We review the Top 5 mid-size family cars from price to economy and all its features

It’s been a long, long time since we’ve been able to say this, but Vauxhall’s new Astra is one of the best and most hi-tech cars in its price range, with the option of its OnStar system, which creates a wi-fi hotspot for the car and also offers a concierge at the end of a phone. At the touch of a button, the concierge can find you a restaurant and send directions to download to your sat nav.

You can also have heated rear seats, intelligent headlamps that block out parts of the main beam to avoid dazzling other drivers, a dashboard screen that can run Apple CarPlay or Android Auto software — so you won’t need to change your phone to play your music — and an outstandingly quiet diesel engine.

The Astra feels well built, too, and drives capably, with a good balance between ride and handling. Cabin space is pretty much par for the course in this group of cars, but if you need more boot space, an estate version has just been launched and there will also be a coupé along soon. You really can’t do much better for the price.

5.

If you know anything about the Clubman, it will probably be that the car  once had only one rear door — which opened into the road. The car turned into a marketing nightmare.

And that’s why Mini has started again with a new Clubman,  which has all six doors where they should be (two on both sides and two more at the back, of course). Now it’s ready to lure in anyone who wanted a Mini  but needed more boot space.

Don’t expect too much, though. It may look like an estate car but it truly is mini when it comes to luggage space: the boot is slightly smaller than a Golf hatchback’s. The car is now a more comfortable ride but it’s still fun to drive and has the most stylish cabin in the business. It’s also heavier, so go for the more powerful Cooper S.