Full review: http://www.carbuyer.co.uk/reviews/ford/focus/hatchback/video
You'll like the fact that this is one of the best small family cars to drive, and offers a range of powerful diesels. Even though the firm suspension and sporty ride is not to as comfortable as some rivals, a January 2008 facelift has improved looks and means interior quality is a close match for upmarket alternatives like the VW Golf. ECOnetic editions offer great fuel economy, while high performance ST editions are fun to drive. Both three and five-door models are spacious, but the latter is the better family choice.
Do you own this car? Let us know what you think about it with the Driver Power Survey http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/front_website/driverpower/2011
Ford Focus review - CarBuyer
Full review: http://www.carbuyer.co.uk/reviews/ford/focus/hatchback/review
Talk about important! Some 1.3 million Ford Focus models have been sold since the original car arrived in 1998 and with fierce competition from Volkswagen's Golf, this latest, third generation 2011 car is the most crucial yet. It's all-new, with a fresh look, host of high-tech gadgets and a super-efficient range of modern petrol and diesel engines.
Ford Focus ST review - CarBuyer
Full review: http://www.carbuyer.co.uk/reviews/ford/focus/st-hatchback/review
The all-new Ford Focus ST is a performance-oriented version of the Focus, but is built with an eye on everyday usability as well. As a result it's not only blisteringly quick in a straight line but it's also comfortable and refined too. The suspension strikes a great balance between ensuring sharp handling and softly sprung comfort, while the engine sounds quiet below 3500rpm. Unlike the old Focus ST, the current model is only available as a five-door and it now comes as an estate model too, which means it's more of a family car than ever before. It also starts at a price-tag that greatly undercuts its main rivals.
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Ford Mondeo review - CarBuyer
Full review: http://www.carbuyer.co.uk/reviews/ford/mondeo/hatchback/review
It's a common sight on Britain's roads, but Ford's Mondeo family car is anything but average! In fact, it's an almost flawless offering in the family car market. The five-door Mondeo has a massive boot, offers loads of passenger space and the most comfortable ride in its class. What's more, it's still fun to drive. Even basic Edge trim gets alloy wheels and air-conditioning, while top-level Titanium models are lavishly equipped. Of all the engines available the diesels are best, offering punchy performance with good economy - especially the green ECOnetic edition.
Do you own this car? Let us know what you think about it with the Driver Power Survey http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/front_website/driverpower/2011
Hyundai i30 review - CarBuyer
Full review: http://www.carbuyer.co.uk/reviews/hyundai/i30/hatchback/review
The Hyundai i30 is aiming for the top of its class - it's the Korean brand's latest rival to the Volkswagen Golf and Ford Focus, sharing many exterior styling cues with its bigger brother, the Hyundai i40. The striking looks and upmarket cabin are combined with some of the highest equipment levels in the family hatchback sector. All models come with Bluetooth, LED daytime running lights, a multi-function steering wheel and electric heated door mirrors.
Renault Mégane review - CarBuyer
Full review: http://www.carbuyer.co.uk/reviews/renault/megane/hatchback/video
Distinctively designed and well equipped, Renault's latest Mégane offers reasonable interior quality and class leading comfort. Hatchback versions are available in both five-door and sportier three-door Coupé form -- while there is also a Sport Tourer estate and a folding hardtop convertible. The high-performance Renaultsport Megane Coupé is an exciting option for anyone looking for a competitively priced hot hatch.
But while the Megane five-door is called a hatchback, Renault labels the sportier looking three-door a coupé. The coupé has a lower roofline, different front-end styling and a firmer suspension set-up. Both models drive well. Diesel versions are cheap to run, and cabin quality is better than any Renault hatchback before, though not quite up to the standards of the Volkswagen Golf.
Renault's Mégane Coupé-Cabriolet is a stylish hard-top convertible aimed at the Peugeot 308 CC and VW Eos. It's offers good value for money and has an electric folding glass roof. With the roof up the cabin feel light and airy With the roof down the car suffers from a breezy cabin. There's precious little rear space and a limited boot.
Meanwhile, the Mégane Sport Tourer estate offers a useful blend of practicality with compact exterior dimensions. From the driver's seat, the car doesn't feel big and bulky, but it offers plenty of loading space. It's still dwarfed by the cavernous Peugeot 308 SW and Skoda Octavia Estate. There's a wide range of engines and trims to choose from, but most versions are well equipped and reasonably priced.
