In-depth reviews

With an unbeatable diesel range and other engineering upgrades, the Avensis is good to drive, but falls short of its competitors.

Excellent ride and handling, a roomy cabin and great refinement hand the 5-Series victory in the executive car class. It's also economical to run, tho…

Competing in the prestige coupe and cabriolet market the CLK has it all.

The Polo GTI looks similar to the Golf GTI, but doesn't match its bigger brother's superb ride and handling.

Ageing French supermini is off the pace and due for replacement, but has enough charm to ensure it remains popular to the end.

The Arnage benefited from major revisions in 2006.

With a real dose of Italian style, the Grande Punto is not only one of the largest superminis, it's also one of the best.

Fiat has done a great job with the Sedici. It's good to drive, well built, has a stylish cabin and genuine off-road ability.

This fantastic-looking two-seater coupe and convertible is one of the most characterful around

The 207 isn't a class leader. While the driving experience is a plus, the engine and gearbox disappoint, and the design hasn't changed much.

Stylish Alfa Romeo GT looks great and performs well, especially in diesel guise

The Astra VXR is every inch the no-holds-barred performance car, and keen drivers won't be disappointed.

Mitsubishi's good-looking MPV is appealing, thanks to good looks, performance, handling and competitive pricing.

With our cities getting more and more congested it's little wonder that people are finally waking up to the qualities of smaller cars.

The Espace has a funky cabin design and superb diesel engines, but an inflexible seating layout, high prices and poor residuals mark it down

It might answer a load of questions that nobody really asked but you can't help but admire Citroen's Pluriel.

The Eos proves that VW is capable of building great cars. With a stiff body, handsome looks and good road manners, it has few weaknesses.

The Magentis is solidly put together, inoffensively styled and offers excellent rear legroom. But it's outdated and lacks personality

Toyota is a fine effort and a tribute to the company's engineers. Yet the hybrid isn't sophisticated enough to beat the best diesel hatches

The Colt CZC offers decent value for money. Its roof is well designed and handling agile, but ride, and material finish let it down.

The Caterham Seven might be an enduring legend, but it's evolved very gradually to respond to the needs of buyers, while providing ever more extreme p…

Great to look at, agile and fun to drive, the Punto Sporting has a lot going for it. It's well equipped too, and offers a fine blend of performance, e…

The Civic Type-S is one of the best cars in its class. Revised suspension gives the three-door more bite, while the five-door's clever rear seats and …

The Discovery has a polished drivetrain and chassis, with excellent build quality, strong residuals and a class-leading image.

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If your next £50,00 sports car has to be British, then the Marcos TSO is well worth considering.

With a great practicality and a dynamic chassis, Audi's A6 impresses - but light steering and a fidgety ride let it down

The Subaru was a disappointment. The cabin and 3.0-litre engine showed promise, it's let down by economy, transmission and body control.

Firmly established as a manufacturer, Noble Moy Automotive has built up an impressive reputation for building sports cars that can take on the competi…

Renault continues to offer the 'old' Clio a cheaper, entry-level model and revives the Campus badge to differentiate it from its newer relative

Large supermini that does many things right, and sits near the top of its class despite steering and retained value concerns

The 197 handles wonderfully. With nimble cornering ability and bags of grip, it's every inch the hot hatch.

The Saab 9-3 saloon is good value but is feeling its age.

The Picanto is great value and competent.