25 Honda Jazz: Higher price tag but hits the right notes

The thing with the Jazz is that it looks so much more expensive than its key rivals. The cheapest Jazz is, for instance, about €3,000 more expensive than the cheapest Skoda Fabia.

That price represents a world of difference in equipment though. Whereas the base models of most rivals feel like your worst rental car nightmares (how many blank switches can there be?), the most basic Jazz feels actually pretty plush, with air conditioning, emergency autonomous braking, Bluetooth, cruise control, automatic headlights and wipers and remote audio controls all on the standard kit list.

Only a Nissan Note manages to match the Jazz for equipment and price, and it feels nowhere near so special as the Jazz. Special? Yes, even though we’ll allow that the Jazz isn’t the best looking car in the class (its a bit boxy with roundy corners), it does feel special inside. The controls have a weighty, oily feel to them and there’s a stunning amount of space for a compact car. It’s only ordinary to drive, but does feel pleasantly light on its toes, if lacking entirely the sort of driver engagement of a Fiesta. Oh, and avoid the CVT automatic version – it’s horrid.

Price range: €17,640 to €22,595

Co2 emissions: 111 to 116g/km

Which one? Go for the sharper-looking F-Sport and take the 10g/km Co2 penalty

PCP: from €189 per month