Read the full Dacia Jogger review
When times are tough, people tend to focus on getting the best value they can. Here’s where the Dacia Jogger does so well – it offers an astounding amount of bang for not much buck. Though it’s based on the Sandero hatch, the Jogger has been stretched significantly to offer bags of interior room and seven very usable seats, making it the perfect car for large families – without going down the secondhand route.
The middle row (of three) provides plenty of room for adults or child seats, and interior storage is plentiful. Better yet, the rear row of two seats is perfectly usable for two, and there’s still some space for luggage behind that if you need it. But the price is the Jogger’s killer USP, and why it’s an award winner – as well as all this space and practicality, you get a willing and efficient engine, up-to-date tech and a very comfortable ride. In short, it makes us wonder how they do it for less than the price of a mid-range Ford Fiesta – it’s a very worthy winner.
RUNNERS UP
Read the full MG5 EV review
Since closing in 2005, MG has been on a long journey back to the top that sees the iconic brand now offering a range of electric cars that people are buying in increasing numbers. The MG5 is the current pick of the bunch because it’s a family-sized estate car that you can buy for similar money to rivals’ city car EVs.
If you’re looking for an electric estate car right now, your options are limited to this, and the Porsche Taycan – so you can see why we rate this one so highly. But we don’t rate the MG5 just because it’s great value and comes stacked with kit, but also because you get a decent 250+ plus miles of battery range, the option of some very impressive safety features and a seven-year warranty.
Read the full Vauxhall Astra review
The new Vauxhall Astra has come out of the starting blocks as one of the most effective family hatchbacks on the market. It’s closely related to the Peugeot 308, which explains why it looks good, drives well and has a range of engines that offers something for everyone – from economical petrols and a diesel to tax-efficient plug-in hybrids.
So why pick out the Astra in a busy market sector? You get all the looks and tech in a package that’s well priced in cash terms (costing less than the 308), and is available with some absolutely cracking lease and PCP deals for those who want to pay for their car on a monthly basis. You can get behind the wheel of an Astra for less money than many superminis.
