Edited by daveyjp on 09/03/2014 at 19:29

I really like the look of the ASX it's a beefy looking car and having owned a Mitsi in the past know they're pretty reliable, I've also looked at the Qashqai, ix35, and Kia Sportage (new shape), the Qashqai has a small boot compared to the others. These are certainly all good cars but too big size wise.

One thing I struggle with is finding out boot size's; for example how many looking at a golf plus will realize the difference between the S and SE, there is a huge difference.

I've also considered the Honda FRV and Civic, reliability is assured with both, however the frv is wide (parking issue), co2 is high and the civic has the biggest boot in it's class but is it any bigger in the cabin than the note ?.

I do have a good look around and tbh if it was reliable would get a Touran / zafira becuase in effect they are mini Galaxy's, however I'm not keem on routine visits to a garage, as both score very badly in the reliability index and even here on honest john (good & bad) both look like cars to be avoided.

The new Suzuki SX4

www.autoexpress.co.uk/suzuki/s-cross/64451/suzuki-...d

Edited by daveyK_UK on 10/03/2014 at 00:06

Kia Ceed estate, or if you want to push the boat out 2013 Carens.

That 7 year warranty means even if you get a 2009/10 it will still have a worthwhile makers warranty running, none of that aftermarket fit only for bog roll warranty caper

We had a C-Max, great car, totally reliable for the 5 years we owned it, only part needed was an alternator belt.

Now we have a Kia Ceed SW (estate by another name). Great car, totally reliable. More passenger and luggage space than the C-Max, more economical and has the 7 year warranty as well.

With Kia's it is critical they have been correctly serviced, if not the warranty will not be worth the paper its written on. Kia insist you keep all receipts as well as getting the service book stamped, not a big deal if you look after your cars.

Its like any car without documentation, simply walk away.

I had a Mondeo, agreed it was a nice big car, and I have driven an estate, sadly though they don't appear to be very reliable, it never broke down but faults and niggles were too frequent, my old man has had similar with his, i went from the mondeo to a mitsi charisma and then onto a civic, i sold my old dear the mitsi, so she had the mitsi and he had a mondeo, it wasn't even close, the mitsi was far more reliable and cheaper to run.

If I went down that route; big family car, I'd look at the Avensis, Mazda 6 & Accord. However an MPV style is preferred.