Coupe

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

EXIGE

Convertible

Convertible (2010 - 2021)

If you fancied something small, lightweight and fast, then Lotus was once the go-to carmaker. Indeed,&nbsp;‘simplify then add lightness’ was the mantra of company founder Colin Chapman as far back as 1952.

However, the days of the tiny Elise sports car are behind it, and today the firm is moving to an electric future spearheaded by the Emeya, which rivals the Porsche Taycan, and the Eletre SUV which competes with the Audi SQ8 e-tron EV and petrol-powered Porsche Cayenne.

Yet the days of petrol power aren’t quite over yet, because the Norfolk-based carmaker also offers the Emira, a sports car which is cut from a similar cloth to the Alpine A110 and Porsche 718 Cayman.

Lotus

Elise

Sports

ELISE

The Lotus Elise is one of the best driver's cars out there, but be prepared for its limited versatility, luxury and tech

Used Lotus Elise 2011-2022 review

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Ride comfort shouldn’t be sacrificed at the altar of handling sharpness</li> <li>Plenty of power from a melodic engine</li> <li>Handling that doesn’t come at the expense of a back-breaking ride​​​​​</li> <li> Practicality is not essential but nice to have </li></ul>

Driving fun is right at the top of any sports car buyer's priority list, and every one of our award candidates has backroad entertainment coded into its DNA.

If we told you that a 250bhp&nbsp;Lotus Elise can outrun a 500bhp Dodge Viper, would you believe us? Well, that's the benefit of low weight, people. While the Viper&nbsp;exceeds 1500kg, the Elise (in all guises) undercuts&nbsp;1000kg, making it an incredibly rapid and agile&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-reviews/category/sports">sports car</a>&nbsp;despite its modest power outputs.&nbsp;

But wait, the engine range&nbsp;gets much humbler. In fact,&nbsp;it kicks off with a 134bhp 1.6-litre unit. That's in&nbsp;the entry-level Club Racer (CR) version, which has a 0-60mph time of 6.0sec,&nbsp;rivalling many&nbsp;hot hatches in a straight line and beating what the previous entry-level <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/lotus/elise/sports/used-review/n442">Elise</a> can do.&nbsp;

While the CR is quick, the Elise S is really quick. With 217bhp from a supercharged 1.8-litre engine, it has a&nbsp;0-60mph time of just 4.6sec. You'll get this engine and performance with later Sport 220 cars&nbsp;too. Sport 240 models provide a similarly sharp driving experience, but increase power to 240bhp.&nbsp;

Speaking of later and more powerful cars, there's also the Cup 250 and Cup 260. They produce&nbsp;245bhp and 250bhp respectively for&nbsp;0-60mph in 3.9sec and 3.8sec. Both are very track-focused and have lairy rear wings.&nbsp;

Performance figures only tell half the story, though, because this is one of the best&nbsp;driver's car money can buy. It's incredibly engaging, from its precise steering to its satisfying gearshift, and the cherry on top is&nbsp;its rev-happy engine range.

You'll also find that it&nbsp;has exceptional body control&nbsp;while providing an impressively compliant ride. As a result, you can&nbsp;cover an immense amount of ground very quickly without ever feeling ruffled or bounced about. The Elise feels wonderfully alive to drive, yet remains&nbsp;surprisingly approachable.&nbsp;

There's not a lot going on with&nbsp;regards to its interior – it's a very simplistic setup.&nbsp;This car is about excitement rather than comfort,&nbsp;so if you want even basic amenities such as floor mats, a stereo, sound insulation, cruise control, metallic paint or air conditioning, you'll have to actively seek out those features when searching the used car sites.

