2019 Price from £13,500 (estimated)
It’s no secret in the car industry that without killer design and the latest tech you may as well pack up and go home. Seat’s bosses say the next Leon will take a big leap forward, with more daring styling and a world-class touchscreen software system. We’ll see…
It’s no secret in the car industry that without killer design and the latest tech you may as well pack up and go home. Seat’s bosses say the next Leon will take a big leap forward, with more daring styling and a world-class touchscreen software system. We’ll see…
2019 Skoda Octavia
On sale late 2019 Price from £19,000 (estimated)
A new Octavia will go on sale later this year, replacing the popular current model, which offers class-leading space for passengers and luggage. Expect more of the same, along with improved comfort.
A new Octavia will go on sale later this year, replacing the popular current model, which offers class-leading space for passengers and luggage. Expect more of the same, along with improved comfort.
2019 Volkswagen Golf
On sale summer 2019 Price from £18,000 (estimated)
It’s the bread and butter car for Volkswagen, which means no expense will be spared when launching the next Golf, in June. The changes Golf owners will notice most are an all-digital dashboard – say goodbye to analogue dials and most of the switches and buttons – and a new level of technology that permits a greater degree of self-driving capability.
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It’s the bread and butter car for Volkswagen, which means no expense will be spared when launching the next Golf, in June. The changes Golf owners will notice most are an all-digital dashboard – say goodbye to analogue dials and most of the switches and buttons – and a new level of technology that permits a greater degree of self-driving capability.
👉Click here for best electric car deals
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