2019 marks a new dawn in driving, with Audi, Mercedes, Porsche and Tesla set to release hybrid and electric models throughout the year that promise sensational performance and power. Other popular models due for a revamped release include the Nissan Juke and Porsche 911, while BMW is bringing back its 8 series coupe after a 20-year hiatus.
This post looks at whether it’s worth looking for a new car in 2019, or picking up a great deal on a model that will soon be replaced.
Audi Q4 - from £30,000
The demand for crossovers is showing no signs of slowing down in 2019, with Audi planning to release the long-awaited Q4 model later this year. Combining the practicality of a hatchback with coveted SUV styling, the Q4 is set to enhance the compact luxury of the Q3 with a swept coupe-like roofline, a sporty rear bumper, angular headlights and a widened honeycomb grille. The Q4 is expected to have the same high-quality features and technology as earlier models, including a 9.2-inch infotainment system, active lane assist, adaptive cruise control and 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster.Sitting at the compact end of the Audi SUV range, the Q4 is predicted to feature four-wheel drive, an 8-speed automatic transmission and a choice of 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol and diesel engines across the range, as well as a plug-in hybrid and electric variant. Browse our current Audi lease deals.
Mercedes-Benz GLE - from £55,000
As a step up from its GLC predecessor, the GLE SUV provides unique power and performance with a choice of four engines, 20-inch AMG alloy wheels and E-Active Body Control. Standard equipment includes electrically adjustable seats, a nine-speed automatic gearbox, four-zone climate control and a 12.3-inch display MBUX infotainment system, from which drivers can control the spring and damping forces of each wheel on models with air suspension.
Featuring 7 seats and a generous boot, the BMW X5 rival adopts a prominent front end, a larger grille and fresh LED headlights. The GLE is available with a range of petrol and diesel engines, with a plug-in hybrid variant expected to be added later down the line.
Browse our current Mercedes-Benz GLE lease deals.
Nissan Juke - from £15,750
Nissan’s all-new Juke will bring the iconic small crossover up to speed, combining the innovative technology from the latest Micra with an updated, spacious design and expansive range of assistance features. The revised model will be longer to increase rear legroom and boot capacity, while the touchscreen dashboard and improved smartphone integration gives the interior a modern feel. Nissan’s trim levels start from the entry-level Visia and conclude with the range-topping Tekna, each offering alloy wheels, automatic emergency braking and air conditioning as standard.
A new range of engines is expected to be launched sometime around September along with the Juke, including economical petrol units and powerful diesels. There are also rumours of a hybrid model being released at some stage in the near future.
Browse our current Nissan Juke lease deals.
Volkswagen T-Cross - from £17,000
As the smallest SUV in the Volkswagen range, the T-Cross is longer, taller and more practical than the Polo it’s based on. Boasting a 385-litre boot capacity, folding seats and adjustable boot floor, the T-Cross is a strong contender in the small SUV/crossover arena. Drivers can choose between three trim levels, with alloy wheels up to 17-inches, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep and parking assist on the options list, as well as a high-res Active Info Display that replaces the conventional dials behind the steering wheel.
There’s a choice of 12 paint finishes and a variety of wheel colours. The expansive engine range starts with 95bhp 1.0-litre petrol or diesel engines and increases to 148bhp 1.5-litre turbo options. There are currently no plans for a plug-in hybrid T-Cross option.
Browse our current Volkswagen T-Cross lease deals.
Audi A8 - from £65,0000
The fourth-generation iteration of Audi’s flagship sedan is set to debut later this year, with the luxury A8 styled for impact and engineered for exceptional handling. The new model features a spacious leather and wood-trimmed interior to ensure comfort, while the innovative piloted driving systems and new MMI Touch Infotainment system top off the top-tier tech. The A8 also boasts the most advanced lighting of any previous generation, with HD matrix headlamps, laser high beams and an optional OLED illumination upgrade.
Developed specifically for highly automated driving, the A8 comes powered by a 3.0-litre turbocharged engine with mild hybrid technology, offering frontal auto-braking, active suspension and traffic jam assist.
Browse our current Audi A8 lease deals.
