Mercedes B-Class

Kia Sorento

Toyota Yaris Cross

Audi Q7

Audi Q8 Sportback e-tron

Audi A8

Jaguar I-Pace

BMW 3 Series

the-finest-used-fast-car-bargains

That’s especially true when buying used, because as we prove here you’ve got so much mouthwatering machinery within reach, even if your budget is meagre.

We’ve not necessarily focused on the fastest or most powerful cars – nor even the sharpest handling. What all of these cars have in common is that they’ll bring a smile to your face whenever you drive them, whether it’s because of the grunt or handling, the soundtrack, or simply the fact that they’re such an absolute steal.

We list them in ascending price order:

Editors' note: Prices are estimates based on current examples found for sale online

As manufacturers raise the bar ever further, with cars that go faster and handle better, we get to enjoy the fruits of their labours for amazingly little money.

Mazda can be summed up in a single word: bold. Not only do its cars generally look like nothing else on the market, but it’s also invested heavily in innovative engine technology.

So, while many car makers have moved to smaller turbocharged engines, Mazda instead offers larger motors that are still efficient. For example, the entry-level petrol option in the Mazda 3 is a 2.0-litre unit –&nbsp;far larger than what you’ll find in most rivals – but it remains very clean.

Highlights of Mazda’s line-up include the MX-5 sports car, which has won our Convertible of the Year Award multiple times, and the CX-5 large SUV, which was named as our inaugural best car for dog owners.

MAZDA

RX-8

From £800

We’d be the first to admit that buying an RX-8 can be a lottery because the rotary engines can be fragile, and even when in good health they don’t half get through fuel and oil.

But with fabulous handling, a brilliant design and that rev-happy engine in the nose there are less sensible things to spend your money on – speaking of which, while RX-8s can be bought for only £800, budget to spend closer to £1500 to buy something that won’t expire imminently.

Mazda RX-8

MX-5

From £900

It's the car that kick-started the affordable roadster market at the end of the eighties, and since then the MX-5 has endured where rivals have not.

You've got three generations to choose from but good Mk1s are becoming costly, too many Mk2s have significant rust problems which leaves the Mk3 as the one to go for, thanks to its improved build quality and low purchase prices.

Mazda MX-5

Toyota is a company undergoing a quiet revolution, as it works hard to replace its sensible but somewhat bland reputation with one for being a bit more daring, in areas such as the styling of its cars and its enthusiastic leadership of cutting-edge technology, such as hybrid systems.

That process seems to be working for buyers, with the hugely popular and striking-looking C-HR SUV in particular attracting a great deal of interest. The latest version of the hybrid Prius is also rated highly by What Car?; it’s the first Prius to go on sale that our testers have felt can truly compete all round with existing petrol or diesel rivals.

However, it’s worth noting that this period of transition is also a work in progress, and that many of the firm’s cars are still rated as being no more than average among class rivals by our testers.

TOYOTA

From £1000

You could pick any of the three generations of MR2 and have a blast, but the Mk1 is now collectible and cheap cars tend to be rusty. The Mk2 isn't much better so you're likely to fare better if you buy a Mk3.

Watch out for engine failure on cars built up to 2002 as the pre-cat could break up then find its way into the cylinders. Practicality is rubbish but thrills come no cheaper than here, thanks to the mid-mounted engine and a weight of just a tonne.

Toyota MR2 Mk3

Ford builds some of the most popular cars in the UK, including the Fiesta and Focus hatchbacks.

This success is partly down to longevity and the fact that there’s a Ford dealer around every corner. However, it’s also because Fords tend to offer good value and be among the best cars in their respective classes to drive.

The company’s huge range also helps; it offers everything from the small – but surprisingly practical – Ka+ to the large and lavishly equipped Edge SUV.

Meanwhile, other highlights of the range include the S-Max and Galaxy people carriers, the Mondeo executive car and the Ranger pick-up.

FORD

FIESTA ST

From £1000

Ford has offered a Fiesta ST since 2005. In those days a 148bhp 2.0-litre engine was installed but by the time the seventh-generation Fiesta was launched in ST form there was a 178bhp turbocharged 1.6-litre engine fitted. While you can buy one of the earlier cars for £1000 you'll need at least £10k to secure one of the newer models.

