The best replacement for 1.9 is 2.0 tdi.

The best alternatives to 1.9 are rated as following:
★★★★★  2.0 tdi
★★★  1.7 twist
★★  2.5 vw t5
★★  2.5 transporter
★★  2.2
★  2.5 vw t4
★  1.8
★  1.55
  ree
  jruby
  1.8 ruby

Your alternative for 1.9 is not listed? Suggest!
Speaking about 1.9, one probably shouldn't forget about rails 2.3.

Other search terms related to 1.9 and their ratings are:
★★★★★ rails 2.3
You have in mind a companion for 1.9 and it is not yet here? Propose!



Google Trends

Scale is based on the average worldwide traffic of 1.9 in all years. Click on graph for more.
1.9
2.0 tdi
1.7 twist