Volkswagen Golf GTI

The car that kick-started the hot hatch revolution four decades ago is still one of the best in the business. VW’s Golf GTI effortlessly blends muscular performance and involving handling with plenty of upmarket appeal and hushed refinement, and is a pocket rocket for grown-ups. It’s spacious, well kitted out and won’t cost the earth to run. But this quality doesn’t come cheap, with prices starting at £26,330.

Volkswagen has had seven distinct versions of the Golf GTI to adjust and improve, and it really shows with this latest model – it’s quicker, comfier and more efficient than ever. The 217bhp 2.0-litre petrol engine is punchy on the road thanks to 350Nm of torque available from 1,500rpm, making in-gear performance more than adequate.

The manual and DSG automatic gearboxes available are both efficient and responsive, and the handling is excellent too. The car is agile and responsive, and the Golf GTI feels incredibly stable as well. An optional performance pack adds a limited-slip differential, which improves traction and cornering even further.

There’s one thing missing from all of this, though, and that’s what drops it behind the Renault Megane RS and Ford Focus ST in this list. It’s just not that involving to drive, and it’s definitely not as fun as the Ford to drive. It’s a very capable car, but because there’s no drama at all it just doesn’t have the fizz that’s needed to make you truly want one.

For driving every day, however, there’s not much that can beat the Volkswagen Golf GTI. It’s just as comfortable and practical as any other Golf, and the decent boot means it’s easy to use, like any other family car. You can’t fault it for what it set out to be in the first place – a great all-rounder.