Ford Fiesta ST

Audi is a brand that sets the standard for interior quality, and this, combined with its vast and ever-growing model line-up, has helped it become one of the ‘big three’ German prestige car makers, along with BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

The A3 hatchback, A4 executive saloon and Q7 SUV have all won their classes at the What Car? Car of the Year Awards in recent years, while the TT coupé is the most decorated car in the history of the ceremony.

At least some of Audi's success over the past 30 years can be attributed to the growth in sales of vehicles with four-wheel drive; the company arguably led the way in bringing 4x4 technology into the mainstream, with its Quattro coupé in the early 1980s.

Today, most Audis are available with at least the option of four-wheel drive, while the list of SUVs from the brand includes the Q2, Q3, Q5 and Q7.

AUDI

From £1200

If you've got very little cash to spend, a TT Mk1 is a pretty good bet thanks to decent build quality, a strong engine (with 148bhp, 178bhp or 222bhp, most with standard quattro), and excellent usability whether you opt for a coupé or a roadster. If your pockets are deeper a Mk2 TT offers much sharper handling from £3000.

Audi TT

Talk about taking an idea and running with it. The big-selling Mini hatchback is still at the core of the firm’s range, but its cute styling and relatively compact dimensions have been spun off into an estate (the Clubman) and an SUV (the Countryman), as well as a convertible.

Despite its small size, the Mini is a firmly premium product, and the three-door hatchback counts the Audi A1 and Volkswagen Polo among its key rivals.

The fact that Mini is owned by BMW brings some big advantages –&nbsp;not least the fact that its infotainment system is based on BMW’s industry-leading iDrive.

MINI

HATCHBACK

From £1300

Time is a great leveller. Once these Minis seemed to defy the rules of depreciation, but they’re now old and prices are at rock bottom. Abused cars are common, but so are cherished examples – although you’ll need to spend more like £3000&nbsp;to get something really tidy.

Mini Cooper S

One of the greatest success stories in the car world of recent decades is Skoda’s rise to become a hugely credible mainstream maker of good-value, good-sense cars.

Central to that success has been its place within the VW Group, alongside the Volkswagen brand itself, plus the likes of Seat and Audi. That has given it access to exactly the same underpinnings for its cars as the other brands, and it has complemented this by adding its own developments, from the way the cars drive and ride through to the features they have and the pricing.

The result is a range that extends from a city car to a large executive saloon, with family and large seven-seat SUVs too. There’s a wide variety of petrol and diesel engines, all of which are competitive for the class.

As a result, Skoda has a range of cars that is almost entirely class-leading or among the class leaders, and it has enjoyed long-time success at the What Car? Awards as a result.

SKODA

FABIA

From £1500

The idea of a diesel-engined hot hatch seemed a bit weird when the Fabia vRS arrived in 2003, but it was a formula that worked brilliantly thanks to the immensely torquey 1.9 TDI engine, a relatively light bodyshell and decent agility thrown into the mix - diesel power also ensured excellent economy into the bargain.

Skoda Fabia vRS

Today, the resurgent Seat brand is selling better cars than at any time in its history.

In large part, that’s because it is one of the brands owned by the VW Group. Underneath, all of the cars it sells are strongly related to similar models sold by Volkswagen itself, or the likes of Skoda and even Audi. If you are buying a Leon, for example, the hardware will be similar to that of the Golf, Octavia and A3.

But while Seat makes the most of this tie-up to offer everything from city, small and family cars, including estates, through to a full range of SUVs, it also adds in its own slice of character, both with its distinctive styling approach and because its engineers generally tune the cars to deliver sportier handling.

While all of its cars are decent, it is the SUVs that stand out. The Arona and Ateca are among the class leaders and have enjoyed triumphs at the What Car? Awards.

SEAT

IBIZA

From £1500

Can’t find a Fabia vRS? Then try to track down a Seat Ibiza 1.9 TDI FR which arrived a year after its VW group stablemate. Huge fun, the FR has 228lb ft of torque at just 1900rpm in a car that weighs just 1190kg.

Seat Ibiza 1.9 TDI FR

MONDEO

From £1600

If you’ve got to cart a family around or you simply prefer big cars but you also want something that’s fun to drive and quick, the 224bhp Mondeo ST200 might just fit the bill. The running costs are out of proportion to the purchase costs because of fuel and road tax bills.

On that note, make sure you buy a car registered before 23 March 2006 (that’s most of them) so your annual bill is £315 instead of £540.

Ford Mondeo ST220

Hatchbacks, SUVs, fast cars, electric cars: Renault makes them all, in a variety of shapes and sizes, so it has a line-up designed to tempt pretty much everyone.

