Average. It's a big Toyota with a new enviro-friendly option, but there's something missing. It's not exciting in any meaningful way and while that's great for some buyers, others will simply be put off.
Audi has given its evergreen A4 a bit of a mid-life spruce. Owners of outgoing models shouldn't be afraid their cars will lose second hand value, the exterior changes are minimal. Under the skin, however, is where it's all change.
Highly recommended. The Up is by some distance the best crack at a city car VW has ever made. What it may lack in personality it more than makes up for by being excellent in every other which way.
Average. Previously an automotive joke, Ssang Yong was a purveyor of badly designed, over priced hate boxes. The Korando isn't going to blow your mind, but it's leagues better than its image suggests.
Recommended. Spain and Germany collide to make a car that's both emotional and precision engineered. It faces stiff competition from both Volkswagen and Skoda's Up! And Citigo respectively, but is it different enough to peel sales from them?
Recommended. What this Civic loses in character and quirkiness compared to the outgoing car, it gains in refinement and comfort. Moving closer to the middle ground results in a duller hatchback, though one that's closer the best of its competition.
Recommended. A big chunk of surprise has rolled out of Luton. Thankfully it's the good kind. Combining stunning looks, cracking handling and some neat interior touches, the Vauxhall Astra GTC is a Griffin, Jim, but not as we know it.
Average. If keeping up with the Jones' is what you're after, there's no finer way to make their shiny new Meriva feel a little cheap. However, they may make you look like a snail on the motorway...
Recommended. A camper van that drives like a large people carrier, the California might not be as cool as its 1960s ancestor, but it's just as practical
Recommended. Mercedes finally joins BMW and offers a compact two door coupe version of its 3 Series rivalling C-Class. The result is a classy, satisfying car.
Highly recommended. Ferrari gets radical with its successor to the 612 Scaglietti, the FF's wild shooting brake styling and innovative four-wheel drive system overshadowing even its brand-new 651bhp V12 engine.
Average. Lexus has entered the premium hatchback market with the segment's first full hybrid, but the CT200h doesn't quite add up to the sum of its parts.
Recommended. Strong refinement, generous accommodation, higher standards of finish, improved economy and sharper handling advance the 508 over the 407 it replaces - but not all versions convince
Road Tests
