If you can afford it the Kia Cee'd seems to be getting good reviews - long warranty, well bolted together, and unlike previous Korean efforts it actually sounds as though it's entertaining to drive.
I have no time whatsoever for vehicles that are dull, poor handling, badly put together or just plain underpowered as there's simply no excuse for it. Look at Saab - a 2006 9-3 TiD can have a 150bhp engine and still return 45-50mpg despite having similar performance and handling to their jets. Cheap to run doesn't have to mean boring, but there are still manufacturers pumping out lumpen shopping trolleys with handling to make a Discovery look like a Nissan GTR. I don't care if it gets 50mpg, so does the Saab and that handles much better as well as not running out of steam at 45mph!
