6. Audi A1

The Audi A1 aims to bring an even bigger slice of premium quality to the small car market than the MINI. It really does provide the posh feel of a bigger Audi in a compact package, whether you go for the SE, Sport or S line models, with soft-touch plastics and chrome-ringed air vents. The pop-up sat-nav screen is a neat option, while there’s lots of potential to customise your car, although this can soon push the price up – and the three-door A1 and five-door A1 Sportback are quite expensive to begin with.

It’s not an expensive car to run, though. While buyers can expect a relatively high insurance group, fuel consumption is low across the range, and although the1.6 TDI diesel is the only model to qualify for free road tax (thanks to its 99g/km emissions), no A1 has a big road tax bill.

Every version will hold on to its price well, too, while the compact dimensions hide a decent 270-litre boot on both bodystyles. Six airbags, traction and stability control are standard across the range, which helped the A1 achieve a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating.