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Electric Opel Grandland or Renault Scenic?

Can you compare the electric Opel Grandland with the Renault Scenic E-Tech for me please?

Kevin Mac Gowan (Templeogue)

Mar 2025 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Kevin,

Looking at the facts first of all, the Grandland Electric and Scenic E-Tech electric start at roughly the same asking price, below €40,000 once all incentives are taken into consideration. However, for that price, the Grandland gets a 73kWh battery pack and an official range of up to 523 kilometres, while the Scenic's 60kWh battery means a range of 430km. The Grandland is more powerful as well, featuring a 213hp motor while a 170hp motor comes with the Scenic's smaller battery.

Nonetheless, that Scenic is a massive 300kg lighter than the Opel so it's actually faster accelerating, better to drive and a little more efficient.

The Scenic can be had with an 87kWh battery to extend the range to an official 625km, though that's more expensive again. On a three-year finance package that may not be an issue of course.

The Scenic is a bit smaller overall, with a length 200mm shy of the Grandland's, but it seems to be better packaged, as the interior is just as spacious and the boot, at 535 litres, is only 15 litres down on the Opel's. The better packaging is likely to do with the fact the Grandland underpinnings were developed to accept engines as well an electric powertrain, while the Scenic is only offered as an EV.

Both feel of good quality inside, though we much rather the infotainment and dashboard layout of the Renault. On the road, we also prefer how the Scenic drives.

Hopefully all that is of help, but don't hesitate to come back to us if you need more.

The best advice we can give you is to go and test drive the cars before you make any decision.


What to replace my SEAT Ateca with?

Hi guys,

I'd like your advice please on what to change my SEAT Ateca for or stick like for like (it's a lovely drive).

I live in north Donegal so very windy roads but now spend three out of four weeks in Louth caring for my father who's had a stroke, So wheelchair and Zimmer frame space is needed. I already have heated front seats in mine, that's a must, plus I mind my grandnephew and there's a new baby on the way so it needs to be easy to fit a car seat also.

Because Donegal is so hilly I need a good bit of power. I was thinking automatic for the longer drives but honestly don't mind manual. I'm also used to diesel, I'd like rear parking assistance, Bluetooth, anti-collision detection if possible.

So many to choose from my brain is addled, I've a 172 Ateca at the moment so want to go 2021+ and my maximum budget is €16,000 plus whatever I get for my car as a trade-in.

Any advice would be great thank you

Lorraine Rath (Gweedore)

Mar 2025 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Lorraine,

There really is a lot of choice out there, but we will try to help you narrow things down.

With your car as a trade-in, and the €16,000 budget on top, we'll look for cars up to about €27,000.

First up, narrowing the search to automatic SUVs post-2021 really limits your options to the Nissan Qashqai, which isn't very powerful, the Peugeot 3008 (which is quite rare) or the Skoda Karoq and Volkswagen Tiguan. The latter two are potentially worth a look as they're built on much the same underpinnings as your Ateca and their 2.0 TDI engines have plenty of go. There aren't many of them about with automatic gearboxes though.

Removing the constraint on that opens up the options considerably and one car that stands out for us right away is the Mazda CX-5. It's perhaps not as common as some others, but it's great to drive in particular and it should tick all your other boxes. Try to get hold of one to test drive for yourself.

A newer Ateca is of course an option, and we're big fans of the SEAT, but all the newer ones we found haven't a very powerful engine.

The Peugeot 3008 is another car we like and would encourage you to try it out for size. There are plenty of them about with a manual gearbox.

All of these should have the niceties you're looking for as well.

Come back to us if you need help narrowing your search further, or if you want our opinions on any other alternative to the above.


Which used diesel SUV to replace my Qashqai?

Hello,

I have €30,000 (no trade in), looking for some advice please. I have had two Nissan Qashqais and really liked them but now they don't come in diesel after March 2021. So, I am trying to decide on an SUV roughly that size, diesel, automatic, 2022/2023. I’m not completely stuck on automatic.

 It’s mind blowing trying to figure out which to go for.

Any advice much appreciated.

Ger (Leitrim )

Feb 2025 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Ger,

If you’re sticking with automatic, then your choices are very limited. We found only the Opel Grandland and SsangYong Korando, neither of which we’d be huge fans of.

Here are the manual models we found that otherwise fit the brief:

Cupra Formentor: We really like this car as it looks great, and it drives well. You might find it a little too low down for your liking as it’s not as tall an SUV as the Qashqai, but worth a look.

Dacia Duster: Not quite as solid as the Qashqai perhaps, but it’s very comfortable and you’d get more for your money - you could get a 2024 version for example.

Ford Kuga: A comfortable and well-built option. Plenty of them about.

Hyundai Tucson: Very spacious inside and in the boot. Loads of them around as it has been the best-seller for so long. Despite that it still looks interesting outside. Good reliability. Strong reputation shown by the fact that you’d probably only afford a 2022 example with your budget.

Kia Sportage: Identical to the Tucson under the skin so it just comes down to which of the two you prefer the look of. Though the Kia has a longer warranty in terms of time if mileage is low.

Mazda CX-5: Fantastic to drive and feels like a premium car in comparison to most others here. Might cost a little more to run and they’re not very plentiful on the used market.

