1. Five of the Best Junior Hot Hatches
2. Ford Fiesta ST
3. VW Polo GTi
4. Mitsubishi Colt CZT
5. Nissan Micra 160SR
6. Vauxhall Meriva VXR

This fight would have been a close-run battle between the Fiesta and Mitsubishi's Colt CZT if it were not for the party-crashing Polo. Third place in the proceedings is no bad thing for the Colt.

Mitsubishi's baby hot hatch undercuts both Fiesta and Polo on price, yet it outperforms both and is a compelling car to drive hard too. Equipment levels are high despite the low price, but its cause is let down by the overall ambience of the interior. This is where Mitsubishi has saved the pennies and despite great sports seats, a chunky steering wheel and bespoke instruments the overall impression is of a cheap car.

Get the CZT out on the road though and you're likely to quickly forget that as the Colt engages the driver. Its 1.5-litre engine may be down on swept volume on the Polo, but it has not far off the same peak power and torque figures. More importantly, it is matched to a great gearbox and chuckable chassis that manages to have an acceptable ride. Recommended.

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