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Three years ago, my wife and I downsized to a small house with a single garage. Being close to the town amenities we now walk a lot more and find that our 2 cars spend more time in the garage or car park than in use. Up to now, I have driven a 2003 Toyota RAV-4 (31,000 miles), and my wife has a year 2000 Peugeot 306. (37,000 miles). I love driving the RAV, in which I do not feel intimidated by larger vehicles, but we are both finding it more difficult to get in and out of the lower Peugeot. We are contemplating selling both cars, and purchasing something cheaper to run than the RAV 4, which is large enough to enable us to take the grandchildren out and for trips to the Golf Course with 2 sets of clubs; my fishing tackle, and luggage for the occasional 2 weeks in the sun, is high enough for easy access, and does not make us feel like dwarfs. We have in mind a Toyota Auris, a Citroen Picasso, a Renault Scenic. The current Peugeot just fits our garage, and any replacement must not be longer than the Peugeot 306. Which of these do you think would be the best bet? And is there any other model you could recommend?

Asked on 29 August 2009 by

Answered by Honest John
Yes, the new model Scenic is very good. Test of the longer Grand Scenic at www.honestjohn.co.uk The Renault Grand Modus is also very good and, of course, a bit narrower (also tested). An Auris is slightly taller than other hatchbacks in the class. tested at hjuk, but there have been a lot of recent improvements, including an excellent new 1.6 Valvematic engine. I find the Citroen C4 Picasso has a very unwieldy front. Again, you might be better off with the C3 Picasso, which also found favour with our editor. A further contender is the Toyota Urban Cruiser. And don’t forget the Nissan Note.
Dear Honest John,

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