Buying a new diesel hatchback - which one? | Ask Honest John

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Buying a new diesel hatchback - which one?

We are looking for a fice-door hatchback, diesel, manual, and not a city car. It needs low emissions, low tax bracket and good road holding and should cost below£14,000. It will be for use on steep winding country roads.

Asked on 13 June 2013 by Ken Chorlton

Answered by Honest John

The new Clio 1.5DCI is quite good; Captur 1.5DCI even better. But they are massively undercut by Renault's Dacia Sandero 1.5DCI and Sandero Stepway 1.5DCI.

Tags: buying small cars

Dear Honest John,

Please help me choose my next car. I would like it to have:

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Related models

Dacia Sandero (2013 - 2021)

Unbelievably cheap for this size of car, generous interior space and a big boot, reasonably comfortable to drive.

Renault Clio (2013 - 2019)

Bigger and better looking Clio an improvement on previous model, both 90 TCe petrol and 90 dCi diesel under 100g/km CO2.

Dacia Sandero Stepway (2013 - 2020)

Space and practicality of a small hatchback for the price of a tiny city car, low prices and cheap PCP deals make this one of the most affordable cars.