IT might have been tough for the car manufacturers, but 2009 proved to be a vintage year for their customers.
Combined with a plethora of high-value offers from companies desperate to move stock, the £2,000 new cars for old Government incentive aimed at combating the economic downturn created the ultimate showroom scenario for buyers with an eye for a bargain.
Faced with a stream of new models bristling with the latest technology, this really was one of the best times to trade up to a new car.
With more than 70 all-new, substantially revised or face-lifted models to inspect, motorists looking to trade up had a massive choice.
Despite their modest dimensions, the most significant newcomers of 2009 were Toyota's iQ and the Hyundai i20 - the first for innovative packaging and the second for surprising build quality, versatility and good performance.
Despite being beaten - just - to the Car of the Year accolade by the Volkswagen Polo, the iQ showed the Japanese manufacturer has plenty of clever ideas when it comes to making the most space available in tiny exterior dimensions.
And launching the i20 with keen pricing proved a clever marketing move for Hyundai. On the forecourts to coincide with the £2,000 incentive, the car was soon in short supply as motorists rushed to swap 'bangers' for a bargain-priced model that was cheap to run and also came with a five-year warranty.
But there were other models of note in a bumper year for new cars. Here's our pick of the year's most significant arrivals:
Alfa Romeo Mito: Super styling and loads of character are the main features of the car developed to take on the MINI in the premium small car sector - and it also has the performance and handling to match.
Suzuki Alto/Nissan Pixo: Sharing almost everything but badges, these city cars compete with the Hyundai i10 in the bargain-basement sector.
Ford Ka: Built alongside the Fiat 500 and sharing much of the Italian car's underpinnings, the Ka is smart transport for shopping trips and the school run but doesn't have the stand-out styling appeal of its predecessor.
Renault Megane Coupe: Styled to differ from its hatchback sister, this is the best-looking Megane so far and it delivers performance to satisfy discerning drivers. Significantly, it also reflects great improvements in build quality. Styling is also a strong feature of the Megane Sport Tourer, which offers more practical and versatile family transport.
Chevrolet Cruze: Built to a budget but better than you'd expect for the price, the four-door Cruze saloon is playing its part in attracting more buyers to the General Motors high-value brand.
Mazda3: Ford's Japanese partner has a reputation for providing tempting alternatives to models wearing the blue oval and this five-door hatchback is a good example - with class-above quality and refinement, the 1.6-litre diesel version is a particularly strong candidate in the showrooms.
Vauxhall Astra: Just on sale, the latest-generation hatchback from Ellesmere Port is spacious and stylish family and business transport that looks set for success. But though it's significantly more upmarket than its predecessor, it costs more.
Volkswagen Golf: It may lack the kerbside appeal of the Astra, but the star car from Wolfsburg is refined and comes with the reputation for quality that gives it cast-iron residual values. The entry-level S version is well-priced, too.
Honda Insight: Currency valuations dented plans to launch the Insight at under £15,000, but the car still represents more affordable hybrid motoring. With hatchback bodywork, this is also practical family car.
Toyota Prius: More than a decade after Toyota became the first to offer hybrid motoring, the latest Prius comes with yet more technology and has a bigger petrol engine for more muscular performance.
SEAT Exeo: An object lesson in recycling, this saloon is a second-time-around Audi A4. As such it has the upmarket air of the German brand without premium pricing. Better still, it boasts VW's latest-technology two-litre diesel engine.
Peugeot 3008: One of the more refined entries in the burgeoning crossover class, this is a spacious model that is as attractive as it is useful - a strong alternative to traditional multi-purpose vehicles.
Kia Soul: Looks different, feels different and is different for drivers who want stand-out family transport. Boxy styling means the car also has a spacious interior, making it a versatile load carrier.
BMW X1: Only fractionally shorter than the X3, the new baby BMW sport utility model offers the choice of all or rear wheel drive.
Skoda Yeti: Already a hit with buyers, the latest Skoda is a winning blend of practicality and value. It also has surprising ability for a soft-road model.
Mercedes-Benz E-Class: More attractive styling and a big lift in perceived quality levels make this a hot contender in the executive saloon sector.