PREMIUM COMPACT: $30,000 to $50,000

1ST - BMW 1 Series 120i manual
Pure rear-drive character and excellent dynamic execution — steering, brakes and overall experience — makes the 1 Series the purists’ choice in a sea of bland, front-drive small cars. But it’s the most expensive car in this category, priced at $2K more than the Audi, which also just out-points it on retained value. (Both are excellent, but if you want lacklustre in this area, try the one finalist not on the podium: the Volvo C30 2.4 LE, with just 50 percent.) Affordable insurance is a bonus, and variable service intervals adds two points to the equation — enough to pinch the win from Audi. Emergency brake assist is a notable omission from an otherwise well-stocked safety line-up. All that remains are the 120i’s love it/hate it looks.

2ND - Audi A3 2.0 FSI Sportback Ambition (man)
Playing second fiddle to BMW is unlikely to excite Audiphiles, especially as the vehicles are so close here. A3 is stronger on safety, but thirstier and harder to insure – and just not as good to drive. But love the bank-vault door closure, and the $2K cheaper RRP.




3RD - Alfa 147 Ti (man)
Quintessentially Italian styling bolstered by above-average front-drive handling, affordable insurance and full safety kit complement. Thirsty, however, and can’t match the Germans on resale potential (or unlimited kilometres warranty).