Reviews

"There’s no doubt the Ford Focus Titanium X is very well equipped. But with Focus depreciation, unless someone else is paying for it, it’s not a good …

"A bit like a Golf GTI but cheaper to buy and run, the VW Golf GT is a good compromise. You can even have it with a diesel engine to keep fuel bills d…

"The Volkswagen Golf BlueMotion is the most economical Golf ever, but drivability suffers, and its tax band is the same as for any other 1.6 diesel Go…

The VW Golf Match has a slightly more sporty look than the S and a lot more equipment for a modest price increase. It’s the best-value version of the …

"The Volkswagen Golf is simply a brilliant family car. In entry-level S trim, it covers all the basic amenities drivers will need and it's comfortable…

"Ford wants its Mondeo Vignale to be more of an experience than just a range-topping trim."

"The Volkswagen Polo is like the excellent Golf just smaller. S trim offers only comes with one engine choice and very few creature comforts."

"The Polo BlueMotion means high fuel economy and low emissions. It's a little pricey, but you should recoup some savings in low running costs."

"The Jaguar XE in R-Sport trim is similar to BMW M Sport or Audi S line models, but its sportier looks don't detract from impressive fuel economy."

"The Jaguar XE S is about as hot as the saloon will get until Jaguar hand it over to their Special Vehicle Operations performance division."

The MINI One captures the spirit of Sir Alec Issigonis’s 1959 original, even though it’s a lot bigger and heavier to meet modern safety demands.

"The BMW 1 Series Sport is aimed at keen drivers. It has a larger engine range than the SE and looks the part too."

"The new 1 Series is a vastly improved car over the previous model, and in SE trim has all the equipment you really need.

"Audi’s VW Golf-based hatch has a terrific image and huge desirability. The Sport model is sharper to drive than the SE, but can't match a BMW 1 Serie…

"The Audi A3 is an upmarket, three-door hatchback, based on the VW Golf. Audi’s image means the A3 remains a desirable car."

The Renault Megane GT Line is a sportier Megane but it's still no hot hatch. You’d be better off in all respects with the Dynamique model.

"The Ford Focus Zetec S makes for an ideal sporty family hatchback, which is just as at home on a trip to the shops as it is being driven down twisty …

"The Ford Focus Titanium has equipment normally only seen in premium cars and the terrific EcoBoost engines inject some extra spark."

"The Mercedes A-Class Sport is a more tempting proposition over the spartan SE model."

"In Acenta Premium spec, the Nissan Juke makes more sense over the normal Acenta trim."

"The Mazda2 Sport is stylish and has excellent running costs."

"The Ford Kuga Titanium X Sport has tonnes of equipment and a sporty bodykit to boot. It is bordering on expensive though."

"The Nissan Juke Acenta has its benefits over the entry level Visia, but is priced against top-spec superminis."