The new Citroen DS3 is an upgraded form of Citroen C3 with a lot of power, style and comfort. Our review is based on analysis of various DS3 car reviews published online and data available on official Citroen website. It has stylish looks and compact size that’s why much comparison made with MINI and Fiat 500. In comparison to Fiat 500 and MINI, the DS3 is modern and stylish. However, it is similar in good overall performance. It is a good car with excellent handling and responsive steering, while offering comfortable ride. It gives an impression of a sport super-mini with a premium feel that other Citroen cars cannot offer.

It is one of the best cars in Citroen line-up. It is a perfect alternative to MINI and Fiat 500 with a lot of style that you will never forget. There is a good choice of engines with good power, classy cabin and standard equipments. Like other super-minis, rear space isn’t impressive. The resale values are not too bad. There is so much to discuss about Citroen DS3, but most of the car reviewers isn’t happy with ride and handling.

Citroen DS3 Price

Power & Performance

Citroen DS3 comes with a good line-up of engines that you can choose according to your requirement. There are three petrol engines available that were designed with BMW. The entry level 1.4 litre VTi engine with 95bhp is the same that is used in MINI one. It accelerates well with 0-62 in 10.6 seconds and a fuel economy of 49mpg. The most popular DS3 engine is the 1.6 litre VTi with 120 bhp that goes 0-62mph just in 8.6 seconds. It is the only engine that is available with four-speed automatic transmission. The most powerful is the turbocharged 1.6 litre THP with 150bhp. It will take you to 0-62mph just in 7.3 seconds. It accelerates quickly, and you can overtake easily on the motorway. Good thing is that it has six-speed manual gearbox having a sporty shift.

You can choose between two diesel options comes with 1.6 litre HDi with 90bho or 110bhp. The best choice is the 90bhp because it has an unbelievable fuel economy of 71mpg and low carbon emissions of 99g/km of CO2. If you are not satisfied with 90bhp, the 110bhp is little faster and has a good fuel economy of 64mpg.

DS3 gives you a sporty look and handling. It is a good car to handle and drive. It offers decent grip and responsive steering on corners. DS3 offers a good steering feel on twisty roads and fast turns. It is a perfect town car that provides pleasant handling and driving. It is definitely built to provide comfortable ride thanks to its firmer suspension. However, it lacks some of the driving dynamics as compared to other vehicles in the class.

Interior & Exterior

You can choose between three trim levels DSign, DStyle, DSport. All the trims are well equipped with standard equipments such as the electric door mirrors, electric windows, a CD stereo with the steering wheel mounted controls, auxiliary socket for MP3 player and iPod. The DSport trim is loaded with everything and gives you a sporty feel with 17-inch alloy wheels, rear spoilers, double chrome exhaust and carbon fibre effect dashboard. You can also choose different themes for interior styles likes Vibe, Urban Tribe.

DS3 has no five door model available so the rear space is not good. It is hard to get inside the back of the car. There is plenty of headroom, but no knee space for taller passengers. However, all the seats are comfortable, specifically driver and passenger seats. There is very low road noise even at higher speeds thanks to Citroen sound suppression improvement. DS3 has a good boot space of 285 litres bigger than MINI and Volkswagen Polo. You can easily load and lift out items from the boot. You can also fold-down rear seats to get extra space.

Safety & Reliability

Citroen DS3 is the safest car to drive scoring five out of five stars in Euro NCAP crash tests. It is also loaded with safety equipments like stability control, ABS with electronic brake-force distribution, and six airbags.

Citroen is working hard to improve the overall reliability of all the vehicles. It is expected that DS3 would be the more reliable car. You are also covered with three years or 60,000 miles warranty.

eBest Cars Verdict

It is an average car with decent overall performance. The 1.6 HDi engine is our choice because it offers tax-free driving and amazing fuel economy. Starting cost isn’t the cheapest in the class, but it is definitely cheaper than highly priced brands. It is a decent car for three-door buyers for driving inside the town. It might not have good resale value as MINI, but it is a good alternative to MINI.

Citroen DS3 Pictures

Alfa Romeo Mito is an Italian super-mini that is distinctively styled and vigorously powered for UK market. Our review is based on analysis of Alfa Romeo Mito car reviews published online and data available on Alfa Romeo website. It is a stylish car, good to drive and loaded with plenty of features that make it perfect for car buyers. The more powerful and advanced engines were added a year after the launch of Mito with MultiAir models. The new technology has significantly increased the efficiency, power, fuel economy and low emissions. You can also choose the 170bhp Cloverleaf model for true performance. It is an ideal alternative for MINI that offer improved performance, unique design and better price with good equipment.

