BMW X5 M50d or 45e hybrid?
I am considering the BMW X5 M50d and the X5 xDrive45e. Which would be more potent and smooth in drive and comfort? When the PHEV is driven hard the fuel consumption would increase. Batteries will require charging. Limitations appears to be factored into the PHEV.
Robert Baichan (Durban)Sep 2019 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Robert,
The M50d has more peak power and torque and is quicker accelerating than the hybrid model, no question. However, the six-cylinder diesel engine is a lot louder and less smooth than the straight-six in the xDrive45e model and obviously, when the hybrid is running in electric mode it is far far quieter again. As you say, the PHEV comes with compromises, and may not be as economical over a long journey where the battery cannot be charged from an external source.
What's up with my Land Rover's stop-start?
Had my car's stop-start checked by Land Rover when it didn’t operate. They said it was the battery. They fitted a new heavy duty battery and the stop-start worked for about a week... It now only works with fan off. Could this be due the recent heat wave and use of the air conditioning? Very temperamental. Advise if possible.
H Stokes
Harry Stokes (Bedford)Aug 2019 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Harry,
The most likely culprit is that there’s some electrical item draining the system as you’re driving. Or, possibly if you’re only driving for short hops, the engine is still in its warm-up phase and can’t be shut down by the stop/start. Or, and this is a wild guess, Land Rovers often have flakey electrics.
Maybe read our Why won't my car's stop-start system work? feature for further understanding. We get a lot of questions like this.
How good is the Toyota Auris 1.2-litre engine?
How good is the Toyota Auris 1.2-litre petrol engine?
Tom Coughlan (Dublin)Aug 2019 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Tom,
It’s lovely — plenty powerful enough, decent economy and good refinement. Arguably, the hybrid is the better Auris model, but if part-electric power’s not your thing then the 1.2 is a very good substitute.
Is my Jaguar's stop-start ok?
On my new Jaguar E-Pace, the stop-start system only turns the engine off for a maximum of 16 seconds; do you think this acceptable?
R Hill
Robert Hill (Tenbury Wells)Expert answer
Hi Robert.
Stop-start systems have a mind of their own — literally. They’re designed to only stop the engine when demand for electrical supply within the car falls low enough that it’s safe to do so. So if you’re running the air conditioning, for instance, or have the heat turned up, or if the engine is still in its warm-up phase, then it will either not shut the engine off at all, or will only shut it off briefly. Driving style also plays into it, as does where and when you’re driving. It also depends on the battery condition, so if you’re concerned about the short stop-start times, it’s worth having the health and charge level of the battery checked.
Finally, as we get so many questions on this subject, we put together a quick feature on it for your interest: Why won't my car's stop-start system work?
When is the new Peugeot 2008 coming?
When will you be doing a review of the new 2020 Peugeot 2008?
Mick Daly (Cork)Aug 2019 Filed under: future cars
Expert answer
Hi Mick,
We don't have a date for that as yet, but hopefully it will be before the end of this year. Keep an eye on the Peugeot 2008 reviews page for updates.
A Toyota a replace my Skoda Superb with?
Hi,
I currently have a Skoda Superb estate, which I find handy for the occasional bulky load. I was thinking of probably changing it for a similar model (having daydreamed of more exotic cars like a Ford Raptor - I'm just not willing to pay the annual road tax). However, there is a view out there that the most reliable cars are Toyotas. Is there a Toyota that would come close to to the Superb estate in terms of load capacity?
Thanks
Philip
Philip Donegan (Ballina)Aug 2019 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Philip,
Well, you’re right about Toyotas being reliable. In fact, if reliability is your ultimate goal, then Toyota, Honda and Subaru are usually your safest bets. That said, Skoda is rarely that far behind the big Japanese names in reliability terms, and often is the best-performing European marque in that regard. In terms of load capacity, the answer is almost, but not quite. The roomiest boot in the in the Toyota range right now belongs to the Corolla Touring Sports estate. Now, this is one of our favourite cars right now — good looking, good to drive and with a seriously frugal and future-proofed hybrid engine, but with a 598-litre boot, it’s some 62 litres short of the Superb Combi. Still worth considering though, as, if you can live without the extra litres in the back, then it’s a more cost-effective purchase than the Skoda.
Another alternative is the new RAV4 Hybrid. Again, this is smaller than the Superb in the back — 580 litres when loaded up to the windows — but the boot is big and square, and again the hybrid engine is frugal and it’s got reliability on its side.
Worth remembering though that Skoda is refreshing the Superb this year (order books are open now for delivery later in the year) and there will be a hybrid, a plug-in hybrid in fact, this time around, so it might be worth waiting for that before making a final decision.
Relevant reviews:
Toyota Corolla 1.8 Hybrid Touring Sports estate (2019) review
My Kia Sorento's stop-start isn't working...
Hi,
I have a 2016 Kia Sorento and my stop-start does not work when I brake and come to a stop. The lamp in the dashboard is amber, not green and the stop-start does not activate like it use to.
Abdul Rahman (London)Aug 2019 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Abdul,
Stop-start systems can stop working for a variety of reasons, usually to do with battery condition or load. We get so many questions about them that we've put together this feature that you may find of interest:
Which head-turning SUV to go for?
Selfishly, I would like a head-turning vehicle, that's a comfortable ride and stylish. Unselfishly, I need to consider older parents that can get into the vehicle fairly easily and be comfortable in the back. Prepared to pay for the luxury but looking for right choice. Don't drive many miles a year, with a mix of motorway and urban. Petrol or hybrid seems sensible option. Have looked at SUVs briefly including Macan and Maserati, but not sure these are best buys? Looking for recommendations for a nice sized vehicle for up to four people.
Michelle Morgan (Bromley)Aug 2019 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Michelle,
Well, a Porsche Macan or Maserati Levante would certainly be fun choices, but possibly not the best from the point of view of your parents… One potentially very good option could be the Volvo XC60 T8 Polestar — a plug-in hybrid with serious performance and excellent handing, but loads of space in the back and really comfy seats. Audi’s new SQ5 diesel is another good choice (really comfy and plenty roomy), as would be the mighty V8 diesel Audi SQ7. To be honest, though, if you want to spend big on a luxurious SUV that’s also fun to drive, it’s pretty hard to look past a Range Rover...
A little reading to help you decide:
Lease or buy a Porsche Macan?
Would you lease or purchase a Porsche Macan? Looking at 2019 registrations max one previous owner.
Michelle Morgan (Bromley)Aug 2019 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Michelle,
I would DEFINITELY lease or purchase a Porsche Macan. Brilliant car, even if there are some deeply enticing rivals that come close to matching it for driver appeal (Jaguar F-Pace, BMW X3 and Alfa Stelvio among them). As for leasing OR purchasing, it kind of depends what you want to do. If this is a dream purchase, one that you’re going to keep and run for ages, then I think buying it outright is the way to go. If it’s a shorter term thing, and you’re planning to chop it in for something else in three or four years, then lease is probably the way to go.
My Audi A1's stop-start isn't working...
I just bought a 2015 Audi A1 model and the start-stop was working but now it doesn't turn the engine off when I come to a standstill; why is this?
Thanks
Mr S Button
Stewart Button (Bradford)Aug 2019 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Stewart,
A lot of cars develop this 'fault' and it's usually to do with battery condition or load. We get so many queries about it that we put together a feature explaining it all that you may find of interest: