Jazz hands down if space is a priority

The new Corolla is great if you can stretch. Oddly I've got a 2.5 inch hitch receiver on mine for the tow bar...

Mazda 2.  Slightly outside your price range, but you may be able to haggle them down.

I don't think if you've mentioned if this is your only car; I ask because that would potentially impact how much I'd encourage you to continue to push for a Leaf or other BEV. If it's a second car, I really think there are few good arguments not to go for a BEV. If it's the sole car, then yeah I can see why your wife may be concerned about range (until I can afford a BEV with a range of at least 300km say I imagine we'll stick with the combination of my wife having a low-range BEV and me having an ICE or hybrid).

As for ICE cars; I'd totally agree with a comment above re looking to rental cars etc being sold over the next few months, or if not that then at least demo models or a fairly new car: obviously demos will come with the remaining warranty etc, but with some brands at least all the new car benefits transfer with ownership change (with Mazdas that includes the free servicing for x years).

If boot space is at all important that could well rule out a few of your options; Swifts and Mazda2s, for example, have damn small boots.

Of those in your initial list, I'd certainly choose the Jazz. As others have mentioned above they're surprisingly roomy cars, especially with the flexibility provided by the Magic Seats. My wife had a Jazz (previous model) for a few years, selected over others like the Swift and Mazda2 (and, yep, the boot on the Jazz is a decent size). The current range are all CVT, I believe, in case that's an issue for you (I don't think they have the same problems that the gen 1 CVTs had). The entertainment system in the new one is a bit frustrating to use (relies too much on the touch screen), but any issues with the car are small compared to the positives.

Thanks for the input all.

The other car is my sh!tbox van that exclusively plies the golden triangle of Bunnings - Landfill - Home. One star safety at best. Captain Hindsight to the rescue here, but what I would do if I had my time over again was get a Nissan EV van for that kind of running about + school run, and another family car for the times when further distance is required.

Went to have a look at new/near new Toyotas and Hondas today (geographic convenience of dealerships). I know the Toyota is essentially bullet proof reliability-wise, but I was pretty underwhelmed with that. A lot of money for what you get. The boot in particular is tiny. Pretty impressed with the Jazz though. Going to have a look at Kia + Suzuki next week, and there is a Leaf dealership near there too so will have a look at that.

Main EV concern is that a lot of the Leaf imports don't seem to have the basic level of safety features - 2 airbags seem standard at the $25K price point. I'm not too worried about the range (within reason). Almost all trips we are even somewhat likely to take are 100km tops (though that is each way). I have family to impose on to lend me a gas guzzler if driving holidays do hove in to view.

Dingbatt:

 

Glad to see all your options are Japanese or Korean. Not the most exciting, but certainly safe and reliable.

 

+1 for Japanese or Korean

-1 for VW/Audi/Skoda. I still don't think they deserve a pass after deliberately deceiving their customers/regulators.

mdf:

 

Main EV concern is that a lot of the Leaf imports don't seem to have the basic level of safety features - 2 airbags seem standard at the $25K price point. I'm not too worried about the range (within reason). Almost all trips we are even somewhat likely to take are 100km tops (though that is each way). I have family to impose on to lend me a gas guzzler if driving holidays do hove in to view.

 

It depends how hard that price range is. If you can go up to a couple k above $25k then you're look at non-Nissan EV options which have much better safety options. That Zoe I linked earlier has 4 airbags and the i3 which is around that price point has 6 airbags.

One of our conditions of buying a Leaf was finding one with a full suite of airbags; we were happy to pay a premium for that, and it certainly does limit your options. But, yeah, with kids in it every day it also wasn't an option for us to have only two airbags. Just to say it is possible!

jonathan18:

 

One of our conditions of buying a Leaf was finding one with a full suite of airbags; we were happy to pay a premium for that, and it certainly does limit your options. But, yeah, with kids in it every day it also wasn't an option for us to have only two airbags. Just to say it is possible!

 

The risk of Leaf's battery degradation and replacement costs scare the *&%$#@!&^ out of me.

We have a Swift as our second car, it's great but the boot is tiny (you can fit maybe 4 shopping bags in there). My wife's last car was a Jazz (although it was the previous model) and the amount of space in those things is amazing. We shortlisted the Rio when buying the Swift as we had a Cerato at the time (which was excellent), and found the engine & 4 speed gearbox combo to be poor - but I think the new ones have a 6 speed now which might improve things.

It's been reported in a few places that Honda might leave the Australian & New Zealand markets at the end of the year - https://www.motor1.com/news/403442/honda-australia-long-term-plans/ - which could then affect resale values.

That said I have a 2018 CR-V and it's an excellent (if boring) family car, very well put together and have had zero problems with it and would buy a Honda again.

Edit: I've just done some more checking and there was a further announcement that they won't be exiting the market, but reducing the range of models - and it looks like the current Jazz model we have will be the last one sold in NZ :(

Sounds like you have another vehicle for holidays etc.

