What Car? Car of the Year 2006 - Best supermini

Renault Clio 1.4 16v Expression 3dr
Price: £9950
Target Price: £9436

Let's face it, with a huge advertising campaign, well established brand name and chic styling behind it, Renault's new Clio had a head start in life. None of that played a part in it winning this award, however. The Clio is here purely on merit.

No other supermini does as good a job of cutting out wind and road noise, while our favoured 1.4-litre petrol engine is smooth and quiet, especially when driven at speed. However long or short the journey, the Clio's driving manners always impress. The suspension provides a brilliant blend of comfort and control; it's supple over bumps, yet taut enough to keep the car stable on demanding roads and through corners. This combines with excellent grip to give the Clio a more composed feel than most of its rivals.

The steering is rather light, but it guides you accurately round corners and makes parking and town driving fuss-free.

As well as being quiet, the 98bhp 1.4-litre engine provides useful extra oomph over the 1.2-litre motor, yet still returns decent fuel economy. Servicing intervals of 18,000 miles keep maintenance costs down and a group four insurance rating means sensible premiums.

The sophisticated feel continues inside. Where the old car was cramped and dated, the new one is as roomy and classy as you could hope for. There's ample head- and legroom up-front, and a good-sized boot.

Safety is another of the Clio's plus points – front, side and curtain airbags are standard and it's one of only a handful of superminis to score five stars in Euro NCAP crash tests.

www.vavavoom.co.uk

Highly recommended
Daihatsu Sirion 1.0 S 5dr
Price: £6995
Target Price: £6616

Kia Rio 1.5 CRDi GS
Price: £8995
Target Price: TBC

Nissan Note 1.4 SE
Price: £10,995
Target Price: TBC

Suzuki Swift 1.5 GLX
Price: £8999
Target Price: £8668