Moreover, there is a strong re-sale value for Alfa Romeo Mito. There is no risk of owning the car without any fear. It is an Italian car that maintained the unique style of engineering. It has perfectly crafted sporty cabin. Most buyers prefer to buy Mito in red colour. However, the rear visibility is poor and rear leg room is not enough for adults. If you consider other super-minis, it is expensive for a small car. There are other cars with low starting price and refined equipment. Mito is a 3 door car and no 5 door version is available. You can check the Skoda Fabia and Hyundai i20 for normal-looking design. It is one car that you’ll be proud to own because of uniqueness.

Alfa Romeo Mito Price

Power & Performance

Alfa Romeo Mito has a long list of powerful engines that will satisfy performance-oriented buyers. The base model Progression comes with 1.4 litre engine, which produces 78bhp. It isn’t the perfect fit for Mito sporty looks. There are 1.4 litre 95bhp petrol engine and 90bhp 1.3 litre diesel engines. Both are powerful and good to speed on the motorway. If you need serious performance, then try the 135bhp 1.4 litre MultiAir turbo charged engine. Car enthusiasts praise the performance and sprint of the engine. You can sprint 0-62 in 8.2 seconds, and it will offer good performance and fuel economy. That’s just not it, the 1.6 litre diesel engine offer decent performance with a good fuel economy of 59mpg. If you are still not satisfied, then Alfa Romeo Mito has something special, the Cloverleaf engine with 170bhp, 0-60 in 7.4 seconds and a highest possible speed of 137mph.

There are certainly faster alternatives, but price may not be similar. Mito is definitely a fast car, but driving behaviour is controlled by DNA (Dynamic Normal All-weather). It can select different levels of driving responsiveness. You can change the DNA control by holding the switch forward. As a default the normal mode is selected. You can select the dynamic mode that will increase the performance, traction and stability control. It is good for performance and normal is best for comfort. You can also select the All-weather option by holding the switch back. It will give more stability in difficult conditions. It is a good car to drive and handling is pleasurable. It is comfortable to be used as a daily commuter. The base model offer normal mode settings without the DNA system.

Interior & Exterior

Mito is a comfortable car, and reviewers are happy with passenger seats. You can adjust the seats according to your comfort level. Air conditioning and electric windows are standard with Mito. Practically, rear space is better than MINI, but headroom is not good. Surprisingly, the road and engine noise is kept to minimum for such a low specification model car. If you are planning to travel long distance, then you are not going to like the driving seat due to less back support.

The rear visibility is poor due to a small window. Some controls are not easy to use, and DNA switch is hidden behind the gear stick. The boot is space decent for a three-door car. The folding seat is optional. Due to unique styling, car buyers can ignore the little problems it Mito. Some of the standard features include air conditioning, electric windows, remote central locking and a CD player. If you move to higher-level trims, then additional features will be available.

Safety & Reliability

Alfa Romeo Mito is a safest car to drive with five out of five ratings in Euro NCAP crash tests. Mito is also pre-loaded with safety features such as seven airbags including knee airbag for driver and electronic stability control.

There are also front head restraints to protect from whiplash injuries. Alfa Romeo has improved the reliability in all cars. Mito is a reliable car to drive with no serious issues reported. You are also covered with three years or unlimited mileage warranty.

eBest Cars Verdict

Overall, Mito is a pricy super-mini with decent performance. Interior is loaded with features and comfortable. The exterior is unique that makes you feel proud in owning a Mito. The resale value is strong making it a good value for money. It is not the greenest car to drive, but CO2 emissions are suppressed to 120 g/km with 1.2 litre engine. Moreover, it has good safety rating in a crash test.

Alfa Romeo Mito Pictures

The smart Skoda Fabia has maintained its quality ride. Our review is based on analysis of various Skoda Fabia reviews for 2012 and reliability data available online. It is a well-built car, practical and good value for money. It is an appealing car to buy, and quality makes it comfortable to ride. It is a bigger car with more space, which makes you feel comfortable inside the car.

There is a special offer of 25% off by Skoda (January 2012). It is equally comparable to other vehicles with good steering, but it is not fast on motorways. It is not a motorway cruiser you will hate the engine noise on diesel models. The new model is a well-built underneath and Fabia has a good reliability record, which is carried forward undoubtedly. You can also choose the eco-friendly model, which emits just 109g/km of CO2 with an average fuel economy of 69mpg. In 2010, Fabia received minor changes to the front grille and 3D headlamps.

