Petrol Manual Reviews

Makes no promises it cannot keep, and absolutely nails the brief Renault/Dacia set for it: simple, spacious motoring for pennies on the pound. Now with added refinement

City cars aren’t quite dead yet - new i10 is grown-up, comfy and loaded with kit

Another string to Kia’s ever more impressive bow, the Picanto is a fun and interesting city car.

Expensive, slow, horrid to drive. A mass of metal without sense or relish or ability or anything, really.

A far better car than it needs to be at the price, and we love it for that.

Technically and mechanically other city cars outstrip it, but emotionally – well, that’s up to you. We understand.

It's engine range isn't class leading, but overlook that and the Micra is a massively improved contender

Smart, likeable supermini that bodes reasonably well for the i20N

Handsome, good to drive and easy to use, like all Mazdas. But the engines are lacklustre and the cabin too dour

Cracking supermini is one of the best cars Ford makes. Britain’s top seller? It makes you proud.

Not as fresh as it was, but ageing gracefully, and still the best DS of the bunch.

Ford has gone to work on the updated EcoSport, dragging it from a blot on its record to a class contender

Not as far behind the Ford Focus as you might think. Vauxhall's facelifted hatch is a very competent thing... but an all-new one lurks around the corner.

Unbelievably roomy, versatile, and easy to recommend. But would you want one yourself? That's a harder question...