I wanted a small full automatic so choice was limited.
I like the Polo for its ride but a relative has an older model Polo and given the problems they have had with it, it put me off a VW.
Daihatsui Sirion was a surprise find. It's sold as a Toyota in Japan. The nearest dealer was a bit too far away though. So much car for so little money. Residual value was the only other issue.
2008 Mercedes A150 SE classic with CVT auto was very nice. If you hate the firm ride of the Jazz, then you will luv the A class. It feels like a bigger car and interior feels more upmarket too. But way too expensive to buy brand new. 6-12mth examples seem to be quite cheap. Cost of MB servicing and reliability of the ZF cvt box were the only reservations.