Ford Fiesta ST
Starting our list off with a brace of hatchbacks, the latest 1.6-litre EcoBoost ST-200 Fiesta carries on the tradition of its forebear and offers a level of performance that is actually real-world useable on our roads.
200bhp and a 0-62 mph time of 6.7-seconds is plenty and it is a practical city runabout too.
Peugeot 308 GTi 270
This little 266bhp Pug may not be as exciting as the latest hypercar or even some powerful sports saloon but it offers a superb blend of performance handling at a very attractive price and is even more fun to drive than the usually dominant Golf GTI.
Hyundai i30 N
Sliding in to steal the thunder from the hot hatch categories usual suspects, the 271 bhp Hyundai i30 N is a superb first effort by the Korean manufacturer.
Sure, it has built fast hatchbacks before but this time the chassis, power and refinement levels are right up there with the very best in-class.
Just like the 308 GTi, it also offers superb value.
BMW 5-Series
Many fans will claim that it is the 3-Series range that is at the core of BMW but they have never put a foot wrong with their larger 5-Series saloons and the latest models continue this trend.
A 530i is all the car you will ever need, refined, fast and practical, this vehicle impresses on almost every level.
Audi A5
The second generation A5 offers a subtly restyled exterior but one of the most technologically advanced cabins in its class.
A virtual cockpit and a self-parking system are just some of the latest devices on offer.
A redesigned all-wheel drive system and some powerful engines make this one of the most stylish all-weather sports coupes around.
BMW X3
The X3 sits in the BMW SUV goldilocks zone in terms of size, practicality and engine offerings.
The latest models bring a range of the latest tech and safety features to the segment and if you want a spacious family vehicle with class-leading dynamic abilities, the X3 is an excellent choice.
If you are in a bit of a hurry the 355bhp M40i may be just the solution.
Alfa Romeo Stelvio
The Italians have had a go at this SUV thing too, sure they are a bit late to the party but with cars like the Alfa Romeo Stelvio, it may have been worth the wait.
The stylish exterior is complemented by a some strong engine choices but we suggest going straight for the ludicrous 500bhp Quadrifoglio which adds sports car rivaling performance to the package.
Porsche GT3 TP
Take a Porsche GT3, remove its massive wing and most of the interior luxuries, add a manual gearbox and you have the GT3 Touring Pack.
A car built for the masses of Porsche fans who have been clamouring for the return of the stick-shifter, this car is undoubtedly headed for future classic status.
It may not be as daily-useable as your 3-Series but it offers a breadth of abilities that make it a superb companion on a long cross-country trip as well as a sharp track-capable machine. Nurburgring road trip anyone?
Lexus LC500
Naturally aspirated engines are slowly disappearing from the automotive landscape, so the few remaining ones, such as the fantastic 5.0-litre V8 in the nose of the LC 500, are that much more coveted by enthusiasts.
Coupled to a 10-speed transmission and featuring one of the coolest looking exteriors and interiors around, the LC500 is a refreshing alternative to the current sober and German-dominated performance coupes.
Porsche Panamera
The latest Panamera finally looks as good as it drives.
The addition of an extended wheelbase model and hatchback styled Sport Turismo models broadens its appeal but it is the Turbo S E-Hybrid with its electrically assisted powertrain and 3.4-second 0-62mph time that will be of interest to the more performance focused shoppers.
Ferrari GTC4 Lusso
The GTC4 is a thoroughly updated version of the original Ferrari FF, the first all-wheel drive hatchback, it looks and goes like any other Ferrari but with the practicality levels that will let you convince your better half that it is a wise family purchase.
The base V8 (without all-wheel drive) is actually the better all-rounder.
Tesla Model X
Numerous production issues, limited availability and a steep price tag may have dampened the glorious Falcon-winged entrance of Elon Musk’s first ever SUV, but even skeptics must admit that the level of technology and performance on offer are cutting-edge.
0-60 mph in 3.1-seconds in the P100D makes even the quickest Cayenne and Bentayga seem a bit underpowered but the Model X is so much more than just a fast car, it sets the stage for the next generation of eco-friendly family vehicles too.
McLaren 720S
No this is not a car that offers space for four and the fuel-sipping qualities of a hatchback but at the lofty levels of the supercar world it combines near hypercar performance with a far more attainable price-tag and a ride quality that is far more comfortable than anything else in its class.
The 710bhp 720S is a true technological masterpiece.
Bugatti Chiron
Fans of big numbers will have already taken a liking to the Veyron and similar hypercar challengers, but the biggest daddy of them all is this 1500 bhp quad-turbo monster that can slow the rotation of the planet if you happen to launch it down the road in the wrong direction.
There may always be challengers to its accelerative capabilities but none can match the refinement levels of this 16-cylinder machine and the level of opulence that it offers.
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