My 94,000-mile 55-plate Lexus IS250SE is a seriously good motor which handsomely, smoothly, comfortably and utterly reliably does what it says on the tin.

I now do around 8000 miles a year in 5 mile local hops once or twice a week, with multi-hundred mile journeys monthly or bi-monthly.

I love the car despite its two major failings; it's thirsty (acknowledged due to all those short hops), and has poor space efficiency. The back seats - outrageously - don't fold.

Can you recommend a replacement of similar understated exceptional quality and spec which addresses those failings, given my 'challenging' usage pattern?

Not a diesel, due to those low annual miles - a hybrid perhaps? And I've no objection to 'used'. Budget is around £25,000.