Which new car should I buy that has a proper handbrake?

I am looking at replacing my 2009 Renault Scenic III 1.4 TCE Expression. I very much like its engine so I would be looking for a motor with a comparable performance but with a much better MPG. I also swore that I would never have an electric parking brake again after experiencing problems with my Renault. I only do about 9000 miles a year since retirement and, whilst long journeys do happen, they are not as frequent so it would need to be petrol. I also desire a proper spare wheel, and four doors is a must. I quite like the look of the new MkVII Golf, although that too now has an electric parking brake I understand. What make and model would you recommend given my criteria? I haven’t completely ruled out a Golf and I have also considered a Ford Focus (amazingly there are 29 variants) as these seem to be the two market leaders in the category of car I am interested in.

Asked on 11 May 2013 by AB, Congleton

Answered by Honest John
Sadly, that sweet engine (a chain cam Nissan with a turbo) has now been ditched in favour of Renault's 115PS 1.2TCE. You can still get a chain cam 140PS 1.4 turbo in the Vauxhall Meriva, though that, too, has an electric parking brake: www.honestjohn.co.uk/road-tests/vauxhall/vauxhall-.../

The excellent new Volkswagen Golf VII 1.2TSI 105 SE also has an electric parking brake. You can, however, get a handbrake in the Ford C-Max, now available with a 125PS 1.0 3-cylinder turbo or a 160PS 1.6 4-cylinder turbo engine. The 1.0 EcoBoost engine arrived after my road test: www.honestjohn.co.uk/road-tests/ford/ford-c-max-20.../.
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