Ford Focus

“The new-shape Focus is becoming a common auction sight, but it’s a case of buying the right car. While Zetec Climate examples can look expensive, LX ones are cheap and offer the best value.” Graham Smith

For a car that’s used to winning awards, it has taken the Focus a while to triumph in the Used Car Honours. Honda’s Civic has made this sector its own with four straight wins, but it was toppled by the big-selling Ford this year.

Last time round, there weren’t enough examples of the new Focus on the second-hand market for it to be considered, yet 12 months down the line it’s everywhere – and you could have one from around £6,000. The original created a stir when it replaced the Escort in 1998. And while the second-generation Focus hasn’t ignited passions in the same way, it’s still a tempting proposition.

Even at the end of its life, the previous car remained one of the class leaders, so the newcomer faced a difficult task. But Ford took on board criticism regarding cabin quality and boot space, so the latest model has a solid, classy interior, and its 364-litre load area is a big improvement.

It still excels on the road, too, balancing refinement and involvement superbly. The handling and ride ensure that while the Ford is a sensible option, it doesn’t skimp on fun. There is an array of engines, with a pair of great 1.6-litre units. And although the 98bhp petrol can return 42mpg, if you choose the slower 89bhp 1.6 TDCi diesel you can hit 60mpg.

Unless you pick lowly Studio trim, luxuries such as air-con are standard, while five-door models will set you back around £400 more than three-door variants. Ford isn’t renowned for its build quality, but a 19th place finish overall for the Focus in our Driver Power 2007 owner survey proves there’s more to the car than tidy handling and a decent cabin.

Models which didn’t make the shortlist in this crowded sector include the Toyota Prius and Volkswagen Golf. The hybrid offers significant savings for anyone who has to enter London’s Congestion Charge zone regularly, but it’s pricey to buy. And while the VW is classy, it’s an expensive choice, too.

Commended: Honda Civic

2001 to 2006

Age has finally caught up with the Civic, so after four years at the top of the small family car class, it has finally been knocked off its perch. The Japanese model has recently been replaced, and while the space-age styling of the newcomer has won plaudits, the previous generation is still a serious contender on second-hand forecourts. You only need to look at its huge interior, strong line-up of petrol and diesel engines and smart styling to appreciate its many strengths – and that’s before you consider the faultless Honda build quality and the fact that the Civic has never been cheaper to buy.

Commended: Vauxhall Astra

2004 to present

The pretty Vauxhall doesn’t lead the field in any respect, but it impressed our judges with a strong performance across the board. So, while its cabin isn’t huge, it does provide plenty of space. On the outside, the styling won’t win any beauty contests, either, yet at the same time it won’t offend anyone. While the Vauxhall badge doesn’t match the likes of VW for image, fine value saw the car fend off the Golf. With a huge supply of models, back-up from the excellent Network Q programme and an enormous selection of engines and trims, there’s an Astra for everyone.