What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks
I need to replace my Volkswagen Polo with something big enough for a six-footer that is ULEZ-compliant?
My husband is well over six feet tall and struggles with small car leg and headroom. He also loathes driving my 2013 Volkswagen Golf because of its electronic handbrake. His car is a 2003 1.9L TDI Polo and he loves it, but it's falling to bits and we live by the new ULEZ expansion area. Even my car isn't compliant so we have to change one of them and the older one is the logical choice. But we are defeated on what (as, for instance, he cracks his head on the newer Polo doors). Also we are likely to have a second six-footer in a few years, wanting to learn to drive...
Can you recommend a small car which has good headroom, a decent engine and a manual handbrake please? We are not worried about the age, just that it's ULEZ compliant, has a manual handbrake and can cope with tall people. And fits in a 1950s garage!
Can you recommend a small car which has good headroom, a decent engine and a manual handbrake please? We are not worried about the age, just that it's ULEZ compliant, has a manual handbrake and can cope with tall people. And fits in a 1950s garage!
Asked on 28 March 2023 by Jane
Answered by
David Ross
Given your specific requirements, we would suggest something like the Honda Jazz or the Toyota Yaris. Earlier versions of these cars came with manual handbrakes, and both have tall bodies with excellent headroom, as well as good space efficiency. They are also available with good petrol engines that will be ULEZ compliant, and are very close in size to your current Polo so you should find they fit comfortably in your garage.
Will you have to pay the low emissions charge?
Use our ULEZ checker to find out if your vehicle is subject to ULEZ charges. Simply enter your number plate into the Honest John ULEZ checker to see if you will have to pay to enter the London Ultra Low Emission Zone.
Check your vehicleSimilar questions
I was made redundant a couple of years ago and since have been driving my wife's Micra, about which I won't have a bad word said. My only problem with buying another Micra is that I am 6 feet 2 inches...
We are looking for a car that can accommodate a tall driver (6ft4) and also a rear facing baby seat to fit in behind the drivers seat. We live in London and use our car for day to day tasks so preferably...
We live on the Isle of Man where you are allowed to drive from age 16. Our son reaches that age next year. He is already over 6ft tall so the tiniest of cars isn’t really an option. Luckily insurance costs...
Related models
.jpg?width=115&height=75&rmode=crop)
Fairly big boot by class standards, tempting hybrid option, Toyota has an epic reliability record.
.jpg?width=115&height=75&rmode=crop)
Unrivalled practicality and versatility. Plenty of room for four adults to travel in comfort. Surprisingly fun to drive, especially 1.5 i-VTEC Sport.
Elsewhere on 
.jpg)
