If you're doing long distances, I would test drive the Proceed, Mazda and Gold and see which you like as they're all similar but have different approaches.

The Golf will be a Golf - competent and well finished.

The Mazda has a marmite engine and classy interior

The Proceed is the only one I've driven. It's surprisingly agile and very good looking. It will be rammed full of toys but probably feel a bit cheaper and make a lot of bing and bong noises (Kia love them).

Hi,

Thanks for your advice. It looks like there is only 3 hybrids available.

JUKE HATCHBACK 1.6 HYBRID N-CONNECTA 5DR

YARIS HATCHBACK 1.5 HYBRID DESIGN 5DR

YARIS CROSS ESTATE 1.5 HYBRID 5DR

There is also a Golf Diesel Hatchback 2.0 TDI Match available.

None of those three qualify for the lower plug-in hybrid BIK rate of 13% (rising to 14% in 2026/27 and 15% in 2027/28) as they're not plug-in hybrids.

<< If it's important to you, the Kia Pro Ceed is probably the largest car there. A lot of the cars, on the list, strike me as being quite small considering the amount of time you'll be behind the wheel. >>

I don't quite follow the logic here - from my point of view the size of the car is determined by how much stuff it needs to take. If the 32K miles a year is normal business travel, a big car may have disadvantages in terms of fuel cost, parking and manoeuvrability. Plenty of smaller cars can be just as relaxing to drive ?

Typically, longer wheelbase = better ride. In any case, the Proceed isn't a big car. It's quite long but not wide, tall or heavy.

<< If it's important to you, the Kia Pro Ceed is probably the largest car there. A lot of the cars, on the list, strike me as being quite small considering the amount of time you'll be behind the wheel. >>

I don't quite follow the logic here - from my point of view the size of the car is determined by how much stuff it needs to take. If the 32K miles a year is normal business travel, a big car may have disadvantages in terms of fuel cost, parking and manoeuvrability. Plenty of smaller cars can be just as relaxing to drive ?

As Adampr said "Typically, longer wheelbase = better ride". That's assuming you avoid cars with sports suspension and lower profile tyres.

I did say "If it's important to you, the Kia Pro Ceed is probably the largest car there". I don't know the OP's circumstances, but the larger car may be a consideration, if he (or she) is using it for family purposes too.

I certainly wouldn't want to be driving 32,000 miles a year in a Peugeot 208 or a VW T-Cross. They're fine for the odd long journey, but for 32,000 miles a year the Golf would be my choice (as I stated in my original reply). I don't have anything against small cars, I drive an Ibiza. My previous cars have included a 950 Fiesta, Clio Mk2 1.2, 1.0 Micra, driven them all for occasional long trips throughout the country (but I wouldn't want them for the sort of mileage the OP is going to be doing).

I just drove 50 miles today in my dad's Golf MK 8.5 1.5 TSi (150 BHP) and it's a very comfy, relaxing car to drive with plenty of get up and go (when you want it). That is the car I suggested the OP go for (in my initial reply), In hatchback form it's not a large car.

Why is the Golf top for you? It seems the Golf if the popular recommendation on here. Any particular model of the Golf you prefer?

GOLF HATCHBACK 1.5 TSI MATCH 5DR

GOLF HATCHBACK 1.5 TSI 150 LIFE 5DR

GOLF DIESEL HATCHBACK 2.0 TDI MATCH 5DR

Life is entry level, Match is the next one up. The difference with Match is:

Bigger wheels

Tinted rear windows

Rear camera

Keyless entry

High beam assist (whatever that is)

If there is some kind of cost penalty, I don't think I'd bother.

Lots of.recommendations for the Golf as they are decent and refined cars. There would be fewer if you were buying it because they are expensive and not all that reliable.

Don't focus on one car being the best - as above, test drive at least three. I suspect it's different with this model but, for example, I had a 2018 Golf that I few to hate because the seats were very uncomfortable over long distances.

First thing to do would be to check out what the tax costs as its a combination of CO2 emissions and list price.

When my wife was looking a couple of years ago, surprisingly a normal petrol base spec Leon was cheaper on the tax than a Corolla Hybrid or Ioniq due to the list price of the Leon being quite a bit cheaper. If you're doing a lot of miles though, check out what the company pays per mile and the cost of fuel you're likely to use. Anything doing less than 50mpg in real life and you can end subsidising the company if they pay minimum rates.

Of the cars listed, I'd go with the Golf if the tax is OK, and put up with the annoying touchscreen controls. It's worth asking whether you can pay a small supplement and get something else though, many company schemes allow you to pay to get something more expensive, and if that's a plug in hybrid or EV can result in a lower overall cost than paying the tax on a conventional car.

Other option, if the company allows it and you only need 2 seats is to get a Corolla Commercial "van". It's the most un van like thing ever (literally a Corolla estate with no back seats), but classed as a van for tax purposes so much cheaper to run if used primarily for business miles.