If you've been reading our reviews for the past one year or so, you might recognise that this writer is quite the fan of hot hatches.

However, having owned and toyed around with a 'warm' hatch for a couple of years, he's come to realise that he's not so hot about the operating costs involved.

That said, he continues to believe that hatches are the best types of cars to own and because of this, the Editorial Team is on a continued pursuit to find one, which can be fun to drive yet cheap to run.


Last month, we conducted a twin test using the Peugeot 308 1.2 and the Volkswagen Golf 1.2. This month, the hatch match continues, with the Ford Focus Hatchback 1.0 Titanium and the Opel Astra 1.0 Easytronic.

Exterior

Hatch owners tend to be younger so the cars' designs play a huge role in the deciding factor, and whether a design is nice or not, largely depends on individual preference.

In our eyes, the Astra checks in as the more detailed and stylish car, thanks to clever use of chrome strips and nicely pinched-out body lines.

The Astra also tapers nicely towards a fashionable rear end, emphasised by a pair of pop-out tail lamps, and its larger 17-inch rims also give it an aesthetic edge over the Focus' 16-inch set.