Used Car Hunter: small automatic cars for £11,000
Our Car Hunter has £11,000 to spend on a supermini with an automatic gearbox. Here’s what we’ve found
Dear Auto Express, I’m after a small auto supermini from 2015 onwards with low miles for £11,000. What do you suggest? - David Cutter, E-mail
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.
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.
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…
Ford Fiesta - the dynamic choice
- For: Responsive handling, low running costs, decent boot
- Against: Cluttered cabin design, clumsy infotainment
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.
Toyota Yaris - the dependable choice
- For: Great reliability, hybrid power, roomy
- Against: CVT makes engine drone, dated interior
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.
Volkswagen Polo - the robust choice
- For: 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.
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