Audi’s A3 hatch has lead this class, in sales terms, for the past several years and while, at first, it seems a bit dour and unexciting, the closer you get and the more time you spend with it, the better it gets. Yes, it’s true that the exterior styling is more classy than it is exciting, and the cabin is more focused on quality than on aesthetics, but what makes the A3 the best in its class is its capacity as an all-rounder. It’s roomy (especially in five-door Sportback guise or as the four-door saloon) and while it’s a touch uninspiring to drive, there are cures for that ill. Chiefly, those are buying either the 310hp S3 model or the rambunctious 350hp RS3 version but to be honest, you’d probably be better off splitting the difference between those extremes and a basic A3 by going for a 2.0 TDI with optional quattro. An updated version with tweaked styling, and the option of a 115hp 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine, is on the way.
Best buy: A3 2.0 TDI 150 quattro SE from €34,920. Prices start at €27,210.
PCP packages start from €259 a month.
Read the review: Latest Audi A3 generation lives up to reputation
The 1 Series is rather consistently overshadowed by its brothers in arms, the 2 Series coupe (which is mechanically the same but better looking) and the 3 Series (which is a beast of superior DNA altogether). Basically, the 1 Series has traditionally suffered from being not very roomy and not very pretty. A recent round of updates have helped on the pretty end of things, while there’s also now the option of the 116d version, which uses a 115hp three-cylinder turbo diesel which should be underpowered but actually turns out to be a delightfully well-balanced car. On the 1’s side, it has fantastic steering and handling and is without question the driver’s choice in the class. Hottest M135i version is about to be replaced by an even-hotter M140i with 335hp. Who needs an M2 at that point? It’s noticeably more expensive than its Audi rival though.
Best buy: 116d M-Sport five-door from €35,710. Prices start at €29,910
PCP packages start from €POA a month.
There’s still a faint niggle at the back of our mind that the current A-Class just isn’t as technically forward-looking as its upright, roomy, slightly geeky, predecessor. It’s a shame that a car which was once so potentially game changing has morphed into something so conventional, but then the current A-Class is at least very good a being conventional. It’s very slick to drive, with a lovely balance to the steering and a comfortable ride as long as you stay away from the larger optional alloys. Space is a touch tight, and the rear seats are a little gloomy thanks to that fast-rising windowline, but it’s practical enough for most purposes. You can spec it all the way up to the shatteringly fast A45 AMG model, but for most of us mortals, an A180d is sufficient, and its 60mpg in daily driving potential is only to be welcomed. The manual gearbox is rather awkward though, so even this smallest Mercedes benefits from being specced as an auto…
Best buy: A180d Urban from €31,065. Prices start at €28,940.
PCP packages start from €298 a month.
Yes, it's small and it's a Fiat and I guess you could potentially question whether or not it's a proper premium hatchback. Well, let me try you with this. Although you can buy a Fiat 500 for as little as €13,600, you can also spec it up to the stratosphere in terms of options, racy engines and more. In fact, select an Abarth 595 Competitzione model and you'll be paying BMW M-car money for your tiny Italian hatch. There was even, recently, a special edition version with lustrous purple paint and leather from a Maserati Quattroporte. However, we're going to tell you to forget all that, because all you really need is the basic 1.2 petrol engine. Old it may be but its happy to rev and cheerfully willing and a better option than the too-expensive two-cylinder Multiair. Treat yourself to Lounge spec and tick the options box for the all-digital instruments (but stick with the smallest possible wheels) and you've got yourself a fun, fantastic and affordable little hatch. Hard to beat, really…
Best buy: 500 Lounge 1.2 from €16,100. Prices start at €13,600.
PCP packages start from €142 a month.
The V40 is a bit of an ageing design now (underneath it actually dates back to the 2005 Ford Focus) but as a used prospect, it’s a very good one. Volvo has a tendency to build cars that last well, and as long as you get one that’s been looked after, you’ll probably never drive anything safer. Sporty T5 versions tried to be a Golf GTI rival but couldn’t quite live up to the comparison, while the Cross Country model has the look of a small 4x4 but not the ability. Space inside isn’t great but it’s a very comfy car. 1.6 D2 diesel engine is the best all-rounder, but watch for oil pumps leaking and water pumps failing, and they need a steady diet of high-quality oil at service time. Later SE versions had standard leather so are worth seeking out and no car has better heated seats.
Best buy: 2013 V40 D2 SE for circa €16,000