The new 5 door Vauxhall Astra (with non-sports suspension) fitted with 16" steel wheels with tyres 205/60/16 or better still 215/60/16 offer a superb ride. Alternatively if you go for the SRi then have the FlexRide option fitted with either of these tyre sizes and you'll have Adaptive suspension with 3 choices of ride and handling to choose from, Sport, Normal, Touring (comfort), all work brilliantly especially when used with 16" rims.

It's the additional tyre wall height that makes the ride so incredibly comfortable and smooth over rough services and pot holes coupled with the cars overall ability to soak up shocks and bumps.

215/60/16 - provides 129.0 mm tyre height
205/60/16 - provides 123.0 mm tyre height

The 17" rims reduce the tyre wall height which allows more road shocks and noise into the internal cabin, the 16" rims are superior for comfort.

Generally Japanese manufacturers round the ends of the spring off properly which massively reduces the incidence of spring breakage over rough roads/speed humps. So a Toyota Avensis may be a sensible choice if you are after something comfortable and dependable - if a little boring; 2006 onwards Avensises are particularly softly sprung and are great over rough roads. The petrol models are very fuel efficient, in the real world they will return approximately 40mpg if driven gently. (obviously not the 2.4 litre but I don't think this engine is available in the later cars anyway.)

Very interesting Steve, I have to say I haven't noticed so many spring breakages with Japanese cars. Our 2003 Avensis is pretty firm riding, especially if you're sat in the back. Are the 2006 onwards cars that different?

I know that you drove a Type S Accord recently. I'm looking for one myself, a 2.0 Petrol, but I'm wondering whether to go for 16 or 17 inch alloys, as some people reckon the 17 in wheels can be harsh riding and tramline. How did you find the Type S, bearing in mind this has sports suspension as well?

Surely the plural of Avensis is Avensi rather than Avensises?

So a Toyota Avensis may be a sensible choice if you are after something comfortable and dependable - if a little boring; 2006 onwards Avensises are particularly softly sprung and are great over rough roads. The petrol models are very fuel efficient, in the real world they will return approximately 40mpg if driven gently. (obviously not the 2.4 litre but I don't think this engine is available in the later cars anyway.)

I've just bought one, a 2007 1.8 petrol in decuma grey and it's an excellent handling/ride compromise, definitely an improvement on the earlier pre 2006 cars - the car grips well and won't roll around corners, very solid and comfortable. It's not a car to be chucked around corners like my previous BMW, but I like it's relaxed nature. It's done 85000 miles so higher than average mileage but that's how I like them, the previous owner having used it to bowl up and down motorways. Certainly the car feels virtually new with no play anywhere, and really feels built to last. Excellent economy too. It always amazes me how heavy these cars look and feel when you shut the heavy door, then they drive with beautifully light controls, and go surprisingly well considering the engine has 129bhp. My old E36 Touring had 170bhp, but although smaller than the Avensis, weighed around 200 kg more, and was very unaerodynamic.

I wanted an Accord but couldn't find the right spec, colour, condition for the right price (they are pricy), so the Avensis came up instead. I don't regret it.