£10-20K Auto Focus Sized Hatch

[imck]

Looking to replace my 2008 2.5 Mazda 6.
Sold Mrs imcks Car last Year due to WFH and no use. She will not drive the Mazda.
Just me or the Two of us most of the time.

Do about 10K a Year
15 Miles approx. 30 Min each way to Work for me. Mostly Motorway - About 50% low/full speed.
Visit Family 200 Miles away 3-4 Times a Year. UK Holidays sometimes a bit remote.

Looking for Focus sized Hatch or maybe small SUV. Automatic.
Ideally something that goes OK.
Quite liked 1.4/1.5T that I have driven as Holiday Hires.
Focus 1.0T was Ok but lacked a bit. Nice to drive though.

Like the look of the 2.0 Corolla Hybrid. A little bit put off with Rear and Boot space.
Then got into the wormhole of PHEV and BEV. Not sure I am ready for full Electric.
And then at 10K/Year a Petrol would probably be OK

Have been browsing Autotrader for a few Days and no further forward!

[ZX10R NIN]

There are some great options at this price point so I'll list the alternates as there are some really good ones.

Kia Ceed/ProCeed 205:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205045...

Soul with the same drivetrain:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202112200...

Megane GT Nav 205:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204254...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205306...

308 GT 225:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205286...

Q30 Sport 210:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204285...

A250 AMG Engineered Premium exactly the same car as the Q30 above but the interior imo isn't as nice:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203173...

V40 T5 R Design Pro 245:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205266...

T3 R Design Pro 155:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206086...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202182...



M140i Shadow Edition at the top end of the budget:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206096...

[imck]

Thanks ZX

Some good options there

Have looked at a few of those already.
I had seen the Proceed and the Q30. Liking the Q30.

Probably erring towards comfort over sporty.

[ZX10R NIN]

All of those are warm hatches rather than anything overtly sporty.

[Boringvolvodriver]

imck said:

Thanks ZX

Some good options there

Have looked at a few of those already.
I had seen the Proceed and the Q30. Liking the Q30.

Probably erring towards comfort over sporty.

The Volvo V40 is not the best for rear space and boot space if that is important to you.

[imck]

Boringvolvodriver said:

The Volvo V40 is not the best for rear space and boot space if that is important to you.

Thanks
Not important most of the Time.

Trying too hard to get something that will fit all scenarios.
I need to get out and have a look.

[georgeyboy12345]

Alfa Romeo Giulietta 1.4 TB Super TCT
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205125...


Lexus CT200h
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202122...


Hyundai i30 1.4T GDI
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205135...

Hyundai Ioniq 1.6 hybrid
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203103...


Renault Megane 1.3 TCe
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206096...


BMW 118i SE
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202204305...


Ford Focus 1.5 Ecoboost Titanium
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203103...


Seat Leon 1.4 EcoTSI FR
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206066...


Audi A3 1.4 TFSI
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205246...

[Boringvolvodriver]

The Alfa would actually be my choice despite having a V40!

[ads_4116]

I'd reccomend two options (both of which I have owned too):

2019 Honda Civic 1.5T 180 Sport Auto
These have a CVT box which isn't everyone's first choice. Fairly well specced, decent power and plenty of space. Pretty good fuel economy too. Never had any issues. Android auto/car play is standard thankfully, the factory infotainment is rubbish.

2017 Volvo V40 T3/T4/T5 Auto
These are 150/190/245 BHP respectively. T3/T4 have a 6 speed semi auto, T5 has an 8 speed proper auto but is rare to find. Rear legroom isn't great, but super comfy seats and great handling. Spec to go for is R Design Pro, and some have additional options on top of that. Fuel economy was ok, not great if you have a heavy right foot. Bear in mind chassis is based on a Focus and engines in these are Volvo engines from 2016 onwards I think. Infotainment system is quite old fashioned.

If you want additional details on the above two, let me know as I know the entire spec range quite well.

An option I haven't owned, but do like them is the Infiniti Q30 which is a Merc A Class with a different badge, and of course much cheaper.

[imck]

ads_4116 said:

I'd reccomend two options (both of which I have owned too):

2019 Honda Civic 1.5T 180 Sport Auto
These have a CVT box which isn't everyone's first choice. Fairly well specced, decent power and plenty of space. Pretty good fuel economy too. Never had any issues. Android auto/car play is standard thankfully, the factory infotainment is rubbish.