The steering wheel is fixed&nbsp;but the seat is comfortable and the driving position superb. In terms of build quality, the Elise feels pretty well put together. Yes, the switches are basic but there are examples with&nbsp;various carbon-fibre option packs and style extras out there.&nbsp;

While practicality isn't the Elise's forte, you will find&nbsp;a boot behind its engine. It's&nbsp;big enough for two soft bags, and there’s enough passenger space&nbsp;for two six-footers. However, there's nothing in the way of a&nbsp;glovebox or door bins, and while the shelf below the dashboard can hold a large smartphone, a wallet and a few other odds and ends, it's not lined with non-slip material, so you'll&nbsp;have to drive carefully or suffer the consequences of items flying out.&nbsp;

If you're interested in buying a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/lotus/elise?used=true&amp;nearlynew=true">used Lotus Elise</a>&nbsp;or any of the other cars mentioned here, check out our used car classifieds site&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars">here</a>.&nbsp;

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An awesome car to drive, but the roof is murder

Used Lotus Elise 1999 - 2010

Some people buy sports cars for entertainment, some for the image and some because they've got more money than sense. For those who are interested in having the maximum amount of fun at the expense of everything else, the Elise is an excellent, and relatively cheap, car.

Few cars handle as well as the Elise. It has unbelievable grip and superb balance, making any corner a joy to push through. The steering, meanwhile, is a lesson to other car makers in providing feedback.

Performance is terrific, too. Despite having relatively puny engines, the Elise's light weight means that you don't need much power to provide blistering speed. And, that's exactly what you get.

There are downsides, though. There's no room for luggage, the roof is fiddly to take on and off, creature comforts and safety kit are pretty much absent, and it's difficult to get in and out. If you enjoy your driving, though, you just won't care.

Elise Sports

Coupe (1993 - 2003)

Esprit

ESPRIT

The interior betrays the Esprit's 1980s heritage, but it's a proper supercar

Used Lotus Esprit Coupe 1993 - 2003

Okay, so the basic design is 25 years old, but that doesn't matter if the driving experience is this good. A proper member of the supercar pack, the Esprit's got pin-sharp steering and goes in and out of corners with balance and poise. The ride is cracking, too. There's a real suppleness to it that you don't expect from a two-seater coupe that's so close to the road.

Versions in the 1998-2003 bracket were very refined in comparison with early ones, and the rough edges had been smoothed out. Sadly, the engine doesn't make a V8-style noise.

Getting in the cabin isn't easy, with low doors and even lower sills. Once you're inside, the car can't hide its 1980s heritage; it looks and feels dated by modern standards and anyone approaching six feet tall will struggle to get in it. There are no airbags, and the boot is small, too.

Esprit Coupe

Coupe (2000 - 2009)

Exige

It's not everyone's cup of tea, but on B-roads, the Exige is a blast

Used Lotus Exige Coupe 2000 - 2002

Despite what Lotus will tell you to the contrary, this is much more of a weekend plaything than an everyday car. It's a hard-topped two-seater, and the low doors mean getting in and out requires gymnastic levels of flexibility.

However, once you finally have established yourself behind the wheel, it's fantastic fun. The bucket seats hold you firmly in place, although some fuller-bodied people may find them too narrow.

On the motorway, the experience is noisy and unpleasant, but everywhere else it's noisy and brilliant. Find a twisty back road and the Exige will put a smile on your face; grip and cornering ability are sensational. The turn-in and steering feedback are what driving are all about.

This car's not the place for a romantic chat; despite the claustrophobic nature of the cabin, you'll struggle to hear yourself or the audio system. Storage space is virtually non-existent.

Exige Coupe

A former motorsport team and independent tuning company, Abarth has long&nbsp;produced high performance versions of Fiat's cars.

In recent years, Abarth has been established&nbsp;as a standalone brand – in the same way that Citroën split off its DS luxury division several years ago. However, the major difference is that DS cars look completely different from the Citroëns on which they’re based, whereas Abarths rely on bodykits and big wheels to mark them out.

The Abarth 500e is a sporty version of the Fiat 500 Electric, whilst the Abarth 600e is a beefed-up version of the Fiat 600e small SUV.

Abarth

Alfa Romeo now has one of its strongest-ever model line-ups, after years of living off past glories.

The BMW 3 Series-rivalling Giulia executive saloon is one of the best cars in its class to drive, while the closely related Stelvio and smaller Tonale both competes in the booming SUV class.

It’s all a long way from the days when Alfa Romeo just had a couple of dated hatchbacks (the Mito and Giulietta) and the niche 4C sports car in its range.

Alfa Romeo

Alpine (pronounced 'Al-peen') heralded its rebirth with the A110 sports car, which was in the mould of all great drivers’ cars: small and light. And it delivered a character all its own.

