A compact luxury SUV that is genuinely easy to live with. The GLK is small enough to park anywhere in the city but sits high enough to make a long drive relaxed, and the cabin stays quiet at speed. This one has heated leather seats, a moonroof, parking sensors and push-button start. It is the sensible pick when you want something nicer than a standard rental sedan without stepping up to a full-size SUV — equally at home on the airport run, a weekend away, or collecting a client.

An enormous amount of car for the money. The Accord Sport is a midsize sedan with a back seat that genuinely fits three adults, a boot that swallows a family's luggage, and fuel economy that keeps a long trip cheap. The Sport trim adds sharper looks and a firmer set-up without spoiling the ride. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both here, so your phone plugs straight in. The default choice when you want space and reliability and would rather not think about it.

The Camry is the safe answer to almost any question. Reliable, quiet and efficient, roomy enough for four adults on a long drive, with the SE's slightly firmer suspension adding a little interest without costing comfort. This one carries navigation, lane assist, keyless entry, a USB charger and both CarPlay and Android Auto. If you want a car that simply does the job for a week and returns good fuel numbers, start here.

The benchmark sport sedan, and still the most satisfying way to cover a good road in this class. Rear-wheel drive, a fast and smooth automatic, and steering that actually tells you something — the 330i is quick without being uncomfortable and sharp without being tiring. It is also a genuinely practical four-seater with a usable boot. The pick when the drive itself is part of the trip. Premium fuel.

A premium compact SUV that drives like a BMW sedan on stilts. The X3 gives you a raised seating position and a large, square cargo area without the bulk of a full-size SUV, and it stays composed and quiet at motorway speed. Comfortable for four adults with luggage, easy to place in traffic, and the sensible option when you want space and a badge without a three-row footprint. Premium fuel.

Modern, efficient, and far roomier inside than its footprint suggests. The current Civic is a genuinely good small car — quiet at speed, excellent on fuel, and comfortable for four adults rather than four in theory. Easy to park, cheap to run, and well suited to a city stay or a long solo drive where you would rather spend the money on something other than petrol.

The value choice, and there is no shame in it. The Corolla is dependable in the way only a Corolla is, returns some of the best fuel numbers in the fleet, and asks nothing of you beyond putting fuel in it. Comfortable for four, easy to drive anywhere, and the cheapest way to keep a car for a week. If you want transport that simply works and costs very little to run, this is the one.

The quickest and most refined way to cover ground in this fleet. The M440i pairs a strong, smooth six-cylinder with xDrive all-wheel drive, so it is genuinely fast in any weather and still comfortable enough for a long motorway run. The car to take when the journey is long and you would like it to feel short. Seats five, most comfortable for four. Premium fuel.