We’re thinking of changing our 2012 Honda Accord Diesel Tourer for something with as much or more room - we need the space for sailing gear - but with a softer ride, more directional stability on motorways, brighter headlights, automatic transmission, predictable handling and similar reliability and economy. Like the Accord the new car would be mostly used for regular 100+ mile trips on motorways to the coast and back.

I love the Accord’s diesel, the best engine I’ve ever had, so something like a diesel estate VW Passat or Skoda Superb could suit, but are the engines reliable, is the DSG box reliable and critically is it wet or dry clutch - wet clutches seem to be a better bet?

The budget as little as possible (we see our cars as costly tools) but realistically it will have to be mid/high £k teens, perhaps a little more. Is there anything else I should consider?