Toyota Yaris

Initially, there was the choice of four engines in the Yaris range: a 68bhp 1.0-litre, 87bhp 1.3 and a more powerful 133bhp 1.8-litre. There was also the option of a 90bhp 1.4-litre diesel. The 1.0-litre is probably the best option for those who rarely venture out of town because it crawls to 62mph in 15.7 seconds and tops out at 97mph. Not great for B-road jaunts then.

A better all-rounder is the more powerful 101bhp 1.33-litre that was offered from January 2010, replacing the old 1.3 engine. This engine verges on the heroic and with the slick, six-speed manual it'll complete the 0-62mph dash in 11.7 seconds and and then go on to a top speed of 109mph. On the move it needs plenty of revs to deliver its best and, thanks to decent gearing, cruises near silently at 70mph.

The sole diesel, meanwhile, is a little vocal when worked hard, but rewards with punchier in-gear acceleration. Finally, the most powerful and sportiest 1.8-litre lived a short life in the Yaris range. The 131bhp engine was introduced in April 2007 and fazed out towards the end of 2008. Available in the SR the sportiest Yaris could sprint to 62mph in 8.9 seconds but was seen more of ‘warm’, rather than ‘hot’ hatch to challenge the fast Renaults that lead the hot hatch class.