Should I buy the VW Golf 1.2 or a Toyota Auris 1.3?

My question is: I'm looking to change my 2006 1.2 SEAT Ibiza and am considering the 1.2 Volkswagen Golf Highline or the Toyota Auris 1.3 Sport. I drive every day, mostly city driving but only do about 6,000km a year. Do you have any comments on either of the cars I'm considering or is there anything else I should have a look at?

Many thanks for your help

Brendan.

Brendan Cullen (Dublin)

May 2011 Filed under: choosing new car

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Expert answer

Hi Brendan,

I think the Golf is your best bet here. The 1.2-litre petrol engine tends to freak out a lot of people because they think it will be way too small and meagre for their needs, but this just simply isn't the case. We have tried this engine in a number of body styles and have always found it to be more than capable. The Auris isn't a bad car as such, but it is simply not better than the Golf in any way so if it is a straight choice between these two, for me anyway, the Golf would win every time.

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