Ford Focus 1.6 TDCi 90 Sport

When you want it the power is there I love it, you cannot beat it.

The Focus is the spiritual successor of the legendary Ford Escort. The Ford Focus is the UK's best selling car (I believe that includes both used car sales and new car sales).To be fair the Ford Focus Hatchback has always been on my list of favourite cars, albeit the sensible list. Sadly I can't describe the design as groundbreaking or trendsetting, but it's reasonably modern and isn't the uncharismatic box that seems to be the current trend in the UK cars market.I like the drive. Again, not thrilling, but nice, sedate and safe. I suppose if you're buying a Focus, you're hardly looking for a Porsche or an Audi R8. Though the Focus does quite happily beat them in terms of efficiency and economy.Mostly, this is a small family car. It's sensible, reasonably reliable and suitable for a family.

In terms of the infamy of diesel engines, I'm an agnostic on that score. Unless you drive a space-age hydrogen car you're liable for the London Congestion Charge (or any city which is planning to introduce one), so really you should just go with what you feel happiest with.