Editor's pick: Best car comparisons of 2015

AT Wheels, we take a lot of care when researching our car comparisons, and a lot of pride in the results. The key piece of research is the experience of driving the cars side-by-side – and for much of the time, nose to tail – over several days.

For most comparisons, three days are reserved for a tour with all the cars together, over a route prepared for that particular story. The journey is designed to expose weaknesses and bring out strengths, over a range of conditions that the cars would encounter in the hands of owners. And of course, the aim is also to enjoy driving the cars through some pleasant scenery and over roads that are entertaining for other reasons.

It is common for people in enviable places to say they spend much more time slogging and much less time soaking up glamour than outsiders might think. That’s often fair comment, and it is true of Wheels writers, too. But if you imagine it must be a hell of a lot of fun to go rolling around the countryside in a bunch of fresh cars so as to develop a view on which will satisfy most, you’re dead right. And the fun continues over dinner at our overnight stops, where the merits of the contenders are always be debated, and often hotly.

What were some of the key themes from comparisons posted online this year? One that stands out is the growing strength of Korean makers, and in particular Kia, which for the first time supplied a vehicle we rated best of the bunch. “What once was up is now down, and down is up, courtesy of a seven-seater from Kia that shatters preconceptions about Korean build quality, design and dynamics,” wrote staffer Alex Inwood of the Kia Sorento, in our look at five of the best big SUVs.

While we’re on SUVs, what about small ones? A theme from our round-up of five booming SUV babies was perhaps harder to draw, but one you could point to was the depth of ability at this end of the market. Another might be the breadth of your choices. The Mazda CX-3 was lauded for its driver appeal; while the Honda HR-V drew equal praise for its versatility. “So, CX-3 or HR-V? Hate to say it, but it depends on your priorities because they’re so different,” Ponchard concluded.