Buyer’s guide 2020 – Part 2
Mercedes
Mercedes is continuing its SUV assault with the launch of the new GLB and the second-generation GLA. Both cars share a basic structure with the A-Class hatchback, but while the GLA will be popular, it’s the GLB in which we’re more interested.
It’s larger and squarer than the GLA, and square cars are always better (trust us!). Plus, you will be able to buy it as a seven-seater, which is going to make it hugely appealing for families. If you fancy a more traditional Merc, look no further than the wonderful E-Class estate. Handsome, refined, massive inside, and built like the Rock of Gibraltar. It’s hard to fault it.
Mini
Having just had its 60th birthday, Mini is launching into 2020 with its first-ever electric car, the Mini Cooper S-E. This will combine Cooper-style acceleration (and, we hope, handling) with a roughly 300km range on one charge.
Given the original Mini’s groundbreaking reputation, the cutting edge of the electric revolution feels like the right place for the brand to be. Fancy something a touch more conventional?
How about the Mini Clubman estate, which has those trad Mini looks (and driving fun) but with proper space in the back and boot. Oh, and the option of the wild 306hp Cooper S Works version…
Mitsubishi
Mitsubishi was one of the first to the market with a plugin-hybrid, and the Outlander remains an impressive example of the breed. It’s smooth and easy to use, albeit best kept in town where it can show off its electric driving capabilities. Successive updates have improved cabin quality and the infotainment system, and the quilted leather seats are a nice option.
If you need something more hardworking than that, there’s the new L200 pickup, which gets dramatic new styling at the front, but retains its rough and tough one tonne load-bed at the back.
Nissan
As the electric car revolution gathers pace, so Nissan has updated the car that started it all — the Leaf. The Leaf can now be had with a larger, longer-range 62kWh battery and a more powerful 218hp electric motor. It’s not the revolution you might hope for — it won’t go as far as a Kia or Hyundai on one charge — but it’s a useful expansion of the Leaf lineup.
The Qashqai is still going strong, of course, and now has a new 1.3 litre petrol turbo engine option, and improved infotainment.
Some of the Qashqai’s success might just be siphoned off by the new Juke, which goes on sale shortly and which combines the same dramatic styling as before, with a roomier, higher-quality, cabin.
Opel
It’s a big year for Opel this year — under new management in Ireland and with the all-new Corsa launching in January. The omens are good for the new small hatch — the words classy and refined come to mind — and there will be the option of an all-electric version with a circa-300km one-charge range.
The Astra hatch also gets an update this year, with better quality inside and some new engine options, while the big Insignia saloon continues to be something of an unsung hero, with terrific refinement, space, and comfort (all sadly ignored by those who walk past it in favour of an SUV).
Peugeot
Peugeot’s small car range gets a double-whammy this year with the new, and very classy, 208 small hatch joined imminently by the equally-new 2008 small crossover. Both get the cool all-digital Peugeot interior (with the divisive small, hexagonal, steering wheel) and both will now include all-electric options.
Peugeot will also expand the lineup of the slinky 508 saloon this year, with a powerful-but-frugal plugin-hybrid version, plus a plugin-hybrid for the successful 3008 SUV too.
Just like Peugeot, Renault is renewing its small car and small crossover lineups this year, with the arrival of the new Clio and the (closely related) Captur.
Renault
Both have impressively classy interiors, which represent a big step forward for Renault in quality terms, and both will come with hybrid options — a conventional hybrid for the Clio, and a plugin-hybrid for the Captur.
Speaking of electric power, we’ll also get the new Zoe battery-powered hatch this year, with more range than ever before and a much higher-quality cabin.
Seat
Seat’s SUVs remain its most convincing products, so the Tarraco seven-seater and Ateca five-seater are the joint best cars in the Spanish brand’s lineup. Both look classy, have welcoming, high-quality interiors, and both undercut an equivalent Volkswagen Tiguan or Tiguan Allspace on price.
2020 will also see the arrival of the new Leon — the last one was more stylish and more fun to drive than the (closely-related) VW Golf when it was launched; can the new Leon repeat the same trick?
Skoda rounded out a hugely successful 2019 with the launch of an updated Superb saloon, in both conventional and new plugin-hybrid forms, and the new Kamiq small crossover, which relights the fire of the terrific old Yeti.
Both maximise practicality over sportiness, and are all the better for it, and both have terrific quality levels.
The Superb is so classy as to make you genuinely question the wisdom of spending more on an Audi.
2020 sees the launch of the new Octavia — bigger, more luxurious, and roomier than ever before, it should be a smash hit in Ireland given that the old model finished 2019 as one of the best-selling cars in the country.
Subaru
Subaru doesn’t sell big number in Ireland, but it sells exceptionally-well-engineered vehicles to discerning customers and long may that continue.
2020 sees Subaru break into the hybrid market with battery-assisted versions of both the Forester SUV and XV crossover.
Both retain their rugged four-wheel drive systems and lofty ground clearances, and both will still get farther into the backwoods than almost any comparable rival. Both should also now be a useful little bit more frugal when you’re just tipping around town.
Suzuki
Suzuki’s Swift is a bit of a best-kept-secret in some ways — the small and affordable Swift has the sort of quality and reliability you’d find in a Toyota, but with the zesty and engaging driving experience of a Mini. Plus, it still has some of the cutest styling around. If you’re in the market for a small hatchback in 2020, definitely consider a Swift.
Tesla
Tesla’s much-hyped Model 3 actually became Ireland’s best-selling car for the month of November, quite the achievement for a car that only saw its first customer deliveries in October.
We can see why it’s so popular though. Not only does it have that dramatically minimalist interior (just the one giant screen and a couple of buttons) but it has performance to beat an AMG, yet can go for 500km on one charge of its battery. Plus, Tesla’s own-brand Supercharger power points can recharge that battery in minutes, rather than hours. It’s not perfect (quality needs a boost in some areas) but it’s one of 2019’s — and 2020’s — most interesting and significant cars.
Toyota
Toyota is updating the popular C-HR crossover for 2020. There’ll be no more 1.2 litre petrol option as the range is now going all-hybrid, but there is the option of a more powerful 180hp 2.0 litre hybrid, which brings a useful bit of extra performance to the range. We’ll also see the new Yaris small car in 2020, to sit alongside the big-selling (and quite brilliant) Corolla.
For those in search of maximum comfort though, look no further than the big Camry hybrid saloon — it’s like a motorised sofa and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
Volkswagen
VW will actually launch two hugely significant new family hatchbacks in 2020. In March, we get the all-new Golf 8 — more refined, more agile to drive, and with a totally-digital cockpit, it’s a deeply impressive family hatch.
However, poaching on the Golf’s patch from the summer will be the all-electric ID.3. This could be the car to change VW, and buyers’ habits, forever — it will only be available in small numbers, and in its most expensive forms, in 2020, but more reasonably-priced versions go on sale in 2021. With a maximum 550km range on one charge, this could be an utter game changer in the electric car market, and indeed the car market as a whole.
Volvo
Volvo has already tempted us in 2019 with its gorgeous, slinky, S60 saloon, which is only available as a petrol-powered car. Well, so far — in 2020, we’ll see a new T8 plugin-hybrid version to compete with the likes of the BMW 330e.
We’ll also see Volvo’s first-ever electric car, the XC40 Recharge, which looks set to boast Tesla-worrying performance and range figures. Long range electric power from the maker of the world’s safest cars?
We just can’t wait for that…