Which small family car with a diesel engine?

What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks

Which small family car with a diesel engine?

We have a 2-year-old and another on the way, so are looking to purchase a diesel (used mostly as a family runabout with the odd commute) for less than £4000. But it'll be the wife driving most of the time, so it can't be too cumbersome. We are choosing between the Mk2 Focus 1.8TDCi or SEAT Leon Mk1 1.9TDi cars (either the 90 or 110). We are ultimately looking at reliability and economy over anything else, so assume the Leon to be the better choice.

Asked on 9 March 2013 by MW, via email

Answered by Honest John

Avoid anything with a diesel particulate filter, but your £4000 budget probably avoids them anyway. Peruse www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar entries very carefully before opting for anything in particular. For the sake of your backs when lifting kids in and out, an upright car such as a C-Max or Altea makes more sense than a conventional hatchback. An Altea 1.9TDI is more reliable and nicer to drive than the 2.0TDI. The Ford 1.8TDCI is a dated engine and would not be on my list.

Tags: economy dpf diesels family cars reliability

Similar questions

Best diesel?

Thanks to your website, I have been able to narrow down my next choice of car to the Ford Focus and Seat Leon. You give the Focus 5 stars however and the Leon only 3 (although 5 for the quicker petrol...

Which family SUV for commuting and long holiday trips?

In looking to change our car (a 2003 old shape Volvo V40 2.0i turbo Sport Lux). We have been considering the KIA Sportage 1.7 CRDI 2 or Hyundai ix35 due to their economical running costs, reasonable size...

Which reliable Ford should we buy as an all-purpose workhorse?

We would like to buy either a Ford Focus hatchback or estate or a 2008 Ford C-Max from British Car Auctions, where we have purchased several cars in the past. The car will serve as an all purpose workhorse...

Related models