"Best" petrol, automatic hatchback, 4 or 5 years old?

[CopperBolt]

Hi all

I been thinking of ditching my diesel 1.6 tdi DSG (7 speed) Golf and getting a petrol replacement. its a 2011 with 56k on it.

I have looked at
Mazda 3
Volvo V40
Golf TSi 1.4
Skoda Octavia

Mazda 3 seem to offer poor mpg 40 if you're lucky.
Volvo V40 similar although the T2 models might be ok but not many seem to be around locally. (50 mile search)
Skoda - dont really like the look of it, taxi driver stigma, but probbaly quite practical with its hatch type back.
Golf TSi I quite like but apparently the DSG gearbox shouldnt be touched with a barge pole. Even though the DSG on my diesel golf seems ok. Is the newer one on the recent Golfs worse?

Other contenders maybe BMW 1 series or toyota Auris 1.2 but that might be a bit small.

anyone any thoughts?

Thanks

[kambites]

I don't think there's much to choose between them really. I wouldn't expect to average more than 40mpg from any of those in non-hybrid petrol form though unless you do all of our driving on motorways.

[Matt Clay]

Why are you thinking of ditching your current Golf?

[CopperBolt]

Matt Clay said:

Why are you thinking of ditching your current Golf?

5 year "itch" and mileage getting high for my liking. Although I'll probably end up sticking with it.

[Aeschylus]

Well Mazda 3 are very reliable in their petrol form.... that wins it for me every time... plus the others won’t break 40mpg either on an auto...

DSG, it is not only the reliability it is the cost, when you get a 2k bill on a car worth 5k, it is a killer..

Mazda 3 fastback are a brilliant car