There is also the introduction of a new 1.2 litre TSI petrol engine, which produces 85bhp. Skoa has made major changes by adding vRS variants in hatchback and estate to complete the Fabia range. There is also a special Monte Carlo edition. It is a good car overall with decent ride, spacious cabin and easy to use controls. Most car reviewers are not happy with the performance of base models as they are underpowered and noisy. If you are changing your vehicle from Volkswagen or Ford, you’ll dislike the cabin material. The main competitors are Hyundai i20, but Fabia has the advantage of good CO2 emissions.

Skoda Fabia Price

Power & Performance

Skoda Fabia has good engine line-up. You can choose between three petrol engines with three cylinder 1.2 litre, which produces 60bhp and 70bhp. Despite having low output power, engines are reasonable. It is great fun to drive in and outside of town. You have to work hard on big roads, but good gear shift makes it easier.

If you often travel more on motorway, then you need to consider the 1.4 litre engine with 86bhp.

You can also choose the more powerful 1.6 litre engine with 105bhp and it is available with automatic and manual gearbox option. There are three diesel models, but bit noisy. The 1.4 litre engine is available with 70bhp and 80hp good for daily commuting. It has enough power to overtake on motorways. There is more powerful 1.6 litre with 105 bhp with an average 52mpg.

People in favour of green revolution can buy the 1.4 litre TDI with 80bho. It emits only 109g/km of CO2 with an impressive 69mpg fuel economy. There is no change in the performance of the car with eco-friendly option. There is an impressive 1.2 litre TSi engine with 85bhp, which was introduced in 20120.

The gearbox is smooth and well-built to support the overall performance of the car. Skoda Fabia offer good light steering and handling. It corners well on curving roads and at mid-speed corners. However, you don’t want to push the town car on high speeds. There is no discomfort when driving and you will love the feel inside the car. However, it is under-powered if you compare with top rivals.

Interior & Exterior

It is a big hatchback considering other super-minis in the class. It offers excellent interior space to stretch your legs. As most of the hatchbacks failed to offer good leg room and headroom for tall passengers, but Skoda Fabia has an advantage of extra comfortable room. You can adjust the steering wheel and driver seat according to your height. It is pretty impressive in such price. However, car reviewers are not happy with interior plastics that are sub-standard. Road noise is kept to least, but diesel engines are noisy.

Fabia has a clear advantage by providing extra space inside the car. The boot space is bigger than most hatchbacks, and you can fold the rear seats to get more. It is easy to load and take-out heavy stuff and there is a divider to stop sliding of smaller items. There is a double air-conditioned glove box and two cup holder large enough to hold bottles.

Safety & Reliability

Skoda Fabia has received four-star rating out of five in Euro NCAP crash testing results. It is disappointing when similar cars received five stars. Nevertheless, it comes with dual front and side airbags as standard, ABS and electronic brake force distribution.

Fabia is based on earlier model, and it suffered some glitches when it was first marketed. It is one of the reliable cars and Fabia has a good reliability score. It has no major complaints in past years. You are also covered with three years or 60,000 miles warranty.

eBest Cars Verdict

Not much to complain about Fabia because it is an economical car, reasonable drive and good value for money. You need to look for re-sale value because it is not the highest in-demand car in the market. Green credentials are good when you go for eco-friendly model. In the end, it is a reasonable car that won’t disappoint most car buyers.

Skoda Fabia Pictures

The all-new Hyundai i20 is a replacement for Hyundai Getz. Our review is based on various published car reviews online and reliability data available. Getz was the most popular model, but with i20 sales were steady in 2011. However, Hyundai may launch performance packs in 2012 for i20.

It is a good replacement for Getz, and most of the car buyers appreciated the new model. It is a small hatchback and probably a best alternative for Volkswagen Up, which was recently launched. The close competitors are Vauxhall Corsa and Toyota Yaris. It is nicely styled and perfectly engineered with a solid body and comfortable high-quality interior. You will enjoy the engine smoothness, and it provides calm drive on the motorway.

You can choose between two powerful engines 1.2 litre petrol and 1.4 litre diesel that provides ample power. Hyundai i20 is perfect for any car buyer because of generous equipment levels, five years warranty and low running costs. It is a fully loaded package that doesn’t hurt your budget. In other words, it is cheap to buy with easily affordable running costs and full of features. Car is well-managed for safe driving, and it is stunningly amazing car for such a low price. It might not attract few buyers because there are other competitors offering better drive.

