Have you a new Mazda CX-5 review?
Have you done a review of the new Mazda CX-5 yet?
Mark Foley (Dundalk)Jul 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Mark,
We certainly have. Read Neil's first drive of the 2.2-litre diesel AWD version here.
We're looking for a good seven-seater.
Hi, we're looking for a seven-seater where we could potentially fit three car seats across the back seat. We currently have a Nissan Qashqai, which we love. A friend recommended a Volkswagen Touran, but says it feels a bit boxy to drive - but that might be the case with all seven-seaters? Our budget is €30k net of trade in (04 Ford Fiesta).
Happy to buy new or consider up to two years' old.
Thanks
Rosalind O'Brien (Dublin)Jul 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Rosalind,
If you go for the current Touran (which launched two years ago) then no, it's not boxy to drive at all. Rather good in fact. The new Renault Scenic is also quite nice to drive, and if you go up a size, the Ford S-Max is actually slightly nicer to drive than the Mondeo that it's based on. Here are a few reviews for your interest:
Which new seven-seat SUV for 2018?
Hi,
I currently drive a Land Rover Discovery Sport, five-seater diesel and I am thinking about changing in 2018. We would ideally like to stay in the SUV market, but our new car will need to have seven seats. The Discovery Sport does come as a seven-seater, but wondering what other options are out there for a total budget of €50k approx either in or out of the SUV bracket?
Thanks
Enda Daly (Galway)Jul 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Enda,
There's a growing number of options for seven-seat SUVs. The new Skoda Kodiaq is excellent and €50k would buy you one with a lot of toys. The Kia Sorento is also in that price bracket and is big, roomy and hugely comfortable. Ditto the Hyundai Santa Fe. Peugeot's incoming new 5008 is worth a look too. Here are our reviews of them all to help you out:
Should I go for a new Alfa Romeo Giulia?
Hi,
I am contemplating buying an Alfa Romeo Giulia and was hoping to get thoughts from a local motoring journalist. Would you recommend it? I've done a fair bit of homework comparing it against the likes of a BMW 3 Series or Jaguar XE and it really seems to stand up well. While the others offer lower hp engines etc, when you actually compare like for like (e.g. auto 150hp/180hp/200hp), the price difference/levels of standard spec seem worlds apart.
I'm looking at the Super Sport trim and when I spec up an equivalent M Sport, the price difference works out at around €5k.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Donal (Dublin)
Donal Dennehy (Dublin)Jun 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Donal,
Yup, Alfa is definitely offering some very sharp value deals on the Giulia at the moment, especially when you consider that you can effectively get a mid-spec car for the same price as a basic model. It’s a car we really like — it’s gorgeous, terrific to drive, practical and Alfa seems at last to have gotten on top of its quality issues. Two caveats, really — the infotainment system is not as sophisticated as you’d find in rival models, and to see the Giulia at its best, you really need to avoid the 2.2 diesel and go instead for the 200hp turbo petrol, although obviously that may not suit your needs.
Thoughts on the Jeep Renegade diesel?
I am wondering about the Jeep Renegade Limited Edition model 1.6 diesel: how good on mpg and handling mainly? What out of 100 marks would you rate it compared to other SUVs of the same size?
Amylee Curran Curran (Dublin)Jun 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Amylee,
We really like the Renegade - true, the looks won't please all, but it's decent to drive, that 1.6 diesel is frugal and has good power (bit noisy though) and there's decent space in the cabin. Quality levels seem good too, although the boot could be bigger. Out of 100? 65-70 I'd say.
Is the Skoda Octavia 1.0 a good one?
Is the Skoda Octavia 1.0 TSI good (in terms of fuel economy and reliability) for long drives? E.g. travelling from Copenhagen to Prague (approx 1,000km) in one day?
Sharad Maroo (Ringsted)Jun 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Sharad,
Skoda reliability is hard to beat; in fact Skoda often does better in reliability surveys than its Volkswagen overlord, so knocking off a regular 1,000km journey will be no bother to it.
As for economy, we recently tested the 1.0 Octavia and got close to 50mpg out of it in daily driving, so it's pretty frugal, really.
Five best estate cars in Ireland?
Hi,
Hope you're well, Have you done a '5 best estate cars in Ireland?' I did search but couldn't see anything.
Martin Smith (Ringsted)Jun 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Martin,
We haven’t actually done that, as yet, but here’s a quick rundown of our favourites:
1. Skoda Superb Combi: massive, roomy, cavernous, spacious, replete with space — whatever way you want to put it, the Superb is the best estate around simply because you can fit the most amount of stuff into one. Looks good too, and is exceptionally comfortable. Not the sharpest thing to drive, but you won’t really care.
2. Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate: really good looking, massive boot, staggeringly high quality cabin, comfortable, smooth 2.0-litre diesel and surprisingly good to drive.
3. Volvo V90: another one that’s surprisingly good to drive, with sharper steering than you’d expect. Gorgeous interior, exceptionally comfy seats and the only problem is that the boot isn’t quite as big as it should be. Exterior styling does kind of make up for that, a little.
4. Volkswagen Golf Estate: not the obvious choice perhaps, but adds extra space (lots of it — a 605-litre boot) to the Golf’s usual other qualities of quality and classiness. An ideal family car and more affordable to buy and run than an average SUV.
Renault Captur or Peugeot 2008?
I am looking at buying a car similar to a Renault Captur or Peugeot 2008; can you comment on either or which would be better?
Anne Mcelhone (Sligo)May 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Anne,
The Captur, which has just been updated, is one of the best selling small crossovers around and it’s not hard to see why - it’s gorgeous, a really good looking car. Roomy enough inside too, and with a pair of excellent engines (either a 900cc turbo petrol or Renault’s long-serving 1.5 diesel). The downsides are that the cabin is quite plastic and it’s only very ordinary to drive.
The Peugeot 2008, by contrast, is rather more agile and sharper to drive, and also has some excellent engine options, especially the 1.2-litre PureTech petrol turbo unit. It’s also a little roomier than the Captur in the back, even if it’s arguably less handsome on the outside. On balance, it would be the Peugeot that we’d prefer, but you should also have a look at the likes of the new Suzuki Vitara (good to drive and very ruggedly reliable) and the Honda HR-V (a little larger and more expensive, but with exceptionally good quality on its side).
Tell me about the Toyota Auris...
What's good and bad about the Toyota Auris?
Pam Riddles (Brakpan)May 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Pam,
Good: reliable, roomy, comfortable.
Bad: a touch dull, and the 1.4 diesel is underpowered.
Should we buy a Kia Niro on PCP?
Hi,
My husband and l are thinking of buying a new Kia Niro through PCP. Neither of us are "into" cars as such. We will have a deposit of €10,000 and it will be replacing our 2004 Toyota Corolla Verso. We like the fact that the Kia Niro is hybrid and we have already had a test drive and this sold it to us.
Any advice about the car or PCP would be much appreciated.
Many thanks
Jean
Jean McConnon (Carrickmacross)May 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Jean,
The Niro isn’t a bad car at all, and is certainly very frugal, although if you’re replacing a Corolla Verso you’re going to find that it’s much less roomy and less versatile inside. As for PCP, it’s a great idea for getting cheap finance and a low monthly repayment rate, but to make it work properly you really need to be committed to the idea of buying another new car in three years’ time. If not, then you could be better off with either a Hire Purchase agreement, or an old-fashioned bank loan.