Since then, Alpine has evolved into a multi-model brand. The A290 is a high-performance reimagining of the Renault 5 electric small car, and the A390 is the firm’s first standalone electric car.

Alpine shares many of its components with its sister brand, Renault, but its products have a very different look and feel.

Alpine

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 DB12 is a very fast and very luxurious long distance cruiser, and the Vanquish is arguably one of the most glamorous cars around.

Proving it's not afraid to move with the times, Aston has also embraced the march of the SUV; its DBX is a stunning example of what's possible when building a fast, expensive and sporty SUV.

Aston Martin

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 are all common - yet upmarket - sights on UK roads.

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

In many ways, modern Bentleys offer the best of both worlds, blending traditional British craftsmanship with modern mechanicals developed with the help of the company’s owner, Volkswagen.

The Bentayga SUV, for example, is closely related to Audi’s brilliantly engineered Q7 (another VW Group car). Yet the Bentayga still feels every inch a Bentley, thanks to its hand-finished interior and sonorous V8 engine.

Other Bentleys you can buy today include the Flying Spur&nbsp;saloon&nbsp;and the Continental GT coupé and convertible.

Bentley

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 small coupés 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 X7 luxury SUV, which can easily cost more than £100,000.

BMW was also quick to capitalise on the rise of the SUV and now has more than ten in its range, covering petrol, diesel, electric and plug-in hybrid power options.

All of this makes it one of the big three German prestige brands, along with Audi and Mercedes-Benz. 
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BYD is one of the biggest names in electric cars globally, but only launched in the UK recently.

Even so, it has a fast-growing dealer network, and its models – most notably the Seal, which rivals the Tesla Model 3 – are gaining attention for impressive tech and good driving ranges.

Other BYDs include the MG4-sized Dolphin and the plug-in hybrid Seal U, which rivals the Kia Sportage.

Chevrolet in the UK has been through several incarnations. In the 2000s, it brought its evocative&nbsp;name to bear on a series of rather humdrum Vauxhall-derived hatchbacks and SUVs.

Chevrolet largely&nbsp;withdrew from Europe in 2015 after struggling to make an impact, but used examples do at least have the virtue of being incredibly cheap.

Today, the only 'Chevy' you can buy in the UK&nbsp;is the Corvette - a sports car that has all the emotion and drama you'd expect.

&nbsp;

Chevrolet

Chrysler has built an eclectic range of cars over the years – everything from radically styled hatchbacks and brash, all-American saloons, to small family cars and boxy yet hugely practical people carriers.

It decided to pull out of the UK in 2015, after struggling with declining sales. However, there are still some Chrysler models that are worth considering if you’re buying used.

The Grand Voyager, for example, is one of the few MPVs that has room for luggage even when all seven of its seats are occupied, while the 300C – based on the Mercedes-Benz E-Class – is a refreshing alternative to the traditional executive saloon choices.

Chrysler

Citroën is probably most famous for its quirky design, and the latest cars from the brand live up to this tradition. In fact, it&nbsp;tends to keep away from sportiness altogether and instead tries to put comfort first.

Value (but not cheapness) is also key to the appeal of most Citroëns. And the company’s range includes everything from a tiny EV (the Ami) through to the C3 small hatchback and&nbsp;the large van-based&nbsp;Spacetourer MPV.

Its range of SUVs are all badged Aircross, and like the rest of its range place emphasis on comfort, not speed.

Citroen

The sportiest Seats have long used the Cupra name, but it's now been turned into a standalone sub-brand, in much the same way as Fiat's sportiest models are badged as Abarths.

Like Abarth, some of Cupra's models including the Ateca and Leon, are extensively reworked Seats, but its newer models, including the Born, Formentor and Terramar are exclusive to Cupra.

Whilst Cupras are closely related to equivalent models from Seat and Volkswagen, they are generally tuned to provide a more engaging driving experience.

CUPRA

If you want a new car but would rather not spend much, Dacia is a great place to start your search.

This budget brand builds some of Britain’s cheapest new cars, including the Sandero hatchback. And don’t think cheap automatically means corners have been cut, because the Sandero has been commended at the annual What Car? Car of the Year awards on numerous occasions.

