I have a ford focus - slightly older but same shape I think. I have a 2 year old and when I was du to have number two it was noticeably too small to have my two year old and a capsule in the back. The passenger has to have there seat right forward to fit it in. It's all good once they are old enough to turn around forward facing but until then its a bit of a pain! Plus you can't really have anyone in the middle (my 6 year old niece did once or twice but definitely not for long drives or for adults!).
I had a Mazda 3 for five years with no issues. Loved it. I would think the Neo would be under your budget? It's the base model. I think you'd struggle with it as a family car - it was good for us with one babe but by the time we were ready for #2, we'd outgrown it.
We've got a Hyundai Santa Fe. Underrated IMHO. DH spoke with his car dealer cousin and he recommended Hyundai - cheaper than the others but don't see them coming back with issues and don't have the same inflated price as the rest. We've had it for coming up to three years with no major issues. Central locking went a bit haywire and the battery connection has come loose but they are not problems with the car.
It's a 4wd - we got it when it was 2yo and paid $21k. Achievable 4wd within your budget.
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