The Best New Cars Of 2019

Ford Focus ST

Price: from £29,495

There’s a new flagship at the top of the Ford Focus range. The 2019 Focus ST packs more power than ever before - 276bhp - and its engine is similar to the one in the Ford Mustang. Ford claims 0-62mph takes 5.7 seconds, which puts it in prime contention with hot hatchbacks such as the Hyundai i30 N, SEAT Leon Cupra and Renault Megane RS. If you feel the petrol is too costly to run, there’s also a sporty diesel version with a blend of performance and economy.

Read our review of the Ford Focus ST hatchback, or the Focus ST estate here.

Mercedes-AMG A35

Price: £40,520 - £44,020

For most companies, a 302bhp hot hatch would be the quickest model on offer. But Mercedes has introduced an ‘entry-level’ hot hatch to compete against the Honda Civic Type R and Volkswagen Golf R, as the A45 AMG is pumped up to 415bhp. Thanks to four-wheel-drive and a clever automatic gearbox, the A35 can sprint from 0-62mph in just 4.7 seconds.

Like the rest of the Mercedes A-Class range, you’ll be able to order the A35 AMG as both a hatchback and a saloon - as you can with the Audi S3 Saloon.

Read our review of the Mercedes-AMG A35, or read more about the A35 Saloon here.

Mercedes-AMG CLA 35

Price: £38,645

Mercedes will offer two saloons based on the A-Class this time around, but the CLA will sacrifice some of the A-Class Saloon’s practicality for extra style. In this AMG 35 version, the CLA will have the same 302bhp 2.0-litre engine and four-wheel-drive system as the Mercedes-AMG A35 above. There’ll also be an estate version.

Read more about the Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 here.

Which other cars arrived in 2019? Click here for page 28…