'I'm a used car expert - these three diesels offer power and surprising economy'

A motoring personality has taken to YouTube to recommend three performance cars that feature stunning styling but surprisingly economical diesel engines.

Jonny Brighton runs the YouTube channel Cars With JB, regularly creating videos in which he recommends the best pre-owned performance and luxury models available for reasonable prices.

In a recent video, Jonny discusses high-performance cars that were offered with diesel engines, praising the Ford Focus ST for its good mix of quick acceleration and good fuel economy.

He explained: "The third-generation Ford Focus ST came as both a petrol and diesel, and as a hot hatch and an estate. Although I think both are great-looking, I do think the hatchback version looks better at the rear, whereas the estate has an overall higher cool factor.

"Regardless, most people wouldn't notice the difference between the petrol and diesel ST and would still benefit from more aggressive looks outside and in, plus the better overall handling. These come with a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine that makes 182bhp, taking it from 0-60mph in 7.8 seconds and managing 67mpg."

Built between 2012 and 2018, the third-generation Ford Focus ST was notably larger than previous versions and featured much bolder styling, including a more angled set of bumpers, a larger rear spoiler, and unique alloy wheels.

Whilst drivers could buy an ST with a 2.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine, the model was also sold with an equivalent-sized Duratorq diesel which, when mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox, offered similar performance to the Volkswagen Golf GTD.

With many examples now over a decade old, used car buyers can get into a well-kept diesel-powered Ford Focus ST for as little as £5,000 with the estate variants generally commanding slightly more.

Later in the video, Jonny also urged drivers to look at a used Skoda Octavia VRS, which, in addition to being able to accelerate from 0-60mph in 7.5 seconds, offers a wide range of unique features.

He added: "I've always been a massive Skoda fan, and the third-generation Octavia VRS is actually an incredibly cool car for the money. It comes as both a saloon and estate, and it's the latter that is the best offering. It's more practical, looks cooler, and shares the same overall performance.

"The best thing about these, though, is the simply clever features, like the ice scraper inside the fuel filler flap, the bin inside the door pocket, a holder for your parking ticket, and the double-sided floor mat in the boot."

Finally, the YouTuber also highlighted that drivers can get a used diesel-powered Alfa Romeo Giulia for a similar price, offering even more impressive performance and plenty of character.

He continued: "I had the chance to drive an Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio and absolutely adored it. It's a complete beast of a car that gave me hope that modern cars could still have a soul. What's interesting about the Giulia is that it was designed to be the Quadrifoglio and then down-tuned for the less potent models, like this Super - the fast diesel version.

"I think it's the prettiest car on the list, plus you get some super aggressive carbon fibre-clad interior trim on them too. It's got a 2.2-litre turbocharged engine that makes 177bhp, taking it to 60mph in 6.9 seconds."