I would be pushing the BEV way you can make it work.

Given you list safety as a main priory, I would be cautious with the likes of the Mirage. at just 895kg kerb weight, despite it's 5 star ancap (2013) rating, it is going to be worst off if just about any other car on the road crashes into it. 

For comparison this (5 star ANCAP 2011) 30kWh (172km epa  range when new) leaf has a kerb weight of 1516kg (min). This is roughly the same as a base Rav4 at 1530kg:

https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/nissan/auction-2615054611.htm

It's also bristling with tech that you are unlikely to find in entry level subcompacts: Led headlights, Bose Audio, 10 airbags, 360 degree camera's, Leather seats etc.

If you are willing to stretch your budget a little, you could consider this 2017 ioniq (asking 33950 ONO). They have 200km of epa range while new. These get a 5 star 2017 ancap saftey rating. Generally less tech than the high spec Nissan Leaf's, but these cars are very well regarded in the EV community. They are very efficient compared to a Leaf, and have an actively cooled battery so won't suffer the same battery degradation. (note car is in otago)

https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/nissan/auction-2615054611.htm

I have owned an i3 before and loved it. (other than a couple of issues with the Range extender, would go pure electric if I got another). That said, I don't think the rear door configuration, and back windows that don't open would be great for a car that's main purpose is the school run.  Also it is only a 4 seater.

Of the cars you listed, The Jazz would be my pick. 

With efficiency being a priority you could also consider the likes of a Prius C (although I don't think they new ones are good value at $28,500)

Finally, a plug in hybrid could be considered (used Plug in Prius and outlander PHEV are in your price range). If you have another vehicle for long trips this might be the worst of both worlds (heavy, two drive-trains to maintain), but they are available fairly cheap, and offer the flexibility of long range travel (and reasonable size boots).

[edit] - Just read the comment regarding difficulty finding multiple airbags on leaf's under $10k...

What is going on here is that safety doesn't seem to be a big priority in japan (lower speeds, tiny vehicles much more common?). Leaf's from japan spec level seems highly custom beyond the headline specs (S, X etc). Side airbags seem to be one of the options.

As an example here is a $12450 asking price 2012 leaf with side airbags:

https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/nissan/auction-2617538407.htm

It's just a matter of fishing through many 2 airbag leaf's to find the multi airbag ones.

[edit2] - Just read that your van doesn't go out of town, and that if you take a car away for holidays etc that you will need to borrow it.  You will need to decide if you want a car that is has the luggage space and range for long trips.

meesham:

 

We have a Swift as our second car, it's great but the boot is tiny

 

I recently purchased a 2013 Swift (originally NZ new) for a second car. It's great, but it does have a few more rattles on rough chip than I anticipated for a relatively new car.

I drove a friend's 2011 Swift last weekend (Jap import) and it was very rattly.

Is this common with Swifts?

Otherwise, very happy. Great economy, solid on the open road, excellent visibility, parks on a dime.

dafman:

 

meesham:

 

We have a Swift as our second car, it's great but the boot is tiny

 

 

I recently purchased a 2013 Swift (originally NZ new) for a second car. It's great, but it does have a few more rattles on rough chip than I anticipated for a relatively new car.

 

I drove a friend's 2011 Swift last weekend (Jap import) and it was very rattly.

 

Is this common with Swifts?

 

Otherwise, very happy. Great economy, solid on the open road, excellent visibility, parks on a dime.

 

If mine's anything to go by it's a common thing, ours rattles quite a bit. We have a 2016 Swift Sport (NZ New) with the low profile tyres, you feel every bump. It's a fun little car though (especially in the corners) and great on fuel.

dafman:

 

Dingbatt:

 

Glad to see all your options are Japanese or Korean. Not the most exciting, but certainly safe and reliable.

 

 

+1 for Japanese or Korean

 

-1 for VW/Audi/Skoda. I still don't think they deserve a pass after deliberately deceiving their customers/regulators.

 

I wont get into the debate of deceptive car manufacturers. Personally im a fan of Skoda and am fine with recommending them as a brand. 

Mercedes also got busted for this as well.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-44444361

Scott3:

 

If you are willing to stretch your budget a little, you could consider this 2017 ioniq (asking 33950 ONO). They have 200km of epa range while new. These get a 5 star 2017 ancap saftey rating. Generally less tech than the high spec Nissan Leaf's, but these cars are very well regarded in the EV community. They are very efficient compared to a Leaf, and have an actively cooled battery so won't suffer the same battery degradation. (note car is in otago)

 

You might have included the wrong link, I think you were referring to this one:

https://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/hyundai/auction-2642398078.htm

I also like the Ioniq. Hired one for a bit and found it great to drive, plenty of boot space. They charge quickly, battery cooling, decent range.

I'm in Otago so happy to take a closer look at it for you if you wish.