Audi A1

A small car with Audi qualities and the Audi badge can't fail. All the petrol engines are good, and quality is up to the usual Audi standards. The A1 has a far bigger boot than the rival Mini.

Against As you progress up the trim hierarchy, you get firmer suspension, bigger wheels and a firmer ride. The list prices aren’t exactly cheap, either, and the diesel engines are noisy.

The Audi A1 is a sure-fire hit. It has all that's good about the brand in a package less than four metres long. However, unless you can live with a hard ride, avoid the firmest suspension and biggest wheels.

SEAT IBIZA

The Seat Ibiza is attractively priced and smartly styled. It backs this up with competitive running costs, decent equipment and a composed ride.

Against The interior can’t match the best-in-class for quality, and room is restricted in the back of the three-door model. Some engines feel a little underpowered, and the diesel engines are noisy when revved hard.

The Seat Ibiza trails the class best in a number of areas, but overall, it’s a fairly sound buy.

RENAULT CLIO

The Renault Clio has some smooth and flexible engines, and most versions are affordable to run. The touch-screen infotainment system fitted to high-end models is packed with features and is easy to use.

This is an exceptionally competitive class, and the Renault Clio isn’t that far behind the class leaders.

SKODA FABIA

The Fabia offers excellent space, economical engines, impressive visibility and plenty of safety equipment for a competitive price.

Against It doesn't ride that well over patchy surfaces and many rivals have more appealing interiors.

The Skoda Fabia is supremely spacious for a small car, plus it's well equipped, good to drive and undercuts its main rivals on price. It's a brilliant choice and is thoroughly deserving of our 2015 Car of the Year award.

VOLKSWAGEN UP

The Volkswagen Up is a funky-looking city car, which is economical, spacious and good to drive.

Against It looks a bit pricey compared with some rivals and the lower-powered engine can struggle on the motorway.

HYUNDAI I10

The i10 is quieter and more practical than all its city car rivals. It’s also cheap to buy and run, and is easy to park.

Against A VW Up is more enjoyable to drive and looks a bit classier inside.

VOLKSWAGEN POLO

The Polo is refined, competitively priced and has a plush-feeling cabin. Its resale values and infotainment system are excellent.

Against Some rivals have more rear-seat space, the low-speed ride is a little fidgety, and the 1.0-litre petrol engines feel underpowered outside of town.

FORD FIESTA

The Ford Fiesta is superb to drive: it rides comfortably and handles with real panache. It's stylish inside and out, and there are some big discounts available.

Against It trails some rivals for versatility and standard equipment is a bit stingy on cheaper trims.

VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE CABRIOLET

 The Beetle Cabriolet is unashamedly style-focused, but it’s stable and nimble enough to satisfy in everyday driving. There’s plenty of space in the front seats, and the boot is a decent size.

Against Back-seat occupants don’t get much space, rear visibility is poor and some of the cabin materials feel a little cheap. The low-speed ride is firm, too.

SEAT TOLEDO

The Seat Toledo gives you a roomy cabin and a huge boot. It’s also significantly cheaper than similarly-equipped versions of the Ford Focus and VW Golf.

KIA PROCEED

 

The Proceed is a keenly priced three-door hatchback with a classy interior, a comfortable ride and sleek, coupe-like looks.

RENAULT ZOE

Funky looks, practical cabin, generous equipment list and cheap to purchase by electric car standards if you lease the battery.

VAUXHALL AMPERA HATCHBACK

SKODA RAPID SPACEBACK

The Skoda Rapid Spaceback is relatively practical, and some versions are well priced. The 1.2-litre petrol engines are smooth and flexible.

Against The regular Rapid is even more practical yet costs less to buy, while similarly priced rivals are classier, more comfortable and more refined. Entry-level versions miss out on important kit.

If you're on a shoestring and need lots of space, the regular Skoda Rapid makes much more sense than this Skoda Rapid Spaceback. Otherwise, the Kia Ceed and Seat Leon are better buys.

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MG MG6 HATCHBACK

 The MG6 is spacious and well equipped, plus it remains composed in bends.

Against It makes very little financial sense due to its inefficient engines and weak resale values, while the interior plastics look cheap and nasty, and refinement is awful.

The MG6 feels out of date in several key areas, so it’s impossible to recommend.




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RENAULT MEGANE COUPE

The Renault Megane Coupe is well equipped and is cheaper than most rivals. It’s available with some efficient engines, too, while the Renaultsport models are sensational to drive.

Against The other versions aren’t as good to drive as key rivals, and the ride is firm. There’s too much wind and road noise, you’ll be cramped in the back, and the dashboard is a mess.

The Renaultsport model is one of the best hot hatches on sale, but the other Renault Megane Coupe verions are best avoided.





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VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE

The Volkswagen Beetle is reasonable to drive and there are some fine engines to pick from. There’s plenty of head and elbow space up front and those large side windows flood the cabin with light.

Against The rear seats are cramped and some of the interior materials feel disappointingly cheap. The low-speed ride is firm, too.

 The VW Beetle is not the most engaging car to drive but that’s hardly likely to bother fans of its classic retro styling. What may bother them, however, are the unsettled low speed ride and the cramped rear seats.




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