Red Bull New RB14

At this point, all the F1 teams on the grid have revealed their new cars for the season ahead. That includes Red Bull, which showcased its new RB14 during a filming stint at Silverstone last week, wearing a blue digital-camo livery. Now that the team has arrived in Barcelona for the first official test session of the season, it鈥檚 revealed the actual color scheme it will wear this year. And it looks pretty much as you might have expected. Those are the same navy, red, and yellow the team has worn for the last thirteen years now since first arriving on the grid. And they鈥檙e rendered in the same matte finish it embraced three seasons ago. This time, though, the livery features more prominent branding from title-sponsor Aston Martin, which has been stepping up its partnership with the team. The British automaker doesn鈥檛 furnish the engine, though - at least not yet. Instead that鈥檚 provided, once again, by Renault, and rebranded by TAG Heuer - not unlike the TAG-branded Porsche engines that McLaren ran back in the mid-Eighties. That was when it had world-class drivers like Niki Lauda, Alain Prost, and Keke Rosberg - world champions all - behind the wheel. For its part, Red Bull hasn鈥檛 won the championship since Sebastian Vettel left for Ferrari. Could this finally be the year in which it surpasses Mercedes to seal the title? We鈥檒l just have to wait and see. But you can bet that Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen will be giving it their all.

Testers鈥?notes: 鈥淭he Golf鈥檚 1.5-litre TSI engine is the only four-cylinder unit here. The 10th-generation Honda Civic impressed in 2017 thanks to its engaging handling and spacious interior. The sporty Type R version is our favourite hot hatch, and its DNA filters down into this standard model. Here we鈥檙e testing the 1.0-litre version in EX trim, which starts from 拢23,615 (although our pictures show an SR model). Honda has followed the industry trend of downsizing its engines for the latest Civic, so this one is powered by a 1.0-litre petrol motor with a turbocharger to improve power and torque lower down in the rev range. It鈥檚 punchy from 2,250rpm, where the maximum torque is delivered from, and feels able to keep up with its larger-capacity rivals on the road, although it did trail them in some of our performance tests. It was half a second slower from 0-60mph than the Golf, with a time of 10.1 seconds.

However, the Honda was only a tenth behind the VW in the 30-70mph sprint and two tenths faster than the 308, helped by that lovely, accurate gearbox. The close figures show that there鈥檚 not too much difference in terms of performance between our three rivals, but the Honda does have the advantage here for keen drivers because it鈥檚 the most fun car. The low driving position is comfortable and feels sporty, while the steering is well weighted and fast in its response, offering the best feel. There鈥檚 lots of grip on offer and the clever torque vectoring technology helps the car hold its line through corners. It鈥檚 well controlled in terms of body roll thanks to the dampers鈥?sportier setting, and the Honda is more agile than either rival in this test as a result. In comfort mode it鈥檚 refined and smooth, with a relatively compliant ride, although our noise tests showed the Civic was a little louder at 70mph than its rivals.

The 1.0-litre turbo sits at higher revs at that speed, which contributes to that extra noise. Testers鈥?notes: 鈥淭he Honda has the smallest fuel tank of the three cars here, at 46 litres. It鈥檚 a very close result between these three family hatchbacks, but the Golf is so good in so many areas that it will make the most sense for more people. It鈥檚 comfortable, refined, good to drive, well equipped and great value, and the latest infotainment system is one of the best on the market at any price. The Golf manages all that while still being practical enough for most owners. The latest Civic isn鈥檛 as well rounded as the Golf, while its infotainment system is a real letdown, but it鈥檚 more practical and fun to drive than the VW. It finishes ahead of the 308 thanks to lower running costs and engaging handling, while its performance is strong enough to match the 308. Although it鈥檚 not as polished as the VW, it鈥檚 still refined and comfortable.

The 308 is practical and stylish, but not as accomplished as the Golf, so it loses out here. It鈥檚 not as good to drive as the Civic, and although the list price is competitive, Peugeot鈥檚 PCP deals can鈥檛 match Honda鈥檚. The PureTech is the best engine of the three and the 308 performed well, but it trails on value, while its updated infotainment isn鈥檛 enough of an improvement. With its solid driving dynamics, strong comfort and impressive space, the Vauxhall Astra is worth a look. The 1.4-litre petrol in Elite Nav trim is good value, because it鈥檚 as well kitted out as our pricier test cars. You also get more power. The 1.2-litre petrol Megane is a match for the three contenders in our test, and it鈥檚 nearly as well equipped as the Astra, too. In addition, the Renault has style on its side, and offers something different again in this class.