Expert answer

Hi Niall,

There are two answers to this question. There's the right answer and then there's the answer that you can afford. The correct answer is the Land Rover Discovery; still the only car we've driven that can climb Everest yet carry seven fully grown adults in luxury car comfort. Trouble is, they're expensive as heck to buy and run. 

So, assuming you need the sixth and seventh seats for only occasional, child-transporting duties, there's the Hyundai Santa Fe. It's big, comfy, surprisingly good to drive and with excellent reliability. Circa €8k should get you into a 2006 model.

How does that sound?

Expert answer

Hi Lisa,

It depends on how the conversion was done originally to turn it from a passenger car into a commercial, but to be honest, we wouldn’t recommend it. Removing and then replacing things like rear seat mounts, seatbelt points etc, not to mention cutting out the floor of the rear of the car to get at the structure, just seems to be asking for possible safety trouble.

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Hi David,

Lots. If you’re buying new, you can easily get into such models as a Volkswagen up!, Skoda Citigo, SEAT Mii, Hyundai i10, Kia Picanto, Fiat Panda, Fiat 500, Ford Ka+, Suzuki Celerio and many more . If you’re buying used, it all depends on what you want and how old a car you feel like buying. Could be anything from a Dacia to a Mercedes.

Come back to us if you want us to go into detail in one area.

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Hi Brian,

For all the 2.0 CRDi diesel variants, whether it's 2WD or 4WD, the change interval is 120,000 kilometres or every eight years, whichever comes first. For the 2.0-litre petrol model it's 90,000km or six years, as is the ultra-rare 2.7-litre petrl version.

Expert answer

Hi Patrick,

Before looking at the logical stuff, we'd say the Kia Sportage. We prefer how it looks and drives.

There's virtually no difference in price at the entry-level to both ranges. They're both powered by the same 1.7-litre turbodiesel engine, have front-wheel drive and emit 139g/km for €280/year road tax. Both Kia and Hyundai offer a range of trim levels and they're both quite well equipped really.

Kia's cheapest four-wheel drive version is a little cheaper than the equivalent Hyundai (both powered by a 2.0-litre diesel engine) and both are available with an automatic gearbox - though the ix35's is cheaper.

Other than all that, Kia's seven-year warranty covers up to 150,000 kilometres of driving and comes with European roadside assistance for three years. Hyundai's 'Triple Care Plan' is only for five years, but the mileage is unlimited. It includes roadside assistance and vehicle health checks.

So in summary there's little to separate these cars on paper. With your budget in mind it's worth delving deeper into what you'll get for your money in each model, but really it probably comes down to individual choice. And for us the Kia Sportage is the way to go.

Let us know what you decide upon.

Expert answer

Hi Teresa,

A 2008 Kia Sportage, with the 2.0 CRDi diesel engine, had official fuel consumption of 7.1 litres per 100km, or 39mpg. We’d expect one, now, to get around 30-35mpg in daily driving. As for choosing one over a Hyundai Tucson, well mechanically they’re identical, but we always slightly preferred the cleaner styling of that generation of Sportage. 

Expert answer

Hi Martina,

At that budget your main choices, sticking with diesel for fuel economy reasons, are the Hyundai ix35, Kia Sportage, Mitsubishi ASX, Opel Mokka and Skoda Yeti.

We're assuming you don't need four-wheel drive (correct me if I'm wrong), as the front-wheel drive versions of each car are always the most economical.

Here's the most economical version of each:

- Hyundai ix35 1.7 diesel 2WD: 5.3 litres/100km (53.3mpg): from €26,495

- Kia Sportage 1.7 diesel 2WD: 5.3 litres/100km (53.3mpg): from €26,590

- Mitsubishi ASX 1.8 diesel: 5.7 litres/100km (49.6mpg): from €25,950

- Opel Mokka 1.7 diesel 2WD: 4.7 litres/100km (60.1mpg): from €24,695

- Skoda Yeti 1.6 TDI Greenline: 4.6 litres/100km (61.4mpg): from €25,320

We've left out smaller options as you specifically asked for mid-size.

The Skoda Yeti turns out to be the most economical of that lot and for us it would be between that and the Kia Sportage.

Best thing to do is go and test drive as many alternatives as you like the look of as it will come down to personal preference.

Let us know how you get on and come back to us if you need anything else.

Expert answer

Hi Brendan,

We didn't find it lacking. The saloon offered here has just 115hp in manual guise, but it has 260Nm of torque from as low as 1,250rpm so it doesn't feel particularly slow. The automatic model produces 136hp.

Best thing to do is go get a test drive to make up your own mind.

Let us know how you get on

Expert answer

Hi Teresa,

The Tucson is a reliable car in general, if low on refinement. Make sure it has been serviced according to the manufacturer's schedule though.

We've not heard of any widespread clutch problems with these cars, but make sure you test any car you're interested in for as long as possible.

If you'd like help looking at a specific car please do get in touch.

Expert answer

Hi Moss,

We've scoured Carzone.ie with your budget and needs in mind. There are loads of diesel SUVs available at that price, though we've shortlisted the ones here we reckon would do the job for you:

- BMW X3 - economical, though you're looking at an older one at this price

- Honda CR-V - great option if you can find a good one

- Hyundai Tucson - plenty around, though not as 'nice' as premium models

- Mitsubishi Outlander - with Volkswagen's 2.0 TDI engine - good bet

- Nissan Qashqai - great all-rounder, though possibly not quite SUV-like for your tastes

- Peugeot 4008 - stylish, good diesel engine, should be able to afford post-2008 car

- Toyota RAV4 - safe bet, though will be pre-2008 on your budget

If you'd like us to help narrow down your search feel free to come back to us.