Hi Catherine,

The current Yaris, launched in 2011, is a good choice – they’re reliable and very spacious and as long as you stay away from the rather frustrating hybrid model, they’re quite nice to drive. You do need to spend extra on a specced-up model to get  things like air conditioning or a touch-screen stereo though. Other possible options are Ford Fiesta (really good to drive), Volkswagen Polo (pretty much matches the Toyota for build quality) or Skoda Fabia (solid and sensible), but I think you should have a good look at a Honda Jazz – it’s even more spacious than the Yaris and they’re incredibly reliable.