Looking for a nice looking yet economical new car

[Tsh93]

Looking for my next car, any help would be greatly appreciated.

My max budget is 16k, I'm thinking of taking out a loan and buying the car. My current car is a 2016 Seat Ibiza, it's served me well but I'm in the last year of the PCP deal and I'd like to upgrade.

My trip to work is a 60 mile round trip, mainly on the motorway so ideally I'd like something that is good on fuel and can handle motorway journeys so I was thinking about a diesel.

I'd also like 4 doors as my current car has 2 and it's a nightmare for people getting in and out the back.

Main priorities are for the car to look smart inside and out and have some good up to date tech and to be economical, I'm talking around 55/60mpg+. I also don't really want a car older than 2015.

Currently have lots of options saved on auto trader which are...

The new shape ford focus ST line 1.5 diesel, talking from 2019 onwards around 16k

Volkswagen Golf's with good fuel economy and decent specs around 14k

BMW 1 series ranging from 2015 onwards around 12k

Audi A3 from 2015 onwards around 12k

The older shaped Ford Focus, again 1.5 diesel engine, around 2017 reg around 12k

Kia Cee'd, probably the GT line around 13k

Skoda Octavia VRS, again around 2017 reg around 14/15k

I've set my filters to the car having done less than 50k miles, not sure if this matters too much with service history etc?

Do you think I'd be wise to spend money on one of the above or can you recommend an alternative?

I'm leaning towards the new Focus, I really like the look of them and they seem to be economical in the diesel engine. I'm just not sure about spending 16k on one so some of the cheaper options might be better.

[jrock78]

This would be my choice - providing you have a a good dealership nearby.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202105212...

[madmatteo]

A bit of a curveball but in a used market where it is hard to find value, these seem good value for money:

2019 Peugeot 508 SW GT Line 1.5 HDi.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202102058...

I've literally just taken delivery of almost the same car albeit with the 1.6 petrol engine. Interior is really nice and feels quite premium. Spec is excellent with virtually anything you might need. It's also practical as well.

The saloon version is also worth a shout but seems to be a little more expensive like for like. It's a hatch so boot is surprisingly big and only slightly smaller than estate version. Examples of saloons below...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103019...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104171...

All of these should still be in warranty as well.

[ZX10R NIN]

If you want a well spec'd (360 cameras/Pano Roof/Heated Leather/Bi Xenons/Adaptive Cruise etc) smart hatch you'd be hard pressed to beat the Infiniti Q30 2.2d 170 in either:

Premium Tech

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106264...

The Sport model loses the adaptive but adds the AMG front seats & Bose stereo:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106193...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106294...

These are great value right now.

[How u doing]

Tsh93 said:

Main priorities are for the car to look smart inside and out and have some good up to date tech and to be economical, I'm talking around 55/60mpg+. I also don't really want a car older than 2015.

.

If you're wanting up to date tech 2015 is too old far too old.

[Scootersp]

How about a Volvo V60 dual engine (Diesel and electric)

Could fit in well with your commute? GIves you a dabble at EV feel

https://www.speakev.com/threads/v60-d6-brilliant.6...

[Nyloc20]

You could have a look at the last of the Focus STs before the new shape. My wife has an 18 plate ST3. She’s a home carer doing a lot of short journeys so we went for the 2 litre diesel. Not the purists’ choice obviously but it averages 44mpg on short journeys and we’ve just had a week touring Scotland and got 50mpg. I doubt you could get much more even with very sympathetic driving.
Good spec and within your budget I expect. Its been a very good car, no issues in 45k miles apart from a couple of faulty tyre sensors. We’re paying off the pcp at the end of July and keeping it.