The ten best superminis money can buy | Top 10 - Car News May 2012

1. Ford Fiesta

Currently the biggest-selling car in the UK, the Fiesta is a class-leader. Sure, it's about as common as Kerry Katona, and nowhere near as exciting as some of its rivals, but it's well priced, good looking, good to drive and cheap to run.

2. Vauxhall Corsa

There was a time when the only reason you'd buy a Corsa was that you were so inherently thick, your brain would explode from the sheer effort of considering an alternative. You only have to look at the way Mk1 Corsas are driven to see that, evolutionarily speaking, Corsa drivers are several millennia behind the rest of us.

The new Corsa, on the other hand, is an excellent car, one of the best all-round superminis you can buy.

3. VW Polo

It's a tired old cliché that German cars are dull and austere but the Polo proves that clichés are sometimes accurate. The Polo manages to pull off the nifty trick of being both dreary and absolutely brilliant simultaneously. It's so good in fact that it won the 2010 European Car of the Year award and is built with the sort of attention to detail that would put Swiss watchmakers to shame.

4. Audi A1

What price exclusivity? Er… about thirteen-and-a-half grand. Which is a lot for a supermini. However, as the old adage goes, you get what you pay for, and what you get with the A1 is a classy, well-made car with a desirable image and an excellent range of engines.

Very nice indeed.

5. Renault Clio

The car which inspired those unbelievably irritating "Papa! Nicole!" adverts in the mid-nineties has finally come of age.

Old Clios were renowned for poor reliability and interior flimsiness but the latest model is a vast improvement thanks to superior build quality, a supple ride and bags and bags of French charm.

6. MINI

"Short back and sides, sir?" Okay, the MINI might have earned a reputation as being the vehicle of choice for hairdressers and estate agents nationwide, but don't let that put you off what is still a superb little car.

The MINI is stylish, good to drive and holds onto its money like an old age pensioner. It's not the most practical car in its class, but when it looks this good, who cares?

7. Hyundai i20

The i20 earns its place on this list on its price tag alone. It's not the best car in the class but it’s superb value for money and much better than Hyundais of old. If you're not bothered by brand image and just want a cheap runaround with space for five (at a push), then look no further.

8. Honda Jazz

Interesting fact: 99% of all Honda Jazzs sold in the UK end up in Eastbourne.

Okay, this isn't strictly true, but it is true that the Honda Jazz is a big favourite with the blue-rinse brigade. And it's not hard to see why. It's reliable, economical, spacious and easy to drive, and the glovebox is easily big enough for several packets of Werther's Originals and a pension book.

9. Alfa Romeo Mito

An Alfa for Fiesta money? You'd have to have a heart of stone to turn that down. The MiTo is rubbish in many key areas - it's uninspiring to drive, noisy, cramped and expensive - but this is a car you buy with your heart, not your head.

The petrolhead's choice of supermini.

10. Citroen DS3

Nobody does quirkiness like Citroen and the DS3 is a fine example of this. With mad styling and a classy interior, it's a car likely to appeal to poseurs and for good reason - this is easily one of the most desirable superminis around.

It's not the best all-rounder - its rear seats are too cramped and it's too expensive - but we can forgive it all this thanks to its irresistible Gallic appeal.

So there you go. If you would like to nominate a car of your own, please feel free to comment below. And if you drive a Mk1 Vauxhall Corsa and would like to complain, simply mash the keyboard with your hooves.