Best in class9/10BMW3 Series£26,575 – £43,765The most complete compact exec and perhaps the best saloon of all.
9/10BMW3 Series Touring£27,875 – £45,065Being based on the best junior exec is a good start: this car is a belter.
Editor’s choice9/10BMWM135i£21,625 – £34,425BMW performance hatch that is also a bit of a bargain. It's not quite a 1M, but it's close.
9/10BMWM2£24,085 – £37,160A brilliant car, one of the best four-seat drives you can lay your hands on.
9/10BMWi8£106,255 – £116,250This is the future, supercar buyers. If this is how it's to be, bring it on.
9/10FordFocus RS£16,260 – £31,625Fast, fantastic, affordable: the Focus RS is what we call a game-changer
8/10BMW5 Series Touring£37,820 – £52,715The new 5 Series is as good to drive as the BMW image, and yet it's as refined and plush as a Mercedes E-Class.
8/10FordFocus£16,260 – £31,625The Focus is back to being one of the best family hatches you can buy. Keen drivers, look no further.
8/10FordFocus ST£16,260 – £31,625In credit-crunched Britain, Ford’s got the formula spot-on. Affordable fun: perfect.
8/10BMW5 Series£35,620 – £50,515Typically BMW for its sheer composure on the road and fine refinement.
Best in class8/10FordFiesta ST£12,970 – £22,960Fast, big fun, but also a practical daily driver, compact but refined.
8/10FordS-MAX£26,190 – £37,340More useful than the biggest estates, and good to drive. Avoid the SUV rat-race.
8/10BMW4 Series Convertible£37,705 – £50,945The default four-seat cabrio. Excellent engines and quality, impressive metal roof too.
8/10BMW6 Series Gran Coupe£63,295 – £66,895BMW was not quick off the blocks with its four-door coupe, but the wait was worth it: this is a lovely car.
8/10BMWM3/M4/M4 GTS£57,325 – £85,125More efficient and effective car than its predecessors, just not quite as exciting
Best in class8/10FordFiesta£12,970 – £22,960Cracking supermini is one of the best cars Ford makes. Britain’s top seller? It makes you proud.
8/10BMW4 Series Coupe£32,855 – £47,025Less inviting to own than a Mercedes C-coupe, but scores points with excellent driving dynamics, a strong range, well laid-out cabin and class-best infotainment.
8/10BMWX2£33,765 – £38,115Manages to serve up a zingy new style that hardly compromises its space or usefulness
8/10BMWX3£38,625 – £46,625The X3 has never done BMW much credit, but the new one is a thorough enough job to take on the class best
8/10BMW7 Series£61,085 – £133,285Packed full of tech and beautifully made, but the S-Class is still better.