BMW M850i xDrive - from £97,000
BMW is bringing back the 8 Series coupe with a new design, enhancing the model with long, wide and low slung ride, laser light headlamps and a carbon fibre reinforced roof to reduce weight. The leather and brushed stainless steel interior follows BMW’s traditional restrained visual design, while the new responsive iDrive 7.0 infotainment system along with rotary control and driver-customisable menu screen offers enviable personalisation. Rear wheel steering and sporty steel springs top off the sharp driving experience.
The twin-turbocharged 4.4-litre 530hp V8 engine packs a punch, allowing the M850i to reach 60 mph in just 3.6 seconds. A cheaper 6-cylinder turbo petrol 840i will be available next year, but there’s no hybrid or electric variant planned as of yet.
Browse our current BMW lease deals.
Mercedes-Benz EQC - from £60,000
The ultimate version of Mercedes’ first serious all-electric model is set to be released this Summer, with the all-wheel-drive SUV offering more than 200 miles of range. Fully known as the Mercedes-Benz EQC400 4Matic, the EQC shares the same wheelbase as the GLC but is 105mm longer, with 79 litres more luggage space. The new model utilises Mercedes’ next-gen MBUX infotainment system, which has a familiar layout with two 10.25-inch displays illuminated by a 64-colour ambient system.
The exterior boasts a futuristic feel, comprising of a unique front fascia, the iconic three-pointed Mercedes-Benz star and massive grille. The EQC features the newly developed electric drivetrain that’ll be used across the EQ range, consisting of two electric motors with an 80 kWh water-cooled lithium-ion battery.
Browse our current Mercedes EQC lease deals.
Porsche 911 - from £95,000
To celebrate its 70th anniversary, Porsche is releasing the eighth generation version of its most iconic and longest-running sports car – the 911. For the first time, every engine in the line will be turbocharged, with the rear-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive Carrera models capable of reaching top speeds of 190mph. The 911 sticks to the traditional Porsche design with a more pronounced bonnet, oval exhausts and nostalgic full-width rear light bar, while the interior is decked out with a range of innovative technologies, including a 10.9-inch customisable infotainment system.
While Porsche is yet to confirm the full details of the hybrid models, the batteries are expected to be positioned at the front, offering ideal weight distribution while retaining the 911’s traditional flat six engine configuration.
Browse our current Porsche 911 lease deals.
Tesla Model 3 -from £50,000
2019 sees the release of the third current electric car from Tesla, with the Model 3 sitting below the Model S and Model X SUV in the manufacturer’s desirable sporty range. It’s set to be a fast, affordable, high-volume car capable of reaching 60 mph in just 5.6 seconds, with its power coming from a single electric motor mounted at the rear of the car. Like any Tesla, it can be charged at one of the brand’s Superchargers or plugged into a charger that can be conveniently installed at home or work.
The Model 3 has a claimed range of 220 miles, while the small electric motor ensures generous storage space and a maxi-minimalist interior. The dashboard is dominated by a 15-inch touchscreen that allows you to control everything from the infotainment to the air conditioning, making for a practical and comfortable driving experience.
Browse our current Tesla Model 3 lease deals.
Volvo S60 - from £27,000
Set to hit the market in late Spring, the Volvo S60 combines the generous storage space and plush interior of a premium saloon car with an understated, elegant design. The new model showcases Volvo’s forward-thinking attitude towards fuel, with no diesel engines available anywhere across the range. Instead, the S60 utilises the same 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and plug-in hybrid setup that we’ve come to expect from Volvo, while the different three trim levels offer a choice of powertrains.
The S60 utilises a wide range of safety technologies, including the innovative City Safety collection of collision-avoidance systems. According to Volvo, the S60 is the first executive saloon car to utilise automatic emergency braking to avoid an impending collision, thanks to the semi-autonomous Pilot Assist lane-keeping tech that allows the car to automatically accelerate or brake in coordination with the traffic ahead.
Browse our current Volvo S60 lease deals.
With all-new electric and hybrid models set to dominate the market in 2019, there’s never been a better time to update your current car. If you’re looking to start the new year with a new lease vehicle, contact our dedicated team today to discuss your requirements.