Have you a list of all the hybrids in Ireland?
Do you have a list of hybrids?
Thanks
Tony O'Brien (Shankill, Dublin 18)Feb 2019 Filed under: hybrid
Expert answer
Hi Tony,
Currently you can buy the following hybrids on the Irish market: Toyota Corolla, CH-R, RAV4, Prius, Yaris, and there are probably a few run-out examples of the Auris Hybrid out there still in dealerships. There’s also the Kia Niro and the Hyundai Ioniq. There’s the full Lexus range — CT, IS, RC, GS, ES, LS, NX, RX and LC. There’s the Ford Mondeo Hybrid, too. There’s the new Honda CR-V Hybrid, some Mercedes diesel-hybrids and petrol plug-in hybrids, oh and the new AMG 53 six-cylinder mild hybrids.
Suzuki does mild hybrids too — for the Baleno, Swift and Ignis. Then there are the plug-in hybrids — Kia Niro and Hyundai Ioniq again, plus the Volvo XC90 and XC60 T8 models, along with the S90 and V90; the BMW i8, 330e, 530e, X5 40e, 225xe, and the MINI Countryman S E; there’s also the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport plug-ins, the Mitsubishi Outlander, the Volkswagen Golf and Passat GTE, the Audi Q7 e-tron and the Porsche Panamera and Cayenne.
I bet I've forgotten some...
Diesel Honda Civic or VW Golf - used?
Hi,
I am considering buying a 2015 Honda Civic DTEC Sport 1.6 or another VW Golf; which would you advise?
Jon Muldoon (Shankill, Dublin 18)Feb 2019 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Jon,
Go for the Civic. It’s roomier, it’s more fun to drive, it has the better diesel engine (the best, in fact) and it’ll be more reliable in the long term.
Can I retrofit a better wheel to my VW Golf?
Hi,
I have a quick question: does any company in Dublin do retrofiting of steering wheels on Volkswagen Golfs? I have a standard wheel on my car but I want to put a multifunction one on.
Thanks
Mateo Starcevic (Dublin)Feb 2019 Filed under: aftermarket
Expert answer
Hi Mateo,
I think the best thing to do is to go and have a word with your nearest Volkswagen dealer. I suspect that it may not be as simple as whipping off your wheel and hooking the new one on — there are complex systems and a lot of wiring to work out, so I’d say that a word with the experts would be the best place to start.
Need room in a 2016 car for my three kids...
Looking for a car that would fit three car seats in back... don't want a seven-seater... for a five-year old, two-year old and new born. Will be changing to a 2016 at the most - any info would be great.
Aoife Flynn (Co Waterford)Jan 2019 Filed under: child or baby seats
Expert answer
Hi Aoife,
If your five-year old is big/heavy enough to get by on a booster cushion, that would be a big help, as the narrowest cushions will generally fit into the middle seat of just about any car of Golf-Focus-Corolla size or bigger. If you’re still using a high-backed seat, then it becomes a little trickier, and you basically need to go for the biggest car you can with the widest back seat possible. Would you consider a Volvo S80? That has one of the widest rear seats known to human-kind, and if you get the 1.6 diesel version, they’re impressively economical too. If you need something smaller on the outside, consider a five-seat MPV such as a Volkswagen Golf SV.
Before you commit to any car, though, make sure you physically try out your car seats in it.
What's the best hybrid SUV?
Hi,
I’m currently driving a 2017 Nissan Qashqai SVE and looking to trade to a 17 or 18-reg plug-in hybrid of a similar size and spec level. Budget of about €30k including my car's trade value. What would you recommend? I do mainly city driving so hoping the hybrid would offer some savings.
Thanks
Dara Weston (Dublin)Jan 2019 Filed under: hybrid
Expert answer
Hi Dara,
The best plug-in hybrids around at the moment are the Kia Niro PHEV, the Toyota Prius PHEV and the Volkswagen Golf GTE (assuming you can find a GTE in stock...). Now, these are smaller than your Qashqai inside, so you may need to make that compromise in order to get the plug-in hybrid efficiency. The revised Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is massive inside, and rather nice, but thirsty if you’re not plugging it in all the time and making maximum use of the electric part of the powertrain.
A conventional hybrid might also be worth a look, especially given that you’re driving mostly in town. Honda is just about to launch a hybrid version of the hugely impressive new CR-V, and the new Toyota RAV4 is arriving in dealerships around now. Both are well worth considering if you can stretch the budget out to something brand-new.
Here are some relevant reviews:
Which new crossover or SUV for me?
