I have a kia rio, and had a honda accord (2 door, needed 4 door for baby), gas mileage was about the same, the accord was way smoother, features i do like on the kia tells you when you have low tire pressure, headlight turn off when you turn off the car regardless if the switch is left on( ie no dead battery like the honda. Dislikes no automatic windows, (sorry to me a pain to roll). Overall I think your problem is going to be finding all your features in one car. I have had a ford escort now the focus which to me is on the same level as the rio on smooth driving, do like toyotas, but think hondas are better quality and stand the test of time longer than the toyota (accord vs camry, both heavy driving my old honda, now my brothers, is 13 years still going , camry was about 10). Haven't had an audi, but don't discredit used cars. Carmax in california does used but the are only a few years old with limited mileage, and sometimes warranties are still good, that is where I got my rio. Me personally I like the size of the rio over the accord, but if I have the chance will probably get a civic, the rio seating does make my back hurt, the honda didn't so keep that in mind as well. I also noticed some listed scion xbs, my brother in law has one, and it does not get that great of gas mileage, he drives long distance and is currently looking to to get a new car for that reason, so also take that into consideration as well