Honda Civic
Likes: Snazzy new looks inside out. The 1.5-turbo is a welcome addition to the Civic range. The rear seat is roomier than before and the boot space is quite good as well.
Dislikes: The infotainment system is too fiddly to operate.
Overall: If you hadn't considered a Civic before this one will make you want to give it a second look.
Chevy Cruze
Likes: The standard turbo engine has the low running costs and flexibility most will want. It's a comfortable commuter car that's easy to live with.
Dislikes: It feels built to a price and some trims are overpriced. It isn't as sharp to drive as its keen rivals.
Overall: The most expensive Cruze you can buy is as expensive as an entry-level Volkswagen GTI.
Volkswagen Jetta
Likes: The new 1.4 turbo engine is so much better than the old 2-liter mill. The GLI continues to be the best choice of the range despite the high asking price.
Dislikes: The cheaper trim levels have a cheaper feeling interior. Old-fashioned trunk hinges eat into boot space. It's just plain dull to look at.
Overall: Volkswagen sells a ton of these so we guess that they are doing something right here.
Ford Focus
Likes: Hands down one of the best generations of the Focus ever. It's fun to drive and offers plenty of features for the money.
Dislikes: The 1-liter ecoboost engine is a false economy. The auto gearbox is way too jerky and suffers from reliability issues.
Overall: Wait for the next generation with much improvements to engine and gearbox.
Mitsubishi Lancer
Likes: One of the few compact sedans you can get with all-wheel-drive. The 2.4 engine is smooth and flexible while running costs are low. High standard features.
Dislikes: It's being phased out for 2017.
Overall: You'll have to search hard for examples with all-wheel-drive but they are worth looking for.
