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Can you recommend an automatic car with a petrol engine and high driving position?

I feel it's time to replace my 2007 Volkswagen Golf Plus DSG diesel. I've been very happy with it but am considering a change. What would you recommend of a similar size in a petrol engine? It will be an automatic and I like the DSG gearbox although that's not essential. I also like the slightly higher driving position and it should be reasonably economical. I'm not so keen on the Honda Jazz or Civic.

Asked on 7 December 2013 by LM, Northwood

Answered by Honest John
If you're happy with DSGs after six years with one, then another Golf or an Audi A3 or a SEAT Leon with the 1.2TSI 105 or 1.4 TSI 122 or 1.4 TSI 140 engine and 7-speed DSG. The problem of DSG clutch plates warping has now been resolved. There will be a new, slightly higher, Golf Plus next year, currently code-named ‘Golf Sportsvan’, but the best car in the class is the new Mazda 3 Skyactiv hatch or sedan with 6-speed torque converter auto: www.honestjohn.co.uk/road-tests/mazda/mazda-3-2014.../
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