Economy class leaders
BMW1 Series
116d EfficientDynamics
Years: 2011 to date Engine: 1.6-litre 4cyl, 114bhp
Why? The 1 Series is an upmarket family hatch with a fine balance of performance and economy.
Prices from: £12,970
BMW's premium badge gets the 1 Series off to a strong start, although the 116d EfficientDynamics' looks aren't to all tastes - it's smart rather than stylish, dividing its rival s here on visual appeal.
Climb behind the wheel, and things get more exciting. It's the fastest car from 0-62mph, taking 9.9 seconds, and attacks corners with poise, aided by an excellent, low driving position. Yet it al so promises the best economy here.
But despite having the largest boot of this trio, cramped back seats and limited rear visibility hit the BMW' s practicality.
Volkswagen Golf
Golf is smart inside, but is short on kit
BlueMotion
Years: 2009 to 2013 Engine: 1.6-litre 4cyl, 104bhp
Insurance group: 18 Econ/ C02: 74mpg/ 99g/km
Why? Still an accomplished and solid all-rounder, the VW Golf is a good bet for company car buyers.
Prices from: £6,790
VW'S sixth-generation Golf is a relative old-timer in this company, and yet the eco-friendly BlueMotion model, with its emphasis on form over function, continues to prove a popular choice.
Styling tweaks focus on aerodynamic efficiency, and thi s model looks smarter than the standard Golf, although the understated design is still a bit bland.
Kit i s limited, too. T he car is composed on the road, and although performance trails rivals, i t's capable of over 74mpg. Just bear in mind owner criticism of the Golrs reliability in Driver Power 2014.
Volvo V40
Solid but quirky layout sets V40 apan
02 SE
Years: 2012 to date Engine: 1.6-litre 4cyl, 113bh p
Insurance group: 17 Econ/ C02: 79mpg/94g/ km
Why? Volvo's V40 sets itself apart with a quirky design and hard-to-beat quality and composure.
Prices from: £15,500
THE V40 marked a long-awaited return to the family hatchback market for Volvo, and visually it's proven a success.
It's more than a pretty face, though, as there's also a stylish and well built interior. Less impressive is the difference between claimed and real-world mpg, which sees the Volvo fall to second in the economy stakes here. Unrivalled safety kit and excellent cruisi ng ability go some way to compensating, though.
In our Driver Power 2014 satisfaction survey, owners praised the latest V40's in-car technology and seat comfort.
Verdict
1-BMW 1 Series
A RARE blend of driving thrills and low bills at the pumps helps the BMW take a deserved win here. It's also a good investment, if you can find a well equipped car.
2-VolvoV40
WELL built, with smart looks and a top-notch cabin, the stylish V40 only just misses out on first place due to its poor economy. It needs more dynamic sparkle, too.
3 -VW6olf
THE Golf is comfortable, refined and cheap to run in BlueMotion guise. But it has to make do with third here as it's short on kit and performance.
Economy class leaders
Reviewed by Unknown
on
5:02 AM
Rating:
Reviewed by Unknown
on
5:02 AM
Rating:
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