car reviews

Success in a hatch isn't just about the drive. The Focus has the rest of the bases well covered too

Peugeot 308 review: fresh design inside and out, with quality execution, lots of tech and more competent dynamics

Not the most compelling hatch, but as a car for real family life, it could be brilliant

Skoda might just have turned things on its head. You’d now recommend an Octavia over the Golf or Leon

New eighth-gen Golf remains the lingua-franca of the hatch world. A finely polished machine

In standard form, the i30 is as comfy and effortless to own as small hatchbacks get, if not very entertaining to drive. Mild-hybrid tech is smoothly integrated

Citroen's hatch isn't like all the rest and plays big on comfort. Plus, it's not a crossover

Audi’s Golf is back. More grille, more screens, and… more fun to drive. Wait, what?

Spain’s strongest attempt to out-Golf the Golf yet. A stylish, well-equipped and cheaper version of its German cousin

The Honda Civic brings some welcome colour to a sensible part of the market. Not perfect, but very interesting.

A capable answer to a question nobody should be asking

A supremely desirable, futuristic ‘mini with a powertrain for everyone. Just beware the firm ride

Vauxhall upgrades its mainstream hatch, makes a very competent Focus rival. Definitely worth considering

BMW 1 Series review: switch to FWD is no bad thing. The new 1 Series is a good car from the bottom up.

Connectivity and interior layout takes priority over how it drives. For some, that'll be perfect

Clever engines and an upmarket cabin make the 3 a superb family hatch contender

The latest version of the car that defined the premium hatch sector stays classy

Citroen has made the C4 Cactus more mainstream, yet conversely it's become a more niche choice in the process

Audi’s four-frameless-doored ‘coupe’ is back, with A8 limo tech. It’s an ultra-refined, if soulless, tech express

Octavia’s straight-down-the-line simplicity is refreshing, if not memorable.

It’s the car that Top Gear staffers tend to recommend when asked ‘what should I buy?’ more often than anything else.