Winner Honda Civic

Winner Honda Civic

The compact family car market is one of the hottest there is. Newer faces in the shape of the revamped Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf have combined with better value established contenders, such as Honda"s Civic, to give used buyers a huge choice. The new Focus hit showrooms last January and was eligible for these awards for the first time, while the upmarket Golf is available in ever-increasing numbers.

But it was the Honda Civic that emerged from the crowd as the clear winner again in 2006. That makes it four consecutive victories for the Japanese model. Granted, some of the other cars in this sector drive a lot better, or look more stylish, but it"s the Honda"s blend of value, availability andreliability that is unrivalled - and nothing can touch the Civic when it comes to interior space.

Big, wide-opening doors and a flat floor make our winner great for passengers, while the dash-mounted gearlever frees up cabin space in the front. Fold down the back seats, though, and you"ve basically got a mini estate.

A strong petrol engine line-up includes an 89bhp entry-level 1.4-litre powerplant, a 108bhp 1.6 and two 2.0-litre units. The 158bhp motor in the smart and sporty Type S can still manage 37mpg, while the high-revving Type R variant develops a range-topping 197bhp. There"s even an economical 1.7 i-CTDi oil-burner. Prices for the earliest models are becoming very affordable, and if you go for one of the first examples, with an old-fashioned Y-reg number plate, you"ll be able to pick up a decent Civic for as little as чЈ5,000.

Both the car and its franchised dealers have performed well in this year"s Auto Express Driver Power survey, where owners have raved about the reliability and build quality of this dependable offering. Mechanical or electrical problems are few and far between, so you can purchase with confidence.

For your money, you"ll get lightweight controls, a slick gearshift along with a solid interior, which stands up well to the rigours of daily use. All of the Sport and Type S versions feature climate control and, if you plump for an Executive-badged model, you"ll also benefit from generous leather upholstery in the cabin.

Since the Honda was introduced back in 2001, the design has barely changed, so even early cars won"t look particularly dated. However, if you can afford a post-2003 facelifted example, you will get a higher equipment count and more distinctive projector-style headlamps.

Expert tip

The Civic still sets the pace in this class: bags of space makes it the primary choice for family buyers. Enthusiastic drivers may prefer the old Focus, which still out-handles all-comers and is on sale from only чЈ2,500. But it has a small boot and, while the replacement is bigger, prices for it are still high - so it didn"t make our top three.

Commended Vauxhall Astra

Neat styling and improved handling marked the arrival of the new Astra. Launched in 2004, availability is limited compared to the Civic and space inside and in the boot is only average. Prices start at around чЈ7,500 for good, early 1.6-litre cars, but avoid entry-level Expression models, as they do without air-conditioning.

Commended Volkswagen Golf

Reports of slow new car sales of the fifth-generation Golf don"t tell the real story about one of the best family motors VW has produced in years. The latest model is competent and used supply is improving all the time, and while you pay for the badge, residuals are strong. Prices start around чЈ9,000, but stick to larger petrol units or a good diesel.