There’s no disguising the Citroen Spacetourer’s utilitarian origins, but conventional cars, SUVs and smaller MPVs struggle to match its massive amount of room and its endlessly versatile interior. There are prices to pay for this, though, and as a result the Spacetourer is only really recommendable if its flexibility and space are must-haves.
An often-overlooked supermini option, the Mazda2 combines sleek styling with an efficient, no-frills approach to its on-road manners, while a straightforward, easy-to-understand set of engines and trim levels helps buyers make the right decision. It’s not an obvious choice for those in the market for a small hatchback, but there’s much to commend it and it will reward those who go against the grain and take the plunge.
There’s a very good chance that you’ll have seen a Mazda 3 on the road and, without knowing which car maker made it, commented on how good-looking it is. It’s only when you get up close that you’ll have discovered it’s a Mazda. So praise be; the Japanese car manufacturer felt it was about time that affordable family hatchbacks and saloons should finally stop looking like cloned white goods and find some pizzazz, making drivers proud to be seen in their family car.
The new Skoda Fabia hatchback mk4 is a hugely compelling choice in the supermini class. It's bigger and roomier than most other cars in its class, making it a more viable option for small families looking to downsize, yet it delivers big-car comfort, technology, features and quality for a small-car price. Pretty much a typical Skoda, then.
The Lexus UX 300e is a compact, pure electric SUV that offers a 196-mile range according to official WLTP figures. It’s pleasant to drive and well equipped, but it’s still hard to recommend given that it’s short on range, charging convenience and practicality next to most of its rivals.