Other Dacia models include the&nbsp;higher-riding Sandero Stepway, seven-seat Jogger, and rugged Duster SUV. And while these cost slightly more than the Sandero, they’re still priced aggressively enough that they’re really only competing directly with used cars.

Dacia manages this by borrowing mechanicals and technology from its owner, Renault, to minimise development costs.

Dacia

Daihatsu specialises in building small, budget cars, and while it pulled out of the UK market in 2011 when the strong yen made it impossible for it to make a profit here, there are still plenty of its models on the used market.

The best of the lot is the Charade hatchback, which feels perfectly suited to city driving and is surprisingly spacious for something so small. However, its back catalogue also includes the tiny Terios and Fourtrak SUVs and the Copen convertible, which featured a Mercedes-Benz SLK-style folding metal roof.

Daihatsu

DS has only existed as a standalone manufacturer since 2015&nbsp;(prior to that the badge was used on upmarket&nbsp;Citroëns), but it is now the premium brand in the Stellantis group, which also includes&nbsp;Citroën, Peugeot and Vauxhall.

The first DS models were essentially rebadged Citroëns, but more recently its cars are now standalone models in their own right. Yet under the skin, they're still very closely related.

Its models are&nbsp;influenced by the French fashion industry and are designed&nbsp;to take on the ubiquitous offerings of Audi, BMW and Mercedes.

DS AUTOMOBILES

One of the world’s most famous brands and an integral part of the Formula 1 grid since the first championship in 1950, Ferrari fully lives up to its exalted reputation, producing some of the best sports cars money can buy.

Its entry-level model (although that term hardly seems appropriate) is the Roma, which is powered by a twin-turbo V8 and capable of blasting from 0-62mph in 3.4sec.

Then, further up the range you find the plug-in hybrid 296s – in both coupé and Spider forms – plus the Purosangue SUV, which is the firm’s first four-door, four-seat car.

Ferrari

Modern Fiats lean into their forebears, with familiar nameplates resurrected and retro design themes reimagined.

The mainstay of the range is the Fiat 500 Electric which is an electric small car available with a fixed roof or one with a fabric roof that rolls back.

There’s the Fiat 600, which is a small SUV which is powered by either a petrol engine or an electric motor. The Fiat Grande Panda is a more conventional small SUV, and is also available with petrol or electric power.

Fiat can trace its roots back to the 19th century but is now part of the Stellantis empire, along with Alfa Romeo, Citroën, Maserati and Peugeot.

Fiat

Ford is among the most familiar household names in motoring, with models such as the Fiesta and Focus under its belt.

However, it is adapting to changing tastes, and is, with the exception of the Mustang sports car, primarily a purveyor of SUVs. The Ford Puma tops the list of the UK’s best-selling cars; the Kuga shifts in significant numbers, too.

More recently it has revived names from its past, including the Capri and Explorer, which are both family electric SUVs. Its van range – including the most famous van of them all, the Transit – remains hugely popular.

Ford

Genesis is the upmarket sister brand to Hyundai and Kia, and while it shares much of its technology with those brands, you’d be hard-pressed to notice. That’s because its cars have a look and feel all of its own.

Its range encompasses the GV60, an electric model which is part-family car and part-family SUV, through to the GV70 and GV80 SUVs, plus the G70 and G80 luxury cars.

However, while the GV60 and GV70 are very good cars, the rest of its range is fairly average.

Genesis

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 small family car, 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 impressive fuel economy and an excellent driving experience.

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

For such a common sight on UK roads, Hyundai is a relative newcomer. It launched here in the 1980s, but it wasn’t until the 1990s that it really began to get noticed.

Today it has a huge range of models, ranging from the i10 and Inster small cars, through a range of small and family SUVs to the large Santa Fe.

Its model line-up spans petrol, diesel, hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions, plus it has a wide range of electric models, including the eye-catching Ioniq 5, 6 and 9 models.

As a bonus, all of these cars come with the reassurance of a five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty, whereas many of Hyundai’s rivals offer only three years and 60,000 miles of cover.

Hyundai

Infiniti was to Nissan what Lexus is to Toyota: the premium arm of a mainstream car maker.