2017 Volvo V40 T3/T4/T5 Auto
These are 150/190/245 BHP respectively. T3/T4 have a 6 speed semi auto, T5 has an 8 speed proper auto but is rare to find. Rear legroom isn't great, but super comfy seats and great handling. Spec to go for is R Design Pro, and some have additional options on top of that. Fuel economy was ok, not great if you have a heavy right foot. Bear in mind chassis is based on a Focus and engines in these are Volvo engines from 2016 onwards I think. Infotainment system is quite old fashioned.

If you want additional details on the above two, let me know as I know the entire spec range quite well.

An option I haven't owned, but do like them is the Infiniti Q30 which is a Merc A Class with a different badge, and of course much cheaper.

Thanks

Civic is worth a look
Had a Petrol CRV Hire with CVT in the States 3-4 Years ago.
A bit unusual when putting your Foot down. Not sure what Engine was in it.

V40 not doing it for me. I know the Seats are supposed to be some of the best.

Can't think I have seen a Q30 on the Road. Do like the look of them and the recent A Class.

[Teebs]

We have a 20 plate 2.0 Corolla and it's ace.

50mpg round town achievable, fast enough and a 10 year warranty as long as you get it serviced at Toyota.

Boot is a little small tbf.

[Jonny_]

Teebs said:

We have a 20 plate 2.0 Corolla and it's ace.

50mpg round town achievable, fast enough and a 10 year warranty as long as you get it serviced at Toyota.

Boot is a little small tbf.

I wish these damn things would hurry up and depreciate! The estate version would be more or less the ideal family runabout for us.

Unfortunately, the used car market being as distorted as we it is, the earliest examples from 2019 are still around £24k, with only the odd rough/leggy example on offer from backstreet dealers getting down to £20k. Which still feels like a lot of money for a 3 year old Corolla.

[Teebs]

Jonny_ said:

I wish these damn things would hurry up and depreciate! The estate version would be more or less the ideal family runabout for us.

Unfortunately, the used car market being as distorted as we it is, the earliest examples from 2019 are still around £24k, with only the odd rough/leggy example on offer from backstreet dealers getting down to £20k. Which still feels like a lot of money for a 3 year old Corolla.

According to a recent WBAC valuation, we've lost £900 in depreciation since buying it 10 months ago. It was 1 year old, 2.0 GR model and we paid £22,900 which was cheap at the time..

[imck]

Just under a year later and I have finally bought something. I used to be indecisive........

70 plate 2.0 Corolla in Design spec.
Goes pretty well. The CVT is much better than a CRV I hired in US.
Impressed with the adaptive cruise.
Seamless switch between electric and engine.
Small boot after the Mazda 6 but will be fine.

Really liked the Mazda with the smooth 2.5 which delayed the change.
Getting on a bit and some new front end clunks/creaks made me pull my finger out.

Dealer pic

[Macron]

Lovely colour!

[ZX10R NIN]

Glad you got sorted, nice colour too.

[georgeyboy12345]

decent motor and great colour. Nice one!

[mike13]

I'm looking to get the 1.8 version in the same colour, not an easy task in Scotland, plenty white ones which I don't want.

[imck]

mike13 said:

I'm looking to get the 1.8 version in the same colour, not an easy task in Scotland, plenty white ones which I don't want.

Have you driven the 1.8?
The reviews I read and watched indicate it is quite sluggish.
Probably fine for general duties and around town. I have been in a few mini cabs in 1.8 estate form. Drivers seem to like them.
Mine is our only car so wanted something with a bit of go.

Get a white estate and you always have a backup career.

I test drove a newer, higher spec 2.0 locally and then ordered this one over the phone once I decided the boot would be fine and I didn't need an estate.
Toyota main dealer and only 10K miles so any problems were very unlikely.

I do like the red. Not quite as nice as the Renault
They look nice in the grey primer type colour.
Was quite taken by this one in bronze but the dealer had some dodgy reviews
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305067...

[mike13]

imck said:

mike13 said:

I'm looking to get the 1.8 version in the same colour, not an easy task in Scotland, plenty white ones which I don't want.

Have you driven the 1.8?
The reviews I read and watched indicate it is quite sluggish.
Probably fine for general duties and around town. I have been in a few mini cabs in 1.8 estate form. Drivers seem to like them.
Mine is our only car so wanted something with a bit of go.

Get a white estate and you always have a backup career.

I test drove a newer, higher spec 2.0 locally and then ordered this one over the phone once I decided the boot would be fine and I didn't need an estate.
Toyota main dealer and only 10K miles so any problems were very unlikely.

I do like the red. Not quite as nice as the Renault
They look nice in the grey primer type colour.
Was quite taken by this one in bronze but the dealer had some dodgy reviews
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305067...

I've got the same engine in an auris, does everything I need it too, not keen on the grey primer either, happy to hold on, one will crop up at some point.