Have a mate ( female) after a new car , she has £1600 ish to spend ( can stretch that a few hundred if needed)

Needs to be small engine for insurance, 1.6 or under, preferred 5 door.
Nothing French or Italian.

Looked at a few golfs, focus' corsas, and fiestas this evening but ones we looked were rough for the money IMO.

Any other suggestions please?