Comfortable, reliable, economical suggestions

[Chewbecca]

We’re looking for a new car and would appreciate any suggestions please.

Budget is probably £15-20k, ideally for a low mileage car up to 2 years old.

Main driving is pottering locally plus a big European road trip a couple of times a year.

Other criteria:

• a comfortable car that feels good to sit in for long periods.
• servicing & tax not too ££
• petrol or hybrid
• must be able to easily fit 2 large suitcases

What would you look at?

thanks in advance for any suggestions!

Skoda Fabia

Citron Picasso

Honda Jazz, HR-V Hybrid, Toyota Yaris Cross, Toyota C-HR.

Wouldnt be touching unreliable German or French cars with a shitty stick frankly!

Interesting question! With the context of the European road trip and comfort level I'm ruling out small hatchbacks in favour of something more mid size and spacious.

Agree with PP on japanese for reliability might also be worth looking a size up at the Honda CRV and Toyota Rav 4. For outstanding comfort also take a look at self charging hybrid Lexus SUVs LBX, UX and NX.

Not quite as reliable as a Japanese manufacturer but hands down the most comfortable seats and adjustable driving position I've ever had have been in a recent Volvo. Perhaps look at a used XC40 with high trim level for comfort bells and whistles?

Leftfield option have a look for a laurin and klement trim level Skoda Karoq, kamiq, or Octavia depending on size preference. This upgrades the interior seats and tech to top spec giving an audish feel with much better value proposition, particularly sas a used car buy.

Toyotas are very reliable.

Another vote for Skoda fabia.

I also agree with Toyota being a good make too

Oh, thanks for all the responses, definitely some new ideas for the pot.

A Citroen doesn't seem to have the comfort/ quality I am hoping for.

Considered a honda Jazz but I wonder if it is too small for the long trips, has anyone been in one? CRV size is possibly more comfortable. There are not many honda garages around to try but I think we will pay a visit.

Volvo XC40 is something I hadn't considered and will definitely look for now as comfort is key so that's very interesting to hear & exactly why I posted.

Lexus also not on my radar, I kind of assumed they were very expensive luxury cars out of budget but will do some research. DH a bit resistant to electric vehicles as he doesn't want to be stuck on a long journey and fears battery life issues but I need to look more at how the self charging works.

Lots of mentions of Skodas. I have only sat in them as taxis and they have always felt kind of cheap and work horse-y. Perhaps I need to open my mind to higher trim. We definitely want things like parking cameras or beepers, sat nav etc.

My research list: Volvo XC40, Honda CRV, lexus and Skoda generally.

Thanks again.

Lots of mentions of Skodas. I have only sat in them as taxis and they have always felt kind of cheap and work horse-y.

They fit the bill in your title so yes I agree they are a work horse, mine have to be, I drive into fields and carry all kinds of things in the back. I have a winter and summer kit on mine so it's great whatever the weather and even my picky over cars, luxury car owning, older siblings were surprised when I have given them lifts. I've driven nearly 100,000 miles in it now and in all kinds of weather.

Definitely worth a look, but not everyones cup of tea trim wise.

Skodas are built to a (scummy low) budget and have really dire, cheap tat plastic interiors.

I'd rather have an ugly looking car with a better interior, because you cant see the exterior when you're driving.

Skodas look shit on the outside and are even more shit on the inside.

CR-V and RAV4 are also good options!

I’d agree with Japanese every time but I think ŠKODA at the least worst of the VAG shitters, they tend score above average in terms of reliability as a brand.

I don't want a car that's shit on the inside, even if it is reliable and economical!
DH is quite taken with the Volvo option, he associates them with sensible, grey old men which he identifies with! I like the look of the honda too but they are probably too ££. He fears a lexus would cost a lot to maintain and be a target for thieves.
We have some time put aside in a couple of weeks to go testing, right now I am on online research.
What we have managed to narrow down today is that there is a 'small SUV' category that's probably for us, I hadn't even realised that!

Volvos are also dogshit in reliability terms vs Toyota/Honda. And are notorious for expensive parts when they do go wrong.

Add in that they are Chinese owned, fuck that shit - after C19 and their flooding of cheap tat EVs, many refuse to purchase their crap any more.

As for small SUV, Toyota C-HR, Honda HR-V Hybrid....

Ah, thanks for that extra info.

DB has a 65 plate Skoda with over 120k on the clock and it has never failed him (he has had it for 8 years). I have a 21 plate Karoq and the interior doesn't feel any cheaper than a Toyota I previously owned; I love my Karoq. We had a hired MG on holiday last summer and that really felt like a cheap interior. DSM has an MG and it has been a nightmare.
OP, if your European trips are to the same part of Europe (to visit family?), look at what popular brands are there in case you need garage assistance there. I have taken a Ford, a Vauxhall and a Toyota to France and I was concerned in case my Toyota broke down as I didn't see many Toyotas in France.

Absolutely agree , just sold an xc90, never again,quite few things going wrong , very expensive to fix . One of the best make I owed was Honda Accord and Civic , both refused to break😂

Hyundai Kona or Tucson ?