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Hi Vivienne,

If you sold it yourself (and as ever, this is hugely dependent upon condition and history) you should get around €7,000 to €7,500 for it. As a trade-in, somewhere around the €6,500 mark.

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Hi Ben,

OK, first off, if it's a second car for short journeys and low mileages, go and track down a petrol model. That shouldn't be too hard if you're looking pre-2008, and it will save you from getting diesel particulate filter problems later.

Of the three, the Tuscon would probably be the most painless to own - it has a great reliability record and the 2.0-litre petrol version is decently frugal. Worth looking at a Kia Sportage of the same vintage too - it's mechanically identical and, to our eyes, slightly better looking.

I'd avoid the RAV4. That generation of RAV was very short on refinement and they tend to need clutch and flywheel replacements as the miles build up. Not a patch on the current, much more sophisticated RAV4.

The X-Trail is well worth a look too. You might struggle to track down the rare 2.0-litre petrol version, but it's worth doing so - it's more reliable than the diesel version and, as long as you go for the second-generation X-Trail, introduced in 2007, you're getting a massively spacious car that's surprisingly good to drive. Be picky though - it has to be that second-gen model, as the first X-Trail was a bit underwhelming. If you can't find a nice one, revert to the Tucson or Sportage.

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Hi Mandy,

I think first of all you need to talk to the Revenue Commissioners. There are complex and somewhat byzantine rules about what counts as a commercial vehicle and much of it depends on boot capacity. I'm not 100 per cent certain that the Santa Fe's boot is big enough to count. And if it is, you're going to lose two seats - the ones in the boot will have to be removed and panelled over for the car to count as a crew-cab commercial.

Incidentally, beware the use of commercial tax on a car. If you're not working in a job that would justify the use of a commercial, it's an offence to have your car taxed as one. So if you're a builder or a plumber, it's fine. If you're an accountant, or a software engineer, not so much...

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Hi Breda,

There is very, very little between the two - they're essentially identical under the skin and use the same engines and mechanical package. Of the two, I think I'd fractionally put the Kia ahead, simply because it's a better looking car to my eyes and it comes with a longer warranty. Worth noting though that both are due for replacement soon, so haggle hard to get a good discount if you're buying new.

Relevant reviews:

Kia Sportage review

Hyundai ix35 review

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Hi Eamon,

It depends on condition and history, of course, but probably as little as €1,000.

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Hi Angela,

I'm afraid Hyundai Ireland does not have the Montana listed as available at this present time.

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Hi Gerry,

OK, lots of options here. Seven-seat SUVs are the coming thing and Hyundai's Santa Fe is one of the best. Lots and lots around for that kind of money so be choosy and buy the most recent one you can, so as to make the most of that five-year warranty.

The rear seats are a little tight though, so maybe look at a Ford S-Max. Big, spacious and really good to drive, you'll probably get a good deal on a nearly-new one at the moment as there's an all-new version about the be launched.

Or you could go all-out and get a Land Rover Discovery, which is a wonderful car but don't say I didn't warn you when it comes to running costs, and you won't find a two-year old one for that money.

Relevant reviews:

Hyundai Santa Fe review

Ford S-Max review

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Hi Lisa,

Well, according to the official figures, you should get 39mpg, but I'd say in real-world conditions 30mpg is a more realistic target.

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Hi Tara,

Yes, absolutely. Only major problems seem to be iffy radios and infotainment systems, and a fuel economy readout that's a bare-faced liar, mostly because it's still set to US gallons, not imperial ones.

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Hi Damien,

If we're talking about second hand versions, I'd go for the Santa Fe - really nice car, sophisticated and smooth and very good to drive. If we're talking brand spanking new, go for the Sorento - one of the nicest, most roundly impressive cars I've driven for a good while.

Further reading:

Hyundai Santa Fe review (2013 model - still on sale in 2015)

Kia Sorento review (new model launched early 2015)

Kia Sorento review (2013 model)

Kia Sorento review (2010 model)