Hyundai i20 prices

Power & Performance

The entry-level 1.2 litre engine with the 78bhp offers good economy and it is the most preferred engine. More than 50% i20s on the road use the entry-level 1.2 litre engine because of a good performance overall.

It is not the fastest, but it provides a smooth and economical ride in and outside of town. Engine performance is perfect for a town car with an average fuel economy of 54mpg. You can quickly move around town with i20. However, the CO2 emissions are relatively high with 124g/km. The 1.4 litre petrol engine offer more power, but you can find the difference during high-speed. It is borrowed from i30. The automatic transmission option is available with this engine only.

You can also choose between two diesel engines 1.4 litre CRDi with 75bhp or 90bhp. Both the engines are cheaper to run with an average fuel economy of 64mpg. For 2012, little performance upgrades are expected, but no news for big change. Reviewers have found changes in emissions when aerodynamics is improved. These changes are also seen on diesel engines.

Hyundai i20 drives good and absorb small bumps well although at higher speeds, it is not smooth as other competitor cars. Handling is remarkably good through the corners. The steering is smooth that offers good feel and grip. Thanks to the low weigh that makes the drive nimble five-speed gearbox, and soft clutch improve the driving dynamics significantly.

Interior & Exterior

When you get inside the car, you will notice quality and comfort. Seats are firm that is something unusual for low price car. Seats are designed to support the lower back, but unsuitable  for long journeys. There is plenty of space to stretch yourself even if you are six feet tall. Rear seats have limited headroom like other competitors, which is common and nothing to complain about.

Hyundai i20 is a quiet car, road noise is kept to least making it a surprisingly good motorway car. Entry level vehicle comes with air conditioning, remote central locking and electric front windows, which make the car outstanding. Car is loaded with features like alloys, electric rear windows, steering wheel mounted controls and a MP3 player cable. The Style trim comes loaded with half leather seats, leather steering wheel, fog lights and climate control. There is enough storage of 295 lire that be increased with back seats folded down.

Safety & Reliability

Hyundai i20 is one of the safest cars to drive it receives five out five-star rating in Euro NCAP’s crash tests. It comes with six airbags along with Active Head Restraints, and stability control is standard. It is a pretty safe small car to drive.

Hyundai has a good record of reliability and there are no complaints in past three years. You are also covered with five-year warranty.

eBest Cars Verdict

It is a perfect hatchback and a good alternative to many highly priced vehicles. The base model is well equipped with features and equipment. Green credentials are not as good as competitors, but fuel economy is good. It is not heavy on your budget and a good choice for a town car.

Hyundai i20 Pictures

Detroit motor show is starting after one week on January 14 to January 21 2012. It is featuring the latest cars and automotive technology that will be introduced in 2012. The new sales drop down significantly in 2011 and automotive experts are looking at the Detroit motor show. It is one of the biggest trade shows of the automotive industry and how it will help companies to increase the sale. We’ll cover the Detroit motor show and cover some of the highlights of the cars.

Acura Concept Car

Acura will be debuting its first ever hybrid car in the show the successor of Honda NSX the Acura ILX Concept. It is based on the Honda Civic and RDX concept.

Audi Touches

Audi’s favourite A4 will receive some changes that will be exhibited in Detroit motor show to compete with BMW 3 series.  The new SUV concept will be introduced by Audi.

Bentley

Bentley will be demonstrating its technological advancements featuring Continental GT V8 and Convertible GTC V8. Good news for sports lovers that they might be introducing a new powerful engine.

BMW

BMW will be exhibiting their favourite BMW 3 Series, the most refined car in the class. It will remain the eye-candy for the executive segment.

Buick

The Buick Encore SUV will be featured that will be manufactured in UK. Different variants will be introduced at the year end when available for sale.

Cadillac

Cadillac is focusing on ATS as they think it will target German car manufacturers. It might be an attention grabber for executive class segment.

Chevrolet

Chevrolet Sonic RS will debut, but it is not confirmed for UK market. It might be introduced later with a different name.

Dodge

Dodge will be featuring Dodge Dart and Dodge Charger Redline. It will be featuring latest technology and developments.

Ford

Ford Fusion will be debuting, and it is the most hyped version of Ford. It will be introduced with the name Ford Mondeo in European markets. However, it will be available for sale in late 2013 or 2014.

