My judgement is based on following grounds:

Citroën C5
With the new C5 Citroen has gone more than one step further – design and quality are on a new level. The possibility to have a choice of two completely different suspension systems is a very clever move. The C5 is fun to drive, very comfortable but still sporty; Citroen can prove that they are still “avant-garde” concerning suspension and driving abilities. Besides that the French can offer engines that are really economical not only on paper but also on day-to-day use. Good cost-performance ratio.

Opel Insignia
The Insignia is a very big step for Opel. Especially the design is a very big step forward for the Germans. There are very interesting technical solutions, the light, the “Opel eye” And also the “wertigkeit” is on a new level – for a reasonable price customers get a car with premium quality. On the other hand, the new Insignia is a big, heavy car – the signs of the time ask here for better solutions.

VW Golf
“Wertigkeit” is the big word for the Golf VI – never before a middle-class car was able to offer a more Premium-feeling than the Volkswagen. Everything fits, everything is executed close to perfection – and there will be some very interesting technical solutions in the near future. What is missing is something like emotion – it is a pity that the Golf VI looks very much like the Golf V.

Ford Fiesta
Ford, again, produces a car that is very much fun to drive. The design is sexy, and the future “EcoNetic” a version will prove that being economical does not mean to be boring. The fiesta is a very neatly executed car – but the differences to last years runner up Mazda2 are too small, there is no break-through concerning weight and consumption. Still, the Fiesta will make its way, and customers can be sure to take the right decision.

Skoda Superb
The roominess of the Skoda Superb is really Superb. Not only, that the passengers can enjoy more than enough space, there is also this huge and easy to use boot (Twindoor). Of course Skoda can profit from Volkswagen-technique but the Czech car shows some interesting solutions (Green line; 1.4TFSI). And as always with Skoda: the cost-performance ratio is very good.