Editor’s choice9/10BMWM135i£22,835 – £23,365BMW performance hatch that is also a bit of a bargain. It's not quite a 1M, but it's close.
8/10CitroenC4 Cactus£21,455 – £23,800Citroen's Fiat Panda - character over driving thrills, but none the worse for that.
7/10Peugeot308 GTI£20,920 – £30,480Peugeot's hot hatch renaissance continues. The 308 GTI has a joyously wild streak
7/10BMW1 Series£22,835 – £23,365BMW's switch from RWD to FWD for the new hatch is no bad thing. This new 1 Series is a good car from the bottom up.
7/10ToyotaC-HR£29,940 – £32,420The looks are polarising, but if you want it, you’ll really really want it.
7/10FordMondeo Estate£25,675 – £33,825More grown up and all the better for it. Priced very keenly too - it's a smart shout.
7/10Peugeot308 SW£21,870 – £29,890This is among the best compact estates on sale (partly because it isn’t really compact at all).
7/10KiaCeed£18,625 – £27,665Kia improves things yet again. Refinement, styling and interior quality are nearly as good as anything out there. Nearly…
6/10ToyotaC-HR£29,940 – £32,420C-HR handles well and looks quirky, but hybrid and infotainment systems let the package down
6/10VauxhallAstra£18,700 – £29,085Not 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.
6/10CitroenC4 Cactus£21,455 – £23,800While still a comfy, useful hatchback, the C4 Cactus's move mainstream has taken away its class hero status
4/10LexusCT 200h£26,055 – £33,105To call this a posh Prius may sound a little harsh, but that’s what it is.
