The top 10 most anticipated cars of 2010 and beyond

With the recession taking its toll on businesses around the world you'd think that the car makers would scale back their new model plans to save some money, but in fact the opposite is true. Every brand is fighting hard for its sales and there's no better way to do that than to launch a new car. There are some really exciting new models on their way over the next couple of years. We've picked what we think will be the most eagerly-anticipated ten.

Audi A1:

Due in the UK: 'Quarter 4' of 2010

Price: From £13,750

I don't think we're sticking our necks out too much by saying that Audi's new 'MINI beater' will be hot property when it reaches showrooms later this year. All the class, prestige and quality of Audi's larger cars in a compact and more affordable shape? How could it fail? Audi really didn't need the services of Justin Timberlake to publicise the A1.

BMW 5 Series Touring:

Due in the UK: September 2010

Price: From £30,380

BMW's new 5 Series is a lovely car with better performance and economy than ever before. On top of that it now features styling that isn't so aggressive and may have more widespread appeal than its predecessor. For some reason we find ourselves hankering after the forthcoming estate version - or Touring in BMW-speak. Prices start at £30,380 for the highly-efficient 520d.

Citroen DS4:

Due in the UK: estimated early 2011

Price: Estimated at £20,000

Indulge our educated guesswork on this one. Citroen has not actually unveiled the second model in its new DS range as yet, but we're pretty sure it'll be closely based on the DS High Rider concept on display at the Geneva Motor Show. Picture it with five doors and you get the idea.

Ford Focus:

Due in the UK: early 2011

Price: Estimated at £18,000

Not everyone will be excited by the news that there's an all-new Ford Focus on the way, but given that it's consistently one of the best-selling cars on sale, it's highly significant to a vast number of people. Anyway, have you seen what Ford's designers have been cooking up? Looks fab. Pity we have to wait until 2011 really.

Honda CR-Z:

Due in the UK: summer 2010

Price: From £16,999

That's right, another hybrid. The Honda CR-Z isn't any old hybrid though; it's being marketed as a hybrid sports car. We're dying to find out if it lives up to its billing. Its looks are a good start, being at once futuristic and an homage to the CR-X coupé from the mid-nineties.

Lexus CT 200h:

Due in the UK: late 2010

Price: Estimated at £20,000

Surprised that there are three hybrids on this list? You shouldn't be, as the car makers strive to reduce their fleet's average CO2 emissions. Lexus reckons it might eventually sell only hybrid cars. Enter the CT 200h, a rival for the Audi A3 and BMW 1 Series, only with a hybrid powertrain. All we know so far is that it'll have 'class leading' emissions and economy.

MINI Roadster:

Due in the UK: estimated early 2011

Price: Estimated at £18,000

Given how long ago MINI unveiled the super-cool Roadster and Coupé twins you'd think they'd be on sale by now, but there's still no sign of the production-ready versions. However, it has been confirmed that the sporty duo will be made in Oxford. We're already saving up for a 200bhp John Cooper Works Coupé.

Nissan Juke crossover:

Due in the UK: October 2010

Price: From £13,000

We wouldn't go so far as to say that Nissan invented the crossover category, but boy, has it made it its own. The Juke is the funkier, smaller brother to the family-oriented Qashqai and it goes on sale later this year. Although nobody's saying it, it could be considered to be an alternative to the ubiquitous MINI. It'll be made in Sunderland.

Saab 9-5:

Due in the UK: Summer 2010

Price: From £26,495

It's difficult to know what will happen to Saab now that it's owned by a small Dutch supercar maker instead of a massive American corporation, but we do know that the nicely styled Saab 9-5 saloon will go on sale this year, starting at £26,495. Think of it as an alternative to BMW's 5 Series and it looks good value.

