My judgement is based on following grounds:

Opel/Vauxhall Astra
Just like the Insignia last year the new Opel Astra is a major improvement over its predecessor. The exterior design is fantastic. The interior is very classy and has lots of room and a premium feel. Road handling has improved enormously as well, and the FlexRide system gives you a choice between a sporty or a more comfortable ride. The new 1.4 turbo engine has lots of torque and power combined with excellent fuel economy.

Mercedes E-class
Once again the new Mercedes E is the benchmark in its class. Especially the long list of safety features is very impressive. The level of comfort is high and the quality and finish of materials is excellent. The diesel engines are state of the art: fuel efficient and powerful.

Toyota iQ
The iQ scores high on innovation. The Toyota engineers have created a lot of interior space in a three metre car. Handling and comfort are surprisingly good for a car this size. It’s relatively expensive though, and in many cases an Aygo would be a more sensible choice.

Skoda Yeti
Skoda’s first compact SUV is a pleasant surprise. The Yeti has great sturdy looks. It’s practical with flexible seating and a roomy interior. The off road capacities are excellent, and it also handles very well on road.

Citroën C3 Picasso
With its cube shaped cabin the Citroën C3 Picasso not only looks cool, it also has a lot of practical interior space. The interior is light and airy. It has a sliding rear bench that can be folded into the floor very easily. The C3 Picasso is both fun and practical.

Volkswagen Polo
There is absolutely nothing wrong with the new VW Polo. In fact, it’s almost as good as a Golf, just slightly smaller. So why did I only give it two points? Because of the exterior design, which is not very inspiring compared to some other cars in its class.

Peugeot 3008
Although it’s called a crossover the 3008 doesn’t have 4WD (like the Nissan Qashqai for instance). And the optional Grip Control hardly makes up for that. It is a very roomy car though, with a great looking interior. But I don’t like the exterior design very much.