Hello,
Which crossover/SUV would you recommend? I do circa 25-30k kilometres per year, mostly motorways, but also a fair bit of urban driving.
Roseanna
Roseanna Gorman (Bray)Dec 2018 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Roseanna,
First things first — if you’re doing mostly urban and motorway miles, you really don’t need an SUV. A more conventional hatchback, saloon, or estate is going to be more comfortable, better value, more economical and a better-engineered vehicle all round. If you’re looking for something with practicality then the likes of a Skoda Octavia Combi estate, a Volkswagen Golf Estate, a Kia Ceed SW, or the new Ford Focus Estate all have much bigger boots than any small-to-medium SUV (more than 600 litres, all of them, compared to around 450 litres for, say, a Nissan Qashqai), and they’re all better to drive and more frugal.
However, if you’re hooked on SUVs then we’d recommend a SEAT Ateca (plain wrapper, but it’s roomy, comfy and nice to drive) or a Toyota C-HR (small on the inside, relatively, but hugely stylish and the hybrid version is frugal). If you’re looking to ‘posh-up’ a bit, then the incoming new Audi Q3 is a bit of a stunner, or if you want something smaller and more affordable than any of those, try the updated Fiat 500X, which is kinda cute and charming.
Here are our relevant reviews for you to read more:
I need comfort and space for €45,000...
Hi all,
I’m driving a Mercedes C-Class and looking to change early next year. I want more seat comfort and boot space as primary issues (boot space for golf clubs and more). I am thinking of either a 1.5 TSI Superb or Toyota Camry or an SUV like a hybrid Honda CR-V or a Toyota RAV4. I drive around 12,000km per year, mainly city with monthly 600km round trips. My budget is up to around €45k (without trade-in). I am open to alternatives. Any advice welcomed!
B.
Barry Moynihan (Dublin)Nov 2018 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Barry,
Well, much though we love the new Camry, it’s actually quite small in the boot department — just 445 litres — so that probably counts it out here. The CR-V Hybrid is also a little short on boot space (just 497 litres). The incoming new Toyota RAV4 should have a decent boot, but if it’s boot space you need (and seat comfort too) then the Skoda Superb is hard to beat. Plus it looks smart, it’s nice to drive and well made. A brilliant package, really.
Relevant review links below:
Stop-start issues with my 2014 VW Golf.
I have a 2014 Volkswagen Golf 1.6 TDI Bluemotion. The start-stop function doesn't work anymore. I keep getting an error just saying "error auto start stop". I was thinking maybe it's the battery that's low, but I'm not sure. I've read online that it should work in Eco mode, but I have yet to try it; was just wondering if you could give me some more information?
SILVESTER PINARI (SWORDS)Nov 2018 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Silvester,
We have got so many questions from readers about non-functioning stop-start systems (from all makes and models) that we put together this guide to help you get to the bottom of it:
Should we get a second EV for towing?
Hi, a question about a second car. What would be a good choice for a second car for travelling to work that does small mileage (10-20 miles) daily? Our main car is a Nissan Leaf, which we use for the majority of our driving. A car that can tow a small trailer would be ideal, something with low tax and running costs. Budget is about 6-7 thousand euro, with the intention of trading in the car in a few years time for a newer model. Have thought of buying another electric car, but not sure about having two electric cars in household until longer range cars are available or charging network improves.
Thank you for your help.
Barry
Barry Slye (Cork)Jun 2018 Filed under: electric cars
Expert answer
Hi Barry,
The problem with electric cars is that, generally, they’re not rated for towing (I think that the new Nissan Leaf is one of the first with a towing rating), so you’re probably going to have to switch back to petrol or diesel for this one. Probably your best bet is to go for something very conventional, such as VW Golf or Ford Focus, and maybe go for the estate version of one of those to give yourself a little extra versatility. A Toyota Auris Hybird would also work well, and would at least keep you going on half-electric power. Plenty of them around in your price range.
Will a Golf diesel with no DPF pass the NCT?
Will a Volkswagen Golf 1.6 TDI diesel pass the NCT test if the DPF has been removed?
George Irwin (Newtownards)Apr 2018 Filed under: NCT
Expert answer
Hi George,
Technically speaking, it should not, as, before a tester does the exhaust smoke test, they should, according to the NCT manual, check 'visually that the emission control system is complete and properly connected.' Saying that, it's unlikely that many testers will notice that the DPF is missing and, so long as the DPF warning light is not illuminated, there's no reason for them to be suspicious.
In short, it shouldn't pass and contravenes the law on emission of pollutants, but it is unlikely to be picked up by an NCT test centre.