Nissan Qashqai

[Newportnobby]

My son-in-law gets a new car every three years and the last two have been petrol Qashqais. They have been very reliable. I think the only issue was a failed battery which was replaced under warranty. He's just changed this month but wanted something a little bigger and has gone for the new Kia Sportage Hybrid which is a very nice car indeed and has a huge boot.

Encouraging Thanks, James

[joe cassidy]

I don't like Skodas and Kias because the interieurs are too "plasticy".

If I were to buy a car today I would go for a Dacia Duster, which meets your requirement for easy access and the price is at the same level as a Monty Python shrubbery.

[Newportnobby]

I wouldn't want a satnav that shouts 'Ni!!' at me all the time

[Bigmac]

In about 3 months I'll be looking buy a low mileage larger car than my Siesta and like the look of these. Anyone got opinions on them please?
Note - no diesel or electric models will be entertained

what's a Siesta ?

[emjaybee]

My thoughts are:-

VW Golf
VW Golf estate
VW Golf 4motion
VW Golf Plus
VW Golf Alltrack

Unlike other contributors I thought I'd give you multiple options, no sense being narrow minded.

Over the last 20 years with the wife, and the 10+ years previous I've driven...

4 x Cavaliers, 2 x Astras, Mazda3, Focus, Corolla, Fiesta, 2 x Terrano, 3 x Grand Cherokee, 406 estate, Escort, Touraeg,  Camry, 2 x Golf, X3.

If I could only ever drive one model ever again...

...Golf. Comfort, practicality, economy, service cost, driveability, handling, value, retained value.

[joe cassidy]

It's a cut and shut -half Sierra, half Fiesta 

[joe cassidy]

I must admit that I agree with MJB.

VWs are great to drive and very reliable.

[exmouthcraig]

And just HAD TO PAY OUT £193MILLION

for emission fraud!!!!!!

Somewhat tainted their "good name"

[emjaybee]

And just HAD TO PAY OUT £193MILLION

for emission fraud!!!!!!

Somewhat tainted their "good name"

Also in trouble with emissions 'misinformation', are Mercedes, BMW, Nissan, Skoda, Renault, Peugeot, etc., etc., they've all been at it.

[exmouthcraig]

Indeed, the only thing keeping Ford out of the court is how skint they are.

But at least they look like their clean 

[joe cassidy]

And just HAD TO PAY OUT £193MILLION

for emission fraud!!!!!!

Somewhat tainted their "good name"

The devil has the best music 

[Bigmac]

my present daily is a 2007 fiesta 1.4 DIESEL. Easily the most reliable cheapest to run car ive ever had--in 57 years of car ownership.

my late life crisis toy is an MG TF.

[joe cassidy]

Photos please !

Hope it's in green or red "livery" 

[njee20]

I've always hankered after a Cupra Formentor. The VW T-Roc is also a cracker (my physiotherapist drives one).
Don't know where they sit in your budget. You won't be able to afford my physiotherapist, but her car is awesome.

I had a T-Roc courtesy car while my Golf was being serviced and I hated it. My wife has a Seat Ateca, and that's far nicer IMO, albeit slightly larger.

I do rate the Golf, it's my 4th. I'm less keen on the newest model, too much touchscreen stuff, I like buttons! But the mk7 is a great car IMO.

Edit: that said, the Qashqai et al are that bit taller, and I do 'get it'. The wife's Ateca is noticeably more usable, with a deeper, squarer boot space than the Golf (admittedly mine is a 4WD one, so loses some depth), and a higher ride height, without being much physically larger.

[Belly]

I thought I'd add my two cents worth having recently been through this process.

I had a Swindon built Honda Civic hatch with the 1.8 litre four and manual six speed.  After owning it for six years, and having built a healthy distrust for the engine gearbox combination, I decided to sell in December last year.  Whatever car I decided upon had to have good rear area, with the seats down, and an engine transmission combination I could trust with the air con on and be no more than two litres in capacity.

After measuring up the length, width, and height of the Civic rear space, as I needed to fit a module or two in, it was a case of doing the homework.  What annoys me most about modern car makers is they provide a volumetric figure for the car space which tends to overlook the usable space.  I then undertook some homework and narrowed it down to three hatchbacks:  Toyota Corolla, Mazda 3 and Subaru Impreza.

To cut a long story short, the first cab off the rank was the local Subaru dealer and after ascertaining the usable space (length and width) was superior to the Civic I took one for a test drive.  The engine transmission combination was turbine smooth with brilliant safety features and a comfortable and well thought out driving position.  I didn't go any further.

It arrived on the 3rd June after a five and a half month wait.  Happy days!