Small family cars are the biggest part of our national car fleet, and - in general - they offer comfort, space and good safety levels. Sometimes they can be fun cars to drive as well, writes Paddy Comyn
FORD FOCUS
Price: €20,670 - €37,375
NCAP Crash Test: *****
Seats: 5
Doors: 3/4/5
Engines: 1.4, 1.6, 2.5, 1.8D, and 2.0D litre
Trim levels: Style, Zetec, Ghia, Titanium, WRC, ST
Quality and reliability: ****
Ford has done a good job with the Focus. It feels like a high-quality product, and the engines are well-established at this stage.
Performance: ****
Most buyers choose the 1.4-litre 80bhp unit and performance from this is fine - however, there is likely to be a shift towards the 115bhp 1.8-litre diesel in 2009. The 1.6-litre 115bhp petrol and 1.8-litre diesels are good buys, as is the 1.8-litre Flexifuel version, which runs on E85 bioethanol.
At the wheel: ****
There is still not a better small family car on the market. It is comfortable, agile and the steering is communicative and accurate. It is easy to get a comfortable driving position thanks to steering that adjusts for height and reach, and a seat that moves up and down. Controls are simple and well laid out.
Space and comfort: ****
There is plenty of room for passengers and with a 364-litre luggage capacity, your shopping will have plenty of space too. Ride is good, but sports suspension on higher spec models can be a little on the harsh side.
Safety: ****
Scored five stars in the Euro NCAP safety tests and even basic models get driver, passenger and front side airbags.
ESP is standard on all Focus models.
Running costs and depreciation: ****
While this is a high-selling model and there are plenty of used examples about, this does not mean that the car doesn't hold its value.
The fuel consumption from the 1.4-litre petrol and the 1.8-litre diesel engines are great, with the latter returning 5.3l/100km.
THE CONCLUSIONS:
For: still the best in the class to drive. Feels a quality product
Against: well, you won't exactly be showing your individuality
Irish Times verdict: great to drive and really well made. Deservedly at the top of the charts
Best buy: 5-door Zetec 1.8 TDCi
TOYOTA COROLLA SALOON
Price: €21,440 - €23,875
NCAP Crash Test:*****
Seats: 5
Doors: 4
Engines: 1.4- and 1.4D-litre
Trim levels: Terra, Strata and Luna
Quality and reliability: ****
There really isn't likely to be too much to worry about with the Corolla in terms of the quality of the car and its reliability, as these are a given. The car feels really solidly built and, while the interior is a little on the bland side, it will be hard-wearing.
Performance: ***
You have a choice of two 1.4-litre engines - one petrol, one diesel. The 1.4-litre petrol engine puts out 97bhp and 130Nm of torque, which is not bad for an engine of this size and, while performance is not earth shattering, it is fine for most owners. Better is the 1.4-litre diesel which has 90bhp, but more pulling power at 190Nm.
At the wheel: **
Don't expect excitement because you won't get it. This is functional motoring at its finest. Sure, it is bland, but it does everything well. The steering is certainly light and makes the car easy to park and manoeuvre.
Space and comfort: ****
The car is not short on space, it is vast for a saloon car of this class and this can account for a lot of its popularity. The ride is softly sprung too, so this makes it a great car for long journeys.
Safety: ****
Scored a five-star result in the Euro NCAP safety tests.
Built around a very strong body, with up to nine airbags available.
ABS brakes feature with Electronic Brake Force Distribution coming as standard.
Running costs and depreciation:*****
Both the 1.4-litre petrol and 1.4-litre diesel are frugal, especially the latter which will return an amazing 4.9l/100km.
Toyotas hardly ever break down, and they are superb at holding their value, so no worries there.
THE CONCLUSIONS:
For: spacious, comfortable, reliable, frugal
Against: not very exciting
Irish Times verdict: hard to ignore its qualities and a good way to spend your cash
Best buy: 1.4 D-4D Strata
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF (new model)
Price: €20,775 - €32,925
NCAP Crash Test: *****
Seats: 5
Doors: 3/5
Engines: 1.4 80bhp, 1.4 TSi 122bhp, 1.4 TSi 160bhp, 2.0D 110bhp and 2.0D 140bhp litre
Trim levels: Trendline, Comfortline, Highline
Quality and reliability: ***
The new model Golf might look very similar to the one just gone, but Volkswagenhas been keen to cut costs on the production of the new car. Despite this, it feels well put together and with many carried-over parts, this will help reliability.
Performance: ***
The engine line-up for the new car is quite extensive, with the 80bhp 1.4-litre remaining at base level.
Forget this engine and choose either the 122bhp 1.4-litre FSI or one of the diesels instead.
The 110bhp 2.0-litre has Band A emissions.
A 1.6-litre diesel will follow in March.
At the wheel: ***
The Golf had some catching up to do on the Ford Focus in this area and while it is still not as involving to drive as the Ford, it is an immensely comfortable car and suits Irish roads perfectly. The new engines are good though, with the 122bhp petrol a real gem.
Choose DSG transmission where you can - because it's brilliant.
Space and comfort: ***
The Golf is a sizeable car and few will grumble about space in the front or back.
The 350-litre boot is above average in the class and even the three-door model has easy access to the rear seats.
