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The current Mazda2 mostly fits the bill as well in 1.5 petrol form except that it is a direct injection engine and doesn't come with a space saver spare as standard. When I was looking for a direct replacement for my 13yo Mazda3, I did ask (2 years ago) about which Mazdas can accommodate a space saver spare in the usual underboot area, and they said all of them aside the MX-5 and certain high spec models with uprated ICE in that area.
Note that if the current Mazda2 does come with an option for a space saver spare, it may not have one on a seconda hand example as Mazda use a Mazda-only cutout in the underboot area and that kit plus the wheel and tyre costs £395 in the gen-3 Mazda3, so many people don't get it when buying new. If you wanted it, you' dlikely have to pay for it from Mazda.
The Reviews section don't appear to show any GDI-related issues on the current version though (check the Good & Bad sub-section), but it has had some issues:
www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/mazda/2-2015/
The previous generation car was a port injected engine, but the (different) 1.5 was only available in the Sport versions with lower profile tyres. The lower and mid-spec cars were available in both standard profile (50 and above) and lower profile tyres, so you'd need to check each to see if they were ok.
www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/mazda/2-2007/
The latest generation car (from 2015) comes in two flavours as regards the tyres - again, the low SE and mid-range SE-L (Nav) specs with standard profile 15in tyres; the Sport grade with lower profile 16in tyres. For a car with a decent amount of poke, the 1.5 petrol SE-L (Nav) has 90PS and is quite nippy; those below it only have the engine in 75PS form, ok, but nothing special. They have changed the spec recently so that newer SE-Ls with no Nav don't have the higher output engine.
The gen-2 Mazda3 (2009 - 13) will fit the bill in 1.6 petrol form and has a space saver spare, and is proven as it is more of an evolution (rather than a completely new car underneath) of the gen-1 car I have, especially on the mehcanicals side. It may be a bit large for you - it is essentially the same size as the Auris though, which is a decent enough, reliable, but dull car.
I personally would worry too much about GDi and small capacity turbo engines if you stay with the better Japanese and South Korean makes: Toyota, Honda, Suzuki, Mazda and Hyundai/KIA. As long as anything you buy second hand has a full service history in line with the manufacturer's requirements, preferably from a main dealership (especially when in its warranty period), then you should be fine. The Hyundais and especially KIAs could still come with some of their manufacturer's warranty left if that is the case.
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