Hot cars for 2019

Carmakers and consumers alike are eager to start the new year, what with the steep decline in sales for many brands, and the increase in fuel costs and most vehicle prices in 2018. The year 2019 is shaping up to be an exciting year, launch-wise. Here are the some of the most anticipated cars for 2019:

BMW 3 Series

The all-new 3 Series follows in the design wheeltracks of the 5 and 7 Series. The large grille and beady quad-headlamp looks combine with a longer and wider body.

The cabin retains its driver-centric layout, with larger instruments and secondary display.

The body is 50 percent more rigid than the outgoing model, and with new damper technology, reduced weight and 50:50 weight distribution, promises a riveting drive.

Tech highlights include a digital key that unlocks the car via smartphone, laserlight headlamps, and onboard digital assistant.

Foton

Foton will be launching the Gratour iM6 and TM variants of its mini-truck line, and updating the 19-seater Traveller XL van, the 12- and 17-foot Tornado truck with van, the ETX-N cargo and crane truck, and the Hurricane EST-M with 20, 22 and 22-foot capacity.

Jeep Wrangler

The all-new Jeep gets a complete redesign but stays instantly recognizable as Wrangler.

Staying are the round headlights flanking the seven-slat grille, but now with a more modern body for better aerodynamics.

Hardcore Wrangler fans can rest easy, as the windshield still folds down, and the roof panels can still be removed, for open-air offroading.

Doors, hood, fenders and many body panels are now aluminum to cut weight.

The new suspension promises better on-road handling and comfort while still retaining robust off-road capability.

Engine choices will be a 2.0-liter turbo gasoline and 3.6-liter V6 engines, with a 3.0 diesel V6 becoming available later.

Kia Soul

Kia is set for a resurgence this year under new distributor Ayala Automotive.

The all-new third generation Soul crossover will be key to the brand’s success. Looking decidedly more stylish than before, the new Soul features slim, beady headlamps, a large-maw grille, and the familiar vertical rear window.

Soul will likely be powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with CVT.

Kia Stinger

The Stinger is Kia’s sleek sport sedan, billed as a Gran Turismo.

The Stinger promises handling and performance in keeping with its fastback looks. It’s a rear-wheel drive performance vehicle, targeting a 5.1-second zero to 100 kph time, with the available 3.3-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine with 365 hp.

A 2.0-liter turbocharged four cylinder with 255 hp is another powerful option.

Eight-speed transmission, electronically variable dampers, and available all-wheel drive may just make this the year’s most surprising driver’s car.

Kia Stonic

Kia’s entry into the B-segment crossover market is a European design by way of Namyang, Korea.

Short overhangs, long hood, and low roofline give it a sporty look, with available contrasting roof color.

Just in time for that second TRAIN fuel excise tax hike, the Stonic will be powered by a three-cylinder 1.0-liter gasoline engine, with 120 ps or 100 ps.

Maxus D90

D90 is a Maxus’ large SUV, which recently earned a five-star crash rating under the Australia New Car Assessment Program.

The D90 SUV has an available suite of active safety features including electronic stability program, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assistance, lane departure warning, as well as the familiar ABS brakes, traction control, and brake assist.

Maxus T60

Maxus is already exporting the T60 to Australia and New Zealand, going head to head with the Japanese and American-branded competition.

The T60 has available lane departure warning and driver fatigue warning on board.

Subaru Forester

The all-new Subaru Forester may look similar to the current one at first glance, but it’s been redesigned from the ground up.

The new Forester promises to be the roomiest and most capable Forester, built on the Subaru global platform that already debuted on the new Impreza and XV.

EyeSight driver-assist technology is expected to be standard on the new Forester.

The expected engine is the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with CVT, with active torque vectoring to enhance the Forester’s handling and stability.

The turbocharged boxer will be bowing out with the current model.

Suzuki Jimny

Suzuki’s venerable mini-SUV gets an all-new edition, finally. And the result seems to be worth the wait.

It continues the small but capable tradition of the model, with a ladder-frame chassis, rigid axle suspension with coil springs, 210 mm ground clearance, and four-wheel drive with low-range transfer case.

The Jimny will be powered by a 1.5-liter gasoline engine, ideal for these expensive times. Despite its disappointing crash test results, the Jimny will be no doubt be one of Suzuki’s hottest models.

Suzuki Ertiga

The all-new Ertiga MPV promises more interior space for passengers and luggage, thanks to a 130mm increase in length.

Flexible seating with sliding second-row seats and split-fold third row, helps the car adapt to different needs.

A new grille and more pronounced shoulder lines are the exterior highlights.

The seven-seat interior features multiple USB power ports, second and third-row aircon, touchscreen audio, and available wood-design accents.

A newly-developed 1.5-liter gasoline engine is set to power the Ertiga, now riding on Suzuki’s platform dubbed Heartect.

The Ertiga will continue to be produced in Indonesia and India. More than 676,000 units of Ertiga have been sold.

Toyota Corolla

The world’s best selling car is taking a different tack to stay relevant in these crossover-hungry times.

The sedan is now split into two models, a Prestige model that goes for a more upscale look, and a Sport that goes for broke styling-wise, with a huge black maw, a-la Lexus.

Both ride on the Toyota new global architecture platform, promising smoother driving, quietness, and safety.

The 2.0-liter gasoline engine combined with CVT is the expected engine here, but we’re really hoping for the hybrid.

Toyota RAV4

The compact SUV that started it all comes back in all-new guise for 2019. Sporting a new design based on an “Adventure” and “Refined” theme, the more angular RAV4 hits a more aggressive stance. Check out those trapezoidal wheel arches. RAV4 rides on Toyota’s new platform as well. RAV4 is now 57 percent stiffer, with a longer wheelbase, and wider front and rear tracks than the outgoing model. Expected engine is the 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline unit, paired with 8-speed automatic transmission. Here’s hoping that the hybrid version might make its local debut.

Maxus V80 and G10

Maxus has two vans in its lineup, and we’re hoping to see their debut here soon. The G10 aims to be the upscale MPV, a seven-seat vehicle with plush seating and equipped with a 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engine. The V80 is a versatile vehicle, being offered in passenger or cargo-carrying configurations.

And please bring us the hatchback and wagon.