With an increased emphasis on comfort, the new Toyota Vios is a more mature and accomplished effort than its predecessor. It may not possess the most dynamic handling characteristics, but its supple ride and impressive refinement makes it a more liveable everyday companion compared to its rivals, and a long overdue increase in safety kit puts it at the sharp end of the segment. However, the lack of oomph is at odds with the Vios' sporty image, and the almost offensive styling may alienate more than a few loyal buyers.

Lament the circa-RM100k starting price all you want - the Proton X70 is well worth the price of admission. Spacious and well-built, it has an air of quality that is on par with the best in its class, while its ride and refinement puts even premium brands to shame. Only the imprecise steering and the responsive but flawed GKUI infotainment system count against it.

After many years of service, the Ford Ranger T6 has received its second facelift exercise, which gets significantly more enhancements that go beyond the typical exterior/interior refresh. The most notable upgrade is the addition of a brand new 2.0 litre bi-turbo engine, which powers the range-topping Wildtrak 4x4 and of course, the one and only Ranger Raptor. If you want a pick-up truck that's in a class of its own, look no further than the wide-bodied Raptor.

The XV is one of the most popular Subaru models in the region, and the second-generation model is almost entirely new from the ground up. Thanks to a new stiffer platform, the crossover is much improved over its predecessor, exhibiting greater ride and handling characteristics with enhanced comfort and safety. Besides tyre roar and the shoddy infotainment system, the XV and its high quality cabin will certainly impress most people.

For a long time, especially with the third-gen, this one pretty much defined the mid-size Japanese SUV segment. Then, competitors caught up and overtook it, and it wasn't until the fifth-gen arrived last year that the Honda CR-V shot back to the forefront. It has been right up there since, and it's easy to see why - it's a wonderfully packaged offering that gets everything right in all the relevant places.

After one million units sold, the "love of the nation" received a full reboot for the third-generation. The homegrown effort betters the car it replaces in every aspect, but features - some unprecedented at this price point, some ingenious - are a particularly strong point. Still not the best driving or most refined B-segment hatchback, but unbeatable content and value for money means it's a sure winner.

As the only non-national car under RM50,000, the Kia Picanto is a solid alternative to the Perodua Myvi and Proton Iriz. It's well equipped and has a quality of ride and refinement that is head and shoulders above its peers, all while being better to drive than the previous model - only the lack of interior space is a letdown. It also now comes with autonomous emergency braking, which makes it one of only two vehicles in the price range to have it (the other being the Myvi).

For a price tag that is just south of RM140,000, the Mitsubishi Outlander 2.0L 4WD is a safe bet if you're looking for a capable SUV that delivers on its promise of providing seating for up to seven people. The all-wheel drive system is an added level of assurance while behind wheel, although the decently-equipped interior does appear a little dated.

The new Perodua Bezza takes the national carmaker to new heights - it's the company's first sedan, and comes with many new toys and safety features. But for better or for worse, it feels very much like a Perodua to drive - even though it feels like the company's most complete car to date. There are plenty of cars on the market that are much nicer and better to drive, but if all you want is a traditional sedan with a big boot, your search ends here.

The Subaru Forester is a good all-rounder that feels just as home on the city streets as it does off-road. Featuring the familiar Subaru DNA of a boxer engine and Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system, the Forester also comes with an impressive safety package and a comfortable ride. However, it does command a slight premium over its rivals and isn't the best when it comes to handling.

In isolation, the Perodua Axia is not exactly a bad car for the first-time buyer - certainly better than the Viva that came before it. But despite the low, low entry price, it doesn't offer that much value for money, and it feels low-rent everywhere you look. Given the strong, if slightly costlier, competition from both Proton and foreign brands, it's best to look elsewhere.

The new Mazda 2 is striking to look at and has an interior that feels more expensive than it has any right to be, with an impressive amount of kit on offer. It handles nicely too, but the small cabin, firm ride and slightly anaemic 1.5 litre SkyActiv-G engine does take the shine off things.

Polarising looks aside, the BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo is an impressive piece of kit. What you lose in visual appeal, you gain in oodles of newfound space, while retaining a pleasing blend of ride, handling and performance. Only the steep entry price disappoints, although you do get quite a lot of standard equipment thrown in.

If you value the joy of driving, the sprightly Fiesta is just the sort of car that will get you grinning. Its contemporary looks aid its cause, with an outlook that will appeal to the young and young-at heart. The face of the facelift is a hit or miss visually, and the hatch is still preferable to the sedan, but the Fiesta still makes a case for itself three years on. The EcoBoost 1.0L is the pick of the lot.

As an entry point to Volkswagen ownership, the Polo does well enough. Compared to sub-RM100k B-segment rivals, as you should, the Polo is competitive in spec and decent to drive. Just don't put it side-by-side with the 1.2 TSI.

Going from being one of the heaviest cars in the segment to one of the lightest is no easy task, but Audi has pulled it off with its Q7 - a gist of the model's extreme makeover from one generation to the next. A behemoth from the outside, the Q7 does fall short of spaciousness inside, but score top marks for quality, performance, features and safety.