From the roadside, the standout feature of them all is the design, with its cars now having a distinctive look that has won the firm a legion of fans for its flair and charm.

To drive and to own, the line-up is typically decent rather than outstanding. Best of the cars when they are rated against rivals are the Kadjar SUV, the fast RS models and the electric Zoe.

With new and used pricing also keen – and Target Price discounts through our New Car Buying marketplace usually more generous than most – there is the opportunity to negotiate an appealing price.

RENAULT

CLIO

From £1800

There have been so many heated-up Clios over the years that whatever your budget there's something within reach. The fun starts with the Clio 172 but the 182 is a better bet because it’s newer and that bit more zesty. While the former starts at just £1800&nbsp;you need at least £2500&nbsp;to secure one of the later cars – or for just £3000 you can have a Clio 197.

RenaultSport Clio

The VW Group famously spends more money on research and development than any rival – and as a result, perhaps it should be no surprise that our testers rate its cars so consistently highly.

The fact that many of those cars use the same underpinnings also helps, because it means that if they get it right once, they have the foundations to keep on getting it right.

However, the Volkswagen brand faces plenty of tough competition, often from within, because the rapidly rising Seat and Skoda brands that are also part of the group have access to the same technology.

VOLKSWAGEN

GOLF GTI

From £2000

The Mk3 Golf GTI was unbelievably disappointing after the brilliant Mk1 and Mk2. The Mk4 was no better in 2.0-litre form although the 1.8T was a bit more deserving of the GTi tag.

So when the Golf GTI Mk5 arrived in 2005 it was great to see that VW had rediscovered its mojo with a car that was fun to drive, fast and frugal but as practical as ever.

Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk5

Volvo is now a true rival to the likes of Audi, BMW, Jaguar and Mercedes-Benz, offering an alternative take on premium executive cars to a rapidly growing fanbase.

After a string of strong launches – notably with the Mk2 XC90 and XC60 SUVs – it struck gold in early 2018 when it launched its smallest SUV, the XC40. When our testers compared the car with its rivals, they concluded that it was the best launch of the previous 12 months, earning it our coveted overall Car of the Year Award.

The good news is that, like many car makers, Volvo now uses the same structure underneath most of its cars – so if they get it right on one model, it usually bodes well for the rest. That’s the case here, with Volvo’s subsequent saloon and estate launches complementing the SUVs and making for a generally extremely appealing line-up.

VOLVO

From £3000

We'd be lying if we were to say that the S60 is the greatest driver's car ever made, but the S60 shows that you can have a dose of serious performance with economy and safety in a family-friendly spacious body.

Early cars got a 247bhp 2.3-litre five-cylinder but from 2004 a 256bhp 2.4-litre unit was fitted to give 0-62mph in just 6.5 seconds. The steering is pretty lifeless but find a car with the Four-C adaptive chassis and you can have some fun for peanuts.

Volvo S60 T5

Nissan turned up early to the SUV party, with its Qashqai paving the way for the countless models we see today. The Qashqai continues to sell in big numbers in the UK, too, and was also our overall Car of the Year in 2014.

Don’t think Nissan is just about SUVs, though. As well as the Qashqai, the smaller Juke and the larger X-Trail, the Japanese brand has the Micra hatchback, GT-R sports car and Navara pick-up truck.

Nissan was also one of the first big car makers to launch a fully electric car, with its latest Leaf being one of the best on the market.

Despite being based in Japan, Nissan has long committed to building cars in the UK, making several of its best-selling models at a huge factory in Sunderland.

NISSAN

350Z

From £3000

When Nissan developed the 350Z it focused on the stuff that matters, like a 276bhp V6, rear-wheel drive and a limited-slip diff for improved traction. It didn’t stress about the refinement levels or quality of the interior plastics too much, so your money is going where it matters – on something that’s an absolute blast to drive.

Coupés and roadsters are much the same money but if you want driving thrills rather than a mobile posing pouch, stick with the former.

Nissan 350Z

Once best known for its flame-spitting, rally-bred Imprezas, Subaru’s focus now is on cars that will appeal to a far wider audience, and especially one that values go-anywhere ability and no-nonsense values above all others.

The result is a mixed bag of offerings, none of which rise beyond being average in their class but most of which have facets that make them stand out from their rivals. Core to its range are the Forester and Outback SUVs, while the Levorg is a more conventional estate.

