Buyer’s guide 2020
Twenty years into the 21st century, and we’re at a turning point for cars.
We’ve already seen hybrid power capture the imaginations (and wallets) of Irish drivers in 2019, and now it seems that fully-electric cars have begun their inevitable rise to eventual dominance. Conventional petrol or diesel cars still have a huge part to play, the largest part in fact, for this year, and so we’re going to take you through the best and most exciting cars of the year ahead. Here are the best places, in part one of our two part guide, to put your motoring money in 2020.
Alfa Romeo
Alfa is generally a brand ignored by Irish buyers. The small dealer network doesn’t help, nor does a long-since-passed reputation for rust and unreliability but we reckon that there’s a lot here for true enthusiasts. The Giulia saloon is hopelessly pretty, and for 2020 is getting a major update to its interior and infotainment system that will lift it, in quality terms, much closer to its major German opposition. It’s already one of the best cars in its class to drive (seriously, only the BMW 3 Series is better) and that goes double for the larger Stelvio SUV. That too will get cabin quality improvements and it’s way, way more engaging to drive than any of its premium-brand SUV rivals. Both cars are well worth your attention.
Audi
Audi launched itself into the electric era in 2019 with the e-Tron quattro SUV. Barely a year old, the e-Tron is already getting a round of updates for 2020 that will actually see it go slightly further on a full charge of its batteries. It’s expensive, but it’s also one of the most impressive electric cars we've yet driven. The big A6 saloon, one of our favourite executive cars, is also joining the electric brigade, well half-so. It’s getting a highly efficient plugin-hybrid version this year. It’s also getting the sporty diesel S6 version, about which we are inordinately excited. At a more affordable level, the neat Q3 small SUV gets a coupe-ish ‘Sportback’ version which looks rather smarter than is usual for such cars.
BMW
It may sound odd to say it of a front-wheel drive hatchback, but the BMW 1 Series is actually the most ‘BMW’ BMW we’ve driven recently. A combination of sharp handling, a slick-shifting manual gearbox, great quality, and a relatively compact size takes us right back to the eighties, when all BMWs were like that and the company didn’t make any SUV. Across the hall, the brilliant new 3 Series continues to reign supreme, and this year the excellent 330e plugin-hybrid will reach Ireland. At the other end of the scale, the insanely powerful and expensive 600hp M8 super-coupe arrives this year too, and for a lucky few there is no better way of getting about, very quickly indeed.
Citroen
Citroen’s softly-sprung C5 Aircross SUV brought a refreshing new take to the family crossover segment in 2019. It’s distinctive inside and out, rides over bumps far more comfortably than most rivals, and has three individual seats in the back, which is a major boon for anyone with an expanding family. This year, it will gain a low CO2 plugin-hybrid version. Or, for maximum practicality, you could go for the Berlingo van-based MPV, which can be had in a long-wheelbase version with seven seats and near-endless space. Not the prettiest car on the road, perhaps, but certainly one of the most useful.
Dacia
Dacia’s recently-updated Duster continues to do what it does best — provide frill-free motoring for not much cash. With a base price of €17,000, the Duster offers SUV motoring, and family-friendly space, for the price of a small hatchback. Okay, so you have to accept a cheaper interior and a little less refinement for that, but the new Duster is much improved when it comes to keeping its occupants comfortable. There’s now a decent alternative to the default diesel in the shape of the new 130hp 1.3 litre petrol turbo engine, a unit which Dacia actually shares with Mercedes.
Fiat
Fiat’s 500 seems to have been around for ever. Actually, it’s been with us since 2007, but the fifties influenced styling makes it seem older. But this year could just be its last full year of production before an all-new version arrives. It’s going out on a high, though, as Fiat has consistently improved and updated the 500 year on year, so its quality levels are high, and it’s still fun to drive. The distantly related 500X small crossover is actually one of the better of the breed, and now comes with a sweet 1 litre turbo petrol engine and rather better handling than you might expect.
Ford
Ford’s Focus has long been a ubiquitous choice for Irish buyers, but we do seem to have left it behind a little lately in the headlong rush for SUVs. It’s worth remembering though, not least because it still has the best steering and roadholding in its class, although we’re still annoyed that Ford only offers the most sophisticated rear suspension on top spec models. The Focus’ life will be made harder still with the arrival of the cute-and-spacious Puma small crossover, which revives a classic Ford name, and the subsequent launch of the new Kuga SUV, which will be Ford’s first plugin-hybrid model for Ireland. Or you could just go the whole hog and buy the incredible and expensive Ranger Raptor pickup truck, one of our favourite cars of all right now.