New car. Auto/petrol - opinions sought on box /MMI

[jhiker]

Notwithstanding supply issues for the moment I’m thinking my next car might well be a 2021 petrol automatic. Mainly town/country driving with the odd long motorway journey. I have not test driven any yet. Some options I’m considering are:
Audi A3 Sportback 35TFSI
Mercedes A-class A200
Skoda Octavia 1.5TSI e-TEC MHEV
BMW 3-Series 320i
BMW 1-Series 118i (I believe this promises around 47mpg but real world figures are mid-thirties - not sure I’d be happy with that).

Are any of these auto boxes much better than the others? Are they all easy to live with both in town and motorway?
Sat-Navs reliable?

And what about the multimedia set-up - all easy to use and reliable?
I’ve seen a few unfavourable comments on the Audi/Skoda MMI, not so much on the BMW/Merc systems.

Any comments from you guys who live with these cars on a daily basis would be welcome.
Thanks.

[ZX10R NIN]

I have to say if you just want a nice well spec'd car it's hard to look past the Kia Ceed in either hybrid:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109297...

Or just straight petrol:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/new...

[Mo28]

Have use of my brothers 320i and have had a 118i as a courtesy car for a bit, there's barely any difference in fuel consumption between the two around town and of the two I would definitely pick the 320i, it's a better car all round.

[georgeyboy12345]

Out of those, I’d pick the 320i. I think it has the ZF8 auto, which is very good, much better than the DSG type gearboxes in the other brands. Plus it’s RWD, bigger and generally just nicer to drive.

I have an Audi A3 and find the MMI fine to get on with, not the newest version though - it’s possible things have gotten worse!

[stevemcs]

I'd be picking the BMW for the ZF box.

[LightningBlue]

Is there any reason these are all effectively German and 2021? Alternatives:

2021 Volvo S60 R Design B5:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110299...

More choice of 2020 T5 engined cars which are cheaper.

2020 Volvo S90 R Design + T4:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111199...

2019 Lexus ES300h:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109097...

2019 Lexus IS300h F Sport:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109207...

Get more for your money outside of the Germans I think

[Pistonheader101]

C class for sure

[AudiMan9000]

stevemcs said:

I'd be picking the BMW for the ZF box.

Just out of curiosity, how does the ZF in a BMW feel compared to a DSG in an Audi?

[jhiker]

LightningBlue said:

Is there any reason these are all effectively German and 2021? Alternatives:

2021 Volvo S60 R Design B5:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202110299...

More choice of 2020 T5 engined cars which are cheaper.

2020 Volvo S90 R Design + T4:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202111199...

2019 Lexus ES300h:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109097...

2019 Lexus IS300h F Sport:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109207...

Get more for your money outside of the Germans I think

No particular reason. Thanks for the alternative suggestions.

[jhiker]

georgeyboy12345 said:

Out of those, I’d pick the 320i. I think it has the ZF8 auto, which is very good, much better than the DSG type gearboxes in the other brands. Plus it’s RWD, bigger and generally just nicer to drive.

I have an Audi A3 and find the MMI fine to get on with, not the newest version though - it’s possible things have gotten worse!

Thanks, I didn’t realise all the others had the same DSG type.

[ZX10R NIN]

The Alfa Giulia also comes with the ZF 8 Speed & would be my pick over the 320i.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105273...

Kia Ceed not for you then?