Help! I need a small automatic car for £11,000
Superminis have long been popular with car buyers, as they provide more space than smaller city cars, while managing to keep running costs low, and are almost as capable when navigating congested city streets or tight car parks. Advertisement - Article continues below
If you spend a lot of time in those traffic-clogged city streets then a supermini with an automatic gearbox makes a huge amount of sense. Pick the right model and you can even enjoy a cabin with plenty of in-car tech, robust build quality and even get a car which is fun to drive.
One of the most popular small automatic choices is the Toyota Yaris. The Mk3 Yaris arrived in 2011 and is available with hybrid power, while Toyota's reliability should give buyers confidence.
Then there's the Volkswagen Polo, with the feel of a bigger car and a sturdy interior. Its styling may not tug at the heartstrings, but automatic versions are equipped with a slick DSG gearbox.
If you're willing to sacrifice that final degree of build quality for brilliant dynamics, then the Ford Fiesta could be the best choice. When it was new, the seventh-generation car impressed with its low running costs, comfort and handling, making it the one of the UK's best-selling cars. But let's see how our trio stack up as used buys now. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below
Here's our expert pick of the three best automatic small cars available for a budget of £11,000, together with links to buy them through our Find a Car service … For: Responsive handling, low running costs, decent boot
Responsive handling, low running costs, decent boot Against: Cluttered cabin design, clumsy infotainment Advertisement - Article continues below
The seventh-generation Ford Fiesta remains one of the more stylish superminis and its driving experience was class-leading when it was a new car. The steering is precise and the chassis is agile without sacrificing ride quality, although the Polo beats the Fiesta for high-speed refinement.
Automatic versions of the Ford get a Powershift dual-clutch gearbox, which isn't quite as good as VW's DSG. Still, it can be paired with the characterful and efficient 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine, and a 2016, 29,000-mile example dips within this budget.
The interior doesn't quite match the high standards set by the rest of the package, although it's perfectly acceptable. With a cluster of fiddly buttons on the dashboard and a dated infotainment system, the Mk7 Fiesta feels its age inside. Although fit and finish is good enough, there are some cheaper plastics on show. However, the driving position is great and all models come with electric windows plus a USB port. A heated windscreen, leather steering wheel and air-conditioning are available on higher-spec models, but every version has enough head and legroom for rear-seat passengers and a useful 290-litre boot. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below
Used Ford Fiesta deals For: Great reliability, hybrid power, roomy
Great reliability, hybrid power, roomy Against: CVT makes engine drone, dated interior Advertisement - Article continues below
With an optional two-tone body, an angular front and a few chrome flourishes, the third-generation Toyota Yaris is a sharp looker. Sadly, that's not reflected on the road, but while it's less engaging than the Fiesta, the Yaris is very easy to drive, with light controls and great visibility.
The Yaris is the only car here available with a hybrid powertrain, and the silent electric running is pleasant in town. It does feel slightly underpowered and noisy under acceleration, though, thanks to its CVT gearbox. You can bag a 2020 example with 27,000 miles for within the £11,000 budget.
For a smaller car, the Yaris is versatile, thanks to a spacious interior with useful storage and enough room for five occupants. The regular car's 286-litre boot is bigger than the Polo's too, and it's the same size in the Hybrid thanks to clever integration of the battery. Perceived quality isn't a match for its VW rival, though, and the plastics feel durable rather than premium. Every Yaris had Bluetooth connectivity, air-conditioning and automatic wipers, with high-spec cars adding a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system. This isn't the most responsive or clearest set-up, but it does feature a handy reversing camera. Advertisement - Article continues below Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below
Used Toyota Yaris deals For: Solid build quality, snappy gearbox, good refinement
Solid build quality, snappy gearbox, good refinement Against: Boring to drive, dark rear seats
Time has been kind to the fifth-generation Volkswagen Polo. It's understated and easy on the eyes, while the VW has a composed suspension set-up and is refined inside the cabin. There's enough grip, but the Polo's handling isn't as sharp as the Fiesta's and the steering is short on feel, although it's a step ahead of the Yaris in this regard.
The automatic version gets Volkswagen's seven-speed DSG, and it's a slick, smooth-shifting unit. We recommend pairing this with the frugal 1.2-litre TSI petrol engine. A 2017 Polo with this combination and 44,000 miles on the clock costs less than £11,000.
While the Polo isn't uber-stylish inside, the more time you spend poking around, the more you appreciate the sturdy build quality, especially for a small hatch. The materials themselves aren't particularly plush, but the use of high-grade plastics and solid switchgear beats what you'll find in the Ford and Toyota, and the cabin layout is intuitive. Sadly, although there is just enough room for rear-seat passengers, the dark trim and shallow windows make it feel a touch claustrophobic back there. The boot is slightly smaller than the Fiesta's, too, at 280 litres. We recommend the mid-range Match models, which are fitted with alloy wheels, a leather steering wheel and electrically adjustable door mirrors.
