Buying a new car is never easy. It doesn't matter whether your budget is $10,000 or $100,000 the amount of choice and number of variables to consider is seemingly endless.

For questions such as these, and indeed many more, the team at motoring.com.au is here to help. Each week we'll field a relevant automotive enquiry from one of our readers and publish it in our advice column.

This week, Hugh from Malvern (Vic) has $20,000 to spend on a new car:
 
"Hi motoring, I'm lucky enough to have $20,000 to spend on a new car. I'm looking for something that's relatively economical. Can be manual or auto and I'm keen on the size and practicality of small SUVs... Can you help with some advice?"
 
motoring.com.au's Editor in Chief, Mike Sinclair answers:

"$20K is a nice sum to work with Hugh but alas it's not enough to get you into a new SUV – least not until the crop of sub-compact SUVs like Ford's EcoSport and Nissan's Juke arrive later in 2013.
 
"Factoring in on-road costs we'd point you in the direction of the best of the Light and Small hatchbacks such as Ford Fiesta or carsales' People Choice Award winner, the Kia Rio. Versions of both can be purchased onroad for $20,000.

"If you have your heart set on a new SUV, Nissan is offering keen deals on its Dualis but you will have to stump up around $25,000."


Did we get it right? Let us know in the comments below - or post your own question!

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