Hi, would like advice on behalf of a relative looking for a replacement for his 2012 Toyota Yaris SR (99bhp). Change in job soon, means will be commuting further than usual and driving around 12-15k miles pa, mostly M and A roads.

Criteria, in no particular order:

1) Better MPG than the current 36mpg

2) Reliability

3) A car with a bit more poke than currently

4) Would prefer the ease of an auto but happy enough with a manual, as reliability and MPG is more important

5) Would prefer something a little sporty looking, but not hugely important

6) Parking sensors/Reverse cam would be a bonus as current vehicle has them

£7000 budget.

Thanks

Whilst some have already chimed in with suggestions, one criteria that will make a significant difference is what size of car are you looking for? A direct size replacement - the 'larger' city cars and most superminis, or something larger, or sized from X to Y?

Note that you current 2012 Yaris is slightly smaller (not by much though) than the latest superminis, as cars get a bit larger (for the most part) from one generation to the next, especially now that many have 'SUV' or crossover variants.

BTW - are you looking for a manual, 'proper' auto or 'dual clutch' automated manual (that to many acts like an auto but in reality isn't - epsecially when usage pattern and reliability is taken into account)?

This will also make a big difference to a second-hand buyer like you, as in my view, dual clutch 'auto' cars may be out, not because they don't suit your driving pattern - they do - but because you cannot guarantee how reliable a second hand car with one will be, because you don't know what usage it got before the purchase.

Such vehicles aren't suited to predominantly heavy, stop-start traffic driving, and any previous owner could've offloaded it (even someone who's done low mileage) because the clucth pack has likely started to wear.

Traditional 'torque converter' gearboxes are mainly excellent reliability-wise (if maintained properly), but do sap far more power and use more fuel (though a good deal less than they used to 10 years ago) than a dual clutch or CVT box. For example, the current Mazda2 (2015 onwards) has a good amount of the performance credentials you want, but the only (TC) auto version (90hp, none in top spec 115hp version) drops the 0-60 time to below your existing car.

A (well-engineed [not all are]) CVT does combined the best of both the above, but a good number of drivers don't like the noise they make when pushing hard (say on an overtake). Often a matter of personal preference.

Avoid 'automated manual' single clutch gearboxes such as the Honda i-Shift and some others - they aren't nice to use in my view and many appear to suffer from reliability woes, especially as they age.