What Car? readers are a pragmatic bunch; the fact that hybrid buying advice was the most popular story reflects the new reality around diesel and emissions, while the What Car? Reliability Survey placed fourth.

Advice on an array of practical and affordable models, both new and used, underlines this pragmatism, as well as the value of What Car? as a source of advice. Stories on both new and used small hatchbacks feature, while estates must be on the minds of many, given the seventh-place ranking of a guide on used models.

The thrill of the new is as strong as ever, though, as a feature on the new models due to be launched this year ranked second.

The trend for SUVs is also again evident in the third, fifth and seventh placings of three different guides to the best and worst of the breed.