Despite launching a range of models, including the Q30 hatchback, QX30 small SUV, Q50 executive saloon and Q60 coupé, it failed to make an impact among British buyers, and ceased operations here in 2020.&nbsp;

Its cars went head to head with cars from the likes of Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz, but even though they typically featured a long list of standard equipment, purchase prices were high.

Infiniti

If you’re in the market for a pick-up truck, chances are you’ll have heard of Isuzu. The Japanese brand makes buses and lorries for markets all over the world, but on these shores, it’s most famous for the D-Max.

A rival to the Ford Ranger, Toyota Hilux and Volkswagen Amarok, the D-Max pick-up is aimed at drivers who need rugged go-anywhere ability and lots of space, and for whom a conventional SUV just won’t cut it.

Isuzu

Jaguars have historically been among the best-handling cars of their kind, and have – until recently – counted the saloons, F-Type sports cars and multiple SUVs among its number.

However, it started to wind up production of its models in 2024 and the final F-Pace SUV rolled off the production line in 2025. The brand will be back, though, reimagined as a maker of high-end electric cars – as previewed by the large and striking Type 00 grand tourer concept.

Jaguar

Jeep only makes SUVs, but it has plenty of them for you to choose from. So, whether you want something rugged enough to ford streams and climb mountains, or a more luxurious and family-friendly car, it has something to suit you.

Despite its all-American image, Jeep is actually owned by manufacturing giant Stellantis, meaning Jeeps often share parts with cars from other models; the entry-level Avenger, for example, has plenty in common with the Peugeot 2008 and Vauxhall Mokka.

However, perhaps the most widely recognised Jeep is the Wrangler, a model that has a dedicated fan base and which closely resembles the original Jeep which saw service in World War 2.

Despite that rugged heritage, it is embracing its all-electric future with battery-powered versions of the Avenger and the Compass family SUV.

Jeep

Buyers seeking value for money should have Kia towards the top of their shopping list.

Although once a niche brand in the UK, today Kia outsells many more established brands, helped by its market-leading seven-year warranty and a strong reputation for reliability; in fact, Kia regularly finishes towards the top of our reliability surveys.

There are plenty of models to choose from, too, ranging from the small Picanto city car to the Ceed family hatchback and the Sorento large SUV. The Picanto was the first Kia to win its class at the What Car? Car of the Year awards.

Lamborghinis have been adorning bedroom posters since the mid-1960s. Not bad for a company whose origins lie in making tractors.

Today, Lamborghini is part of the Volkswagen Group, and as well as bolstering its core sports car portfolio, it has branched out to launch the Urus – a luxurious SUV that’s a rival to the fastest versions of the Bentley Bentayga and Porsche Cayenne.

Lamborghini

Land Rover is synonymous with SUVs, and especially with the Defender – the rugged runabout which saw service in war zones across the world, and was also famously part of the late Queen Elizabeth II’s personal garage.

Today, that Defender has evolved into a far more comfortable and upmarket model. Indeed, like the Range Rover, Range Rover Sport and Range Rover Velar, the Defender perfectly demonstrates Land Rover’s core values of luxury and off-road prowess.

The Discovery, meanwhile, is a practical rival for the Audi Q7 and BMW X5, while the stylish Evoque goes head to head with Audi’s Q3 and BMW’s X1.

Land Rover

Lexus is the premium arm of Toyota, and carries its parent company’s reputation for reliability and build quality. Its models, though, are a far more upmarket affair.

They range from the LBX small SUV, which owes its existence to the rather more humble Toyota Yaris Cross, through family SUVs such as the RX to the luxurious RZ. There’s also the BMW 5 Series-rivalling Lexus ES executive car, plus the quirky LM – a large, luxurious seven-seat MPV.

Lexus has long traded on its fuel-efficient hybrid engines, but like other manufacturers, it is moving into its electric future with the UX and RZ SUVs.

Lexus

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 Grecale, which is available with a petrol engine or as an electric SUV. It rivals the Porsche Macan – and the Porsche Macan Electric.

More traditional Maseratis include the GranTurismo coupé and GranCabrio drop-top, and there’s the MCPura supercar, which used to be called the MC20.

Maserati

These days, Maybach exists as a sub-brand of Mercedes-Benz and focuses on adding even more luxury to the already opulent S-Class saloon and G-Class SUV.

