New MG3 hybrid 191hp (wildcard)
As to the topic, for me personally, there’s a bit of conflicting “wants”. You’d like it to be rather small, but also a good motorway cruiser. Those two things are hard to combine, since a good motorway cruiser has a longer(ish) wheelbase, as well as being reasonably aerodynamic. Meaning Superminis and SUVs are always a compromise by necessity. If i were you, i’d go with something compact or above, not SUV (“Golf class”). Meaning from your list, the A3, and.. that’s it. I’d have said Golf, but the A3 is in most regards simply a better Golf (other than price) – so that’s kinda pointless. If you do like the CLA but think it’s too big, check the A-Class – it’s simply a CLA with the boot cut off, basically. Stupid expensive though, due to being PHEV – also just really a consideration if you can charge at home. Another option would be the BMW 2series. It’s slightly longer than an A3, but also shorter than a CLA. Downside being that it’s a bit anaemic on power, but for motorway that’s perfectly serviceable. Lastly, despite being french, Peugeot 308. Gorgeous interior imho, very well built, too – but you have to test-sit to be able to determine whether or not you fit. I personally do not, because i’m reasonably tall, the steering wheel obscures the instrument cluster (or hits my knee if i want to adjust it). Out of all the options, i personally would probably go with either an A3 or 2series, to be honest. If you want small, the CLA ain’t it (it’s 4.7m long, as opposed to the 4.5m of a 2series or 4.35m of an A3, the A1 being 4.01m) – so if you consider an A3 potentially too big, a CLA is out of the question. This is just me though, if you’re happy with the size and “motorway behaviour” of an A1, you can “retrofit” gas struts for 20 quid. It’s a 10 minute job even as someone with two left hands, i can link some if you require. Just gotta take them back out again before you give the car back, these don’t require drilling or anything, just “plug and play”. Yeah sure, we’re not supposed to modify the cars, but if the car can go back to absolutely 100% original without any marks or whatever, why not. Bit like different floor mats or seat covers, imho. Lastly.. I wouldn’t touch a jeep with a 10ft pole. My father in law got one (Compass i think), and it’s.. agrarian, i’d call it. More squeaks and creaks than Clint Eastwood bones.
Many thanks for your input. I’ve only ever had small cars so in terms of motorway driving, that’s all I’m used to. I just want to make sure if I have something other than an A1, it’s as good to drive on a long journey.
I test drove the CLA again today for about 2.5 hours. I found I couldn’t get 100% comfortable in it, despite trying various seat positions. I also had a second, shorter test drive in the Juke and had a similar problem. I do have issues where I get pain in the small of my back, so no car seat is completely comfortable.
Since I can’t even test drive a Jeep as there are no hybrid autos available, right now my shortlist is looking like A1, A3 or Lexus LBX
Frustratingly none of those come with a drone view camera and having experienced that on the CLA and Juke, I want one – makes parking so much easier!