So you want a small car but big enough with a decent engine... Mini Clubman John Cooper Works... looks good. Bigger than a normal Mini Cooper, and the JCW means it has a decent engine. Lower than a SUV... Or a BMW X3? Small sized SUV, might be too high for Patrice... 3ltr turbo-diesel has good power... Subaru XV? (don't get the orange, my MIL has one) Ford Focus RS...
A former co-workers drives one and likes it a lot. I have not tried it. PS. There is a local observation that "people who drive BMWs drive like assholes"
That's because the people with that opinion are very frustrated for not owning one and will drive very aggressive themselves, causing reactionary behavior by the BMW driver... Can't really beat a German car...
Living in NYC, isn't it easier just to uber, then rent a car for the weekends? I wouldn't advise anyone to buy something nice to duel with the taxicabs and third world infrastructure.
Look into the Mazda lineup. They're inexpensive and solid value for the $. Two of my nephews in college have the crossovers,plenty of room for the pooch. They were purchased used, low mileage. Face it, cars are depreciating utility assets, not the smartest place to invest $ unless you're willing to pay for the cool factor which also depreciates. A decent site for value comparison: https://www.cargurus.com/ If you somehow hook up with Carl Icahn in one of his green mailing "unlock value" excursions netting you $100,000,000 you can talk to Mercedes re: a custom build of Maybach. There will always be a Saudi prince or Chinese billionaire willing to relieve you of it. Appreciation is guaranteed and the cool factor priceless. Driving around NYC will require a flatbed truck with the car on it and a scantily clad stewardess to help you down to street level.