9/10FordFocus£20,460 – £31,585This Focus, if you get the better rear suspension, is the sweetest drive in the mainstream hatch class
8/10CitroenC4 Cactus£21,455 – £23,800Citroen's Fiat Panda - character over driving thrills, but none the worse for that.
8/10FordFocus Estate£21,640 – £32,785A thoroughly capable family car that handles far better than it really needs to
7/10FordFocus ST£20,460 – £31,585A fantastic everyday proposition, a hot hatch that's easy to live with. Mostly for good
7/10Peugeot308 GTI£20,920 – £30,480Peugeot's hot hatch renaissance continues. The 308 GTI has a joyously wild streak
7/10FordFocus ST£20,460 – £31,585A fun car with a practical side, but no longer one of the sharpest hot hatches on sale
Editor’s choice6/10DS3£17,090 – £23,260Not as fresh as it was, but ageing gracefully, and still the best DS of the bunch.
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
