Irish Times Best buys: Small hatchbacks

The Jazz has long been possibly the most intelligent car in this class. It’s not the sportiest nor the most engaging to drive, but it has a cabin of rare quality and space, a chassis that’s responsive enough for most purposes and a very responsive and frugal little 1.3-litre petrol engine which will have you wondering quite why everyone else is clamouring for diesel. It is pricier than most rivals (although that is significantly balanced out by excellent standard equipment levels) and the CVT automatic is best avoided. Why? Because it’s horrid.

Best buy: Jazz 1.3 iVTEC SE from €17,640. Prices start at €17,640.

PCP packages start from €189 a month.

Read the review: Honda's pricey Jazz clubs opposition

The Mazda 2 rocks a similar you-couldn’t-kill-it-with-a-stick vibe as the Jazz. Certainly, its build quality and standard of assembly is from the very top drawer, and this is a small car which can shame some supposed luxury cars when it comes to reliability. It’s not dour though - from the sharp styling on the outside to the responsive steering and balanced chassis, the 2 proves that small and affordable doesn’t have to mean dull. It is quite tight on rear seat space though, and if you want options it starts getting pretty expensive, pretty quickly.

Best buy: Mazda 2 1.5 75hp Executive from €16,995. Prices start at €15,995

PCP packages start from €173 a month

Like the comfiest pair of shoes you can find, the Fabia is one of those cars that just slots neatly and easily into your life. It shares all its parts with the VW Polo and Seat Ibiza, but its understated styling and neat cabin layout puts it just ahead of its VW Group brethren. Little 1.0-litre engine is capable enough for most purposes, but the (pricey) 1.2 TSI turbo engine turns the Fabia into a properly comfortable motorway express. Got a growing family? Then get the Fabia Combi estate with its massive 530-litre boot.

Best buy: Fabia Combi Estate 1.2 TSI Ambition from €18,395. Prices start at €13,895

PCP packages start from €150 a month

Wild card:

Let's face it. For all the fancy options, the Apple CarPlay, the big, noisy engines and the AMG alloys, some of us just want an amount of car for a minimal outlay that gets the kids to school, us to work and back and which doesn't overly tax either brain nor wallet. Step forward the Dacia Sandero. Essentially a Renault parts-bin with wheels and a bargain price, the Sandero might well be cheerless, unexciting and almost entirely anonymous in looks, but it's a small hatch for the price of a city car, has a long warranty and is entirely acceptable, as a basic vehicle, for the money. Use. Abuse. Dispose.

Best buy: Sandero 1.2 16v Alternative from €10,190. Prices start from €10,190.

PCP packages start from €191 a month

Buying used?

So you want something small and affordable but which is still funky to look at an engaging to drive? Then can we suggest you get a Swift? The little Suzuki isn’t the best when it comes to cabin space (the rear seats really are quite tight) but its solidly reliable (just watch for overly-worn rear tyres and knackered steering bushes) and its as good to drive as a Mini Cooper costing twice as much.

Best buy: 2012 Swift 1.2 GLX for circa €9,500