car reviews

A decent car that struggles to stand out with strong competition from within its own family

The Vauxhall Astra looks great, handles well and will be pretty cheap to run. Just don't expect it to excel at anything

A big-hearted engine in an otherwise sensible car. The perfect seven-tenths hot hatch

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

Buy it for the looks and lifestyle, then put up with the flaws. Likeable, but irrational

Y’know the latest Clio, yeah? Like that. But bigger. Roomier. And more expensive

A cult favourite, and with good reason. Fast, fun and frugal, the Mk1 Fabia vRS is a relic of a bygone era

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

A thoroughly capable family car that handles far better than it really needs to

Facelifted Sportage gains mild hybrid diesel tech, but it’s not enough to radically alter the class landscape

The best 21st Century MG yet. Other faint praise is available...

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

There are better all-rounders, but idiosyncrasy and charm mark it out

Nice to drive and with funky doors, the Meriva is very practical for such a small car. What's not to like?

This is the one they all need to watch out for. VW has finally got serious about the city car

Latest i30 Tourer is just £500 more than the hatchback and arguably looks better, too

Renault has rediscovered its form with a loveable car in a class that lacks them

Sweet-driving, good-looking alternative to the Volkswagen Golf and Ford Focus

It's not the car it was, the Renaultsport Clio. Still fast, with a nice chassis, but not a patch on before

Not small but still perfectly formed, the Touran is a testament to VW's expertise at dull but good cars