We bought a new Honda Jazz last year as our second car. We chose a Honda because in the long run they seem to give very few problems. We also chose it because of the space that you have when you fold down / back the seats - you can fit heaps in! It is also light on petrol. We are very happy with it as a "run-around" car.
I bought a Toyota Corolla Ascent hatch in 2008 and love it. Bought a Toyota because they've always been reliable for me. I can also fold the back seats down if we need (but rarely do as I have the carseats in my car & DP has a wagon). Good size boot - I can fit my P&T sport plus double kit in the boot and just slip one wheel off to shut the boot and there is still room around the sides of the pram to fit shopping etc. I was also told by the lady who fitted our car seats that the Toyota hatches will squeeze 3 car seats across the back if necessary. I think it depends on what seats you have and how to configure them but she said they're a good car for that.
Before I bought my current car I researched a few smaller cars and the Suzuki Swift was at the top of my list, I reckon they're pretty funky looking cars
We did a lot of research, and based on our driving pattern (peak hour driving in Melbourne, coupled with long-distance driving) we decided on a peugot 207 diesal. I get around 700km from a tank in the city, which is around 6.4L / 100km - and that's avoiding the freeways. Driving from Melbourne / Brisbane it's 1000km / tank. The tourer, which we chose, fits my P&T sports with double kit, no tire removal or anything + shopping. We currently have 2 child seats in the back, and also able to fit a teenager in between the 2 seats. It is a little more expensive than a toyota but the ongoing costs are very, very low.
DH and I loved his Hyandai Excel, but o course they're not made anymore. Tiny, zippy, lasted a LONG time, never failed us. Drove across the country twice. Only 'major' work was a new battery when the lights were left on all night.
The i30 however, is AWESOME. Small, zippy, really nice interior. Very comfy.
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