Best small car for relaxed motorway miles?

[Matt UK]

Need to get a new car and for various reasons a smaller car would suit.

I've spent the last few years in 5 series / Audi A6 type stuff so I've not much experience of spending much time in hatchbacks at motorway speeds.

I'm thinking Golf / Focus size car and want the most comfy, relaxing, quiet, refined car I can find.

Thoughts?

[andy43]

A3?

[Mafioso]

My Fabia VRS with cruise on eats the miles with plenty of oomph at motorway speeds.

[Matt UK]

andy43 said:

A3?

Any more so than a Golf?

[CampDavid]

I've had a hugely over spec'd Golf GT TDI over Christmas. It's a fair step above the Fabia as a cruiser, though it should be considering the cash.

[dabber]

Main motor is an S Class so used to plenty luxury, but have recently acquired a Ka 1.2 for the first born - amazed at how relaxed that thing is at motorway speeds. (A little gutless however ) Must say that the economy isn't what I would have hoped for - hardly any better than the Merc.

[andy43]

Matt UK said:

andy43 said:

A3?

Any more so than a Golf?

Not a clue tbh. Depends on your budget - if we're talking three to about five grand, I'd say a little Audi A3 SE would probably be pretty refined compared to the competition. More dollars and newer models and I'm out of my depth.

[Matt UK]

andy43 said:

Matt UK said:

andy43 said:

A3?

Any more so than a Golf?

Not a clue tbh. Depends on your budget - if we're talking three to about five grand, I'd say a little Audi A3 SE would probably be pretty refined compared to the competition. More dollars and newer models and I'm out of my depth.

Sorry, should have been more clear, looking at new cars.

[excel monkey]

118d/120d? Very long gearing on these. Any modern 6 speed diesel should be reasonably relaxed and quiet on the motorway, even a Golf/Focus sized car.

[jack_st]

mini cooper s or clubman?

[Sam.F]

I quite like my G/F's 116d for motorway cruising - refined, relaxed cruiser and will return 50mpg pretty easily. Feels like it has some weight to it as well so it doesn't get blown around in windy conditions. Not quick though - perfectly adequate for exclusively motorway-based work but if you need A-road overtaking performance I'd go for a 120d.

Golf/A3 much of a muchness - both very well made although I'd say the A3 definitely uses cabin plastics at least 2 classes above those in the VW. Again the 1.6 diseasel adequate for the motorway but provides "sedate" performance at best.

Presumably given the cars mentioned you need the amount of space offered by a Golf-class car?

[anonymous-user]

go and try a few this weekend, I think the focus, golf, 1 series and B class are worth a look

Also I was very surprised at how good a citroen c4 150 HPI that I hired in France was on the toll roads at 0.8 leptons or so, 6sp manual

UK site says they cost £21,495 which is a lot but all new cars are

[miniman]

Motorway mileage you say?

[Matt UK]

miniman said:

Motorway mileage you say?

So you are suggesting this as a device to transport a small car in.

I like your thinking

[thinfourth2]

Ignore anything "sporty" and german as sporty in german means remove springs and replace with cement

Matt UK said:

andy43 said:

A3?

Any more so than a Golf?

Depends wether you have a piece of duct tape over the badge or not

[Wigeon Incognito]

There's the Mercedes CLC too, just a thought.

[Jw Vw]

Matt UK said:

andy43 said:

A3?

Any more so than a Golf?

In a word - NO! Same car different badge!

[Jw Vw]

BMW 120d?

[Busa_Rush]

Get an older big car . . . why a small car ? Motorway cruising is what big cars do well.