4. Toyota Corolla
Our choice: Toyota Corolla 2.0 VVT-i Design Hybrid
Following a very similar template to the Honda Civic, the Toyota Corolla is a family hatch that combines decent driving dynamics with level-headed practicality and refreshingly affordable running costs.
Like all of Toyota’s latest generation of cars, the Corolla is based on the brand’s TNGA (Toyota Next Generation Architecture) platform. Developed with more ‘enthusiastic’ European driving tastes in mind, it has helped turn the Toyota from dull to dynamic. Crisp handling allows you to pick your way quickly and accurately down twisting back roads.
It rides with deft compliance too and serves up decent refinement. This is helped by its carefully finessed hybrid powertrain, which combines with Toyota’s clever epicyclic power-splitter transmission (it’s like a CVT, but not) to dispense eager and linear acceleration, especially in more muscular 193bhp 2.0-litre form, which can crack 0-62mph in 7.4sec. There’s also a 1.8-litre, which is slower but no more efficient.
Speaking of which, with fuel returns in excess of 60mpg and CO2 emissions of as low as 98g/km (that’ll be a BIK rating of 24%, thank you), the Toyota is a business-savvy choice. Factor in a generous kit count, roomy cabin and unburstable reliability, and the Corolla deserves a place on our user-chooser roll of honour.