The surprise cars of 2018 and the cars we can't wait for in 2019

Every now and then, a car comes along that catches us out for being far more enjoyable than expected.

Here, our road testers celebrate the cars that took us by surprise in 2018 and reveal the cars they’re most excited about for the year ahead.

Surprise: Aston Martin DB11 AMR

The DB11 felt undercooked when it was brand new a couple of years ago, so when I tested the AMR version and found it was better in every way imaginable – from interior build quality to steering response and body control – I was very pleasantly surprised. It felt like a new car altogether.  

Dan Prosser, contributing writer

Can't wait: Porsche 911

A new Porsche 911 will be launched in 2019 – only the second time such an event has happened during my career as a car reviewer. The 911 is such an institution that the arrival of a new model, like a rare celestial event, is always a big deal. I’m hoping that the Porsche hasn’t grown up too much.

Dan Prosser, contributing writer

Surprise: Jaguar I-Pace

Is it patronising to say I never imagined Jaguar would be the first premium brand to offer an all-purpose electric car for sale? Or that it would be so damned good? The electric SUV will have raised eyebrows all across southern Germany and forced them to raise their games. Which is good, too. 

Andrew Frankel. senior contributing writer

Can't wait: Land Rover Defender

It doesn’t have to look like the old one, or rattle your fillings. It doesn’t even need a ladder chassis. But it has to be utterly authentic, a car as appealing to an Outback farmer as the Knightsbridge fashionistas. Form must follow function at a deferential distance. If you can hose out the back, I’ll be happy.

Andrew Frankel, senior contributing writer

Surprise: Hyundai Kona Electric

This was a major surprise for its class-busting performance, range and value, which acknowledged for the first time how people really live with electric cars.

They want decent out-and-back range so they need not queue for public charging points. The Kona’s higher-speed dynamics aren’t perfect but they’re good enough. 

Steve Cropley, editor-in-chief

Can't wait: BMW 3 Series

Everyone says the new 3 Series will be a classic among compact Beemers, and having been impressed by every predecessor, I can hardly wait for this one.

Now that the world is so full of SUVs, it’s a sort of privilege to drive a saloon: no longer the default layout but usually the better-driving machine. A BMW powertrain will only help.

Steve Cropley, editor-in-chief

Surprise: Mazda MX-5

I’m all for the MX-5, but the roadster’s sharp initial roll rate and relatively wheezy engine have always been a problem for me.

What I didn’t expect, then, is that a few small tweaks could so vastly improve how enjoyable the Mazda could be to drive. It’s now more predictable in a turn and the engine is much smoother. And I’m much happier.

Matt Prior, editor-at-large

Can't wait: Toyota Supra

The prototype Toyota Supra showed incredible promise, but I’m really quite excited by the thought of trying the finished example. As much as the launch model excites, though, it’s the upcoming other derivatives – both faster and, I suspect, slower, and lighter – that I’m looking forward to driving the most.

Matt Prior. editor-at-large

Surprise: Renault Mégane RS Cup

I’ve driven more class-leading Mégane RSs than I can recall, so learning that the latest Cup version was so ill-suited to British B-roads was a surprise.

Didn’t steer well enough, didn’t ride well enough, not nearly supple enough. Hopefully, the Trophy version will right a few of those wrongs – but I’m not expecting it to.

Matt Saunders, road test editor

Can't wait: Porsche Taycan

I’m a big fan of electric cars. The 918 Spyder was my favourite hypercar of its particular crop, so I can’t wait to see what Porsche’s super-talented engineers can achieve with this all-electric four-door GT. There’s a chance we might drive it before the end of the year – but that ought to let the anticipation build very nicely. 

Matt Saunders, road test editor

Surprise: Mazda MX-5 2.0 184PS

We’d long awaited a meaningful power bump for the MX-5’s 2.0-litre Skyactiv motor but, even so, I was surprised at how it transformed the car for the better.

This bright spark of a naturally aspirated engine simply loves to spin and feels genuinely special. That it helps unlock the little Mazda’s playful chassis is almost secondary. 

Richard Lane, road tester

Can't wait: BMW M3

The outgoing M3 never really hit the mark but the extreme performance, precision and sense of detail engineering in the last-of-the-line CS variant was mesmerising on smooth, dry mountain roads. If BMW’s upcoming attempt can bottle that car’s composure in a more light-hearted fashion, the next M3 will take some beating.

Richard Lane, road tester