Toyota Auris HSD:

Due in the UK: July 2010

Price: Estimated at £20,000

Toyota has committed to launching a hybrid version of each of its models and the new Auris HSD (that's Hybrid Synergy Drive) is the start of that programme. It uses the Prius' hybrid technology to achieve 89g/km CO2 and 74.3mpg, which finally gives the all-conquering turbodiesels something to think about. The conventional hatchback shape of the Auris should have more mass-market appeal than the Prius too.

Toyota Tundra -Powerful five point seven liter V8 engine

The Toyota Tundra is a remarkable vehicle that stands out in all areas when compared with other trucks. The reason is that this full-size, half-ton pickup model possesses incredible capacity to tow and carry loads. And at the same time, it also provides car owners a 4 liter V6 engine as well as a powerful five point seven liter V8 engine. Apart from its powerful abilities and engines,the Toyota Tundra also gives the owners lots of internal space, terrific road manners, along with a whole lot of valuable features.The Toyota Tundra is the truck to drive for anyone who is a true truck driving fan.

Toyota Tundra’s are available in three unique styles which allow you to choose the right style for you, that is one of many great qualities in a toyota tundra.On the other hand some special features that Toyota Tundra is proud of are high solar energy-absorbing glass, power vertical sliding rear window equipped with defroster and privacy glass, a 4-wheel disc anti-lock brake system with electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, vehicle stability control with traction control, 3-point seatbelts in all seating positions, emergency locking retractors in all seatbelt, front passenger airbag cutoff switch, child-protector rear door locks.

AM/FM/MP3 6-disc CD changer with an integrated satellite radio, aux/USB input with iPod connectivity, hands-free phone capability and music streaming via Bluetooth, steering wheel audio controls and 6 speakers, transmission fluid temperature gauge, optitron gauges with multi-information display with feature customization, speedometer, trip meter, digital clock and an outside temperature gauge. In addition to all we discussed, the Toyota Tundra has many more features designed for both the driver and passengers’ comfort and enjoyment.

5 to Drive "Inexpensive and Fun"

2009 Honda Fit Sport (MSRP $16,260)

2009 Honda Fit Sport

In the minds of many, a 5-door (once upon a time known as “a wagon”) can be efficient and/or practical…but not fun. But Honda’s roomy little Fit runabout turns this notion on its ear. And thanks to a recent restyling, the Fit looks even more sporting with its more aggressive and pointy proboscis.

Though its 4-cylinder engine makes only 117 horsepower, the Fit has a peppy, rev-happy nature, crisp steering and a smooth-shifting 5-speed manual transmission. Even the suspension is tuned to have a sporty feel. The Sport model has some welcome additional features, including a body kit (with a roofline spoiler), sharp-looking 16-in. alloy wheels and a USB audio interface. And on the safety front, there are front and side airbags, along with active front head restraints that help minimize whiplash for the driver and front passenger in the event of a rear-end collision.

Five Reasons to Buy:

1. Even more fun than it looks

2. Space efficiency

3. Thrifty fuel economy

4. Nice-looking 5-door

5. Clean interior

2009 Subaru Impreza 2.5i (MSRP $17,995)

2009 Subaru Impreza 2.5i

With a starting price under $18,000, the Subaru Impreza 2.5i sport sedan (also available as a 5-door for only $500 more) is a very good deal on the surface. But delve a little deeper into its window sticker and factor in the standard all-wheel-drive and unique flat-4-cylinder engine and this Subie becomes an exceptional deal.

Subaru has been equipping its cars with full-time all-wheel-drive for years, and it is a strategy that has worked well for this Japanese manufacturer ─ not only has this helped differentiate the company from the likes of Toyota/Nissan/Honda but it has helped Subaru earn a near cult-like following in the snow country from Colorado to the Northeast.

As for the aforementioned “flat” engine, this means that the cylinders/pistons are horizontal, a design favored by Porsche for decades.

When the weather gets bad, the all-wheel-drive Subaru Impreza starts to shine, capable of getting places that other cars can’t, and doing it at a bargain price.