Do you own this car? Let us know what you think about it with the Driver Power Survey http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/front_website/driverpower/2011
Honda Civic 2006 - 2011 review - CarBuyer
Full review: http://www.carbuyer.co.uk/reviews/honda/civic/hatchback/video
Well built, and practical too, Honda's Civic has been credited with revolutionising Honda's image here in the UK. There are three- and five-door versions of the futuristically styled Honda Civic family hatchback, but both look very similar because the five-door has cleverly placed rear door handles 'hidden' in the window frames. Interior and boot space remains the same across the range. Honda reserves the three-door style for the sportier Type S and the high-performance Type R; the most economical 1.4-litre diesel versions are only available with five doors.
When Honda launched the current Civic family hatchback, its futuristic styling caused quite a stir. The three-door version is only available in sporty Type S trim or in Type R guise - the latter a hugely exciting high performance hatchback with a loud and powerful 2.0-litre petrol engine. Type S models have similar looks, but are available with more economical engines, including a 2.2-litre diesel.
Do you own this car? Let us know what you think about it with the Driver Power Survey http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/front_website/driverpower/2011
Ford Focus ST review - Top Gear - BBC
The future's bright, the future's very orange as Jeremy Clarkson puts the Ford Focus ST through its paces out on a rather wet Top Gear track.
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Mini Cooper review - CarBuyer
Full review: http://www.carbuyer.co.uk/reviews/mini/mini/hatchback2/review
Unlike the 1959 original, today's BMW-developed MINI is an expensive 'premium' small hatchback. That hasn't stopped thousands flooding the roads, and an extensive options list means it's easy to make every MINI feel unique. Excellent resale values and economical engines make owning a MINI cheaper than you'd think, too. Six versions, from the basic First to the high performance John Cooper Works offer something for everyone, unless you need much space for luggage or rear passengers, that is. All versions share the same quality feel and are brilliant fun to drive.
Do you own this car? Let us know what you think about it with the Driver Power Survey http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/front_website/driverpower/2011
New Ford Focus review - Auto Express
Full review: http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/videos/featuresvideos/262096/ford_focus_16_ecoBoost_video_review.html#ixzz1BZiNx5yE
We've tried Ford's latest direct-injection EcoBoostturbo engines in the C-MAX, Mondeo and S-MAX -- but this is our first taste of the new 180bhp 1.6-litre, which debuts in the 2011 Focus and goes on sale in November.
Volkswagen Golf review - CarBuyer
Full review: http://www.carbuyer.co.uk/reviews/volkswagen/golf/hatchback/video
The Volkswagen Golf is a classy and well-built rival to the Ford Focus. Its neat interior, class leading refinement and smart looks cement its place as one of the most desirable cars in its class. The extensive model range gives choice for all budgets, the TSI petrol engines being smooth and the turbodiesels being strong on economy. The GTI and R models are sporting models that compete with the likes of the Ford Focus ST and RS, but neither is cheap.
Refinement is high on the Golf's agenda -- and from the driver's seat, it's as quiet as a luxury car. That raises it above rivals like the Ford Focus and Vauxhall Astra for outright comfort. Built quality is first rate across the entire range, from the entry S models right up to the enjoyable GTI and R range-toppers. Smaller TSI petrol engines deliver above expectations, TDI diesels offer punchy performance and excellent economy, while the clever DSG automatic gearbox option is smooth and easy to operate.
Do you own this car? Let us know what you think about it with the Driver Power Survey http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/front_website/driverpower/2011
BMW 1 Series review - CarBuyer
Full review: http://www.carbuyer.co.uk/reviews/bmw/series-1/hatchback/review
The second generation of the BMW 1 Series hatchback is packed with more gadgetry than ever, including new, super-efficient petrol and diesel engines, and lots of equipment you would expect to see on larger luxury cars. There's greater scope for personalisation (a bit like the MINI) too.
Suzuki Swift review - CarBuyer
Full review: http://www.carbuyer.co.uk/reviews/suzuki/swift/hatchback/review
Although it doesn't wear a popular badge like the Ford Fiesta or Volkswagen Polo, the Suzuki Swift is a brilliant choice and one of the cheapest cars in this class. Only a 1.2-litre petrol engine is available, but it offers enough power for city driving as well as impressive fuel economy. A more efficient diesel engine, will be available in the spring of 2011. Front and rear passengers have plenty of space, but the boot is only really big enough for the weekly shopping.
Do you own this car? Let us know what you think about it with the Driver Power Survey http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/front_website/driverpower/2011
2012 Ford Focus Titanium Hatchback Start Up, Exhaust, and In Depth Tour
In this video I give a full in depth tour of the all new 2012 Ford Focus Titanium Hatchback. I take viewers on a close look through the interior and exterior of this car while showing details, over viewing of features, and noting unique styling cues to the vehicle itself. I also show the engine and the details of it, start it up and see how it sounds under acceleration. A thorough tour/review of this car designed to give others a greater overall appreciation of the vehicle.
