How about a new-shape Volvo S60 with the D3 2 litre 163bhp 5-cylinder diesel? Great seats and excellent ride / handling / noise suppression (if you avoid low-profile tyres). Very quiet & relaxed cruiser at 80+ on motorways. And if you like instant overtaking grunt, you'll like this motor.

They've been around for 3 years now so quite a few good used ones around. Service intervals are 12 months / 18K miles.

My V60 with that engine gives me a genuine 47mpg at the pumps, which is excellent for a 1600kg car considering the huge grunt and go available (which I do use quite frequently ...).

It's a Volvo 5-cylinder diesel. My driving is 30% motorway trips for work, and 70% urban trips of less than 10 miles.

If your 15-mile commute is on mostly flowing roads with not much stop/start, you should easily get similar mpg.

I agree with Ed V.

I have driven both a 1.8 petrol Civic and a 2.2 CDTi. Ride is quite hard and fidgety.

Accord will be a much better bet, as would 2.2 diesel Lexus.

I'm also a Volvo fan but you won't find many new style S60s at auction I suspect. Your budget could get you a nice S40 or V50 with the D3 or D4 engine.

To your list I would also add the new shape Avensis, not so dull as its predecessor.

Edited by 72 dudes on 14/03/2013 at 15:55