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Hi John,

It entirely depends on how you drive it and where. First up, in terms of actual range you'd get from a tank of fuel, it's worth noting that the Corolla's fuel tank is about a quarter smaller than the Octavia's.

The Corolla hybrid can certainly match the economy of a diesel in certain circumstances, but it really does depend on how it's driven. If you're someone always in a hurry and you like to use all the available performance regularly, then the diesel car is most likely more economical. If you're a gentle driver the Corolla is more efficient.

For lots of motorway driving, the diesel is most likely more economical, but if you only use the motorway a little, I'd suggest the hybrid is better.

Longer term, the diesel model will have bigger maintenance bills as well, so that's something else to consider. 

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Hi David,

It's a tricky time for choosing a new car in your situation for sure, especially given your high mileage. I feel that a diesel would still be a little more economical for you than the latest hybrids unless you keep your speeds down. If you spend most of that at 120km/h then a good diesel is hard to beat from an economy point of view. Saying that, the Corolla and new Civic are both very efficient cars and, if you adapt your driving style to their powertrains, then it is possible to return some trully outstanding fuel economy figures. And it must be said, with one eye on future values, a hybrid might be a more shrewd choice.

In your situation as described, I'd shy away from purely-electric cars for now as well. I'd be worried about relying on the public charging network to support such high mileage.

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Hi Martin,

Yup, the problem is that 2008 was the switchover year to CO₂-based taxation, and the old Toyota petrol engines were pretty high up the charts in that respect. Actually, are you sure it’s 1.4? Because we only have data for a Corolla Verso with a 1.6-litre engine from that year. That engine had emissions of 177g/km, which would account for the high motor tax cost, but in theory a vehicle bought in 2008 should be eligible to revert to the old engine capacity system, which would bring down the cost a little. It’s certainly worth raising the issue with your local motor tax office to see what’s possible.

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Hi Fidelma,

A Skoda Kodiaq would be a very good bet — lots of space in the rear seat, plus the option of extra seats in the boot (although those ones are a bit tight for teens), but there’s no hybrid version as yet. Its close cousin, the SEAT Tarraco, will soon be offered as a hybrid, while the new Volkswagen Tiguan arrives next summer.

The Toyota RAV4 is pretty roomy, but there’s no seven-seat option and you might find the rear bench a little narrow for three teens side-by-side. The best thing to do is bring them on the test drive and see if they all fit comfortably.

Peugeot’s 3008 plug-in hybrid could also be worth a look, although you might be better off waiting for the larger 5008 version using the same powertrain. Toyota will be launching its new Highlander seven-seat hybrid SUV in early 2021, but that might be too far away for you. 

It all depends on how much you want to spend, as there are hybrid versions of the BMW X3 and X5, plus the Volvo XC60 and XC90. Come back to us with your budget if you want more specific advice.

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Hi Seamus,

Back pain is a constant problem for many of us (this writer included),  but you shouldn’t need to get en entire seat fitted — there are companies (such as The Back Shop, in Dublin) that will sell you an insert that fits into the existing seat, and which should help to improve posture and reduce discomfort when behind the wheel. The bonus is, of course, that you can simply take it out and install it in your next car too.

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Hi Niall,

I’m afraid not. Revenue only applies BIK relief to electric cars and flatly states that ‘hybrids do not count as electric vehicles.’ BIK is calculated on the value of the car and the annual mileage, not on the CO₂ emissions of the car. That may change in the coming months, with the new FG-FF-Green coalition promising to review the motor taxation system, but for now, there’s no BIK benefit to driving a hybrid. 

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Hi Catherine,

Now is a good time to buy a hybrid, that’s for certain, but given that the Toyota C-HR and Hyundai Kona are among the very few hybrid crossovers currently on sale, you may struggle a little to find choice beyond those two models. It could be well worth looking at a Toyota Corolla or Auris hatchback or estate instead — they’re more practical, in any case, and there’s very little actual difference in height. Alternatively, there’s the Kia Niro hybrid, which was on sale from 2017. Prices for early Niros are now down to around €20,000, and they’ll still be under warranty until 2024.

Read our Toyota C-HR reviews

Read our Hyundai Kona reviews

Read our Toyota Corolla reviews

Read our Toyota Auris reviews

Read our Kia Niro reviews

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Hi Denise,

If you’re not doing big miles every week, then the diesel Avensis just makes no sense (other than the fact that it’s a bit bigger and comfier than the Corolla). With relatively low mileage you’re much better off with a petrol engine, and besides — even if your husband is using it occasionally for longer runs — that Toyota 1.4 engine is very economical so I think the Corolla is the best choice here.

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Hi Wafaa,

Well, obviously vehicle weight will vary according to engine and equipment, but let’s take the best-case scenario in all cases: petrol engine and a manual gearbox (except in the case of the Toyota, which is only available as a hybrid). The officially quoted kerb weights are: Opel Astra 1.2 Turbo - 1,205kg. Renault Megane 1.3 TCe - 1,231kg. Toyota Corolla 1.8 Hybrid CVT - 1,345kg

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Hi Val,

Yes, they use the same engine and gearbox. There may be some external differences and different wiring looms of course, but the mechanicals are the same.