£10k new driver, new parents

[TVR Sagaris]

Not for me but I'm trying to help: friends who are planning a family want to buy their first car. £10k budget (but can be stretched if needed) which needs to be:
- An auto
- Petrol or hybrid (home charging not possible)
- Decent sized boot
- Not huge and not terrifying for a new driver (one of them has only just passed their test).

They are looking at Volvo XC60s and XC40s which I know nothing about although the XC60 seems to have quite a good rep here. They're not wedded to an SUV.

Are Volvos as good as anything here? Are the V40s any good? I think a V60 will be too big for them.

Open to all suggestions.

Cheers

[chip*]

Maybe consider a Dacia Jogger if they are not a badge snob?
I see on AT a MY22 1.0 Extreme (top spec) for £10k.
Jogger interior won't be plush but functional, plus it's a newer car than the XC60 at £10k budget.

Edit: ah, the Jogger above is a manual!

[ExBoringVolvoDriver]

Having had a V40 it doesn’t have the biggest boot and access into the rear seats is not the best either. Safe though!

XC 40 would be better or maybe a Seat Arona or Skoda Fabia Estate.

[TVR Sagaris]

Thanks both, particularly helpful re: V40 boot.

I will look more at the Dacia, Seat Aronas and Skoda Fabias. One of them only has an auto licence and the Dacia doesn't seem to have a conventional petrol auto.

Anything to avoid with the Volvos? I see some people complain certain seats are very uncomfortable. Pick of engines etc?

[Pickle_Rick]

Dacia sandero step way available in auto for around £10k. Servicing is cheap, about £200 a year, and the 1.0l is pennies to run and insure, but thanks to the turbo is quite fun to drive.

Comes with 7 year warranty too, and dacia will be more reliable the German brands or volvo, generally only japanese brands beat them in reliability charts.

[edc]

Seat Ateca is bigger than Arona. Skoda Karoq. Merc B class also has good sized boot for a hatch. If they are happy with XC60 I can't see how a V60 would be too big.

[ZX10R NIN]

An XC60 is a big car & a 10k budget will lead to an expensive one to run.

DS7 Crossback:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202602250...

1.5t Kia Ceed estate:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202604071...

1.6T Kuga Titanium:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202604091...

4 cylinder 1.5T:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202602029...

1.6T Tucson:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202604071...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202604131...

Sportage:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202604151...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202604081...

2.0T Insignia, these have awd & are a great family car:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202602139...

Hatchback:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202604171...

1.5T:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202601139...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202602250...

Edited by ZX10R NIN on Sunday 19th April 20:25

[ExBoringVolvoDriver]

Some great choices above, as per usual from ZX10!

My only observation from what the OP said, is that they could all be considered a bit on the large size for a new driver who might lack a degree of confidence, especially with the Insignia perhaps?

The SUVs may be better for that higher up all round visibility to judge better.

[Deep Thought]

When i read the title i was thinking Geez i didnt know changing your parents was an option these days

[ZX10R NIN]

ExBoringVolvoDriver said:

Some great choices above, as per usual from ZX10!

My only observation from what the OP said, is that they could all be considered a bit on the large size for a new driver who might lack a degree of confidence, especially with the Insignia perhaps?

The SUVs may be better for that higher up all round visibility to judge better.

Most are similar in size to the XC40 & in most cases smaller than an XC60 they're also looking at.

[ExBoringVolvoDriver]

ZX10R NIN said:

ExBoringVolvoDriver said:

Some great choices above, as per usual from ZX10!

My only observation from what the OP said, is that they could all be considered a bit on the large size for a new driver who might lack a degree of confidence, especially with the Insignia perhaps?

The SUVs may be better for that higher up all round visibility to judge better.

Most are similar in size to the XC40 & in most cases smaller than an XC60 they're also looking at.

Apologies. Must admit I thought that the Sportage was more a XC 60 size - our neighbours looks quite big to me but I guess the shape of these SUVs disguises the actual size since even the small ones can look chunky!