Honda

Honda Accord coupe will end, and the new saloon Accord will be in line for production.

Hyundai

Hyundai will continue its aggressive manufacturing and developments with Veloster Turbo and Genesis Coupe. Hyundai Veloster would be the hottest talk of the motor show.

Lexus

Lexus is thinking to go into production with LF-LC a coupe. It is based on LFA super car and share many design elements.

Lincoln

Ford is investing heavily in Lincoln, there will be facelifts of models MKZ Saloon Concept, MKS Saloon and MKT crossover.

Mercedes

Mercedes SL will be debuting that will be available for sale next July. Mercedes will  be joining hybrid revolution with E300 BlueTec diesel-electric saloon.

Mini

Mini will be exhibiting Roadster the sister car to Coupe.

Nissan

Nissan will be introducing new lines to Pathfinder SUV. Furthermore, NV200 electric version will debut.

Porsche

Porsche cabriolet 911 will be having new changes that will increase performance.

Smart

Smart will be introducing For-Us concept to increase its production line, but no news on when it will be started.

Toyota

The NS4 the hybrid concept will be featured alongside Toyota Prius C.

Volkswagen

VW recently launched Touareg hybrid and Jetta is next in line to be converted to hybrid.

Volvo

Volvo XC60 Plug-in is the news from Volvo, which has received appreciation from automotive critiques.

Brand new addition to Volkswagen for 2012 with Volkswagen Up Hatchback. Our review is based on analysis of various published car reviews for VW Up hatchback and data available on VW website. It is an attractive funny-looking city car that is now available in the market. Up hatchback was first introduced in 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show, but now it has good refinements. The market is tough with strong competitors in the industry VW Up has to struggle to get the market share. It has competitively priced and economical to run, which will make Up the strong competitor.

There is a long list of competitors like Ford Fiesta, Ford Ka, Kia Rio and Hyundai i10. It looks little pricey against some of the competitors. Overall, it is a good city car with quality refined material. As the demand for small and fuel-efficient cars is increasing, auto manufacturers are coming up with small cars. VW Up is available in three different trims; High Up, Take Up and Move Up.

Volkswagen Up Prices

Power & Performance

You can choose between two 1.0 litre petrol engines with 59bhp and 74bhp. Both engines lack extra power, which makes sluggish on highway. The 74bhp option is a good choice for motorway. Let us not forget that it is a city car.

VW UP unique quality is comfortable ride even on bumpy roads. It is a fast car that is easy to drive and handle. The road noise is kept to minimum even at high speed, which is something not expected from three cylinder engines. However, some of the car reviews mention that road noise creeps in at high speeds.

It is not the cheapest car in the class neither best equipped. Economy is good, specifically for 59bhp with 62.8mpg. Its funky image might be able to boost the sale.

Interior & Exterior

Up interior is of high quality, and controls are not complicated. You can easily access all interior controls having VWs no hard to use fancy buttons. The dials are reasonable, and they are even better in top-spec model. Seats are comfortable and well adjusted. You can choose from three different trims, and they come with good interior equipments.

VW Up may look small, but there is sufficient room for adults for a comfortable ride. Rear seats are not comfortable considering the average city car drawbacks. The boot space is something to talk about because it is one of the biggest in class with 251 litres and 951 with rear seats folded down.

Safety & Reliability

It is the safest cars to drive with five out of five-star rating in Euro NCAP crash tests. Up is pre-loaded with good safety equipments such as front and side head airbags. Furthermore, there is City Emergency Braking system available with optional driver’s assistant pack.

Volkswagen Up is one of the new cars to review, but VW has great reliability record. Up comes with three years or 60,000 miles warranty.

eBest Cars Verdict

No doubt, Volkswagen Up is one of the finest city cars to review for 2012. It is economical, attractive, and safe to drive. It has an exceptional fuel economy with 62.8mpg. Moreover, green credentials are impressive with 97g/km of CO2 emission. It will keep the road tax and VED to the lowest, and also you will be likely to get a good auto insurance quote.

Volkswagen Up Pictures

The all-new Kia Rio is no longer and old hatchback, with improved modern look and the potential to challenge European made automobiles. Our review is based on analysis of various published car reviews for Kia Rio. Some reviewers are not happy that it isn’t as aggressive as Picanto, but the new bold look makes it stand out from the crowd. At a glance, it is an attention grabber with pouncing roof line that gives Rio a coupe look. It is completely redesigned lower in height, longer and wider than its old model. The new Rio gives a look of European design. Kia Rio is a more competitive car with a large list of competitors like Renault Clio, Peugeot 207, Volkswagen Polo and Ford Fiesta. Keep your fingers crossed because it might be better than the competition.