In the case of the S-Class, for example, Maybach adds more space inside, a V12 petrol engine and a list of standard equipment that’s as long as your arm.

As you might expect, Maybach models cost considerably more than the cars on which they’re based – and at this price point, buyers expect ultimate luxury whether they’re driving or being driven.

We’re expecting Mercedes-Maybach to return to its roots, however, and create its own bespoke model. This car, which is expected to take the form of an electric SUV, would do battle with premium rivals such as the Bentley Bentayga and Rolls-Royce Cullinan.

Maybach

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 – 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 and the CX-5 which is a very good family SUV to drive.

Mazda

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 Tesla 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 the most comfortable for a long motorway journey. 
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Mercedes-Benz

One of the most famous names on British roads, MG is a Chinese owned firm these days, and has built a reputation for offering great value SUVs and electric cars.

The HS PHEV family SUV is a particularly strong option, having been named Plug-in Hybrid of the Year at the 2025 and 2026 What Car? Car of the Year Awards. Meanwhile, the MG4 electric hatchback is another car that's very easy to recommend, and the Cyberster electric sports car&nbsp;adds some sparkle at the top of the range.

More&nbsp;recently, MG has introduced the&nbsp;IM5 and IM6 electric cars, which are convincing alternatives to&nbsp;the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y respectively.

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 SUVs (the Aceman and Countryman), as well as a convertible. There are electric models, too.

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 – not least the fact that its infotainment system is based on BMW’s excellent iDrive.

MINI

Mitsubishi left these shores several years ago, but the good news is that it will be making a return soon.

It’ll relaunch here with a slimmed-down line-up, which will comprise the L200 pick-up and the Outlander SUV – but it’s likely it won’t stop there.

Mitsubishi

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, joined by its fellow British-built relatives in the Juke small SUV and Leaf electric car.

Indeed, the original Leaf was the world’s best-selling EV, so Nissan knows a thing or two about electric cars.

The trio is joined by two more SUVs: the all-electric Ariya and the seven-seat X-Trail. But it’s not all about SUVs, though, because there’s also the Micra – a small electric car based on the brilliant Renault 5.

Nissan

Peugeot has a large line-up, with some of its cars now rated by our testers as being among the very best available.

Models range from the 208 small family car, through the 2008 small SUV to the 308 and 3008 — a&nbsp;family car and family SUV respectively. There’s also the sleek 408 fastback and 5008 seven-seat SUV, plus the van-derived Rifter and Traveller MPVs.

Peugeot even offers an electric version of each of these, denoted by an ‘E’ ahead of the model number. Other highlights include a warranty that extends by 12 months/15,000 each time the car is serviced by Peugeot, up to eight years/100,000 miles.

Peugeot

Polestar is a relative newcomer to the new car market, having been born as a motorsport team later bought by Volvo. Today it produces a range of upmarket, fully-electric vehicles and as a brand now sits independently of Volvo.

Its models are given numerical names, and unusually these don’t denote the size of the model, rather they indicate the order in which they’re launched. The now-discontinued Polestar 1 was the firm’s first model and the Polestar 2 is an executive hatchback which is a direct rival for the Tesla Model 3. The Polestar 3 is an electric SUV, Polestar 4 a coupé and Polestar 5 a performance car.

Polestar has a focus on sustainability: in 2020 was the first car maker to release a study to show the carbon footprint of its cars, and in 2021 it started a project to ensure rare-Earth materials such as cobalt – used in many electric car batteries – are sourced responsibly.

Polestar

Porsche is best known as the quintessential sports car maker, but its line-up is increasingly diverse, interesting and successful, from its classic 911 sports car, through to a family of SUVs and high-performance electric cars to the Panamera hatchback and a number of electric cars, most notably the Taycan and Macan Electric.

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.

Porsche

When Proton sold cars in the UK, it highlighted their low-cost, no-nonsense appeal. Sadly for them, neither What Car?’s testers nor many buyers were won over – but that does mean that those now found on the used market can be exceptionally cheap to both buy and run.

Buyers are most likely investigating one of a trio of different-sized hatchbacks (the Satria, Neo or Savvy) or two saloons: the even more oddly named Impian and Wira.

