Thanks.

They do the Peugoet 2008 and the Captur for example, but I also like the relibility of the Japanese/Korean cars..

I don't understand why the UK doesn't like French cars. I have driven 308s and C3 when I did my French Drivers license there wasn't anything horrible out them. My ex-wife needed an Automatic and I thought the Japanese were better in that domain which is why I got the Jazz (better boot too).

My parents have a Scenic II which they love (but its has over 220,000KM on it which is why I might sell them the Jazz).

Why are people here so opposed to them (and Nissan)? The Qashqai, 3008 and the Captur are the best selling SUVs in France, they can't be all bad right?

All this is why you have to make your own choice based on what is important to you.

A few points though, the UK does like French cars, if that wasn’t the case, they wouldn’t sell as many!. But buying new is not the same as buying used, which is what you are doing.

This leads to your last paragraph, it isn’t that people in general are opposed to them, more that statistically, a French car (this includes the Qashqai, which is just a Renault Megane in high heels) is likely to be less reliable than a Japanese or Korean car. Does that make them all bad?, no, of course not.

Thing is, you also want auto, and that does add an extra factor of uncertainty. The Renault Captur and Kadjar both use automated manuals. Depending on age, a Peugoet 2008 and 3008 could do too (current versions of both use a torque converter auto). Dual clutch automated manuals, generally, are not known for long term reliability, though they can be reliable depending on how they have been driven (and how would you find this out on a 2nd hand car?). Single clutch versions could, in theory, be more reliable simply by being less complex, but again, this will depend on how previous owner/s have treated it. But in addition, single clutch versions can suffer from jerky progress, which can be overcome (to an extent) by adapting your driving style to suit. The Qashqai will have either an unreliable CVT or an automated manual (dual clutch I think).

You have said what your budget is, and that appears to be decent enough, but for us here in the UK, ultimately meaningless as we don’t know how well or otherwise cars in France hold their value, which are more desirable used, etc.

Finally, you have very clearly stated a preference for an SUV type car, for a bigger boot and higher driving position. You mentioned the Peugoet 2008, but that is pretty much the same height as your Jazz, and the boot, by volume, is only fractionally bigger!. OK, with the 1.2 turbo engine, it is going to be much easier on the hills due to the extra torque at much lower revs. I guess my point is not to assume that simply being an SUV/crossover is going to result in a higher seating position and bigger boot!.

I like SLO have a deep seated aversion to Renaults reliability record but against all my gut feeling I agreed for my partner to buy the old model but with the new 1.3 turbo petrol engine shared with the A Class.

But the Captur has been faultless over twelve months enough to persuade me that Renault have turned the corner and we will no longer see the bumper stickers “ Built in France fell apart in Britain “.