Most reviewers state that it is a refined super-mini that’s a perfect alternative to Volkswagen Polo with good value. It is a good car for people looking forward to buying a car with style and attitude. Moreover, Rio is not heavy on your pocket, and it may be the underdog. For 2012, Kia may offer more performance upgrades and latest equipments.

Kia Rio Prices

Power & Performance

When it comes to performance, Kia Rio has choice of two powerful diesel engines, 1.1 litre and 1.4 litre and two petrol engines 1.25 litre and 1.4. It has long gearing which reduces flexibility and only adequate performance is offered. It is a good town car that accelerates well, but on the open road it lacks fire-power. You need to work hard on take-overs by shifting gears and keeping the momentum. The top speed is 114mph and 0 to 60 second in 11 seconds.

Kia Rio is perfect commuter in town thanks to its light controls and suspension. However, if you take it to high-speed twisting roads, then you might get frustrated with steering. You will love the road grip and agility of Rio. You can enjoy high speed turnings thanks to its resistance to body roll, but it is not as good as Ford Fiesta. You can enjoy calm and comfortable ride on motorways.

Interior & Exterior

Interior is comfortable, lush materials, and you can adjust the driver’s seat according to your position. Controls are simple and easy to use well placed inside the vehicle. One disadvantage is that thick pillars reduce the rear visibility and sometimes make complete blind to coming objects. The interior space is more than any other mini available in the market. The leg room and head room is sufficient for adults. You can place 288 litres in boot, and it can be increased with rear seats folded down. It has much better equipment than other competitors like USB/Aux, electric front windows, and air-conditioning. You can also choose alloys, front fog lights, electrically operated door mirrors and chrome grille.

From exterior looks, it is one bold mini with modern design. It surely looks good on the road and female drivers are tends to like it more.

Safety & Reliability

Kia Rio is one of the safest cars to drive. According to EURO NCAP, it receives 5 star ratings improving the previous model 4 star ratings for Rio. Some of the safety features include Electronic Stability Control, Electron Brake-force Distribution, Emergency Brake Assist, Twin front airbags, side airbags, and curtain airbags.

Kia has no issues or breakdown, and it is the most reliable car to drive. It is backed up by Kia’s seven years warranty that assures the new buyers.

eBest Cars Verdict

It is a perfect car and probably the best alternative to Volkswagen Polo. The running costs are low and starting price is lower than Polo. However, you may not find too many of them on the road, which may reduce resale value. You are covered with solid seven-year  warranty, which is not offered by competitors. Fuel economy is about average with 51.4 mpg and CO2 emissions are kept to minimum with 128g/km. It isn’t bad, but not competitive comparing other vehicles. Overall, a good car that offers quality of Polo within budgets.

Kia Rio 2012 Pictures

The original MINI was launched in 2001 and ever since that day it constantly grew in popularity. We can now say that everyone knows what this car looks like and this model is iconic. The new Mini Cooper Hatchback managed to make the care even better while taking full advantage of the classic interior and cheeky looks that appeared thanks to the original.

We are in front of the second generation model that was created on this highly successful formula. Although the looks are not necessarily different, the engines are a lot better and there are improvements to both comfort and safety. Driving this baby is a delight and the performance is great even in the entry level model.

There are different things that have not changed, and even if we are still faced with a limited space for the rear seats and the standard equipment levels could have been more generous, the new diesel engine more than makes it up in terms of performance as it offers great economy and a lot of power for most people.

Mini Cooper Prices

You can choose between 68 different variants of Mini and the price range does vary based on these models. The cheapest model is the Mini Cooper Hatchback 1.6, which costs £14,840. The most expensive model is the Mini Cooper Hatchback 1.6T Chili/Media Pack JCW, which costs £24,945.

Power and Performance

We have some pretty good engines to choose from. The most common engine is the 1.4 litre, which boasts 75 bhp. It is not that quick as it can reach 62 mph in 13.2 seconds, but you will surely love the average 53 mpg brought to the table. This makes it a very good city car. Every single model will be equipped with a 6 speeds manual gearbox. This is the standard option but you can also opt for automatic gearbox. Our top recommendation is the 120 bhp Cooper 1.6 litre engine. It can reach 62 mph in just 9.1 seconds and offers everything that you might need as a casual driver. However, if you want power, opt for the Cooper S Hatchback model. It has 175 bhp and will only need 7.1 seconds to reach 62 mph.