Peugeot 3008: A stylish replacement for the Qashqai. Solid car. Double-check you can get on with the cabin layout.

SEAT Ateca: Once one of our favourite cars of this size, though it is getting on in years now. Might not feel as modern as some cars on this list, but is still well made, comfortable and spacious.

That’s still quite a long list, admittedly, but hopefully it helps you drill things down to a shortlist. We have our own preferences, and you will, too.

Feel free to come back to us if you want further help of course.


Trade-in value of my BMW X1?

I have a 171 BMW X1 18d xLine manual, with about 90k on the clock. It’s in good condition, no known faults/issues, full main dealer BMW service history, sunroof and metallic paint. If I was to trade in with the same dealer I bought it from and service it with, against a BMW i4, what trade in value should I be aiming for?

Martin Moroney (Dublin)

Mar 2022 Filed under: used car values

Expert answer

Hi Martin,

That's trickier than ever to predict right now as prices of used cars have gone through the roof. A dealer would likely try to sell that car for around the €29,000 mark, which means they'd offer you a few grand less as a trade-in. 

Do yourself a big favour though: get offers from several different dealers, as the price will vary.

Let us know how you get on so we can pass the knowledge onto other readers.

The BMW i4 is a great choice by the way!


Why differences in Suzuki tax prices?

I have a Suzuki Grand Vitara 1.9 DDiS with a DPF filter from 2009 and the motor tax is €1,250, while the 2010 Suzuki Grand Vitara 1.9 DDiS tax is €750. Why, because both are NEPC qualified? They have the same engines. I also found the same 2009 DDiS model on DoneDeal, but registered in a different county and the tax was €750. Where are the differences in prices and qualification from?

Yours sincerely,

Robert

Robert Gambin (Ennis)

Nov 2021 Filed under: taxation

Expert answer

Hi Robert,

The €1,250 rate is for cars registered in Ireland before 1 January 2021, with CO2 emissions of 191-225g/km. 

The €750 rate has been upped to €790, but it applies to cars registered in Ireland before 1 January 2021, with CO2 emissions of 171-190g/km. 

So there appears to be a reason that your car is in the higher bracket. Larger wheels can do that, or maybe it's the difference between the weights of the three- and five-door body styles.


Is the VW Grand California in America?

Hi,

I would like to know if the Volkswagen Grand California van is available now in America? I’m looking for this type of camper. It has everything I need and it’s very compact, not huge like most RV campers, this is about the size of a conversion van or little bit bigger. Also, can I get this camper in the State of Georgia?

Please get back to me.

Thank you, John

John Blane (Valdosta, Ga. )

Mar 2021 Filed under: commercial vehicle

Expert answer

Hi John,

Bad news, I'm afraid: the Grand California is not for sale in the States at all. You can tease yourself and find out more about it in our review.


How much is the VW Grand California?

Will the Grand California ever be available in California? How much do they go for?

Thanks!

Robert

Robert Young (Sonoma)

Dec 2020 Filed under: commercial vehicle

Expert answer

Hi Robert,

We don't believe there are any plans to officially sell the Grand California in the USA anywhere. Here in Ireland it costs from €79,920.

Read our Volkswagen Grand California review here


I have €4,000 to buy my first car...

Hi,

I'm a student from Dublin looking to buy my first car. Budget is small, around €4,000. Obviously a small engine will be cheaper insurance-wise and grand for driving in Dublin, but I would be driving to Ennis and back once or twice a month (500km ish). Is a 1.0-litre too small,? Should iIlook for something bigger?

Mark Boyle (Sonoma)

Dec 2020 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Mark,

OK, we’ve found a few cars that meet both your budget and your small engine requirement, and can pretty easily handle the hack to Ennis and back.

All small car searches should start with a Fiat 500 — looks cool, is fun to drive, costs buttons to run and no they’re not unreliable.

Want something a bit more conventional? You should be able to track down a 2009-ish Ford Fiesta with the 1.25 engine. Terrific all-rounder.

If you want something cheaper to run, there’s the Kia Picanto (circa 2010),  which has a peppy enough 1.0 to be able to cope with the Ennis run.

Or finally a Toyota Yaris, with that brilliant 1.0 VVTi engine, would make a hugely sensible choice, but you’ll have to go for an older one to stay on budget — 2008 or thereabouts. 


Will Budget 2021 reduce Tesla Model 3 price?

Will the budget VRT reduce the price of the Model 3 Tesla?

Bill O Riordan (Cork)

Oct 2020 Filed under: VRT

Expert answer

Hi Bill,

No, we don't think it will. That has yet to be confirmed, but it looks like the dropping of the VRT rebate will not be offset by the reduction in VRT rate (from 14.0 to 7.0 per cent), so it could be a few grand more expensive.


Tax cost for 2007 Suzuki Grand Vitara?

What is the annual motor tax for a 2007 Suzuki Grand Vitara 2.0 Automatic?

Many thanks.

Michael

Michael Ruddy (Cootehill )

Sep 2020 Filed under: taxation

Expert answer

Hi Michael,

The engine size is 1,995cc, so it sits in the 1,901cc to 2,000cc band, currently costing €710 per annum.


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