Best Used Automatic Family Hatchbacks & SUVs Under £20k?
Discussion
Hello,
As per the title, looking for the best used automatic family hatchbacks & SUVs under £20k?
Mixed Driving: Suitable for both tight rural roads and high-speed motorway miles.
Size: Needs to be compact enough for easy maneuvering and backing on country lanes, but comfortable and stable for motorway journeys.
Cargo Space: Must accommodate golf clubs without too much difficulty. (Don't mind taking the drivers out)
Reliability & Economy: Reliability is essential, with an emphasis on cheap parts and servicing costs.
Please can you send over recommendations.
Thank-you,
As per the title, looking for the best used automatic family hatchbacks & SUVs under £20k?
Mixed Driving: Suitable for both tight rural roads and high-speed motorway miles.
Size: Needs to be compact enough for easy maneuvering and backing on country lanes, but comfortable and stable for motorway journeys.
Cargo Space: Must accommodate golf clubs without too much difficulty. (Don't mind taking the drivers out)
Reliability & Economy: Reliability is essential, with an emphasis on cheap parts and servicing costs.
Please can you send over recommendations.
Thank-you,
I've never driven one, but imagine the Volvo XC40 would fit the bill very well.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508075...
Alternatively BMW X1 / X2, Mazda CX-60 might be just over £20k, Lexus UX, Merc GLB / GLA
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508075...
Alternatively BMW X1 / X2, Mazda CX-60 might be just over £20k, Lexus UX, Merc GLB / GLA
ilikejam said:
I've never driven one, but imagine the Volvo XC40 would fit the bill very well.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508075...
Alternatively BMW X1 / X2, Mazda CX-60 might be just over £20k, Lexus UX, Merc GLB / GLA
I like your thinking but it'll be quite a high mileage example for 20k. https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508075...
Alternatively BMW X1 / X2, Mazda CX-60 might be just over £20k, Lexus UX, Merc GLB / GLA
LP_Brentford said:
ilikejam said:
I've never driven one, but imagine the Volvo XC40 would fit the bill very well.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508075...
Alternatively BMW X1 / X2, Mazda CX-60 might be just over £20k, Lexus UX, Merc GLB / GLA
I like your thinking but it'll be quite a high mileage example for 20k. https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508075...
Alternatively BMW X1 / X2, Mazda CX-60 might be just over £20k, Lexus UX, Merc GLB / GLA
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202512098...
I'd find it hard to look past a Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla for this brief. Wouldn't want a bulky SUV for country lanes, nor for long distance motorway driving as they bounce too much and make me travel sick.
Like this 'un:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202511278...
Like this 'un:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202511278...
I have a Citroen C5X myself which is probably too big for what you are looking for.
However one car I've always liked and had as a courtesy car in the past was the Citroen C4. It's kinda like a mix of hatchback and SUV and is good to drive. Moreover owners seem to love them, in the Auto Express 2023 driver power survey it came top of all cars tested.
If you are unfamiliar with the survey it's described as "Auto Express Driver Power is the UK's largest annual car customer satisfaction survey, gathering feedback from thousands of real owners on reliability, running costs, comfort, and performance to rank the best cars, manufacturers, and dealers. The results are published by Auto Express to help consumers make informed buying decisions"
https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/citroen/c4/360574/dr...
I can't find the full detail these days, looks like AE have removed it.
Now this all may sound rosy but there was an elephant in the room. The 1.2 engine the car used at the time (pre 2024) had a "wet belt" and you don't have to go far on Citroen or any Stellantis forums to know people dont like the concept for a number of reasons, mainly reliability. However with the introduction of the new 136hp mild hybrid recently they have moved to a timing chain. If you are interested only look at the newest 136 hp models.
Price? Well at the moment autotrader has a dealer at Rotherham advertising a brand new top spec MAX trim for £20,479, £7,591 off list.
However one car I've always liked and had as a courtesy car in the past was the Citroen C4. It's kinda like a mix of hatchback and SUV and is good to drive. Moreover owners seem to love them, in the Auto Express 2023 driver power survey it came top of all cars tested.
If you are unfamiliar with the survey it's described as "Auto Express Driver Power is the UK's largest annual car customer satisfaction survey, gathering feedback from thousands of real owners on reliability, running costs, comfort, and performance to rank the best cars, manufacturers, and dealers. The results are published by Auto Express to help consumers make informed buying decisions"
https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/citroen/c4/360574/dr...
I can't find the full detail these days, looks like AE have removed it.
Now this all may sound rosy but there was an elephant in the room. The 1.2 engine the car used at the time (pre 2024) had a "wet belt" and you don't have to go far on Citroen or any Stellantis forums to know people dont like the concept for a number of reasons, mainly reliability. However with the introduction of the new 136hp mild hybrid recently they have moved to a timing chain. If you are interested only look at the newest 136 hp models.
Price? Well at the moment autotrader has a dealer at Rotherham advertising a brand new top spec MAX trim for £20,479, £7,591 off list.
okv3 said:
Mazda3/CX-30?
Only had mine a week but very pleased with how hushed it is on a motorway, and compact around our narrow lanes.
Reliability shouldn't be an issue, done over 50k miles in petrol Mazdas in the last few years and they haven't given me a spot of bother.
Ah - funny you say this! Have been looking at these as they sound pretty spot on for what I'm looking for, especially the Mazda 3. Apart from not the best dealer network, can't really see many downsides at the moment. Only had mine a week but very pleased with how hushed it is on a motorway, and compact around our narrow lanes.
Reliability shouldn't be an issue, done over 50k miles in petrol Mazdas in the last few years and they haven't given me a spot of bother.
