Cheap runabout - petrol auto hybrid

[Marquezs Stabilisers]

My mum will be needing a new runabout. She's in her 70s, my Dad has written off their Astra and he won't be driving again.

Mum needs an economical, simple runabout. She lives in a flat so no electric cars, and only drives short distances slowly so no diesels. She only has an auto licence.

Given these criteria, I started thinking a Yaris Hybrid would be a good shout. Budget is probably £9k which is what they've been offered by the insurance for the Astra. Any issues with these, or potential alternatives - Nissan Micra, Honda Jazz, or anything from Kia or Hyundai?

Also, it would be a lot better if settings were on buttons rather than a screen....

Parking is busy in their area so a small thing would be better. I have no knowledge of this sector - last car I bought was an Impreza and the short list was Impreza, E46 330, Jag S Type 3.0...

[vikingaero]

Just reading the title and I thought a Yaris Hybrid.

[Evanivitch]

Hyundai Ioniq a good care and well equipped. I'd certainly look for something with front collision avoidance on it too.

[66HFM]

Where I live on the South Coast there are a large number of retirees, the two default cars of choice are either a Toyota Yaris or a Honda Jazz, although don't buy a red Jazz as they turn pink....

[Matt_T]

£9k is a healthy budget for these size cars.

My advice would be to not overthink which is the best car, and instead look for cars local to you from a good dealer or main dealer.

Anything from Nissan / Honda / Toyota / Mazda / Kia / Hyundai will be ideal.

Also maybe look at which cars have a regular hand brake vs an electric handbrake depending on what your Mum likes. At her age she likely won't want anything that is 'different'. Same goes for hill-hold.

Also, don't discount Ssangyong Tivolis, they get good reliability reviews and can be found much cheaper than the equivalent Yaris / Jazz. £9k buys a 2020 Tivoli with 30,000 miles but only a 2017 Jazz with 60,000 miles

Edited by Matt_T on Thursday 10th April 14:31

[Marquezs Stabilisers]

Thanks for the suggestions. We're in Glasgow so plenty of dealers, although maybe not for SSanyyong!

Electronic handbrake is OK, the Astra had one of them. I think they turned off the stop/start though. What I really don't want is something that is touchscreen everything. Equally as an auto driver it doesn't really need hill control, just sit with the foot on the brake at the appropriate points.

[Snow and Rocks]

Yaris hybrid without a doubt.

Remember not all hybrids are equal - the Toyota system really is a masterclass in efficiency, simplicity and durability with very little to maintain or go wrong.

[Marquezs Stabilisers]

Snow and Rocks said:

Yaris hybrid without a doubt.

Remember not all hybrids are equal - the Toyota system really is a masterclass in efficiency, simplicity and durability with very little to maintain or go wrong.

Millions of miles on Uber taxis with minimal maintenance would suggest so!