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What compact saloons are worth a look?

I love saloons (memories), but my wife says they are too big. What saloon, up to four years old, would look not much bigger than an Opel Astra hatchback?

Frank Dodd (Dublin)

Mar 2018 Filed under: choosing used car


Expert answer

Hi F D,

Well, the good news is that there are plenty of mid-size saloons that are more or less the same size as an Astra — yes, they have a big boot slung out the back, but the difference in overall length is usually only a few centimetres. The best is probably the VW Jetta; it's plain looking, but good to drive and really well made. Ditto the Toyota Corolla. There’s a Ford Focus saloon too, and a really lovely Mazda3 saloon (which is actually nicer looking than the hatchback). There was also an Astra saloon, but to be honest it was a bit awkward looking if you ask me. If you do like the Astra hatch, though, it might be worth seeking one out. Here are a few relevant reviews to read:

Volkswagen Jetta reviews

Toyota Corolla reviews

Mazda3 reviews

Opel Astra reviews

Neil Briscoe - Complete Car Advisor


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