Choosing the best supermini of 2012 wasn't easy, because a great supermini needs to be good at pretty much everything. It needs to be practical, good to drive, affordable to run, comfortable, safe and well equipped. Oh, and it needs to do all that for a reasonable price. That’s why even a nomination here should be seen as a seal of approval.

Over the past year we’ve seen some fine new superminis, including the Kia Rio and the refreshed Honda Jazz. Neither makes an appearance in our best supermini of 2012 category, though, which just goes to show how tough the competition is.

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