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Hi Mary,

Yup, a 1.2 16v Pop model starts at €13,400.

Read our review of the updated Fiat 500 here

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Hi F D,

The Audi Q2 won't actually be called the Q2, it'll be called the Q1. Why? Because Fiat owns the rights to the Q2 badge and won't let Audi play with its ball. So the Q1 will sit beneath the existing Q3, and will be based on the same MQB chassis system that currently underpins almost everything Volkswagen, from Golf to A3 to Passat to Superb. The next Q3 will get a little bigger too, to make some space for the Q1. Expect the Q1 to skew a little more towards an estate, crossover-y body style, leaving the Q3 to be taller and blockier and more SUV-ish.

We have no official word on engines yet but as it's MQB-based expect 1.4 turbo petrol and 1.6- and 2.0-litre TDI diesel, with an SQ1 sports variant using either a tweaked diesel or 230hp petrol turbo. It'll go on sale in 2016 and we'd expect to see a full production model at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

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Hi John,

A Golf is always a good choice but the fact that it comes with, at smallest, a 1.4-litre engine could be an issue when it comes to insurance. You could, for your budget, get the current-shape Polo, from around 2010, with a 1.2-litre engine. That should take the sting out of the insurance. Or what about something really stylish? Say, a Fiat 500 1.2? Plenty of those around and they’re quite enjoyable to drive too. 

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Hi Fergal,

Bear in mind that the Fiesta is much smaller inside than the Golf or Focus, so if you're carrying big loads, that needs to be taken into account. Personally, I reckon if you're going for a small van, you're better off getting something that was purpose-built to be a van in the first place, so have a look at the likes of a Fiat Qubo, Opel Combo or Peugeot Bipper.

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Hi Eamonn,

Do you mean big or small? Actually, the new Fiat 500x we've just driven could be a good shout for a small crossover, or if you don't fancy that, take a look at the MINI Countryman.

Something more medium? There are only two players really - Skoda Yeti or Nissan Qashqai. Ford Kuga is also worth a look, but only the current model, not the old one.

Bigger than that? Honda's CR-V is always a good one, or if you're buying new have a long, hard look at the latest Kia Sorento.

Relevant reviews:

Fiat 500X review

MINI Countryman review

Ford Kuga review

Skoda Yeti review

Nissan Qashqai review

Honda CR-V review

Kia Sorento review

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Hi John,

Suzuki buys that 1.6 diesel engine in from Fiat, but before you go running for the hills, as far as we are aware there are no major issues with it.

Have you read our review of the new Suzuki Vitara?

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Hi John,

OK, there's good news and bad news here. The good news is that the four marques of which you've spoken have all really lifted their quality and reliability games. Renault especially has come on a long way since the dark, unreliable days of the early 2000s. While electrical gremlins are pretty much guaranteed further down the line, that's something you could equally say of any Mercedes-Benz, BMW or Audi.

Dacia tend also to make very reliable cars, in no small part because they're so simple and lacking in the sort of high-end electronics that festoon other models. The brand regularly features very high up in the European JD Power customer satisfaction rankings.

Fiat tends to do less well in those rankings, but much of that is down to a dealer network that's still trying to get its head around modern customer service requirements. The fact is that Fiats these days are no more or less well made or reliable than any other brand (mostly - more on that in a tic). Certainly, we know of many Fiat customers who've had trouble-free motoring for many, many years.

Citroen too has really lifted its game and the latest generations, such as the C4 Picasso and C4 Cactus are really well put together. Long term reliability is still an unknown of course for these new models, but in general, longevity seems to be on the up.

However, just as these Franco-Italian brands have improved, so too have the Japanese and Koreans. There is still a distinct gap in overall solidity between the Japanese brands (Honda especially) and everyone else. It's still the case that if you want genuinely trouble-free motoring, the Japanese are still kings, with the Koreans and Skoda hot on their heels.

That said, I reckon if you bought any Fiat, looked after it properly and made sure it was fully serviced to schedule, you wouldn't have any major problems.

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Hi Mick,

Well, there's a significant difference here in that the Juke is much smaller (and in fairness less expensive) than either the Yeti or Sportage. It's fun to drive too but to be honest I think its lack of rear seat and boot space counts it out here (though the 2015 model has a larger boot than before in two-wheel drive guise). 

The Sportage is a good choice - good looking, high quality and with that long Kia warranty. But it's the Yeti we'd go for. It is well made, good to drive and massively practical.

Further reading:

Skoda Yeti review

Skoda Yeti vs. Fiat 500L Trekking twin test review

Nissan Juke review

Kia Sportage review

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Hi Nat,

Puntos are actually surprisingly reliable cars - not the shonky Italian jobs of legend. Once all the electrics are in good nick, I'd say you're safe enough and if the work that's agreed to be done is done, then all should be fine. It does sound a little bit pricey though for an almost ten-year-old Punto. I'd try and get another few hundred off.

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Hi Paolo,

If you're selling it yourself, I'd say about €2,200, but it'll have to be in exceptional condition for that money, with a full and unblemished service history. You'd be lucky to get half that as a trade-in though.