Interesting selection, Honda Jazz, Suzuki Swift, Nissan Note, and, er, BMW 320?!?
Firstly, CVT is generally just as reliable as torque converter auto as long as any CVT fluid changes are done as required. The exception to this is Nissan, who's CVT transmissions seem to have a poor reputation.
Tipitronic is a very much misused term these days. Porsche came up with the name for use on a torque converter auto which had the option for manual changes. This was also the case for various other brands, but over the years, the term started to be used on cars with an automated manual. So instead of a kneejerk reaction against any car advertised as being 'tiptronic', find out if it actually is first, as a 'proper' tiptronic is no less reliable than any other torque converter auto.
CVT's are almost always described in derogatory terms by the motoring press. Common themes are, 'if you put the foot down, it is all noise and no action', or 'mooing noise', or lots of high revs. I can't comment on all CVT's, but since 2017 we have had a current shape Honda Jazz with a CVT. I was a bit sceptical because of the motoring press, but (perhaps unsurprisingly) most of the criticisms are a load of borrocks. No, it is no rocketship, with 102bhp and a distinct lack of torque. But, it is surprisingly quick given its spec, and is very capable of overtaking slower moving traffic being very responsive indeed. At main road speeds, on the flat, the revs sit very low, but when hills are involved it does get a bit revvy, but this has nothing to do with it being a CVT, this is because its peak torque is at 5000rpm. As for the so called mooing noise, even if you did find the thought of this offputting, it is more a trait of older CVT's where there really is no set gear, so the revs would gently go up and down, not seeming to be related to your speed. But on modern CVT's like the our Jazz and the Yaris, they are electronically 'stepped' to make them feel like they have 7 seperate gears, so you don't get this mooing sensation.
The Honda Jazz has never been available with a torque converter auto. The first gen cars (2001-2008) used a CVT and are fantastically reliable. The pre facelift second gen cars (2008-2011) used the i-shift automated manual, this should be avoided. Post facelift second gen cars right up to current versions, all use the CVT and assuming the CVT fluid has been changed asd required, will give no trouble.
Suzuki Swift is a torque converter auto and is very reliable.
Nissan Note, well first gen cars (2006-2013) used a 1.6 petrol with a torque converter auto and are very reliable. Second gen cars used a (supercharged) 1.2 petrol with a CVT and, should be avoided.
The BMW is a very odd choice amongst these other sensible reliable small cars. Frankly, without knowing how much money you plan to spend, i wouldn't touch it. And while it may offer decent MPG under certain circumstances, under most, it will be much less efficient than your other choices. BMW's on the whole, are actually not that reliable, especially 4 cyl petrol or diesel models, so depending on age, that could well include a 320.
Other choices?, sticking with the approx sizes of your first three choices:
Toyota Yaris (as long as it is not the MMT automated manual).
Ford Fiesta sixth gen, pre facelift (2008-2013) 1.4 petrol. Post facelift they brough in the infamous 'powershift' automated manual.
Ford Fusion 1.6 petrol (earlier 1.4 auto's used the durashift automated manual)
Mazda 2 (all torque converter)
Kia Rio (torque converter up to the current models)
Hyundai i20 (as above)
A little bigger?,
Ford Focus second gen, pre or post facelift (2004-2011) 1.6 or 2.0 petrol. Third gen uses poweshift.
Mazda 3 (all torque converter, all good)
Honda Civic as long as is not the i-shift automated manual. So seventh and eighth gen (up to circa 2009), then ninth gen (2012) onwards.
Toyota Auris as long as you avoid the MMT automated manual, not sure actual dates, but the 2013 > second gen cars are all CVT.
Kia Ceed (torque converter up to late 2016)
Hyundai i30 (torque converter up to early 2015)
Edited by badbusdriver on 12/01/2020 at 11:07
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