Best Small Car?!

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I’m planning to upgrade my current car - Fiat 500 2018 plate. I love it but it’s too small and I don’t enjoy motorway driving in it.

12k max budget
5 doors
Feels sturdy on the motorway
Small-ish as I live in a city centre with small parking spaces

I would love a Polo or A1 but I’m unsure whether I’d be able to get a decent enough one without problems in my budget - I’m literally open to any suggestions!

Thank you x

You will get a decent Suzuki swift for that £

We are currently looking for a car for dd18. A mechanic guy that dh knows said a polo is the best small car out there.

We never had a single problem with any of ours and we tend to do a lot of miles.

Where do you live? Because around these parts (SW London) it’s rare to see a VW without its front badge missing. They house the sensors and due to some vulnerability/poor design thieves can pop the badge off and steal them in seconds. I wouldn’t touch a VW now which is a shame as always had them when I was younger and they were great cars.

I had a Suzuki WagonR+ a few years back .
Nice enough , did a few long motorways drives with it .
Reliable
Nightmare to get parts for .
Even tyres needed ordered in.

I'm on my third Yaris now and while they have needed occasional repairs, none of them has ever failed to start or broken down on me and everything apart from wear and tear has been covered under the 10 year / 100k miles warranty (provided you get it serviced by Toyota). My second one has done 110k miles now (DS has got it) and it's still going strong, DH got his previous Toyota to 200k miles before major repairs started being needed. They are fine on the motorway, surprisingly roomy and easy to park.

My Honda Jazz is going strong and no sign of retiring. I hated it at first because it replaced a sporty Alfa two seater but I’ve come to love it. Really need a newer car now but can’t bear to give this one up. I’d have another in a heartbeat.

I have a jazz. I don't love it on the motorway. On the other hand, I wouldn't want something bigger.

I’d go for the i20. Not a tiny tiny city runaround but not a big car

I was just about to say that. I had driven VWs for years but they have stopped making the UP so I got an Aygo. Love it.

Came here to say this. I had a Kia Rio before my i20 which was also fab for all driving.

A Yaris is a very sensible choice! I have a 2021 model, and £12k should get you one with plenty of life left, especially with Toyota’s 10-year/100,000-mile warranty. The tech is excellent; cruise control, lane assist, etc. just work. Actually, it's a dream compared to my Polestar. I also love the brake hold, hill assist and reversing camera (although no parking sensors, which is annoying). It's very economical; I can get 65mpg driving carefully. My only real criticism is that it feels a bit tinny on the motorway, with a fairly growly engine. Perfectly decent, just not particularly comfortable.

Never a problem with the Swift and loads of them around now.

Vauxhall Corsa or Honda Jazz. Owned both for years and never had any issues with them.

Was about to say that.

You'd be better with an EV surely?

I have no charging ports at my home and I really don’t want to rely on an electric car

I have the i10 and would love more boot space, however, agree it's a great car.

Dd has an i10, she’s had it nearly 4 years and it’s now 10 years old. It’s been really reliable and great to drive.

I would avoid all VW group from my experience.

Unless you particularly want that style of car or are a petrolhead or something.

You can get cheap and unreliable, or expensive and reliable, IMO there is a case for both.

German cars are neither of the above. Expensive and unreliable IME.

Just look at the warranty terms. Why do you think some manufacturers offer only 3 and others offer 5 and 7 years warranty ?

I would definitely go for a Toyota Yaris for reliability. I bought mine for local driving but it has been on the motorway and is fine. The newer ones are a bit bigger than mine, too.

It's worth looking at Which?, OP. I did, and that was why I got the Yaris at the time.

https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/new-and-used-cars/article/best-cars/best-small-cars-afciN1Q2EZbO

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Zoe (2013-2019)
£3,978Typical price
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£1,585Typical price
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Ka+ (2016-2019)
£4,819Typical price
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Ka+ Active (2018-2019)
£7,434Typical price
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ForTwo Cabriolet (2016-2019)
£6,549Typical price
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Let's cut to the chase: within city limits, this car will feel fun and will make manoeuvring a doddle. However (deep breath); it's uncomfortable, loud, feels unstable at motorway speeds, is sparsely equipped for the price and drinks a lot of fuel. Plus, our tests reveal high emissions of particulate matter (the nasty stuff) at motorway speeds. So no, this is not a car that will top our recommended lists anytime soon.
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Not found the car for you? See all our new and used small car reviews.

Mazda 2

I’m on my second Seat Ibiza. I had it brand new in 2011. It’s starting to show its age but at 16 years it’s been an amazing car.

It’s my second Seat and DP also has one. We really rate the brand.

VW Up feels like a roller skate on the motorway.

We had a 5 door Suzuki Swift, best car we ever had! We did Germany - UK in it a couple of times as well.

My Skoda Flavia has been excellent, bought 2nd hand from a dealer for £12k. It replaced an 08 VW Golf after it got to 150k but I sold that locally and I still see it around.