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Buying a new small car - what would you recommend?

I want to buy a small car that will fit three kids in the back. It has to have decent performance and lots of gadgets - climate control and parking sensors essential and a decent infotainment system desirable. I only really use it for commuting to work and back - about a 12 mile round trip, mainly on dual carriageways, and so thought it probably should be petrol. I was thinking along the lines of a Mazda 2 115PS, Ford Fiesta 1.0 EcoBoost or an Audi A1 Sportback 1.4 TFSI. Your opinion and any other recommendations would be appreciated. I know the new Fiesta is coming out and so don't know what that'll be like I would also consider electric or hybrid options, but the BMW i3 can only fit 2 in the back and I don't know enough about the Tesla model 3.

Asked on 13 April 2017 by sum57

Answered by Honest John

Yes, you're thinking along the right lines. The best I've driven recently was the Suzuki Swift 1.0T BoosterJet 6-speed auto (the manual isn't as good): www.honestjohn.co.uk/road-tests/suzuki/suzuki-swif.../ (Not quite here yet). Very soon there will be a new Fiesta. The current 1.0 EcoBoost 125 is fun and there may be discounts to shift old stock: www.honestjohn.co.uk/road-tests/ford/ford-fiesta-2.../ Had a bit of clutch trouble for a while, but seems to be over now. A1 okay, but quite expensive. You might get 3 in the back of a Kia Niro: www.honestjohn.co.uk/road-tests/kia/kia-niro-2016-.../ But by far the most stylish and best handling hybrid is the Toyota C-HR: www.honestjohn.co.uk/road-tests/toyota/toyota-c-hr.../ And if you're spending that sort of money you might prefer to put it into a SEAT Ateca, a Peugeot 2008 1.2 Puretech 130 or even an Audi Q2.

Tags: buying child seats advice equipment small cars

Dear Honest John,

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

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