Old favourites vs new challengers

Look at the list of best-selling new cars from last year and there aren’t many surprises. The most popular models are a common sight on our roads – but what if you don’t want to go along with the crowd?

There’s such a wide choice that finding an alternative isn’t difficult. Yet which should you opt for? That’s the question we set out to answer in this week’s special road test.

We pick our recommended alternative to the UK’s top five sellers in 2009. Some, like the Ford Fiesta and VW Golf, are the best in class – but we’ve found substitutes that do the job very nearly as well for less money.

As we count down from fifth to first in the new car sales charts, we choose an alternative to each model – although our advice covers the entire range, from entry-level variants to performance flagships. So, if you want a break from the norm, this is essential reading – judging by our second-string line-up, motorists have never had it so good.

TEST 1: Skoda Octavia vs. Golf
TEST 2: New Astra vs. Old Astra
TEST 3: Hyundai i20 vs. Corsa
TEST 4: Mazda 3 vs. Focus
TEST 5: SEAT Ibiza vs Fiesta