After analysing performance figures, lap times and driving impressions, the scoring sheets were tallied up and it was time to sort the men from the boys. Three cars were tied in last place, and while losing out in this context, bear in mind that to get here in the first place, they still have much going for them.

The Mazda3 MPS, one of the tenth-place trio, promised much with its bargain price and massive output, not to mention its practical aspect too, but the performance it delivered was below expectation and its steering mechanism battles to cope with all that power going through the front wheels. It?s the torque steer champ of 2008.

The Subaru Impreza WRX was another hopeful star let down by the fact that it simply fails to live up to its great legend. Its softer temperament sees it fall behind in most dynamic respects, and it just looks so bland, although it is a little classier and it?s quite practical. The Rex has gone too mainstream for our liking?

The VW Golf R32, though a rock solid, classy and luxurious package, simply doesn?t add up from a value perspective. Its heaviness robs it of any potential performance advantage over the GTI, at altitude, and its price tag will ensure supreme exclusivity, if that?s what you?re after above all else.

Scoring a single point above the bottom trio, Fiat?s Panda thrived as a truly fun and affordable little car that?s entertaining to drive and has more street cred than you?d normally get for R130K. But it?s too slow, even for that kind of money, has a tupperware interior and an annoyingly bouncy ride.

Tied with the Fiat in eighth place, Volvo?s C30 impressed us with its premium feel. Distinctive styling and a classy interior make it a tempting choice for those wanting to move beyond the boy-racer brigade, yet C30 failed to shine in any particular performance or dynamic area and it?s got a practicality disadvantage over most rivals.

Just missing the top six, the RenaultSport Clio is a good all-round package for the price, and every bit as good as Peugeot?s 207 when it comes to refinement and safety, but in the overall standings it falls one point short of its French cousin. The economy and value factors knocked it down, if we have to nitpick.

6. PEUGEOT 207 GTI

Peugeot?s little pocket rocket almost has the makings of a star contender. It could have been the ultimate compromise between an accomplished hot hatch and a comfortable luxury compact, it?s just a pity that Peugeot neglected a few areas that would be important to most enthusiastic drivers.

We all know that it has a great little force-fed 1600 engine, and that it?s R40K cheaper than the Mini Cooper S with the same motor. We only wish the little Pug could have inherited the Mini?s 6-speed gearbox. The GTi still makes do with a five-speed manual box, and the linkage has a light, plastic, feel and a really long throw. It certainly doesn?t befit a sporty car, neither does the steering which just feels too light at speed.

The styling is not universally liked either ? with those soft French lines and fussy front-end, it hardly looks the macho part you?d expect from a modern hot hatchback. If you?re a guy, you may just find yourself telling people it?s your girlfriend?s car.

5. MINI COOPER S JCW

The last of the hot hatchbacks to get eliminated in this contest, Mini Cooper S with the latest John Cooper Works kit has much going for it if you?re after a dedicated performance hatchback. And if heritage means enough to you, this one had a truly legendary nametag.

Funky yet aggressive styling, the brilliant PSA/BMW twin-scroll turbocharged 1.6 mill in its most powerful format and go-kart-like handling add up to one massive fun factor, but it?s too flawed as an all-rounder. Following our test runs, its performance advantage over the standard Cooper S is nothing to write home about, although the styling and handling kit succeeds in making it a far more desirable machine.

Firstly, it?s very expensive and while its limited practicality wouldn?t necessarily have lost it first prize in this contest, it lost points there too. It also rattled our arms with more torque steer than we?re cool with.

While minor little drawbacks knocked it a few places down the field, the Cooper S JCW hails as one of the most exciting hatchbacks money can buy.

4. MERCEDES-BENZ S65 AMG

We had little doubt that Darth Vader?s limo would do very well in this contest, but in the end, its bulky luxury aspect compromises it as a performance all-rounder. If supreme luxury is what you?re after, this one almost rivals a cruise ship, and it rides as comfortably too.

And to say that it?s mightily impressive as a performance car is no understatement either. With that bi-turbo V12 roaring beneath, it?s ferociously fast in a straight line and in the correct hands, corners rather well too, thanks to some high-tech chassis gadgetry. But to say that it corners ?rather well? is just not good enough for a top spot in PCOTY ? the Merc is simply too heavy to pull that one off. One could also argue that it has more power than its chassis knows what to do with.

In uninitiated hands, and with the electronic nannies switched off, this barge could be as life-threatening as wearing an American-flag-bandana in Iraq. And were it any thirstier you?d actually need to live next to an Iraqi oil field.

Close, but no cigar. This Merc lost out to three contenders that just had the performance car thing taped down to a fine art.