ZX10R NIN said:
Kia ProCeed GT:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202511218...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202506263...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202511268...
Nice motor, could be worth a look. https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202511218...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202506263...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202511268...
Skodillac said:
I'd find it hard to look past a Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla for this brief. Wouldn't want a bulky SUV for country lanes, nor for long distance motorway driving as they bounce too much and make me travel sick.
Like this 'un:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202511278...
Yeah, that is half the battle. Corolla is pretty bang on if reliability biggest concern. Like this 'un:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202511278...
500x said:
I have a Citroen C5X myself which is probably too big for what you are looking for.
However one car I've always liked and had as a courtesy car in the past was the Citroen C4. It's kinda like a mix of hatchback and SUV and is good to drive. Moreover owners seem to love them, in the Auto Express 2023 driver power survey it came top of all cars tested.
If you are unfamiliar with the survey it's described as "Auto Express Driver Power is the UK's largest annual car customer satisfaction survey, gathering feedback from thousands of real owners on reliability, running costs, comfort, and performance to rank the best cars, manufacturers, and dealers. The results are published by Auto Express to help consumers make informed buying decisions"
https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/citroen/c4/360574/dr...
I can't find the full detail these days, looks like AE have removed it.
Now this all may sound rosy but there was an elephant in the room. The 1.2 engine the car used at the time (pre 2024) had a "wet belt" and you don't have to go far on Citroen or any Stellantis forums to know people dont like the concept for a number of reasons, mainly reliability. However with the introduction of the new 136hp mild hybrid recently they have moved to a timing chain. If you are interested only look at the newest 136 hp models.
Price? Well at the moment autotrader has a dealer at Rotherham advertising a brand new top spec MAX trim for £20,479, £7,591 off list.
Ah - I'll be honest, Citroen isn't really a brand I'd have ever really thought about and having heard so many horror stories on reliability I think it's put me off up until now. Will take a look though. Cheers! However one car I've always liked and had as a courtesy car in the past was the Citroen C4. It's kinda like a mix of hatchback and SUV and is good to drive. Moreover owners seem to love them, in the Auto Express 2023 driver power survey it came top of all cars tested.
If you are unfamiliar with the survey it's described as "Auto Express Driver Power is the UK's largest annual car customer satisfaction survey, gathering feedback from thousands of real owners on reliability, running costs, comfort, and performance to rank the best cars, manufacturers, and dealers. The results are published by Auto Express to help consumers make informed buying decisions"
https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/citroen/c4/360574/dr...
I can't find the full detail these days, looks like AE have removed it.
Now this all may sound rosy but there was an elephant in the room. The 1.2 engine the car used at the time (pre 2024) had a "wet belt" and you don't have to go far on Citroen or any Stellantis forums to know people dont like the concept for a number of reasons, mainly reliability. However with the introduction of the new 136hp mild hybrid recently they have moved to a timing chain. If you are interested only look at the newest 136 hp models.
Price? Well at the moment autotrader has a dealer at Rotherham advertising a brand new top spec MAX trim for £20,479, £7,591 off list.
It'd be worth taking a look at the Citroen in my opinion. The reliability has improved over recent years and in many cases brands have different reliability ratings for different cars in their lineups. That said a new car would be under warranty anyway.
I managed to find a better link to the survey at the time https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/360393/best-car...
If reliability is your major concern though, the be all and end all, you can't argue against the Japanese/ Korean brands. Time after time they come top or near to the top in all reliability surveys.
One thing I will say about the Corolla is I was a passenger in one earlier this year. Went to Tenerife and the coach back to the airport was too early so we taxi'd it 2 hrs later. An estate pulled up, good size. Interior was low rent for sure compared to the DS9 we had at the time and the C5X we have now. The trip started well until we got on the motorway travelling at 90-110 km/h (55-70mph). In my DS9 or C5x i have now it would get up to speed, hit top gear, and be at 1,500-1,800 rpm for all the journey unless sharp acceleration caused the gearbox to kick down. The Corolla meanwhile was a CVT and the revs were all over the place up and down even at quite constant speed and it kinda bore little.....or a loose relationship to how fast the car was going. Even in a 20 min drive I found it very annoying and far from relaxing. So if you do go down the Corolla route check this out first.
My mother in law has a Jazz CVT which I've been in around town and up to about 40mph, to be honest that seems very smooth at low speed so I'd say it's above this the CVT setup can get annoying.
I managed to find a better link to the survey at the time https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/360393/best-car...
If reliability is your major concern though, the be all and end all, you can't argue against the Japanese/ Korean brands. Time after time they come top or near to the top in all reliability surveys.
One thing I will say about the Corolla is I was a passenger in one earlier this year. Went to Tenerife and the coach back to the airport was too early so we taxi'd it 2 hrs later. An estate pulled up, good size. Interior was low rent for sure compared to the DS9 we had at the time and the C5X we have now. The trip started well until we got on the motorway travelling at 90-110 km/h (55-70mph). In my DS9 or C5x i have now it would get up to speed, hit top gear, and be at 1,500-1,800 rpm for all the journey unless sharp acceleration caused the gearbox to kick down. The Corolla meanwhile was a CVT and the revs were all over the place up and down even at quite constant speed and it kinda bore little.....or a loose relationship to how fast the car was going. Even in a 20 min drive I found it very annoying and far from relaxing. So if you do go down the Corolla route check this out first.
My mother in law has a Jazz CVT which I've been in around town and up to about 40mph, to be honest that seems very smooth at low speed so I'd say it's above this the CVT setup can get annoying.
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