Handling was always a very strong point of Mini, and the second generation does not disappoint. You have a go-kart like feel, and steering responds really fast. Body roll will be properly controlled, and the rear suspension upgrades solve some problems that we saw in the past. Electric power steering is equipped.

Interior and Exterior

The Mini Cooper Hatchback is not really a relaxed ride, and the S models are firm. You will have problems with potholes and bumps in the road. We recommend that you opt for bigger wheels so that you are going to feel more comfortable when driving. Furthermore, even if the interior does look really great, the passengers in the rear seat will not have that much knee room.

The really weak point of the Mini Cooper Hatchback is the fact that the boot is really small. It only has 160 litres and this basically means that it is smaller than Ford KA. You can only add some shopping bags, and suitcases do not usually fit in. You can fold down the rear seats in order to boost carrying capacity if you need to.

Safety and Reliability

Mini Cooper Hatchback managed to get the maximum 5 stars rating from Euro NCAP and comes equipped with airbags for the head, in the sides and in the front as a standard. You will surely appreciate electronic stability control, which includes traction control. However, this is optional, just like the alarm. In any case, the car is quite safe but the extras will make everything better.

Reliability has always been a strong point with Mini Cooper models and there is absolutely no reason to believe that this is not the case here too. In addition, the dealer network is really good, and it will take care of all problems that might appear.

eBest Cars Verdict

The MINI cooper Hatchback is definitely a very good car in the event that you are looking for a small super-mini that looks good and handle well in cities. However, if you are looking for a lot of power and a really comfortable ride suitable for many long trips, this might not be what you need. Mini Cooper is economical to run and friendly on environment with 140g/km of CO2. If you are looking for eco-friendly version, then go for Cooper D.

Mini Cooper Pictures

The Mazda 2 Hatchback steps up as a very interesting competitor to Peugeot 207, Ford Fiesta and Vauxhall Corsa. Mazda 2 hatchback review is based on analysis of various car reviews published online. It is an exciting car when compared with the previous model as many positive additions have been added. It is very nice to drive and will maintain the Mazda characteristics that so many people love.

The core ethics of the original Mazda 2 car have been maintained. We are in front of a car that is filled with good equipment; it is well built and offers a reasonable price. There is also a first in the addition of a 3-doors version.

You will quickly notice that it is really easy to drive the car in cities due to the light steering offered, and the fact that it will respond fast. It is well weighted and can perform comfortably even when faced with roads that are too twisted. You can easily understand the differences between the existing models. The engine choices are going to offer enough versatility for most possible tastes. The new models include improved exterior and interior-design tweaks and a better suspension.

Mazda 2 Prices

Potential buyers will love the fact that the price differences between different models are not that high. The cheapest Mazda 2 Hatchback is the 75 1.3 TS, which costs £10,305. The most expensive one is the 95 1.6D Sport model, which costs £ 14,765.

Power and Performance

Even if the Mazda 2 Hatchback 1.3 litre engine is the entry-level  model, it is actually more than enough for most possible buyers. It is a great engine that is fast and can offer great driving experiences in town driving. It is safe enough for good overtaking procedures and comes in two base choices. One is of 74 bhp and the other one is of 85 bhp. The 85 bhp model can reach 62 mph in 12.9 seconds, and the maximum speed is of 107 mph. If you are looking for a model that is better on the motorway you should focus on the 1.5 litre, which boasts 100 bhp. It can reach 62 mph in 10.4 seconds. When looking for diesel engines you should know that they are going to accelerate slower, but they do bring in really good miles per gallon ratings.

The performance is a lot better and now the engines have better emissions and economy. The automatic gearbox is offered for the first time in this line and the only real problem that should be mentioned is that this is mostly a town car. On the motorway, you might be bothered by engine sound.

Interior and Exterior

The ride comfort is quite good and we have enough legroom and head room. The Mazda 2 Hatchback should be comfortable for all people but in the back we recommend that you only go with 2 adults or 3 children. One huge problem has been found in the fact that the noise noticed at high speed will disturb you. When driving through the town the cabin is very quiet. Even if the new Mazda 2 has better suspensions that in the past, there will still be some problems as it is stiff.

One problem in design can be noticed in the boot. The high lip will make it tough for transporting heavy items. The actual space is average, but you can gain more if you fold the rear seats. This makes up a total of 787 litres, which should be enough for most people. However, we can say that the overall design of the car is quite attractive. This goes for both the interior and the exterior, and it is sure that you will get used with the minor problems.

