4/10SubaruXV£27,410 – £32,740The Subaru XV can manage more than many of its competitors off-road, but it's let down by its engine and gearbox
8/10VolkswagenGolf (Mk7)£18,325 – £31,020It defines this sector and should be its default buy. You simply can’t go wrong.
8/10VolkswagenGolf (Mk8)£18,325 – £31,020New eighth-gen Golf remains the lingua-franca of the hatch world. A finely polished machine
