New Car Buyers' Guide - Motorshow

MOTORSHOW 2011New Car Buyers’ GuideBravoPrices start at: €16,595Engines: 1.4 (16V) Petrol,1.6(16V) Multijet DieselBodystyles: 5 dr hatchback.Plus points: Decent smallfamilymotor. Good price,room and diesels and price;not a bad driver.Minus points: Hasn’t done well at all and residuals will suffer badly.Best Buy: 1.6 dieselFinal answer: NO, far too many better options.New DobloPrices start at: €19,795Engines: 1.6 MultijetBodystyles: MPV, 5 Seats.Plus points: Less van-likethan it used to be thanks tomajor overhaul. Drives okay.Minus points: Plain stylinginside, par for the course in this segment.Best buy: 1.6 MultijetFinal answer: YES, new model is a big step up.FORDOverall Marque Rating: ✰✰✰✰✰Dealerships In the Republic of Ireland: 58Dealers listing/ Brochure request: 021 432 9290www.ford.iePLUS: See our Used Car Guide at the back of this publication.Prices and specifications correct as at 15.01.2011.KaPrices start at: €11,115Engines: 1.2, 1.3 TDCiBodystyles: 3dr. hatchbackPlus points: Never seems togo out of fashion. Latestmodel is easily best so far.Fine little 1.3-litre diesel.Minus points: Not manyapart from a soft-ish gearchange.Best buy: 1.2Final answer: YES, fun and frugality in a city car.FiestaPrices start at: €14,960Engines: 1.25, 1.4, 1.4TDCi.Bodystyles: 3dr./ 5dr.HatchbackPlus points: The more wedrive it the better thisbecomes. Handles well, lookssmart and has a decent rangeof engines. Has been snubbed by those deciding on awards.Minus points: Bit short of room in the cabin.Best buy: 5dr 1.4-litre dieselFinal answer: YES, one of the top three around.ALWAYS DRIVE RESPONSIBLYFusionPrices start at: €17,670Engines: 1.4 M5Bodystyles: 5dr.Plus points: Little bit moreroom than previous Fiesta (onwhich it is based).Minus points: Forget it, thismakes no sense any more.Best buy: 1.4. Entry level modelFinal answer: NO, bye bye.FocusPrices start at: €21,015Engines: 1.6 TDCIBodystyles: 3dr. and 5dr.Hatchback / Saloon/ Wagon(estate)Plus points: Unrivalled fordriving with some seriouslygood diesels. New global car arrives this spring. It is significantlybetter so you have a choice. Wait or get a great deal on the outgoingmodel – can’t lose.Minus points: New model will outstrip old one big time.Best buy: 1.6 5-dr.Final answer: YES, buy new or buy ‘old’. The Focus is that sortof car.Focus CoupeCabrioletPrices start at: €33,525Engines: 1.6, 2.0 and 2.0 TDBodystyle: Coupe CabrioletPlus points: Great chassismakes it fun, rather thancompelling, to drive.Minus points: Looks shocking and there’s a paucity of performance.Best buy: 1.6Final answer: NO, this is not worth the bother.C-MaxPrices start at: €23,995Engines: 1.6 TDCi, 2.0 TDCi.Bodystyles: MPVPlus points: New versions ofthis – 5-seater and biggerGrand version – have changedperceptions. Exceptionalpieces of work with excellentdiesels. Drives well and there’s plenty of equipment.Minus points: Not too many at this point. Pity ordinary modeldoesn’t have sliding rear door.Best buy: 1.6 TDCiFinal answer: YES, not many better MPVs on the road.MondeoPrices start at: €25,975Engines: 2.0TDCiBodystyles: Saloon/ 5 doorHatchback/Wagon (estate)Plus points: Recentlyrevamped, level of refinementhas gone up appreciably.Better engines, good cabin,fine boot. Still holds the accoladeof best handling car in its class.Minus points: It’s revised while closest rival, the VW Passat, is new.Even with revamp, dare we ask: is it starting to look a tad dated?Best buy: 2.0 TDCiFinal answer: YES, easily a top-three shopping list candidate.New Car Buyers’ Guide79