DAVID MORLEY enjoys the pace and grace of a throwback to 1960s luxury sports cars.

Styling sets the S-Type apartV8 engine smooth and powerfulV6 with manual transmission is great and more fuel-efficient than V8Plenty of luxury, enough safetyGood steering feel and accuracyBad Some styling details ; a bit tweeRear access limitedFront ...

Some styling details ; a bit tweeRear access limitedFront seats a tiny bit narrowNuts & BoltsEngine Size/Type, Some styling details ; a bit twee, Rear access limited, Front seats a tiny bit narrow

The tribulations of the 380 are well known but it is a fine car and the ES is outstanding value.

Brilliant price, smooth V6, space, cut price.

No stability control or curtain airbags.

The chassis is excellent for a front-wheel-drive, with grip and outstanding ride. It outpoints the hyped Toyota Aurion

For equipment for the dollar, think the Elite S. It has dual front, front-side and curtain airbags, ABS with EBD, stability and traction control, climate control, alarm, alloy wheels, cruise control, remote locking, leather trim, power sunroof, power ...

Masses of gear, great warranty, improved road manners.

Build quality still has issues, steering over-assisted.

It's comfortable and spacious

The European-built Astra has just had an important engine upgrade, with the 1.8-litre engine climbing 11 kW in power to 103 kW. Five-speed manual models have 5 Nm more torque to produce 175 Nm. The optional four-speed autos stay at 170 Nm.Fuel ...

Improved engine, plentiful space, nice ride.

Engine will still struggle under full loads, no curtain airbags.

The wagon also has pleasant driving manners, good build quality and a decent level of kit - including dual front, front-side and curtain airbags, ABS with brake assist, climate control, alloy wheels, cruise control, six-CD audio, power windows, remote ...

< BackCitroen C4 v Fiat Punto v Peugeot 207 v Volkswagen Polo BRUCE NEWTON picks the bargains among cars priced at less than $30,000.

Good looks outside, innovation inside, plenty of equipment.

Engine out of its league, chassis underdone, rear-seat space.

Technically interesting but overcomplicated - that's DAVID MORLEY's take on the Eunos 30X.

A V8 sent from the gods. Sexy soundtrack. Predictable handling. Huge presence. Room for four. That badge.

Weird steering. Brakes lack feel. Clunky sequential gearbox. Poor cabin detailing.

Peugeot's all-new 207 model is designed to slot between a Citroen C4 and a Volkswagen Polo. It is being pitched as half a class bigger than the smaller 206, which will continue to be sold alongside it. It is 200mm longer and 65mm wider than the 206, ...

: 126g/km

Fiat has two diesel Puntos, a 1.3-litre, 66kW version and a 1.9-litre producing 88kW. Drive chose the latter for this comparison after being underwhelmed by the performance of the smaller diesel in a previous test.

This Korean small car is for the pragmatic budget buyer unconcerned with many comfort and driving features, writes DAVID MORLEY.

They're cheap used cars (although they would want to be).Interiors seem to wear well.Nothing challenging under the bonnet. Should be a doddle to service at home.Bad Chassis is uninvolving to a fault.Feels cheap inside.Sedan a bit pointless.Paint marks ...

Chassis is uninvolving to a fault.Feels cheap inside.Sedan a bit pointless.Paint marks easily.Not always reliable.Nuts & BoltsEngine Size/Type, Chassis is uninvolving to a fault., Sedan a bit pointless., Paint marks easily., Not always reliable.

Against these three impressive Germans, the Volvo has a smaller engine and measurements but its price is also significantly lower. It's the only one to offer standard third-row seating.

Brilliant interior, smooth and economical engine.

Large turning circle, average dynamics, equipment shortfalls.

Standard equipment includes permanent all-wheel-drive, dual front, side and three-row curtain airbags, ABS, stability control, climate control, alloy wheels, cruise control and leather upholstery. Only a single CD and space-saver spare, though