The mid-size hatchback car market is dominant in Ireland with best-selling cars such as the Volkswagen Golf and Ford Focus. With more than 25% of all new cars in this sector of the market, it is worth looking more closely at what’s on offer and how the leading makes and models compare. There is no shortage of options out there and, while we have not included them all, I have given you a representative sample here based on cars that I have test-driven in the past year.

For this article, I’ve looked at some of the key criteria that I use when I’m writing my weekly review of cars. No two cars are the same and that’s why, for the car buyer, it can often be difficult to make that final decision. For this comparison, we have to look at measurable figures; information about the respective cars that we can compare. That starts with items such as the engine and its performance, as these will impact on the overall ownership and running costs associated with the car.

Modern, mid-sized, diesel hatchback cars are designed to combine reasonable power with impressive economy, especially when we look back at cars of 10 years ago. We expect power to give good acceleration and, for the cars that are compared here, higher engine power nearly always delivers a faster acceleration time.

The car’s overall weight will also impact on its ability to accelerate; lighter cars with the same engine power should be faster. That’s why when you look at the Volkswagen Golf, with its 110bhp engine, and compare it with the Peugeot 308, we can see that the combined additional power of the Peugeot’s engine with the lighter weight car means that it tops the acceleration league, apart from the much bigger-engine Mazda3.

The weight and power of the car also affects its towing ability. The car in this comparison with the highest towing rating is the Mazda3 and its big 2.2-litre engine adds weight, as well as power. That car aside, the 1,299kg kerb weight of the Volkswagen Golf puts it ahead of the pack, while it does not have the highest torque-output engine.

Economy drives our new-car choices probably more than anything else. The super economy from the new Nissan Pulsar is attracting a lot of attention. And I was impressed with the car during my test drive. Renault’s Megane also impresses.

And while the Ford Focus and Opel Astra come with the poorest ratings, actual road tests reveal that there is not much difference between them and the average of the rest. In terms of engine smoothness, the new Opel Astra 1.6-litre comes out close to the top for me.

Many rural drivers regularly tow a trailer, even if it is only a small, single-axle one. There are differences in towing ability across the table, so you need to aim for a car that can achieve the best figure.

In this case, it is the Mazda3 that excels. It is a car that I don’t see much of on the roads, possibly because of the fear of the large 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine, which is a great performer, just probably too big for the car.

Diesel tank capacity is a measure that’s also important; the larger the tank capacity, the less the number of pit stops needed. In this comparison, I’ve rated the large 62.5-litre tank on the Ford Focus to be a real plus, while the Renault Megane is close behind at 60 litres.

Nissan’s Pulsar has the lowest tank capacity at 46 litres, which Nissan would probably argue is the reason why the car is so thrifty. My target is that a modern diesel hatchback car should be able to deliver 1,000km without the need for a refill stop, provided we drive close to the 2,000rpm mark on the rev counter to get the best economy level.

Rural drivers need to travel for shopping and virtually everything else, so good boot space to accommodate the load is important. That’s where the Pulsar scores so well with by far the highest load capacity, both in the boot itself and when the rear seats are folded down. That’s helped by the very spacious rear, which has impressive legroom.

And then there are comfort features, finance deals and the prices. These are all comfortable cars to drive, some to a greater extent than others. Cars like the Volkswagen Golf have a more solid feel to them, but that is very much a personal thing that some drivers will identify more than others.

Comfort comes in many ways; for me, quietness and smoothness top the wanted list. That’s where my recent drive of the Opel Astra impressed me.

But all of these are good cars to drive, with good handling on the road, while the figures for the likes of the Volkswagen Golf, Ford Focus and Peugeot 308 are all impressive.

I liked driving the Nissan Pulsar and Opel Astra, while the powerful Mazda3 was very memorable to drive. There are issues of manoeuvrability that impress with some cars over others. I found that the marginal difference in length of the cars will be reflected in ease of parking, especially in those tight supermarket car parks that can test your skill.

Some offer parking aids in the form of reversing sensors or cameras. The camera is a real bonus and very useful; Toyota has been one of the first to offer the camera deal.

Entry prices range from €21,595 for the Nissan Pulsar to €25,295 for the Mazda3, with the other six in between. As you move up the specification options, there are varying price steps.

Take account of any scappage offers to minimise the cost of change when moving to a new car. Many car companies are offering pre-152 registration offers that are particularly attractive, with up to €4,000 discount being offered on some of these cars.

Add up the value, assess your individual motoring needs, take a test drive and then work out your finance options. Take the time needed to make this important investment decision, because the chances are you’ll be looking at this car for the next three years or more.

Buy wisely, armed with all of the information and hopefully this report will be some help along the way.