Five Reasons to Buy:

1. All-wheel-drive versatility

2. All-wheel-drive fun

3. Low base price

4. Peppy engine

5. Reputation for reliability

2009 Chevrolet Cobalt SS (MSRP $24,095)

2009 Chevrolet Cobalt SS

Don’t let the Chevrolet Cobalt SS’s buttoned-down, mild-mannered looks (in either 2- or 4-door guise) fool you ─ this exceptionally quick sports coupe is one of the best values on the market today.

In our test of an SS sedan, it hit 60 mph as quickly as a $130,000 Maserati Quattroporte SportFerrari F430. Not bad for around $24,000, eh? GT sedan. And the Cobalt slithered through the slalom cones at 70 mph, nearly the same speed as a quarter-million-dollar

The Cobalt SS’s engine – a turbocharged 4-cylinder that produces 260 horsepower ─ has plenty of power; what’s more, it gets an EPA-rated 30 mpg highway. The car’s handling is also superb ─ the harder you drive it, the better it seems to grip to the road. And unlike many cars with sport-tuned suspensions, the Cobalt SS’s ride quality is firm but not teeth-rattling. And using the Cobalt SS’s 5-speed manual gearbox is a treat, thanks to its tight, short throws.

Five Reasons to Buy:

1. Best bang-for-the-buck in America

2. High-end sports car performance

3. 2- or 4-door availability

4. Surprisingly good 30 mpg highway

5. Excellent agility

2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara (MSRP $18,499)

2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara

Those with an active lifestyle deserve some inexpensive fun, too, and the Suzuki Grand Vitara
meets that need perfectly.

At first glance the Grand Vitara ─ thanks to its clean, rugged exterior and sensibly styled, high-quality interior ─ looks like an SUV priced well beyond its sub-$20,000 price. And with seating for five, along with a good deal of stowage space in the rear cargo area, there’s plenty of room for your adventurous brood and their outdoor gear.

Versatility is the name of the game underhood, where buyers have a choice of either the base 166-bhp 4-cylinder engine or an optional 230-bhp V-6. With either choice, the Grand Vitara can tow up to 3000 lb. ─ perfect for a trailer full of dirtbikes, personal watercraft, or any number of other fun weekend accessories. Want to go off-road? Either engine can be equipped with 4-wheel drive featuring low-range gearing that works great on really tough roads.

Five Reasons to Buy:

1. Handsome looks

2. Quality inside and out

3. Off-road capability

4. All-wheel-drive traction

5. Good value

2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring (MSRP $18,495)

2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring

Like the Honda Fit Sport, Hyundai’s Elantra Touring is a 5-door machine that puts the “fun” back in functionality.

In addition to clean, European-inspired styling and a pleasantly stout 136 horsepower 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, this Hyundai has some unexpected performance sizzle, thanks to the addition of a B&M Racing short-throw shifter and a sport-tuned 4-wheel independent suspension. Even the most jaded of commuter drivers will feel a spark of invigoration in the Touring, especially when downshifting a gear or two to negotiate a corner at speed.

If the Elantra Touring’s fun-loving nature can’t put a smile on your face, then maybe its EPA mileage rating of 31 mpg highway can. There’s also a long list of safety features that come standard on this hip little 5-door, including traction control, electronic stability control and active front head restraints. Still need more cheering up? Opt for one of the fun, vibrant paint schemes such as Vivid Blue or Chilipepper Red.

Five Reasons to Buy:

1. One hip wagon

2. Sporty accessories

3. Good interior quality

4. 31 mpg highway

5. Excellent Hyundai warranty

Without a doubt, this group of Inexpensive Fun rides proves that versatility and fun are not mutually exclusive. Need to transport yourself, friends and/or stuff on a regular basis? Then the Hyundai Elantra Touring, Honda Fit or Suzuki Grand Vitara are a good choice. Opt for the Suzuki if you’re an outdoor adventurer. Looking for something that leans a little more toward the fun side of the spectrum? The Subaru Impreza is that car. And if performance is what drives you, the Chevy Cobalt SS is the only way to fly.