At other extremes, there’s also the BRZ, an entertaining coupé that is let down by its price and resale values, and of course the Impreza, which comes in a variety of forms, including a hot model.

SUBARU

IMPREZA

From £3500

Any cherished Impreza Turbo is worth a punt, whether it's the original car or the bug-eyed version that arrived in 2000. Seemingly capable of defying the laws of physics, the Impreza has to be driven to be believed, but most early cars are baggy, badly modified or pricey because they’re a new-age classic.

That’s why the bug-eyed car is such a good bet; they’re still the cars that offer the most bang for your buck – but be wary of over-modified examples.

Subaru Impreza Turbo

Sports

Porsche is best known as the quintessential sports car maker, but its line-up is increasingly diverse, interesting and successful, from its SUV family to the Panamera hatchback and shooting brake and, in time, a planned family of electric vehicles.

Whatever your choice, What Car?’s testers rate the cars highly; Porsche has an unusually high percentage of five and four-star cars.

Without exception, its sports cars are class leaders or among the class leaders, standing out for combining driving thrills with surprising luxury and comfort. Likewise, its SUVs are among the sharpest handling, as well as offering high levels of practicality and quality. Meanwhile, the Panamera is a true rival to the very best large executive saloons.

Porsche also sees itself as an electric car pioneer and has already enjoyed sales success with its plug-in hybrid range. Its first all-electric sports car is imminent, signalling the firm’s intent to stay relevant for many years to come.

PORSCHE

BOXSTER

From £4500

When you drive a really good early Boxster S it seems ludicrous that values are so low. But such are market forces; even the Mk2 Boxster S is now decently affordable with prices starting at under £10k. If money is tight though, don’t buy a ropey Boxster S – find a decent 2.5- or 2.7-litre car instead; prices start at less than £5000.

Porsche Boxster S

Munich-based BMW is most famous for its sports saloons, in particular the 3 Series and 5 Series. However, it actually builds almost every type of car imaginable: everything from two-seat convertibles to seven-seat MPVs.

The cheapest model in the BMW range is the 1 Series hatchback, which is a rival to the Audi A3, Mercedes-Benz A-Class and Volkswagen Golf. Meanwhile, at the other extreme is the i8 plug-in hybrid sports car, which costs more than £100,000.

BMW was also quick to capitalise on the rise of the SUV and now has six in its range: the X1, X2, X3, X4, X5 and X6.

All of this makes it one of the big three German prestige brands, along with Audi and Mercedes-Benz.

From £6500

The original M3, the E30, is now big money for anything good. The E36 that followed is stronger value but it's the E46 that we'd steer you towards because it's much more potent than its forebear and it's top value, even if rock bottom happened a little while ago.

With a 343bhp straight-six up front, rear-wheel drive and the most magnificent soundtrack, if you don’t buy one of these soon, in a few years’ time you’ll regret it, once prices have gone silly.

BMW M3 (E46)

Honda is a company that doesn’t like to follow the crowd. So, while it competes in most of the traditional sectors of the car market, in each case it does something a little bit different.

The Jazz, for example, might look like just another rival to Britain’s best-selling car, the Ford Fiesta, but it’s actually much more practical than its rivals, with a flexible boot and Tardis-like interior.

The bigger Civic is also a practical choice, but it’s mainly distinguished by having eye-catching, love-it-or-hate-it styling, despite competing in a sector of the market that’s usually more conservative than a blue rosette.

And while it may not seem so radical now, Honda’s large SUV, the CR-V, was one of the first to forego any pretence of being an off-roader and instead focus on on-road driving dynamics.

HONDA

INTEGRA

From £6500

One of the best front-wheel drive cars ever made, the Integra Type R's brilliance is no secret which is why values have already started to climb.

But don't let that put you off; any decent example will prove a sound investment and once you've driven one of these cars the way they were designed to be driven you'll soon see that £20k is a bargain, never mind the less-than £10k&nbsp;that a really superb example commands.

Honda Integra Type R

S2000

From £6600

Just like the Impreza and the 350Z, the Honda S2000 offers stupid amounts of driving fun in return for tiny amounts of cash, without any inherent unreliability issues as long as the servicing schedules are adhered to.

Values of good S2000s are already on the rise thanks to restricted supply and steady demand – the latter because of the Honda’s revtastic VTEC engine, rear-wheel drive and fabulous handling.

Honda S2000

Peugeot has its strongest model line-up for some years, with some of its cars now rated by our testers as being among the very best available.