Used Volkswagen Polo deals
Did you know you can sell your car with Auto Express? Get the highest bid from our network of over 5,500 dealers and we'll do the rest. Click here to try Auto Express Sell My Car now ...
Find a car with the experts Ford Escort Mexico gets new lease of life with MST Sports
Ford Escort Mexico gets new lease of life with MST Sports
While not officially Fords, the MST Mk1 and Mk2 Sports should drive as sharply as they look Car Deal of the Day: Skoda Octavia vRS is the consummate all-rounder and only £255 a month!
Car Deal of the Day: Skoda Octavia vRS is the consummate all-rounder and only £255 a month!
A three-time Auto Express Family Car of the Year winner, paired with Golf GTI power, is our Deal of the Day for 6 July New Volvo XC60 2025 facelift review: big-selling SUV gets a new lease of life
New Volvo XC60 2025 facelift review: big-selling SUV gets a new lease of life
This refreshed Swedish SUV focuses on familiar areas of strength to take on BMW and Audi
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
12 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Donald Trump claims Jaguar Land Rover is in 'absolute turmoil' after 'totally disastrous woke' rebrand
Donald Trump has claimed Jaguar Land Rover is in 'absolute turmoil' after the company's 'totally disastrous woke ' rebrand. The US President labelled the British car maker's recent advert, which featured brightly dressed models, as a 'total disaster' and 'stupid'. Trump was scathing of Jaguar as he compared the firm's fortunes to those of clothing brand American Eagle in a rant on his social media platform Truth Social. ' Sydney Sweeney, a registered Republican, has the "HOTTEST" ad out there. It's for American Eagle, and the jeans are "flying off the shelves",' he wrote. 'Go get 'em Sydney! On the other side of the ledger, Jaguar did a stupid, and seriously WOKE advertisement, THAT IS A TOTAL DISASTER! The CEO just resigned, and the company is in absolute turmoil. 'Who wants to buy a Jaguar after looking at that disgraceful ad. Shouldn't they have learned a lesson from Bud Lite, which went Woke.' Trump ended the post by saying that 'being woke is losers'. It was announced last week that Jaguar Land Rover CEO Adrian Mardell is to retire at the end of this year. Mardell, 64, has been at the company for more than three decades including the last two years as chief executive during one of the most transformative periods in the firm's recent history. Arguably his biggest involvement has been his role in Jaguar's controversial 'woke' rebrand and shift to an electric-only premium car brand from 2026. Last month JLR said it was axing 500 management roles, which are going as part of a voluntary redundancy programme for managers in the UK. A spokesman said: 'As part of normal business practice, we regularly offer eligible employees the opportunity to leave JLR through limited voluntary redundancy programmes.' Sales of the luxury car manufacturer appear to have nose-dived following its controversial move to scrap its iconic 'growler' big cat logo in November. The firm's rebrand saw it replace the well-known badge in favour of a geometric 'J' design - which lovers of the brand raged looked like the logo on a handbag clasp. And as the firestorm surrounding the famed car maker's change continues to engulf it, sales at Jaguar Europe have plunged a staggering 97.5 per cent. But the British car marque has insisted the reason for the freefall in sales is not because of a lack of support or an image overhaul - but because it has stopped making older models as it focuses on its relaunch with an all-electric offering. Defending the news, the firm said it was 'pointless' to compare figures for 2024 and 2025, as 'Jaguar is not currently on sale in the UK' while it goes through its 'sunset period' of radical change. A spokeswoman for Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) said: 'Jaguar's transformation towards a new portfolio of pure-electric vehicles was announced as part of the Reimagine strategy in 2021. JLR always envisaged a period when the current range would "no longer be on sale" before the introduction of the new Jaguar collection. 'Production of XE, XF, F-TYPE, I-PACE and E-PACE all came to an end in 2024 as part of that transition. This strategic "sunset" of the product range is going to plan and will allow Jaguar to transform and reposition the brand for the future. 'Comparing Jaguar sales to 2024 is pointless as we are no longer producing vehicles in 2025 with low levels of retail inventory available. Jaguar's rebranding is not related to a sales decline.' Jaguar has not announced an official date for when its new fleet of high-end electric motors will hit the forecourt. It stopped sales of current Jaguars on November 11 as it prepared for its next generation of luxury vehicles to arrive. Defending the campaign late last year, JLR's Managing Director Rawdon Glover told the Financial Times: 'If we play in the same way that everybody else does, we'll just get drowned out.'
