Golf-sized family hatches (and an actual Golf)
FORD FOCUS
After years in the wilderness, the Focus is great again. It won our family hatch Giant Test against the Merc A-Class and Kia Ceed last December. Also available as estate and pointless Activ, it brings a lot of connected tech to the mainstream.
SPECIFICATION
Price new £22,145 (£23,145 as tested) Powertrain 999cc 12v turbo threecylinder, six-speed manual, front-wheel drive Performance 123bhp @ 6000rpm, 125lb ft @ 1400rpm, 10.0sec 0-62mph, 124mph Suspension MacPherson strut front, torsion beam rear
NEED TO KNOW
Range starts from £18,545 for an 84bhp 1.0 EcoBoost in basic Style trim (steel wheels and all) but we have the plusher Titanium trim (16in alloys, parking sensors, heated seats) and 123bhp engine.
RUNNING COSTS
Service intervals are every 24 months.
O cial fuel consumption is 49.6mpg. A 107g/km CO2 rating means road fund licence is £150 a year.
FINANCE OPTIONS
(Representative manufacturer PCP) Monthly cost £283.28 (x36) Upfront £3000 (Ford deposit contribution £250) Total payable £21,895 Mileage allowance 9000 a year APR 0%
MAZDA 3
Mazda’s quietly excellent hatch (and three-box saloon if you’re so inclined) returns for its fourth generation. Tested here in conventional petrol form, it will soon be available with the ingenious Skyactiv-X engine.
SPECIFICATION
Price new £22,795 (£23,585 as tested) Powertrain 1998cc 16v four-cylinder, six-speed manual, front-wheel drive Performance 120bhp @ 6000rpm, 157lb ft @ 4000rpm, 10.4sec 0-62mph, 122mph Suspension MacPherson strut front, torsion beam rear
NEED TO KNOW
Besides the brainy 2.0 Skyactiv-X, there’s a 1.8-litre diesel option and the 2.0-litre petrol with mild hybrid as tested here. Prices start at £20,595 but this is the almost-top-dog Sport Lux trim.
RUNNING COSTS
Service intervals are every 24 months or 12,500 miles. O cial fuel consumption is 44.8mpg. With a CO2 rating of 119g/km, you pay £170 tax per year.
FINANCE OPTIONS
(Representative manufacturer PCP) Monthly cost £296.23 (x35) Upfront £3000 (Mazda contribution £500) Total payable £24,651.53 Mileage allowance 10,000 a year APR 4.1%
SKODA SCALA
An indirect replacement for the Rapid (which continues in overseas markets), the Scala is long of wheelbase, long of legroom but relatively low of price (although you can pay more for a high-spec Scala than a low-spec Golf).
SPECIFICATION
Price new £18,585 (£20,420 as tested) Powertrain 999cc 12v turbo three-cylinder, six-speed manual, front-wheel drive Performance 113bhp @ 5000rpm, 148lb ft nd @ 2000rpm, 9.8sec 0-62mph, 125mph Suspension MacPherson strut front, torsion beam rear
NEED TO KNOW
Engine range starts with a 1.0-litre triple with 94bhp or (as tested here) 113bhp. Most powerful engine is a 148bhp 1.5 turbo petrol. A 1.6 diesel is also an option. Range kicks o at £16,595.
RUNNING COSTS
A 113g/km CO2 rating means an annual road tax charge of £145. WLTP-tested o cial combined fuel consumption is 44.8 to 49.6mpg.
FINANCE OPTIONS
(Representative manufacturer PCP) Monthly cost £257.63 (x35) Upfront £3000 (Skoda contribution £1250) Total payable £20,447.35 Mileage allowance 10,000 a year APR 5.9%
TOYOTA COROLLA
The Auris is now called the Corolla again, but in any case this is an entirely new car. Visually arresting, and available with an unusual choice of powertrains. Hatch and estate are built in Derbyshire; there’s a saloon too.
SPECIFICATION
Price new £27,350 (£28,365 as tested) Powertrain 1798cc 16v four-cylinder plus e-motor, electric CVT, front-wheel drive Performance 120bhp @ 5200rpm, 105lb ft @ 3600rpm, 10.9sec 0-62mph, 112mph Suspension MacPherson strut front, multi-link rear
NEED TO KNOW
It’s built on the same platform as the Prius and C-HR. Prices start from a little over £21k across four trim levels. Standard kit includes adaptive cruise, reversing camera and heated seats.
RUNNING COSTS
This version is pricey to buy, balanced by lower running costs. WLTP fuel economy is 55.4-65.9mpg, while 83g/km CO2 makes for road tax of £110.
FINANCE OPTIONS
(Representative manufacturer PCP) Monthly cost £373.78 (first month only), £373.83 (x34) Upfront £3000 Total payable £27,350 Mileage allowance 10,000 APR 0%
VW GOLF
Our reader’s car is the enduring favourite among compact hatchbacks. Currently in facelifted Mk7.5 guise, with the Mk8 unveiled this autumn. Huge choice of engines and spec levels, and this mid-ranker is as good as most.
SPECIFICATION
Price new £21,545 (£18,000 value now) Powertrain 1498cc 16v turbo four-cylinder, six-speed manual, front-wheel drive Performance
128bhp @ 5000rpm, 148lb ft @ 1400rpm, 9.5sec 0-62mph, 131mph Suspension MacPherson strut front, multi-link rear
NEED TO KNOW
Choice of three or five doors and an array of petrol and diesel engines. Range starts with 84bhp petrol three at around £18k. The 1.5 TSI Evo engine tested here is available with 148bhp or our 128bhp.
RUNNING COSTS
Service intervals are every 24 months or 10,000 miles. O cial fuel consumption is around 57mpg; 113g/km CO2 sets road tax at £170 a year.
FINANCE OPTIONS
(Representative manufacturer PCP) Monthly cost £298.17 (x35) Upfront £3000 (VW deposit contribution £1500) Total payable £24,322.15 Mileage allowance 10,000
APR 3.9%