My judgement is based on following grounds:

I easily choose my personal podium first: Astra, IQ and Polo (in alphabetical order). This is the result of the bare sum of the rate of innovation, quality, practicality and cost. More interesting and difficult was the decision about the winner, solution I found using my personal rule i.e. focusing innovation.

The "short" (not "little") Toyota is a car I loved day by day, trip by trip, with growing appreciation; may be it could be more accurate in the interior and/or with a better transmission tuning, but was really exciting discovering the astonishing agility and a level of roadholding never reached in such a compact vehicle and , more, understanding it is not at all just a citycar.

On the other hand Polo is definitely the corroboration of the Volkswagen skill in improving a good car in a better car, without clamorous changes but with a serious design evolution and contents improvement.

Good third the Opel, for the stylish body, the handling and the overall quality, plus the appreciation for the Company firm belief to pursue new product standards (Insignia last year and Astra today).

3008 is by far the best among the "not may be winner" despite I didn't understand immediately the value of such a crossover formula; people likes it, I can just confirm it works very well in every aspect.