Highlights beyond the low asking prices include the fact that the cars were often generously equipped compared with rivals, in a bid to woo buyers, and sometimes comparatively spacious too.

While used cars for sale now will be out of warranty, Proton offered generous cover on its cars when they were new, suggesting that it was confident they would last. Anecdotal evidence supports this claim, although not enough owners have responded to the annual What Car? Reliability Survey for us to offer a verified view.

Proton

Hatchbacks, SUVs, hybrids, electric cars: Renault makes them all, in a variety of shapes and sizes, meaning it has a line-up designed to tempt pretty much everyone.

With the What Car? Award-winning Renault 5 and its Renault 4 sibling, the firm is looking to its past for inspiration for its small electric models, and has executed them to great effect. Its Clio remains a popular petrol-powered small car, and the related Captur is a small SUV.

Both the Megane and Scenic have been reborn for the electric age, too, with E-Tech versions slotting into the family car and family SUV markets, while less familiar names including Austral, Symbioz and Rafale fill out an expansive family SUV range.

Renault

When it comes to making a statement about how successful you are, there is no brand that shouts “I’ve made it!” more emphatically than Rolls-Royce.

If that’s all you want from your car, look no further. The firm has expanded its range in recent years, with the top-of-the-range Phantom saloon being joined by the Cullinan SUV, and other models including the Ghost and its first electric car, the Spectre.

Whichever way you go, if you have to ask how much it costs, the chances are you can’t afford it. And, even then, the base price is unlikely to be what you end up spending, such is the list of alluring options on offer.

It’s also a moot point whether the cars themselves – rather than the image they portray – represents the very best way to spend your money. What Car?’s testers rate all of them positively but reckon that – if you’re buying with your head rather than your heart – there are other cars that you should also consider.

Rolls-Royce

Once a bastion of the British car industry, Rover is no longer a going concern anywhere but in the used car market.

For the canny buyer, that can be as good news as it is for the enthusiastic collectors of the firm’s finer models. Some of the cars from its later history remain in reasonable supply, can prove mechanically sound and come at rock-bottom prices.

Most collectable of them all is the Rover Mini, but for those looking to buy some no-nonsense transport for pocket money, the likes of the 25, 75, CityRover and Streetwise can make sound investments, especially if you can find later examples that aren’t yet overwhelmed by having covered giant mileages.

Rover

Find a good example and Saabs make famously great used cars; they are generally well priced, well equipped and reliable.

The firm was declared bankrupt in 2012, so any used models on the market are now generally old and at the budget end of the spectrum.

Barring collectors’ curiosities, you’ll find the 9-3 and larger 9-5 filling the classifieds, in saloon, estate and convertible variants. Petrol and diesel options are available, and the brand’s long-time link-up with parent firm General Motors means that they were generally well equipped.

Prices vary significantly according to age, mileage and condition, but there are certainly some bargains to be had if you compare what your money will buy you against that of comparable rivals.

Saab

Seat — pronounced Say-at — has an aging portfolio of models, with a focus put on its sportier sister brand, Cupra, by parent company Volkswagen.

Nevertheless, its models remain popular, with the Ibiza and Leon small and family-sized cars offering more traditional approaches over more ubiquitous SUVs. Still, that particular box is ticked by the Arona small SUV and the Ateca family-sized model.

Seats share their underpinnings and technology with sister brands including Audi, Skoda and Volkswagen, and generally deliver more distinctive styling and a sportier presence, fitting with its brief to be a little more youthful.

SEAT

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 small family car to a large executive model, with family and large seven-seat SUVs too. There’s a wide variety of petrol and diesel engines, plus plug-in hybrid and electric models, all of which are competitive for the class.

Skoda

Smart has grown from a maker of tiny cars under the ownership of Mercedes-Benz to a builder of electric SUVs backed by Chinese manufacturing giant Geely.

It’s taken a rather unusual approach to naming its models, which began with the #1, and has expanded to include the #3 and #5. The models are small, coupé and family SUVs, all powered by electricity.

What’s more, they’re quick both when it comes to driving and to charging. They feature high-quality interiors, and their exterior styling is a break from the norm, too.

