l heard German cars were the best.

Honda or Toyota. Less costly to buy and less costly to own.

fiat panda
l own one its great

Toyota Yaris are very good though you might not like it as it is sort of Feminine, or Citroen Saxo.or a small Peugeot

Volkswagen Golf or Polo.

A Mini

of course mini cooper and volkes golf and renoult v6

volkswagen golf

l would suggest that you look for a lightly used Toyota Camry or Corolla, and if you do not care for Toy then find a Diesel VW.
If you do not mind going back a few more years, find something with the 22R or 22RE engine. (Toyota)
l had an older Toy pickup that had 362K miles on it when l blew an oil line.
The diesel VW is are excellent vehicles also.

Honda and Toyota are definitely the best in their class but Hyundai is often overlooked. l have one and it drives so smooth! Its not overly fancy and it is economical. l am confused why they get a bad rap, mine drives like a dream.

Ford Focus

An Audi A3 or a VW Polo are perfect.

German cars r good! Anyone that tells u a mini is a liar! They have chrysler engines in them..it does not matter about the mini cover they put under the hood! Google will even tell u the same.. The Mini is common! The Best small german car is the Lupo! l still have mine! It runs on £20 is worth of fuel a week.. l do over 100miles a week in it.. Normally every friday or saturday l top up.. Sometimes.. l even drive from woolwich to godstone twice a week as well! It is a 1.0i engine. . If u do not care for street credit, a micra is the same on juice & a great engine..polo is similar..it is hard to find a polo that is not not been thrashed though.. A fiesta 1.25i is great on juice & would be my official second choice of car..only common fault is the window motors wear out quick-but only £10 down at scrap! 2000 fiesta is what l would buy if g was a new driver! The yaris is also good, l just wo not because it holds it is value & l find toyota parts expensive.. Honda..probably the most reliable but the cars cabin is boring..