The smaller, 1.4-litre engine is not the quietest and can spoil comfort levels, so bear this in mind.
Safety: ****
The Golf has seven airbags as standard, including knee bags. You also get ABS brakes and traction control as standard. ESP is now standard equipment too, which brings it in line with the Focus.
Running costs and depreciation: ****
The Golf remains one of the lowest depreciating cars on the road and that is what makes it such a good buy.
Buy a five-door version, get it in a safe colour and avoid the entry-level model and you will have a car that you will have little trouble shifting on again.
These are not expensive cars to run, although servicing costs at main dealers can be a little on the pricey side.
THE CONCLUSIONS:
For: comfortable, very refined and it does have a posh badge
Against: a little on the bland side. The 80bhp 1.4-litre is pretty miserable
Irish Times verdict: still the most desirable car in the segment for many valid reasons
Best buy: 2.0-litre 110bhp diesel
OPEL ASTRA
Price: €20,995 - €37,079
NCAP Crash Test: *****
Seats: 5
Doors: 3/5
Engines: 1.4, 1.6, 1.6T, 1.8, 2.0T, 1.3D, 1.7D and 1.9D litre
Trim levels: Life, Exclusiv, Club, Design, Elite, SXi, SRi, OPC
Quality and reliability: ****
The Astra has been a huge hit across Europe, outselling the Golf and boosting Opel's fortunes. The Astra is a well-finished product and the engines have proven to be reliable.
Performance: ****
There is a wide range of engines available. The petrol engines start with the 1.4-litre with 89bhp, which is not bad, but the 1.6-litre VVT engine is much better. The 1.3-litre diesel is a good entry-level choice in the five-door model. The larger diesel engines are really good, with the 150bhp 1.9-litre in particular deserving a mention.
At the wheel: ****
In all the model variants it is easy to get a good driving position, thanks to a multi-adjustable seat and steering column. Depending on the model you choose, you can have a comfort or sporty-biased car and both do their job well. The SXi and SRi models in particular do a good job of blending these two traits. The handling is excellent in these cars. A drawback of the Sport Hatch is the rear visibility, which is plain awful.
Space and comfort: ***
The three-door Sport Hatch model is compromised in terms of space, but the five-door and Estate models have no such problems. There is less rear legroom in the Astra than in some models, such as the Kia Cee'd. The boot space, of 302 litres, is not class-leading either. Ride comfort in some of the sportier models is on the firm side.
Safety: ****
The entry-level Life model gets ABS brakes, driver and passenger airbag and front side-impact airbags.
All other models have Cornering Brake Control (CBC) and Emergency Brake Assist (EBA). From Club spec upwards there are side curtain airbags. ESP is standard on the SRi models, or is between €813 and €895 on other models.
Running costs and depreciation: ****
Go for the 1.3-litre diesel version if you want to keep running costs low; these have low Band B emissions - but even lower emission versions are coming. In recent years the Astra hasn't held its value as well as the Golf or Focus, but this is starting to change.
THE CONCLUSIONS:
For: stylish, well-equipped, good value and a wide choice of engines
Against: doesn't hold its value as well as some, cramped Sport Hatch rear, rear legroom
Irish Times verdict: a stylish choice, excellent value but not the best car in the class
Best buy: 5-door Club 1.7 CDTi
TOYOTA AURIS
Price: €20,670 - €28,245
NCAP Crash Test: *****
Seats: 5
Doors: 3/5
Engines: 1.4, 1.6 and 1.4D litre
Trim levels: Terra, Luna, Strata, Sol
Quality and reliability: ***
There is no doubt that this car will be reliable, but the interior plastics don't feel up to the quality of some of its rivals, such as the Opel Astra or Volkswagen Golf. The plastics are durable all right, but just don't feel very special - and the centre console is just plain silly.
Performance: ***
The 1.4-litre petrol engine is the bread and butter of the range, and with 97bhp it gets to 100km/h in 13 seconds. The 124bhp 1.6-litre is punchier and the 1.4-litre diesel with its 90bhp and 190Nm of torque gives the best all-round performance.
At the wheel: **
Another car that is geared towards comfort, but is not particularly dynamic compared to some of the better handling cars in the class. There is enough grip and the handling is not bad it just feels imprecise. The interior layout is a bit of a mess, with that ugly centre console taking up space and looking cheap.
Space and comfort: ****
There is generous room for five in the Auris, more so than in most of its rivals, with plenty of legroom in the rear in particular.
The boot space of 354 litres is generous, although the opening is a little on the narrow side.
Safety: ****
Driver, passenger and side airbags are standard in the five-star Euro NCAP-scoring Auris, which, incidentally, scored the highest safety score in its class. ABS brakes with brake assist are standard but VSC, which is stability control and electronic traction control, will cost you €685.
Running costs and depreciation: ****
Incredible fuel economy from the 1.4-litre diesel, and the 1.4-litre petrol is not bad either. Toyotas are great at holding their value, and this for some is reason enough to buy in the first place, as they make sound investments.
THE CONCLUSIONS:
For: spacious, decent engines, good spec and right badge
Against: silly interior, pretty dull
Irish Times verdict: the Auris is an unremarkable car, but does everything it sets out to do competently
Best buy: 1.4 D-4D Strata