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Odd sort of choice of their current car if they are not 'car people' - a standard Golf, perhaps, but a V5? Anyway, I would assume they want this next car to last them until they stop driving? If so, a DSG type auto box from any make (not just VAG) would be out, as would the automated manuals.
That (as per another recent thread) leaves the standard torque converter units in the Mazda2 and the Suzuki Swift, and existing smaller KIAs and Hyundais (note both are changing their larger cars to dual clutch, so this may spread to the remainder of the range as time goes on; no changes on that score on the way for Mazda & Suzuki though), plus the CVTs in many of the other Japanese makes, the most reliable being in Hondas and Toyotas. IMO the lastest Nissan Micra is too new to really ascertain long-term reliabilty (too different from the outgoing model to make a reasonable inference) and the Renault/Nissan tie-up still gives too many relaibility woes/less good customer service for my liking.
I would say, given their age (I'm also presuming they won't be doing over 20k miles a year and mostly shorter journeys to the shops with an occasional longer one thrown in), then ease of use (including all-round visibility), reliability and comfort (other than safety, a given) is of a high priority - performance and handling presumably need to be 'competent' as a minimum.
As such, my initial thoughts are to choose from (new cars only, T=turbocharged):
Mazda2 1.5
Suzuki Swift 1.0T (probably fine using a turbo)
Hyundai i20/KIA Rio (i10/Picanto may be fine) 1.2
Honda Jazz 1.3
Toyota Yaris 1.5
The best two for performance and handling are the Mazda and Suzuki by some way (the others aren't exactly quick), reliability (not that much in it as they are all petrol-driven non-twin clutch types) probably the Jazz and Yaris, value probably the KIA/Hyundais. I suspect the ease-of-use crown goes to the Jazz.
I would also say that a decent length test drive for them is a must (for both of them) and to thoroughly check out the loading requirements (ease of and space) as well as in car ergonomics. It should be noted that there are less Suzuki dealerships around than the other makes listed, which can be a problem if a potential owner doesn't like having to drive 30+ miles to the nearest one for servicing.
If I were them, whatever model they choose, either pick one that has at least 55 profile tyres, or if they're going for the top spec model, if money isn't a problem, get it specified with the higher profile (55-65) wheels and tyres from a mid-range model to make the ride more comfortable. I can attest to this - my (similarly aged) parents have a 08MY Fiesta with 15in 50 profile tyres, as opposed to 13 or 14in 65-70 on their previous one, and ride is MUCH firmer, so much so that they now drive a different (longer) route to the shops to avoid roads with speed bumps.
I won't make any specific recommendations given no details about the ride, handling or performance have been given. I'm sure many other BRers can add to the above.
Edited by Engineer Andy on 12/10/2017 at 13:28
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