Downsizing is the flavour of the month. Fuel prices are rising , space on the road is decreasing and cars are getting bulkier and more refined than ever. So do you really need anything bigger than the Volkswagen Polo? The latest, MK6 Polo is basically where the VW Golf was 20 years ago in terms...

Honda has spent the last couple of decades shaking off its 'reliable yet dull' image, particularly where the long-lived Civic is concerned. You only have to look back at the radical 2006 model , which still looks mad even today, to see that reinvention. But the following two generations of Honda...

Now, you may be wondering exactly what the point of such a car is? The core of the Ford Focus Active’s appeal is greater ride height, which offers a notably smoother ride on Britain’s ruined roads. The seats are also positioned further off the ground than they are in a regular Focus, but lower than...

The fact is, there’s also plenty to like for those who aren’t quite so long-of-tooth. The styling might be fussy in places, but we like the fact that it looks like nothing else in the class, especially when that class is packed full of such conservative-looking machines. One of the biggest boots...

And the Hyundai i20 comes loaded with kit, gets decent infotainment and has a high-tech engine that provides nippy performance and decent fuel economy. In an uncompetitive class that would be enough to rocket it to the top of your shopping list, but the small car class is far from uncompetitive and,...

Fiesta. Polo. Corsa. There are some very familiar names in the supermini market, not least because they’re some of the best-selling cars in Britain. And for good reason. Smart to look at, comfortable and enjoyable to drive and practical enough for day-to-day use, they suit a very large number of drivers....