Highlights focus around the firm’s newest SUVs, the 3008 and 5008. The 5008 was named Large SUV of the Year at the 2018 What Car? Awards, thanks to its appealing blend of space, interior quality and low running costs.

That bodes well for future launches, too, because many of the learnings from these cars will be passed on as new versions of existing cars are launched – something that could take many years, because the Peugeot range is so big, ranging from an entry-level supermini with the 108 to an executive saloon with the 508, up into the SUV range and also vans.

Buyers should evaluate some of the lower-rated cars in the range more carefully, though. Some are now quite old, and are subsequently left behind in terms of quality when compared with the opposition, making them below-average buys, in our estimation.

PEUGEOT

From £7000

One of the greatest hot hatches of all time is still eminently affordable if you don't care about owning something that's less than mint. Crashed 205s are all too common though, so watch out for rubbish repairs.

Focus on condition rather than spec; a tidy 1.6 will be far better to drive and own than a tatty 1.9, while the open-topped 205 CTi can provide a budget option if you’re not fussed about ultimate handling.

Peugeot 205 GTi

Jaguars are consistently among the best-handling cars of their kind, with the firm’s model range encompassing the XE, XF and XJ saloons, the F-Type sports cars and multiple SUVs.

Jaguar was actually relatively late to launch its first SUV, the F-Pace, but it quickly followed it up with the smaller E-Pace and the all-electric I-Pace.

That SUV range will keep growing, too, with larger and more luxurious SUVs planned to take on the Porsche Cayenne and the Range Rover from sister brand Land Rover.

JAGUAR

From £8,000

The original Jaguar XKR (from £4000) is now a bona fide classic and values of good ones are starting to firm up. But the second-generation car, with its aluminium body, is a far better car; much more enjoyable to drive, more agile, better packaged and better built.

And with a 420bhp supercharged 4.2-litre V8 (later cars got a 503bhp 5.0-litre unit) it’s scorchingly rapid too.

Jaguar XKR

Vauxhall has an incredibly diverse range of cars on sale, a few of which stand out above the class average. Add in the fact that it still offers some of the largest Target Price discounts in the market (something it is trying, without huge success, to cut back on), and there are very good reasons to consider buying one of its better models.

However, you need to choose carefully, because it is also a brand in transition. It has a newish parent company – the same one that owns Citroën, DS and Peugeot. And while Vauxhall’s newer models tend to be competitive, some of the others feel dated; a quick check of our star ratings will reveal which is which.

Still, given the recent success of sister brands Citroën and especially Peugeot, each new launch should make its range more appealing to buyers.

VAUXHALL

MONARO

From £8000

There aren't many Monaros to go round and values are already on the rise, but when you consider that you can still buy one of these V8 coupés for under&nbsp;£10,000 you can see why it's worth seeking one out.

Even the weediest Monaro has 329bhp but quite a few have closer to 400bhp - the most potent pack a 493bhp punch but you'll need to spend at least £12,000 to secure one of these. Which is still a bargain.

Vauxhall Monaro

Mercedes’ line-up is vast – ranging from the A-Class family hatchback through to staple saloons such as the C-Class and E-Class, and onwards towards multiple SUVs, luxury saloons and even sports cars. Coupés and convertibles are thrown into the mix as well.

As one of the ‘big three’ German brands, Mercedes most often finds itself competing with Audi and BMW but more recently has found itself fending off Jaguar and Volvo, too.

Mercedes models are known for comfort. One example of this is the E-Class, because while the Audi A6 has a plusher interior and the BMW 5 Series handles better, the E-Class is probably the most comfortable for a long motorway journey.

MERCEDES-BENZ

From £8200

OK, we admit that it's not the sharpest drive out there, but with its supercharged 3.2-litre V6 putting out 354bhp you can still have a lot of fun with one of these pint-sized sportsters. You get coupé-cabrio practicality and decent build quality.

Mercedes SLK32 AMG

CHIMAERA

From £12,000

There's nothing like the sound of a barely silenced V8 to get the adrenalin flowing, and TVR used to be the master of it. When you consider that the Chimaera is essentially a Griffith with added usability and at around half the price, if the Chimaera isn't a bargain we don't know what is.

Even the entry-level 4.0-litre models are a blast; find a top-notch 4.5- or 5.0-litre example and you can pay closer to £20k for it. And it’ll never be worth less than that. Just don’t expect faultless reliability.