Safety and Reliability

Mazda 2 Hatchback gained very good results from Euro NCAP. It got 5 out of 5 stars for passenger protection. Every single car will get ABS, dual front airbags, good seatbelts and even a car alarm. The TS2 models and higher will also have curtain and side airbags included as standard.

Referring to reliability there is not much that can be said. Mazda stands out as a really reliable brand, and we couldn’t find anything to say that Mazda 2 will not be the same. No major problems have been reported by owners.

eBest Cars Verdict

The only real problem stands is the loud engine on motorway, but most drivers will use this car in the town anyway. In addition, the boot problem can be solved so we need to focus on the other elements. Thanks to low tax bands Mazda 2 is economical to run. The green credentials are pretty impressive with 1.4 diesel engine, which emits 107g/km of CO2 and fuel economy of 67.3mpg. The Mazda 2 Hatchback is a serious competitor on the market, and you need to consider it.

Mazda 2 Pictures

Pictures by www.mazda.co.uk

The all new Feat 500 hatchback is one cute car on the road. Ever since 2004 Fiat has made a shift towards doing what they actually do best, which is producing cars that are small but have a very good appeal. This is true for both value and character. We need to understand Fiat 500 is one car that cannot be ignored when considering small cars. Fiat 500 is a blend of modern and old small cars.

Fiat 500 is basically the next model that was supposed to follow the huge success of Grande Punto and Panda. It managed to do this but with a twist. The Fiat 500 basically appeals to emotions because of the design chosen but it is a modern car with many extra features that drivers in the past wouldn’t have even thought about.

Fiat 500 now looks a lot like the original rear-end model, but it is modern enough to fit today’s high-quality standards. It is a safe car and stands out as really easy to drive. You have many possible customization options available, and we can say that the Fiat 500 has a lot of character for such a small car.

Fiat 500 Prices

As expected, there are many options available with the Fiat 500. The cheapest one will be the Hatchback 1.2 S/S Pop, which costs £9,900. The most expensive one is the 1.4 Hatchback T-Jet Abarth 695 Tributo, which costs £ 29,600. As you can see the difference is quite big so you need to pay attention to what you will buy.

Power and Performance

The Fiat 500 hatchback is a small car, and it needs to be nimble and be used mostly as a city car. It manages to live up to most possible expectations even if the 1.4 litre petrol engine would need a little more power. It does have 100 bhp but it is still not that recommended. The higher-end models are better. If you are looking for an economical model than the 1.3 litre Multijet is the choice for you with 67 miles per gallon. This car will accelerate slowly, but once it reaches 4000 rpm it is much easier to drive.

In handling the Fiat 500 hatchback will not be as great as the MINI but it is still pretty close. We have a firm ride and good grips. Most of the owners will usually drive at a higher speed because the car handles well even at higher speed. In the 1.4 litre models you are going to have stability control as standard but it is optional with all the others.

Interior and Exterior

The Fiat 500 is perfect for two adults who use the car on town trips. However, when going on a longer trip you are going to really hate the lack of a good lumbar support system. The engine will be a little noise at high rev. We gain much from the inclusion of air conditioning as standard on the Sport and Lounge models, which will most likely be what will sell most anyway. Electric windows are included in every single car sold.

Fiat 500 Hatchback is a small car and this immediately means a small boot. However, at 185 litres, it is bigger than other cars like MINI Hatchback and Toyota Aygo. There are even options for folding rear seats in order to gain extra space.

Safety and Reliability

Fiat 500 appears on the market as one of the safest cars of its size and got the maximum rating in European crash tests. Every single model will equip 7 airbags and on the 1.4 litre models we have Electronic Stability Control. Two Isofix Child Seat Mounting areas will be present in the rear bench.

Generally speaking the Fiat 500 Hatchback should be pretty reliable. Most of the main components are shared with Ford Ka and Fiat Panda. Both of them are really reliable vehicles. Sometimes, there are reports of poor reliability, but they are not enough to cause a real problem from this point of view.

eBest Cars Verdict

The Fiat 500 hatchback is a very interesting small car and it is among the best if you are looking for a small town car. The standard model is cheaper to run with high tax band the running costs are outrageous. However, you will require different models for extra features such as air conditioning. Compromises are made but we are happy to notice that the quality and safety are still high.

Fiat 500 Pictures