Audi A3
Recommended. Beautifully built and well styled, the new A3 may be costly but it provides a very enjoyable drive, much improved handling and superb engines, especially the 1.8 TFSI. The 1.9 TDIe is frugal, too.

Hyundai i20
Average. A stronger rival for European competitors than you might expect, but value for money remains this supermini's most appealing aspect.

Vauxhall Insignia
Recommended. Vauxhall's new family car is a huge improvement on the Vectra it replaces. It's not quite top of its class, but it pushes the best very hard.