Small car with a decent ride?

[Deerfoot]

My wife is growing tired of the admittedly harsh ride in her 2016 Suzuki Swift Sport, Wiltshire’s poor roads are not helping things either.

She’s after a smallish (think Fiesta rather than Aygo size) petrol auto for around £10,000.

It must have a compliant ride. She does around 500 miles a month.

Any ideas?

[jayymannon]

I think Polo is the usual suggestion for comfort in a small car. The big car feel in a small car package.
However, coming from a swift sport, I'd imagine it'll feel very boring in comparison. But much more comfortable.

[trevalvole]

Polos and Fabias are generally regarded as having the best ride. However, the auto would be a DSG and you'd need to check when they properly fixed the dry-clutch version. If you go further back, some of the engines were trouble too, so I'd avoid anything pre-2013. Something like a Hyundai i20 with a torque converter auto (more recent ones may be dual-clutch) might be a better compromise. Or a Fiesta or a Mazda2, but probably the ride isn't as good as a Polo, but would be better than a SSS.

[Deerfoot]

Mini Cooper with the smallest wheel fitment?

I think the Polo might be too dull and I’m not sure if I’m ready to risk another DSG box..

[trevalvole]

Deerfoot said:

Mini Cooper with the smallest wheel fitment?

I think the Polo might be too dull and I’m not sure if I’m ready to risk another DSG box..

I had a second generation (R56 I think) BMW Mini One 1.6 with the smallest 175/65/15 wheels and its ride was pretty firm, due to the springs and dampers I think - the 3rd gen may be more comfortable. I recall the third generation BMW Mini had a torque converter auto (like the 2nd) prior to the facelift and a dual-clutch after.

A Mazda2 like the following or Fiesta probably wouldn't be dull https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301223...

Suzuki also did a Swift 1.0T torque converter auto.

[Pica-Pica]

trevalvole said:

Polos and Fabias are generally regarded as having the best ride. However, the auto would be a DSG and you'd need to check when they properly fixed the dry-clutch version. If you go further back, some of the engines were trouble too, so I'd avoid anything pre-2013. Something like a Hyundai i20 with a torque converter auto (more recent ones may be dual-clutch) might be a better compromise. Or a Fiesta or a Mazda2, but probably the ride isn't as good as a Polo, but would be better than a SSS.

I would endorse the Fabia suggestion.

[ZX10R NIN]

Kia Rio:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211171...

But like the Polo it may not be interesting enough.

A car that could tick all the boxes is the Clio GT:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210200...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207127...

1.6 Fiesta Titanium X:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202210130...

[trevalvole]

Deerfoot said:

Mini Cooper with the smallest wheel fitment?

And if you are looking at the R56 2nd gen BMW Mini, they had the PRINCE engine which wasn't without its problems.

[Deerfoot]

Thanks all.

ZX10, how’s the gearbox in the Clio? I don’t know much about them?

[_Rodders_]

Wonder if a Dacia Sandero is any good. 16in wheels on the Duster make for a pretty comfortable ride.

Don't think you can get the Fiesta/Polo's of this world in balloon spec tyres anymore.

[bennno]

Deerfoot said:

My wife is growing tired of the admittedly harsh ride in her 2016 Suzuki Swift Sport, Wiltshire’s poor roads are not helping things either.

She’s after a smallish (think Fiesta rather than Aygo size) petrol auto for around £10,000.

It must have a compliant ride. She does around 500 miles a month.

Any ideas?

Swift sport is crashy, a mini one, Citroën c3, polo

[ZX10R NIN]

Deerfoot said:

Thanks all.

ZX10, how’s the gearbox in the Clio? I don’t know much about them?

It's actually a good setup & pretty robust but like all dual clutches make sure the gearbox service intervals have been carried out on time.

[Deerfoot]

Just to wrap this up, the Swift went in place of a Golf Mk7 TSI GT, a little bit bigger than she was originally after but so far so good...

It's in good order, full VAG history (including belts) four matching Michelins, Bosch wipers and the same owner for the last six years.