5-Seater Superminis Reviewed

Proton Satria Neo

50connect road test practical small cars to help you buy the best.

If you are looking for a new car and have £8,000-9,000 to spend, you want to be certain that your choice is value for money. It's not always easy to find a vehicle that suits your needs and is enjoyable to own, so here is our roundup of three 5-seater superminis.

The Cars

Hyundai Getz

This five-seater may be slightly off your radar, but it's reliable, roomy and very affordable.

Price: £7,595-10,300

Proton Satria Neo

Before you write off the Malaysian car manufacturer conceived by a Prime Minister, could it be worth considering Proton's Satria Neo? We discover that the Lotus-influenced car offers a sporty choice at a good price.

Price: £7995-10395

Toyota Yaris

Owners love the Yaris. If you're not yet a convert, you may be wondering what the fuss is about. We find out whether the second generation Yaris lives up to its reputation.

Price: £8,925-14,095

Our Verdict

Hyundai Getz

Driving the Getz is rather like driving a glass box, which at least means there's a clear all round view. Stability while cornering is good, as the car is square and not high.

Pleasant to drive rather than exciting, the Getz offers a smooth ride and gear changing. Surprisingly nippy, the diesel accelerates reasonably well and is happy on the motorway.

It's easy to park, with a turning radius of 5 metres.

Each seat adjusts three ways at CDX grade and above, although the squab may not be generous enough for drivers with longer legs. There's a height adjustable steering column too.

The indicator stalk is on the right, which takes some getting used to and is likely to result in a few unnecessary windscreen wipes, but after only a week of driving like this it seemed strange going back to the more usual arrangement.

Buyers of this hatchback can choose between 3 or 5 doors. It's not a flashy car but is neatly styled.

There's plenty of space in the Getz. With three seats in the back all with proper three-point belts, passengers have a fair amount of room. The 40/60 split-folding rear seat and reasonable boot space mean it's also good for transporting luggage or shopping.

Buyers can opt for 1.1 or 1.4 petrol engines or a 1.5 Common Rail Turbo Diesel engine.

You can read more on this car here.

Proton Satria Neo

Satria Neo's marketing trumpets its Lotus engineering - Proton owns the sportscar manufacturer. A pleasant discovery is that the sporty name turns out to be not just a gimmicky badge.

The hot hatch is a driver's rather than a passenger's car, offering a firm ride that can be rough, but hugs the road and is very stable on corners.

As befits a would-be sportscar, there's little headroom, though the driver seat and steering column are height adjustable. It may not provide great comfort but this responsive car is fun to drive, and ideal for those looking for a bargain alternative to a sportscar, that's practical too.

Obviously those hoping for the power of a Lotus will be disappointed, but the Satria Neo isn't sluggish and copes on the motorway. You'll rapidly make your way up through the gears, and the engine is pretty noisy.

A little of Lotus' influence can be seen in the style of the Satria Neo, which looks smart with its aggressively sculpted bonnet.

Though only available as a 3 door car, it's fairly practical for passengers because there are three seats in the back each with a 3-point seatbelt, plus a handy foot rest in the middle.

Choose from 1.3 and 1.6 engines.

You can read more on this car here.

Toyota Yaris

Steering is light with no need to yank the wheel. If you're too brutal it's easy to make the car lurch. An adjustable steering column is useful to tailor the set-up to your height. The seat adjusts up and down too, so although the less nimble may initially have some difficulty getting in and out, they should be able to alter it to a convenient level.

Drivers have a reasonable view. Though high, the car didn't roll much through corners.

You'll make your way up through the gears quickly. The Yaris is extremely quiet, though once you reach 70 on the motorway the noise increases quite a bit. It's a shame there's no footrest next to the clutch.

Its small size and 4.7 metre turning radius (5.6 for the SR 1.8) make the Yaris manoeuvrable, great for driving and parking round town.

The Yaris comes in a wide range of versions, with 3 or 5 doors.

There are three seats in the back, though they are only truly comfortable for small people or short journeys. Rear seats that individually (60:40) slide, recline and fold down with the Easy Flat system form a large flat-floored load space.

Buyers have 1.0, 1.3 and 1.8 petrol engines and a 1.4 diesel to choose from.

You can read more on this car here.

50connect's Roundup

For those who are simply looking for a practical car at an affordable price, the Hyundai Getz is a comfortable, spacious choice. It's also reliable, with a 5 year warranty. The driving experience is rather bland however.

Many owners recommend the Toyota Yaris, but it's more expensive. It's a good idea to go for a test drive to see if the car suits you, as unless you really like the Yaris it's probably not worth paying the extra.

If you want a little bit more excitement on the road, the Proton Satria Neo offers a touch of sportscar mixed with reasonable practicality at a good price - although it will use more petrol.

Web Links

www.hyundai.co.uk

www.proton.co.uk

www.toyota.co.uk