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Showing 11 - 20 results (out of a total of 52) found for "Honda CR-V" in Ask Us Anything

Which SUV for up to €40,000?

Can you recommend a reliable economical SUV type car? I have a budget of €30-40 thousand, looking at an Audi Q5 or Q3. Is there any other car in that class and price bracket similar?

William Neale (Dublin)

Feb 2017 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi William,

Yes, the Q5 and the BMW X3 are both solidly reliable and good to drive, but if your budget is around the €40k mark, can I suggest instead shopping for a Honda CR-V or Kia Sorento? Not only would both of those be more reliable, long-term, than either of the German cars, for your budget you’ll also get a brand new one, and the 1.6 i-DTEC Honda is very economical. Some reviews for your consideration:

Audi Q5 review

Audi Q3 review

BMW X3 review

Honda CR-V review

Kia Sorento review


Which high-up SUV to go for?

Guys,

I am interested in buying a second hand SUV with a similar elevation to the Land Rover Freelander, but I am finding most SUVs are closer to saloon car height. Do you have any recommendations for SUVs similar to the Freelander?

Does it make more sense at this stage to wait until January when there will be a more plentiful supply and if so where is best place to get a short term rental for a couple of months?

Thanks

Conor Dowd (Enniskerry)

Nov 2016 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Conor,

The two best SUVs of similar elevation to the Freelander would be the Honda CR-V and the Nissan X-Trail. Both are excellent choices (and the X-Trail can be had with seven seats), but the Honda’s more spirited driving experience nudges it for us. Also worth looking at a Land Rover Discovery Sport (effectively the third-generation Freelander), although they’re pricier than the Honda or Nissan.

As for choosing a buying time, yes, if you wait until the end of January, depending on how new car sales go, there should be a few more trade-ins and the like cluttering up dealer lots so you might get a sharper deal. Any of the big car rental companies will set you up with a good deal on a long-term rent, and Enterprise is probably the best place to start.

Here are a few of our reviews to help you choose:

Honda CR-V review

Nissan X-Trail review

Land Rover Discovery Sport review


Ford Mondeo, Skoda Superb or Kia Optima?

Hi,

Looking to change car for 2017. Looking at Ford Mondeo Titanium+ five-door 1.5 TDCi diesel, a Skoda Superb +Business Pack 1.6 TDI or a Kia Optima SW (estate) EX 1.7D. I would like something very comfortable and practical (hence the Kia estate, which, to my eyes, does not look like a hearse! - but no other estates need apply), but also something that is very reliable - so something with a long warranty that I don't end up using because reliability issues is not what I'm looking for.

I do 25,000km per year, all 'extra urban' and I'm not a badge snob. Currently drive a Honda CR-V, but would like to go back to a D-segment car again. All the above are well specified as such - of the three what would be your opinion? Great web site!

Many thanks,

John

John Fleming (Killarney)

Nov 2016 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi John,

I think given the criteria you’ve given us it has to be the Kia. It’s good looking and nice to drive, roomy, comfy and well equipped and above all it has the longest warranty by far. The Ford is great looking and good to drive but the quality isn’t as good as it was on the last Mondeo and while we love the Skoda Superb, it sounds like the Kia would suit you better.

Here are our reviews to help you decide:

Ford Mondeo review

Skoda Superb review

Kia Optima SW review


Which comfortable new SUV should I go for?

Hi.

I'm looking at getting an SUV for medical reasons. I drive country roads 90 per cent of the time so I need something comfortable and reliable. I'm looking at the Range Rover Evoque and Audi Q5. Which one would you recommend? I also need to take running costs and servicing costs into account. As well as road tax etc. Or is there another one I should consider? I did test drive the Volvo XC60 but found it very heavy.

Thanks.

Marie G (Galway)

Nov 2016 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Marie,

If it's running costs that concern you, you should probably consider coming down in price and, a little, in size a bit. Both the Evoque and the Q5 are premium-badge SUVs and while neither is excessively thirsty, both will be expensive to run and service.

I'd suggest, instead, checking out a Honda CR-V - tonnes of space, hugely reliable, comfortable and with the 1.6 I-DTEC diesel engine and four-wheel drive, both frugal and ideal for country roads. Good to drive too.

Other good options are the Mazda CX-5, the Kia Sportage, Hyundai Santa Fe, Volkswagen Tiguan or Toyota RAV4. Here are our reviews to help you decide:

Range Rover Evoque review

Audi Q5 review

Honda CR-V review

Mazda CX-5 review

Kia Sportage review

Hyundai Santa Fe review

Volkswagen Tiguan review

Toyota RAV4 review


Which cars are best for comfort?

Hi,

Can you tell me which SUVs offer a driver's/seating position most like a standard car's? My wife and I currently both use her Opel Zafira and I find the seating position very upright and uncomfortable as the seats will not move back far enough. Effectively it means I have to lift my feet completely to operate the pedals instead of just pivoting on my heels as with a more reclined position. I have recently had a hip replaced and the other one is painful if I drive any reasonable distance.

