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  1. Five of the most significant cars of 2009
  2. Ford Focus RS, Hottest hatch
  3. Honda Insight, Frugal family car
  4. Lotus Evora, Coolest coupé
  5. Toyota iQ, Tiny tot
  6. Porsche Panamera, Four-door sportscar

Honda Insight, Frugal family car

Despite being little more economical than a modern diesel car, and not that much kinder on the environment, the word 'Prius' is now a synonym for 'eco-friendly'. It's amazing what celebrity endorsement will do. That and being your very own little niche.

There are other hybrids, of course, but none that compete directly with the Prius in terms of cost, space and practicality. Until now, that is. Honda's last Insight was a quirky coupé, but 2009's hybrid will be a five-door hatch that should combine green practicality with Honda's famed engineering excellence in an altogether easier to digest package. (It still looks a bit like a Prius, though.)

We'll be driving one this month so will give you the definitive verdict shortly, but it already looks good, with Honda promising 'the most affordable hybrid on the market' when it goes on sale in spring. Set to be unveiled at Detroit, it should easily top 60mpg in the real world and emit 109g/km of CO2, which means £35 per year road tax.

Mark Nichol