The Tiguan Allspace is a handsome SUV alternative to the usual Japanese suspects. The facelift boosts kit count and adds a sheen of tech to the cabin, but safety kit remains a weak point. The R-Line has strong performance for a family SUV, but the Tiguan isn't the smoothest and most relaxing car in the daily hustle.

With much improved ride quality, while still retaining its unmatched style inside and out, the W206 is a glorious return to form for the Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Equipment is a bit of a mixed bag – up for the C200, down for the C300 – and it's now a pricey option in the class. Build quality has seen a noticeable downgrade from the W205, but as a whole the new C-Class is undoubtedly the pick of the segment.

Love it or hate it looks aside, the iX is a quality electric SUV with keen handling and an inviting, practical interior. It still drives like a proper BMW, although its agility and ride comfort are deeply compromised by the considerable weight. Sport variant highly recommended for improved looks and necessary spec upgrade.

The Myvi already does most things well for most people. It didn't need technical updates, but Perodua went on and replaced the gearbox - the D-CVT ups efficiency and cruising refinement. Safety - already unchallenged in its price bracket (and beyond) - is now at Level 2 ADAS, and ASA is available on all variants. As a starter car or affordable daily tool, the Myvi is a no-brainer.

With a century sprint time of 4.9 seconds, the electric XC40 is the hardest accelerating Volvo SUV that you can currently buy. It won't please keener drivers, but the regular Joe will love everything it has to offer.

We cannot shake the thought that perhaps the Mk8 feels like a mildly diluted version of its predecessor, but man, the Mk8 GTI is still one hell of a hot hatch, and we seriously think you will like it.

If you own the previous Jazz, this is not much of an upgrade. But we will say this: for those stepping into this territory for the first time, nothing comes close to matching the level of practicality the City Hatchback offers.

Overall, the kit list leaves much to be desired, but those looking for a mechanically polished pick-up truck below RM100,000 can give the Vigus Pro a real consideration. We are not fans of the basic cabin appointments, but objectively, as a package, it is a decent alternative workhorse.

For this generation of the City, Honda paid even more attention in developing the features that its customers value the most, the result of which is an outstanding B-segment sedan that most will be happy to live with.

As a do-it-all type of car, the M340i strikes a perfect balance between daily usability and outright performance. If you're looking for a no-compromise BMW that you can drive just about all the time, this is it.

As a family car, there is no faulting the updated 2019 Nissan X-Trail range. It's one of the quietest and most comfortable SUVs in its class, and for the first time comes with Nissan Connect and Nissan Intelligent Mobility. The 2.0 litre models feel lacklustre when compared to their turbocharged rivals, but that can be overlooked if you value convenience and comfort over performance.

The C27 Nissan Serena S-Hybrid, for what it's worth, is an incredibly well-thought-out MPV for the family. It is sufficiently powerful to ferry seven adults in sheer comfort, and the cabin is littered with seven powered USB ports for everyone's peace of mind. Other improved aspects of the car include a better sprung suspension, more refined and efficient powertrain, quieter cabin and the inclusion of six airbags and ESC, both of which are mandatory in this day and age.

After many years of service, the Ford Ranger T6 has received its second facelift exercise, which gets significantly more enhancements that go beyond the typical exterior/interior refresh. The most notable upgrade is the addition of a brand new 2.0 litre bi-turbo engine, which powers the range-topping Wildtrak 4x4 and of course, the one and only Ranger Raptor. If you want a pick-up truck that's in a class of its own, look no further than the wide-bodied Raptor.

The XV is one of the most popular Subaru models in the region, and the second-generation model is almost entirely new from the ground up. Thanks to a new stiffer platform, the crossover is much improved over its predecessor, exhibiting greater ride and handling characteristics with enhanced comfort and safety. Besides tyre roar and the shoddy infotainment system, the XV and its high quality cabin will certainly impress most people.

As the only non-national car under RM50,000, the Kia Picanto is a solid alternative to the Perodua Myvi and Proton Iriz. It's well equipped and has a quality of ride and refinement that is head and shoulders above its peers, all while being better to drive than the previous model - only the lack of interior space is a letdown. It also now comes with autonomous emergency braking, which makes it one of only two vehicles in the price range to have it (the other being the Myvi).

The Subaru Forester is a good all-rounder that feels just as home on the city streets as it does off-road. Featuring the familiar Subaru DNA of a boxer engine and Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system, the Forester also comes with an impressive safety package and a comfortable ride. However, it does command a slight premium over its rivals and isn't the best when it comes to handling.

If you value the joy of driving, the sprightly Fiesta is just the sort of car that will get you grinning. Its contemporary looks aid its cause, with an outlook that will appeal to the young and young-at heart. The face of the facelift is a hit or miss visually, and the hatch is still preferable to the sedan, but the Fiesta still makes a case for itself three years on. The EcoBoost 1.0L is the pick of the lot.

Going from being one of the heaviest cars in the segment to one of the lightest is no easy task, but Audi has pulled it off with its Q7 - a gist of the model's extreme makeover from one generation to the next. A behemoth from the outside, the Q7 does fall short of spaciousness inside, but score top marks for quality, performance, features and safety.