As the new year dawns, automakers around the globe gear up for the sales of newer, fancier and more tech savvy auto models. Though the recession gave a huge blow to the auto sales the previous year, the auto market in 2010 looks quite a bit more hopeful. From swanky mini cars to muscle mustangs to huge family sedans, there are numerous cars you’d soon crave to take to the roads. If you’re looking at buying your first car or upgrade to a new car, here is a list  of the most awaited cars of 2010 that you might find helpful to narrow down your search.

Ford Fiesta

Having won the best-selling car of UK for 2009, the Ford Fiesta is all set to go global. The car comes loaded with a 1.6-liter DOHC 16-valve engine making 119 horsepower and 109 pound-feet of torque. Some of the amenities include Sync System and LCD message center which are really neat add-ons for a car of its class.

The surprise package is the keyless entry and push button start which we usually don’t find in the cars of this segment. Some of the other features worth mentioning are its nibble control, which helps you maintain control at highway speeds; a standard acoustic laminated windshield and sound deadening materials in the doors, headliner and pillars that help reduce road and wind noise. It also comes equipped with a set of airbags that are of a higher standard than other cars in its class.

The Ford Fiesta has already received rave reviews in the other part of the world and is truly the most awaited car of 2010. Expect it to start shipping in January.

Mustang GT

2011 Mustang GT was arguably the most talked about car for this whole month. From the news leaking on social networking sites to the first photo’s of its new 5.0 liter engine, everything about this model hit the news. This model will replace the 2010 GT’s 4.6 liter engine with a 5.0 liter V8 engine. The model will deliver 412 horsepower and will achieve a mileage of 25 miles to the gallon.

Some quick facts from the 2011 Ford Mustang GT:

Buick Regal

This mid-sized car was first introduced by General Motors in 1973. Though the production had ended in North America after 2004, the Buick Regal was readily available in Buick’s biggest market- China.

Here are the quick facts about the upcoming Buick Regal :

Chevrolet Cruze

The Chevrolet Cruze will make it debut in the third quarter of 2010 and is all set to enter the American market. With this launch Chevrolet aims to gain a truly global name and recognition. Cruze is already available in Europe and Asia and boasts of being better than Honda Civic with regard to space and comfort.

The tough Cruze comes with enough test miles on its tires to circle the Earth over 160 times. The Cruze comes fitted with either a 1.6 liter four-cylinder, a 1.8 liter version or a 2.0 litre VM Motori RA 420 SOHC turbocharged diesel engine. It will also feature Electronic stability control (ESC), traction control, anti-lock brakes with brake assist, electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD), seat belt pretensioners and six airbags as standard across all its models.

Hyundai Equus

Equus has been Hyundai’s flagship in Korea since 1999.  When the car appeared at the New York Auto Show, it received really great reviews.

John Krafcik, Hyundai Motor America president and CEO said, ““We showed the car at the New York Auto Show earlier this year, and the response was fantastic.” He also said, “Since then, we’ve had a fleet travelling around the country, capturing input from our dealers and consumers. Here, too, the response was extraordinarily positive, and similar to the market reaction to the award-winning Genesis, so we’ve decided to bring it to the U.S.”

The car comes with all super rich features that you would like to see in an extra luxurious machine. The features include push-button start, a console-mounted control interface for the in-car systems, classy wood accents, upmarket switchgear, and even Grey Poupon snack trays for the rear passengers.

If you happen to be one of the rear passengers, get pampered with the massaging back seats.

Nissan Leaf

The electric car by the Nissan doesn’t look a bit like the numerous electric vehicles we’ve seen so far, but it still manages to give most of the good-looking cars a run for their money. Apart from the name what sets it apart is its interiors. The space inside is not compromised while still comfortably seating up to five.

It boasts of being the world’s first affordable, zero-emission car and  has a range of more than 100 miles. The car is scheduled to be launched in late 2010 in Japan, the United States, and Europe.

Key characteristics of the LEAF include:

Honda CR-Z

CR-Z is the extension of the Honda hybrid family and is the second concept version of the stylish, sporty hybrid coupe. The car will be launched in the second half of 2010 as a two-seater featuring a hybrid system which is found in the current generation of Hybrid cars.

Erik Berkman, vice president of Automobile Corporate Planning and Logistics for American Honda Motor Co., Inc. said, “The Honda CR-Z will expand our lineup of hybrid vehicles and reinforce the fun-to-drive values associated with the Honda brand”.

He also commented that the CR-Z, apart from bringing style and great feature would also bring new levels of engagement for customers interested in small and hybrid cars.

2011 BMW 740i / 740Li

This would mark the debut of 7 series by BMW in US. The flagship sedan comes with twin turbocharged inline 6 engine which produces the power delivered by a V8 engine but a six cylinder fuel consumption. The car will be available by spring 2011 with the same options and packages that other 7 series BMW’s come with.

The 2011 BMW 740i and 740Li comes with an all-aluminum construction, High Precision direct fuel injection, Double-VANOS variable camshaft technology, and Brake Energy Regeneration. The six cylinder luxury sedan comes with the BMW’s 6-speed automatic transmission, well-known for its fast, smooth gearshifts and an ability to intelligently adapt to the driver’s style.

Toyota Sienna

The 2011 Sienna Minivan doesn’t appear too different from the 2010 version in terms of style but the new version is said to have more state of art features. The car which was test driven in the hot weather of the American desert will come with four-cylinder power train.

The sleek seats are designed in a way to give flexibility and make the interior look spacious. The car comes with central climate, an audio controls integrated into a single graphic element. It also sports a sportier and classier look while maintaining excellent fuel economy.

A feature that stand out in this car is the first rear-seat Dual View Entertainment Center which is an another innovative option. The system uses two displays side-by-side to create a seamless 16.4-inch widescreen image from a single source. The system has the flexibility of splitting into screens when two entertainment options are called. The remote control makes it operational from any seat.

Mazda 2

Finally, the last in the list is this super compact car from Mazda which has won numerous awards in Europe and Japan. The Mazda 2 is known as Demio in the rest of the world. The car comes with a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission. The safety features include ABS, traction control, anti-skid system, curtain side airbags, and front side airbags. Few other features that might be included as ‘nice to have’ features on this sleek compact car are the wireless cell-phone link, sunroof, and satellite radio.

Jim O’Sullivan, Mazda North American Operations’ president and CEO at a dealers meeting in Palm Springs said “You’ve asked us for it for a while now, and we’ve been studying the market to make sure we can make a business case for it across North America.” Addressing the dealers he also said that the consumers’ tastes and attitudes have changes towards small cars which makes way for cars below their current least expensive car- Mazda3.