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Kia and Hyundai are the same underneath, Hyundai are just better specced and more spendy.
Sort of but not necessarily. They use different chassis for different models. The hyundai and kia hatches are built off different bases. The Kiss tend towards a firmer ride which occasionally crosse into harsh and are sharper handling with not great steering feel.
MrsFry
Now I have the fear.
I have not driven a Mokka but they were universally panned when first released. The Ford Eco-Sport was not regarded much better.
I emphasised that for good reason, like many new style cars, initial versions lack quite a lot of facilities and features, getting better as time goes on. I drove a lot of Mokkas when they were first introduced and as time went on, and by the time the ‘X’ model came out they were much improved, the 1.4 Turbo is pretty quick and fun to drive, but like a lot of modern cars interior space is compromised, just look at Minis!
Same with the EcoSport, it was introduced as a cheap crossover for emerging markets, built in Brazil, a sort of SUV equivalent to the Ka, and definitely basic!
The latest iteration is no different internally to the Fiesta and Focus, the Titanium and ST-Line models have reversing cameras, satnav, CarPlay and Android Drive, the semi-auto has paddles if you fancy manual shifting, and the little 1.0 EcoBoost motor is lovely, pulls well with 125bhp, but not as frugal as a diesel.
Having the luxury of getting to drive hundreds of different cars and vans, I get to discover the various little ‘foibles’ and irritations, and chose an EcoSport to replace my old Octavia, and I really love it.
I did consider the Kuga, excellent car, has 4x4, the 2.0 motor is great, but it’s just too big for my needs.
Definitely consider the Qashqai, very well equipped, they can be found with a heated screen, which is really worth having.
Kia Sportage is a possible, but not a small car, same with its sibling the Hyundai Tucson, they are both comfy mile-munchers, which is what you want when facing a drive from the far end of Cornwall back home to Wiltshire, then another long drive to drop it off next morning.
I keep coming back to the Qashqai as a suggestion, they’re well built, well equipped, there are loads about, (they’re very popular Motability cars), and I came very close to getting one, but it’s still a bit bigger than I need, and I settled for the Ford; every time I look at it and drive it I just love it.
Thanks for that count zero, I like the look of the Ford. I only really want a small engine, current Kona is 1L and surprisingly poky. I also don’t want or need a large vehicle and need something that will be economical on my commute. The ecosport is old enough that a 4/5 year old one costs more like what I want to spend.
Quick qu, how do you get on with the boot door that swings open like a gate? I can imagine that could be a bit restrictive as you’d need more room to open it?
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andy8442
Free MemberDo not, I repeat do not consider a Skoda Karoq 1.5TSI petrol manual, or infact any VAG car with that engine in a manual. Just Google Kangerooing Skoda.
Care to elaborate?
I’m driving a manual kodiaq with that engine, had it from new. It’s 3 years and 3 days old. Should I be worried? It’s been faultless for 43000 miles so far...
On the subject of getting things on the roof- yeah- it’s tall. Makes lifting my 17kg enduro sled up there a bit of an effort.
Edit- I googled as suggested. Seems it’s all vag cars with that engine and not even just manuals. From 2018 maybe? Fixed with a software patch?
Our other car is a seat Leon manual also with that engine. Also no problems. 13 months/9000 miles old.
Having read the replies any consideration to stretching your budget to the £12k that would get you the Kona SE? Money is cheap these days and if you have a good credit history you should be able to get an interest rate of less than 4%. Plus you get a car you know you already like.
We have a Sportage. It's nice to drive, reliable, lots of gadgets etc but I find getting anything onto the roof a bit of a pain. I'm pretty tall but trying to get a bike up there, or loading a roof box is not that easy. Got a tow bar fitted now so we have 4 bikes hanging off the back instead.
It's not a big car - similar footprint to our Focus hatchback, just a bit taller. It's a 2 litre, 4x4 something or other (I'm not really into cars).
C-class Petrol estate. Get a post-facelift with a 7g auto box. C200 or 250 with 70k should be possible. Find your local independent merc garage and servicing isn't more expensive than anything else either.
Roof rails, good load space roof isn't high. Comfy place to sit and even my very diminutive wife thinks the driving position is high enough. 40mpg on a run, 30mpg around town.
Yep, I have a 63 reg c-250 AMG estate that Parkers tells me is now worth barely 5k! Bought for 13k in 2017. Fantastic car to drive and has been incredibly reliable so far. Going to see how far I can push the mileage before big things go wrong.
Love the idea of a Merc estate! drove one when I was a nanny, a reasonable number of moons ago... great to drive.
Having read the replies any consideration to stretching your budget to the £12k that would get you the Kona SE? Money is cheap these days and if you have a good credit history you should be able to get an interest rate of less than 4%. Plus you get a car you know you already like.
It does make sense, and this is what I may do. There is indeed value in getting a car I know I like. I have looked at several of the options suggested, Qashqai and the Ford eco sport particularly. I've also had a quick look at the estate options. thank you for your thoughts everyone 🙂