We test drove a secondhand C-Class Estate and I wanted to buy it but she finds the seating position very cramped (in particular did not like the large console between the seats). We sat in a Honda CR-V after and she much preferred the space and lack of clutter between the seats but I found the seating position uncomfortable. Essentially we are looking for something that has the high ceiling, big windscreen and lack of clutter of most SUVs/MPVs,  but with a seating position that gives good enough leg room for somebody over six-foot like me to pivot my feet on my heels rather than having to lift them to operate the pedals. Maybe we need two cars, which is a waste given we are city dwellers and do very small annual mileage between us.

Thanks

Kevin

Kevin McCormack (Dublin 8)

Apr 2016 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Kevin,

That’s almost an impossible question for me to answer I’m afraid as, as you’ve pointed out, a car that many might consider comfortable and pleasant (the Honda CR-V) is uncomfortable for you. Mind you, you’re right about the C-Class Estate being small inside – it was never the biggest car around.

The best I can suggest is the cars I find the most comfortable, which have a slightly elevated SUV-style driving position. In that I can recommend the Skoda Yeti and Volkswagen Tiguan, the Nissan Qashqai (especially the current model) and the Volvo XC60. A Volvo may actually be the best car overall for you (even a lower-slung one) as the Swedes tend to have the best seats and the comfiest driving positions, but I’m afraid, given your every specific requirements, there’s going to be no alternative to getting out there and seeing what fits you comfortably.


What do you think of the new Toyota RAV4?

What do you think of the new RAV4 from Toyota (the diesel) and what about alternatives?

Thanks

Martin Smythe (Roscommon )

Mar 2016 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Martin,

 

A really impressive car, although it is looking a touch expensive compared to the likes of the Hyundai Santa Fe or Ford Kuga now. It's good to drive, with surprisingly sharp steering and lots of space in the back, plus the promise of rugged Toyota reliability. The Hybrid version is perhaps not as satisfying as the diesel (and is even more expensive again), but is perhaps worth considering if you live and do most of your driving in town. Rivals worth considering are the aforementioned Ford and Hyundai, and also Honda, both HR-V and CR-V, and the Mazda CX-5.

I've added links to our reviews of all these cars above so hopefully that's of help.


Secondhand Honda CR-V or Nissan X-Trail?

I am looking for a reliable, spacious secondhand SUV that won't cost me the earth to run. I have a budget of €9,000 - €10,000. Will be used privately most of the time (12,000 miles per year, two kids and a dog), but need it for off road on a farm/laneways for cutting down trees and towing a trailer full of firewood every couple of weeks.

I am undecided between a 2008 Honda CR-V 2.2d AWD or a 2008 Nissan X-Trail 2.0d 4wd. I like the space in the X-trail but would the Honda give me less trouble? Also I see that the X-Trail comes in 150 and 175hp guises. What would best suit my needs and would there be much of a difference in running cost/fuel economy?

Any advice would be grateful!

K C (Cork)

Sep 2015 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Keith,

Both are excellent cars and the 175hp X-Trail's extra grunt could be very useful when hauling trees and trailers. That said, the Honda is still plenty grunty and a bit more plush inside than the Nissan. Actually this is a hard one to choose - I know from personal experience that the Honda is close to indestructible, but I also happen to think that the X-Trail is a really underrated car.

Coin toss so - go for the Honda.


How much should I expect as a trade in for my 2008 Honda CR-V?

How much should I expect as a trade in for my 2008 Honda CR-V commercial (110,000km)?

Patrick Coghlan (Carrick-on-Suir)

Aug 2015 Filed under: commercial vehicle

Expert answer

Hi Patrick,

I'd say probably in the region of €8,000.


How does the new Toyota RAV4 compare to the new Honda CR-V?

Hi! What is my 2011 Skoda Octavia 2.0 TDI with 103,000 kilometres on the clock, worth? And how does the new Toyota RAV4 compare to the new Honda CR-V?

Thank you

Joe. Limerick

Joe Franklin (Limerick)

Jul 2015 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Joe,

I'd say your Octavia is worth in and around €12,000. The RAV4 and the CR-V are not really direct rivals although there is some crossover of their price points.

The RAV4 is very nice, well made, decent to drive and very spacious, but the more expensive CR-V looks and feels appropriately more sophisticated. 

Relevant reviews:

2015 Honda CR-V review (AWD)

Toyota RAV4 review

Honda CR-V review (front-wheel drive)


Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake or Nissan X-Trail?

Trying to decide between new Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake and new Nissan X-Trail diesel. What would you go for? Or are there any new cars coming next Jan that could compete? Budget max €38,000.

Caroline Conroy (Limerick)

May 2015 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Caroline,

Wow, you really couldn't get two more different cars. The CLA Shooting Brake is a really nice car, probably the best of the A-Class spin offs and very nice to drive. But it's not especially practical, so if that's what you're looking for then it's not the right car. 

The current X-Trail is a very good car, with lots of space. It's well made and nice to drive, but if you're shopping in and around the €38k mark have a really good look at a Kia Sorento or Honda CR-V - those are the two joint best mid-size SUVs around at the moment for my money. 

Worth looking at a spacious estate too. Mazda's just-updated 6 is utterly lovely and well-specced and the Mondeo Estate and Passat Estate are both well worth a look too.

Relevant reviews:

Nissan X-Trail review

Kia Sorento review

Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake review

Honda CR-V review


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