Toyota Hybrid, either Auris or Prius, in its element.

ditto, good choice the auris

I'd certainly endorse the recommendation for a Dacia. My son bought a Sandero 1.2 Ambience last June, and I have been very impressed with it.

He'd been running 'bangers' and had sometimes been lucky but sometimes not. Running 'bangers' can be fine if you've got the cash to pay for repairs or, if necessary, to throw them away and start again, but he hadn't. More importantly, he has two small children (thankfully past the pram stage) and the reliability issue is paramount especially in this very rural area.

He pays £100/month on PCP which includes the 3 year service plan, 5 year warranty and breakdown. Easier to budget and the peace of mind is very reassuring. If he chooses to buy it at the end of 4 years, it'll cost about £2400 - which is not a bad price at all - it'll still have a year's warranty.

I would describe it as about the same space as a Golf. It's good to drive round town and OK on motorway journeys. Reminds me of a Clio - zizzy and willing. (Well, it would, wouldn't it?).

The space in a Logan is excellent. For people with kids a bonus is wide-opening doors and what seems to be higher access.

My son gets about 45 mpg in enthusiastic mixed driving, which ties up with the HJ real mpg reports. (I note that this is one of the highest 'real' v 'manufacturers' figures at 90+%.)

I think that with small children, the reliability might swing it for me. The other thing is, we all weep (maybe a little, maybe silently) at supermarket car park dings. But maybe just a bit less if it's in a £8000 Dacia rather than in an £18000 VW or whatever.

(I am reminded of the TG programme - the sub 1 Litre challenge to Chernobyl - when May had a Dacia 0.9TCE and Hammond had the Fiesta 1.0 . 'Well' said May 'I could buy one of these, lose it or throw it away and buy another one, and I'd still have change from what you paid for that.' Quite.)