Smart

Formerly known as Ssangyong, KGM's range is dominated by&nbsp;SUVs (as well as a single pick-up), most of which are below the class average standard, but all of which have merits, including the&nbsp;practicality they offer for the money.

The highlight of the current line-up is&nbsp;the Korando, a Nissan Qashqai rival that offers all the space of that car but for a price closer to the much smaller Nissan Juke’s. It also&nbsp;has decent engines, but it’s let down a bit by interior quality, high running costs and poor resale values.

SsangYong

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 Crosstrek is a more conventional family SUV. The Solterra is the firm’s first electric SUV, and it is closely related to the Toyota bZ4X.

However, Subaru continues to ensure its models are four-wheel drive, and all are far more&nbsp;competent off-road than you might expect.

Subaru

Suzuki is well known as a motorcycle manufacturer, but the car brand has enjoyed success thanks to a line-up of neat, well-equipped and keenly priced models.

It’s probably best known for the Swift small car and the Vitara family SUV, but it also has the S-Cross small SUV in its line-up, along with the Across SUV, which is essentially a rebadged Toyota RAV4.

Indeed like Toyota, Suzuki has forged a reputation as a builder of very reliable cars. And also like Toyota, Suzuki’s warranty stretches to ten years/100,000 miles as long as the car is serviced at a main dealer.

Suzuki

Tesla is a US brand that revolutionised the car industry, putting electric cars in the limelight for the first time – helped by the personality and profile of boss Elon Musk.

Today, Tesla has slimmed down its range, with the larger Model S and Model X being discontinued. However, the remaining electric models – the Model 3 executive car and Model Y SUV – both stand out for range, performance and Tesla’s brilliant Supercharger charging network.

&nbsp;

Tesla

Toyota has a rather Jekyll and Hyde approach to its very best cars. On the one hand, the superb Corolla family car and estate are eminently sensible, combining plenty of practicality with rock-bottom running costs. On the other hand, its GR Yaris is among the finest – and most fun – hot hatchbacks money can buy.

The rest of its range errs towards the rational side, with a wide range of small, family-sized and large SUVs – many of which are hybrid-powered, and some are fully-electric.&nbsp;

The Yaris Cross stands out for exceptional fuel economy – we achieved more than 100mpg around town – and the Prius remains the world’s most famous hybrid car.

Toyota’s enviable reputation for reliability is backed by a warranty which can stretch to 10 years/100,000 miles as long as the car is serviced by a Toyota dealer.

Toyota

Now part of the vast Stellantis empire, Vauxhall is now the sister brand to Alfa Romeo, Citroën, Fiat, Jeep and Peugeot. This means their models are all very similar under the skin.

Vauxhall has historically offered larger discounts than many other car makers, and this continues today. And that gives it an advantage over its stablemates – a good thing, because while its models are decent all-rounders, few stand out in any particular regard.

It produces electric versions of every model, and the Frontera small SUV was its first model to achieve price parity between petrol and electric models.

Vauxhall

Volkswagen is, as its name implies, at the very heart of the Volkswagen Group – an entity which also includes Audi, Cupra, Seat and Skoda. And that means it faces fierce competition from within its own family as well as from a raft of unrelated rivals.

It counters this with a very wide range of petrol, diesel, electric and hybrid models which cover pretty much every part of the market. And most of these we regard to be either good, or very good indeed.

It blends familiar nameplates such as the Polo, Golf and Passat (in ascending order of size) with newcomers in the shape of its electric car range, which are prefaced by ID. The rest of its range focuses around SUVs and MPVs, with highlights including the brilliant T-Roc small SUV, seven-seat Tayron SUV, plus the Caddy and Multivan MPVs and the California family of campervans.

Volkswagen

Volvo is now a true rival to the likes of Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz, offering an alternative take on premium executive cars to a rapidly growing fanbase. Its cars typically feature beautifully finished interiors, laden with technology.

It was long famed for its estate cars, but like many of its rivals, it is now looking to SUVs. But that’s no problem, because it is very good at building them – the XC40, XC60, XC90 and electric EX40 have won a raft of What Car? Awards over the years.

Volvo retains its relentless focus on safety as it moves into the electric age – indeed it envisions that no one will be killed or seriously injured in one of its cars.

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