6/10KiaCee'd Sportswagon£19,625 – £24,585The Kia Cee'd is the car that lobs the paving slab of reality into the windscreen of preconception. It might be a straight clone of a Toyota/Ford/VW hatch, but it’s a damn good one.
6/10FiatTipo£14,915 – £20,910Probably Fiat’s least interesting car, but that doesn’t mean it’s worth ignoring if you love a bargain.
6/10RenaultCaptur£17,370 – £24,920Jumped-up Clio is miles less tinny than the old one. Breaks no rules, but it's good-looking, refined and comfy
6/10NissanMicra£13,875 – £22,385It's engine range isn't class leading, but overlook that and the Micra is a massively improved contender
6/10RenaultMegane£17,515 – £23,930Not the most compelling hatch, but as a car for real family life, it could be brilliant
6/10JeepRenegade£19,480 – £30,660Buy it for the looks and lifestyle, then put up with the flaws. Likeable, but irrational
6/10CitroenC4 Cactus£21,535 – £23,880While still a comfy, useful hatchback, the C4 Cactus's move mainstream has taken away its class hero status
7/10FordKuga£22,790 – £37,730The new Kuga is safer and roomier than before. Less fun, but a better family car
7/10RenaultKadjar£20,870 – £30,810Renault’s Qashqai rival is conveniently a rebodied… Qashqai. A fine appliance for family transport
7/10Hyundaii40£22,415 – £28,615Hyundai arrives to worry the Ford Mondeo – and the impressive i40 certainly does that.
7/10Hyundaii30£17,090 – £25,250A very rational car in standard form, which will make your life easy, but not exciting
7/10VauxhallCrossland X£18,230 – £24,235It presents enough rational arguments that it'll insinuate itself deep into many families' lives.
7/10Peugeot208£16,065 – £23,145A supremely desirable, futuristic ‘mini with a powertrain for everyone. Just beware the firm ride
7/10RenaultScenic£19,015 – £27,655MPV sales are down, but the stylish Scenic has every chance of reversing the trend.
7/10NissanQashqai£26,250 – £31,935One of Britain’s best-selling cars, the Qashqai is quiety, comfy and homemade, too
7/10Peugeot208£16,065 – £23,145Peugeot has a hit on its hands with the good looking and cheerily willing 208.
7/10KiaSportage£20,085 – £34,765Facelifted Sportage gains mild hybrid diesel tech, but it’s not enough to radically alter the class landscape
7/10CitroenC3£16,020 – £20,285With its unique style, impressive levels of comfort, and enhanced personalisation options, the C3 is a likeable car to live with
