As something to give you a bit of a laugh, the Abarth 595 Esseesse is a compelling thing. If we’re honest though, it’s a bit rubbish as a serious hot hatch.
The Toyota C-HR is one of the more expensive cars in its class, but it makes up for it with low running costs. It's easy to live with and boldly styled.
The Porsche Macan Turbo has a lot going for it, managing to be fast and fun to drive. It sounds great when you’re pushing it and it’s rewarding in corners.
It’s rare for a car to absolutely nail its brief, but the Renault Captur manages it and feels far more well-rounded than just about all of its rivals.
The Lexus RC F is very much an old-school machine, with a 5.0-litre V8 engine that is something to behold in an era of turbocharging and electrification.
There’s much to like about the new Peugeot 2008. It drives well enough, has more than enough equipment and offers a spacious interior for this size of car.
The Fiat 500 Hybrid (actually a mild hybrid) is smooth and efficient, but it offers limited performance and is little better than the regular petrol model.
The Land Rover Discovery Sport has been given a comprehensive update, covering almost every aspect of the car. Has it fixed the problems of the original model?
The Mazda 3 saloon is attractive but sales are unlikely to rival its hatchback sibling. The Skyactiv-X petrol engine, however, is a very clever bit of kit.
With new engines and more equipment, Vauxhall has done an impressive job with the mid-life refresh for the Astra and made it into a more appealing package.
For a sports car that can do it all, the Porsche Panamera GTS might just be the one to go for – as long as you’re willing to stump up its steep price.
The Maserati Levante may not match its rivals for interior quality, but few will notice its smaller foibles against its sleek design and alluring exhaust note.