The Independent
42 minutes ago
- The Independent
Toto Wolff sends ‘unfinished business' message to Lewis Hamilton
Toto Wolff has backed Lewis Hamilton to stay at Ferrari and believes his former driver can win an eighth F1 world championship. Hamilton has endured a torrid start to life at Ferrari, failing to finish on the podium in the first 14 races of the 2025 season. This weekend in Hungary, Hamilton qualified 12th on the grid – when teammate Charles Leclerc secured pole position – and labelled his displays 'useless', adding that Ferrari should look to replace him. Hamilton finished the race in the same position, outside the points-scoring top-10, but Mercedes boss Wolff praised Hamilton's 'emotional transparency' with his comments afterwards. 'That is Lewis wearing his heart on his sleeve,' said Wolff, after the race in Hungary. 'It's what he thought when he was asked after the session. It was very raw. He was down on himself. 'We [at Mercedes] had it in the past when he felt that he'd underperformed in his own expectations. He has been that emotionally transparent since he was a young adult. 'He will beat himself up. But he's the GOAT [greatest of all time] and will always be the GOAT. [Nothing] will take that away, no single weekend or race season which hasn't gone to plan. That's something he needs to always remember — that he's the greatest of all time. 'Lewis has unfinished business in Formula 1. In the same way that Mercedes underperformed over this latest set of regulations, we never got happy with ground-effect car, in the same way it [affects] him. Maybe it is linked to driving style.' Hamilton won six of his seven titles at Mercedes but went to Ferrari with dreams of winning a record-breaking eighth championship. However, all his sights are set on next year given McLaren's dominance this year. 'He shouldn't go anywhere next year,' Wolff said, when asked about Hamilton's future prospects at Ferrari and whether he still has what it takes to win. 'There are brand new cars which are completely different to drive. New power units which need an intelligent way of managing the energy. I hope he's in [F1] for many more years. Next year is an important one. 'If he has a car underneath him which he has confidence in, and which does what he wants, then yes [he can win an eighth title]. If he has a car which isn't giving him the feedback that he wants — like the Mercedes of the past few years or the Ferrari which seems to be worse — then not. 'But you ask me if he still has 'it'? He definitely has it.' F1 next heads to the Dutch Grand Prix on 31 August after a four-week break.
Auto Express
42 minutes ago
- Auto Express
Car Deal of the Day: MGS5 EV for under £200 a month is a true bargain
Easy to drive; good quality interior Near 300-mile range Just £194.74 a month The MG ZS EV is dead, so meet its replacement. The MGS5 EV takes MG's small electric SUV offering to new heights, while also sticking to what we loved about the ZS EV – and that's excellent value for money. Advertisement - Article continues below This deal underlines that and then some. Through the Auto Express Find a Car service, Lease Car UK is offering the British-badged small electric SUV for just £197.47 a month – that's a real bargain in our book. An initial payment of £2,717.64 isn't even too unreasonable, while mileage is capped at 5,000 a year. Nudging this up to 8,000 per annum won't break the bank, coming in at just under £18 extra month. It's especially good value when you realise that this deal is for the Long Range model. Here, a 64kWh battery pack yields a claimed range of just under 300 miles, while a peak DC charging rate of 135kW means a 10-to-80-per-cent top-up will take just 26 minutes. Along with the larger 64kWh battery, you get the entry-level SE trim, but there's no issue on that front. MG likes to give its cars a high standard of specification, so the SE gets 17-inch alloys, full LED headlights, rear parking sensors with camera, a 12.8-inch infotainment screen, along with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There's even a nifty smartphone app so you can control various functions of the car. One area where the MGS5 EV is a big improvement on the old ZS EV is interior quality. There's a higher standard of fit and finish and attention to detail than before, with a range of plush materials used. Meanwhile, it's a roomy car considering its compact dimensions, with a spacious 458-litre boot. On the road, the car feels easy and very natural to drive, with good acceleration and a ride that strikes the right balance between comfort and taut body control. The Car Deal of the Day selections we make are taken from our own Auto Express Find A Car deals service, which includes the best current offers from car dealers and leasing companies around the UK. Terms and conditions apply, while prices and offers are subject to change and limited availability. If this deal expires, you can find more top MGS5 EV leasing offers from leading providers on our MGS5 EV page. Check out the MGS5 EV deal or take a look at our previous Car Deal of the Day selection here… Find a car with the experts Electric cars driven until they die: the truth about EV range Electric cars driven until they die: the truth about EV range Five EVs under £24k have joined Dacia's Spring on the UK market. How far can you go on a budget? We find out Volkswagen, Skoda and Cupra slash electric car prices Volkswagen, Skoda and Cupra slash electric car prices Volkswagen, Skoda and Cupra aren't waiting around for the government grant by cutting £1,500 from their EV prices New MINI Cooper and MINI Aceman get the monochrome treatment New MINI Cooper and MINI Aceman get the monochrome treatment It's as simple as black and white for new MINI Cooper and MINI Aceman Monochrome
