Hi Mary,

You've not mentioned what kind of engine/fuel you'd prefer, though as it's not for long journeys, we'll assume "not diesel" at the least. And as you've had a car and not an SUV, we'll also assume you'd rather stick with one.

If comfort is a priority, make sure you stay away from any models that purport to be sporty or dynamic. So for example, the circa-2020 Audi A3 is in budget and it's a good option with decent petrol engines available. However, many of them were sold in the S line specification and that can mean larger alloy wheels and firmer suspension. Don't be taken in by the alluring looks if comfort is important to you. Likewise BMW's M Sport equivalent and the Mercedes AMG-line cars.

You'll get a little better value if you stay away from the premium brands, and the Ford Focus or Puma are good options, for example.

Come back to us with your thoughts on the above if you want us to help narrow things down further. There's a lot of choice out there.