Which compact estate?
I'm looking to get a bigger car, as with now 2 children I have well and truly outgrown my Fiat Panda!
I'd prefer a compact estate over an MPV as they tend to have better fuel efficiency and lower tax bands, which is important to me. I drive about 8000 miles a year, as we are out in the sticks not much city traffic but mostly minor A and B roads.
The cars I have looked at are the Volvo V50 DRIVe, VW Golf or Passat Bluemotion estate, Vauxhall Astra Ecoflex, Kia Ceed SW, Hyundai i30 estate, Ford Focus estate or C Max and Renault Megane Sport Tourer. These all seem to have some very efficient Diesel engines - but I guess my second question would be whether you would recommend a Diesel given my relatively low mileage (mostly 20 mile roundtrips).
My favourite is the V50, but I have been informed these have now been discontinued - would that create a problem? My husband however prefers the Renault, which I can't quite warm up to.
What is your opinion?
I'd prefer a compact estate over an MPV as they tend to have better fuel efficiency and lower tax bands, which is important to me. I drive about 8000 miles a year, as we are out in the sticks not much city traffic but mostly minor A and B roads.
The cars I have looked at are the Volvo V50 DRIVe, VW Golf or Passat Bluemotion estate, Vauxhall Astra Ecoflex, Kia Ceed SW, Hyundai i30 estate, Ford Focus estate or C Max and Renault Megane Sport Tourer. These all seem to have some very efficient Diesel engines - but I guess my second question would be whether you would recommend a Diesel given my relatively low mileage (mostly 20 mile roundtrips).
My favourite is the V50, but I have been informed these have now been discontinued - would that create a problem? My husband however prefers the Renault, which I can't quite warm up to.
What is your opinion?
Asked on 9 June 2012 by Bosieberry
Answered by
Honest John
The Renault Megane Sport Tourer with the new, chain cam 1.6DCI 130 engine has the most advanced small diesel engine in the world and therefore the one least likely to give trouble. But the Hyundai i30 1.6CRDI on the right wheels and tyres is also chain cam and an astonishingly good drive. The V50 is great looking, but engines and reliability have not been so great and production has now stopped in favour of the new V40 hatchback.
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Classy-looking compact estate with very good ride comfort and tidy handling. A fine long-distance cruiser. The UK's most popular Volvo.
Comfortable and enjoyable to drive, a good (if rather confusing) range of engines, fabulous record on safety.
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