Based on what's written here and your budget-I would narrow it down to a used car with a balance of a longish manufacturer's guarantee. Have a look at the Kia range ( 7 year guarantee)-you'd get a nearly new one for £14000

Edited by SLO76 on 23/10/2021 at 19:01

I'm looking at options to replace my 2011 Polo automatic, which I have owned from new. Never had any issues with it, but my commute now involves the motorway and I feel a little vulnerable in the Polo in terms of safety/performance/reliability. Looking for another automatic and a Honda Jazz has been suggested based on reliability, higher driving position and roominess, but having test driven a couple I'm not wholly convinced. Started out with a budget of £12k, but found it was quickly moving up to £14k+. If paying that sort of amount I am wondering if there are better options out there? Any advice gratefully considered!

What was it about the test drive in the Jazz (which version was it BTW) that you weren't convinced about? This may have an impact on alternatives we may suggest.

It would also be helpful to give us some more details. e.g. estimated mileage per year, how much room you need for passengers and boot space (perfectly ok to say your current car is fine in that respect), any other specific requirements (I presume an auto is a pre-requisite?).

Note that a smallish car will, to many people appear 'vulnerable' on busy, faster-moving roads alongside HGVs - even larger cars will obviously come off far worse if involved in an accident with one, even the latest cars with all the crash protection equipment.

MPVs and other higher-sided cars - to some extent like the Jazz, will feel less stable at high speed or when cornering at higher speeds than traditional cars, which are less susceptible to being caught in gusts of wind and have a lower centre of gravity and thus are more stable when in motion.

Higher-side cars can give a more commanding view of the road, but at the expense of handling/stability (which will impact safety to some degree, though not perhaps as much as it used to), performance, mpg, and noise for the same engine size and base design.

I suspect part of the problem is the car feels so light and possibly a little bit tinny with the amount of road and wind noise coming through. As someone who has always driven body on frame vehicles with the stresses being picked up by the chassis and then having to go through rubber bushings before it reaches the monocoque sitting on top, I find most normal monocoque cars have a lot more tyre noise and don't feel so planted on the motorway. I'm old fashioned though and if they had made them in RHD, i'd be driving a Ford Crown Victoria now.

A Jazz is not going to improve things, they are good cars with tardis like dimensions, but they lack refinement. As others have said, try going for something like an Auris as it will be a step above, or if you can reach it, an Avensis, like this one

www.charleshurstgroup.co.uk/used-car/toyota/avensi...0