TVR Chimaera

From £13,800

The Z3M coupé and roadster are now getting very collectible and while Z4Ms aren’t available for give-away prices, they're unlikely to ever be this cheap again. For your money you get a 343bhp 3.2-litre straight-six linked to a six-speed gearbox and pushing those horses to the rear wheels.

Build quality and equipment levels are excellent and the driving experience is superb; the Z4M coupé is even better, but prices for those start at £18,000.

BMW Z4M

Fancy something small, lightweight and fast? Then Lotus possibly has the right car for you. In fact ‘simplify then add lightness’ was the mantra of company founder Colin Chapman as far back as 1952.

These days, Lotus sells four models, with the core of the range being the Elise. Then there’s the more hardcore 3-Eleven, the sporty Exige and the Evora – which is pitched as a rival to the Porsche Cayman.

Big changes are afoot, though, because Lotus plans to build its own SUV in the near future, with the hope of broadening the brand’s appeal to families. The planned car will use Volvo underpinnings and will tackle rivals such as the Porsche Macan and Maserati Levante.

LOTUS

ELISE

From £14,000

Few cars offer the driving purity of the original Lotus Elise. It's a car that's surprisingly rare; production lasted just four years before the series 2 arrived in 2000.

Values are already climbing for S1s but don't let that put you off; if you can afford a good one you'll love every minute of driving it and when you come to sell it's bound to be worth more than you paid for it. What's not to like?

Lotus Elise S1

In the same way that Infiniti acts as Nissan’s premium arm, Lexus has a similar tie-in with Toyota. And since most of Toyota’s models are offered as hybrids, it’s no surprise to see the same from Lexus, although there are some traditional petrol engines, too.

The brand focuses heavily on SUVs – namely the NX and RX – but also has the CT hatchback, ES executive saloon and LS luxury car among its portfolio. More small and large SUVs are expected in the future.

Like Toyota, Lexus has built a very strong reputation for reliability and regularly finishes very close to the top of our annual Reliability Survey.

LEXUS

From £16,000

If the IS F was as brilliant as Lexus likes to think it is you wouldn't be able to pick one up for around £15,000. But the gearbox should be better and the suspension would benefit from some recalibration.

More precisely the 417bhp V8 gets the IS to 62mph in under five seconds, it sounds fabulous, the equipment levels are ludicrously generous and reliability is superb. So it's not hard to forgive the Lexus for being less than perfect dynamically.

Lexus IS F

Do you look at the models of Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz and find them all a bit too… common? Well then, Maserati might be up your street.

This Italian car maker has one SUV in its line-up – the Porsche Cayenne-rivalling Levante – but also the Ghibli and Quattroporte saloons, GranTurismo coupé and GranCabrio drop-top.

Despite its long history, Maserati has been through several periods of inactivity but is now in better health thanks to being part of the large Fiat Chrysler Automobiles group.

In the future, we’re expecting to see Maserati grow its SUV range with new models to sit above and below the Levante, as well as a new range-topping sports car.

MASERATI

GRANTURISMO

From £18,000

The GranTurismo is everything you’d expect of a Maserati; fast, beautiful, aggressive and luxurious – and not devoid of character (ie, it’s flawed). But when you can buy a 454bhp 4.7-litre V8-powered coupé that looks as gorgeous as this (although most cars for this money are 389bhp 4.2-litre examples), you don’t mind the odd ergonomic glitch.

Check the service history, be forensic with your test drive and have a contingency fund – then get out there and enjoy it.

Maserati GranTurismo

Yes, Aston Martin is the preferred manufacturer of a certain (not so) secret agent, but its latest cars offer a lot more than the chance to indulge your Bond fantasies.

The DB11 grand tourer, for example, won its price point at the What Car? Car of the Year Awards, thanks to its beautifully crafted interior and the fact that it’s both fun in the corners and a convincing long-distance cruiser. Meanwhile, the latest Vantage is Aston Martin’s best sports car to date.

The modern Aston Martin isn’t afraid to move with the times, either, with a luxury SUV part of its future model plans.

ASTON MARTIN

VANTAGE

From £25,000

Finally, we've included the Vantage here because it looks so sensational, is fabulously quick and is brilliant to drive. But it can be a nightmare to own because of reliability issues, so be very careful before handing over your folding; prices have dipped to within a whisker of £25k at the bottom of the market but aim to spend at least £30k on an early car that's been cherished.

Aston Martin Vantage V8

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