Can I fit a child seat in the third row?
Hi,
We have a 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe. We are unable to install the three car seats we have in the middle row so are wondering if it is safe to install a convertible forward facing child car seat in the third row using the seatbelt? I know it might not be illegal but is it safe?
Thanks
Martin Healy (Dublin)Aug 2020 Filed under: child or baby seats
Expert answer
Hi Martin,
It will be safe in terms of the seatbelt mounting etc. The only thing to consider is that there is less room between the back of the car and the child in the case of a rear-end crash, but that's the case for nearly all seven-seat cars in fairness.
Three child seats into a Hyundai Tucson?
Hi,
Just wondering is it possible to fit three car seats in a Hyundai Tucson and if so what make car seats please?
Thank you
Laura Sinnott (Waterford )Jul 2020 Filed under: child or baby seats
Expert answer
Hi Laura,
It'll be difficult to get three child car seats into the back of a Tucson I'm afraid, as the rear seat just isn't wide enough. There may be particularly slim child seats out there that make it possible, but even so, our experience is that it's not an ideal set-up. Recommending specific child seats is outside our remit I'm afraid, as we don't habitually test various models of seat.
Will a Hyundai warranty cover my UK import?
Hi,
I have a UK-imported Hyundai i30 with the wheel bearings gone; does the warranty cover this?
Mark Mc Keever (Dublin)Jul 2020 Filed under: warranty
Expert answer
Hi Mark,
It's best that you talk to a Hyundai dealer about this, but we believe that a wheel bearing may not be covered unless the car is very new.
Looking for a small SUV for my business...
Hi there,
I was thinking of buying a commercial vehicle for work. I am a physiotherapist and do a lot of work outside my clinic premises (football games, home visits, nursing home etc). Are there any commercial vehicles that I could consider? I am not sure I want a pickup, but more a commercial SUV type.
Thanks in advance
Ruth Allen (Dublin)Jul 2020 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Expert answer
Hi Ruth,
There are lots of good choices for commercial SUVs. If you wanted something really swish, you could go for a Land Rover Discovery Commercial, but it’s a bit pricey. Smaller and more affordable is the Nissan Qashqai van, which is also pretty decent to drive. There’s also the Hyundai Kona Commercial, or if you’re feeling really futuristic, the Kona Commercial Electric. But actually, to be honest, your best bet might be to just buy a compact crossover, most of which are already pretty affordable, spacious (if you fold the back seats down) and which mostly have lower annual motor tax than the flat-rate €333 commercial van tax anyway. We’d suggest starting your shopping list with either the new Ford Puma or, if you’re really looking for bargains, the Dacia Duster. Some of our reviews to help you choose:
Does my Hyundai i40 have a timing belt?
Recently purchased a 2012 Hyundai i40 CRDi 136 and trying to find out when the timing belt has to be changed. According to a main dealer the car only ever came with a chain. Any information would be great.
Craig Daisley (Coatbridge)Jun 2020 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Craig,
The main dealer was telling the truth: the 1.7-litre CRDi engine uses a timing chain, not a belt.
How much to pay for 2018 Hyundai i10?
Hyundai i10 2018, 30,000 miles: what’s a fair price to pay?
Kathleen Dermody (Galway)Jun 2020 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Kathleen,
Mid-market values for a 2018 Hyundia i10 seem to be holding up surprisingly well — in the €10,000-11,000 range. The cheapest go for around €9,000, but they seem to be ex-rental cars. It will depend on service history and condition, of course.
Looking for used electric or hybrid SUV...
Hi,
I am in the market for second hand car and would like to buy a small hybrid or electric SUV; what would you suggest? I am very confused as there are so many different cars out there now. I have been looking at the CH-R and Kona Electric, but think they are overpriced. Do you think now is a good time to buy or should I wait?
Catherine, Dublin
CATHERINE OCONNOR (DALKEY)Jun 2020 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Catherine,
Now is a good time to buy a hybrid, that’s for certain, but given that the Toyota C-HR and Hyundai Kona are among the very few hybrid crossovers currently on sale, you may struggle a little to find choice beyond those two models. It could be well worth looking at a Toyota Corolla or Auris hatchback or estate instead — they’re more practical, in any case, and there’s very little actual difference in height. Alternatively, there’s the Kia Niro hybrid, which was on sale from 2017. Prices for early Niros are now down to around €20,000, and they’ll still be under warranty until 2024.
What to replace by Octavia RS TDI with?
Hi, I'm doing approx. 30,000km per year. I have a 2016 Octavia RS 2.0-litre TDI 184hp at the moment and am going to change over the next few months - pandemic allowing etc! What would you recommend? Are hybrids worth looking at for example?
Mark McNally (Galway)May 2020 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Mark,
If you’re prepared to wait a bit, there is an all-new Octavia RS coming, which will be available as a plug-in hybrid with 245hp. Now, it will depend on how you rack up those 30,000km as to whether a plug-in hybrid would suit you — if it’s all motorway miles then probably not, but if you do a lot of short-hauls around town, and can charge at home, then it could be ideal.
There’s also the diesel version of the new Ford Focus ST to consider, the new Golf GTI and SEAT Leon Cupra (all sharing their bits and pieces with the Octavia, of course), or what about a Hyundai i30 N — one of our favourite hot hatches? A few reviews to help you decide:
Ford Galaxy or Hyundai Santa Fe?
Ford Galaxy or Hyundai Santa Fe? I have not been able to do test drives yet, but would appreciate your view as well. I need something to drive in the city as well as for family trips (kids are 4, 10, 12 and 14). I know kids would be happiest with a V-Class, but I need something for daily commute as well. Am trying to find the right type of car. SUVs are not large enough, MPVs seem a bit big and not as fun to drive (or perhaps not), while vans are only suitable for longer trips, I think.
Thank you.
Emir Cehajic (Sarajevo)May 2020 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Emir,
You’re quite right — with kids of those ages, most seven-seat SUVs simply aren’t roomy enough, unless you go for something genuinely massive and expensive, such as a Land Rover Discovery. So, I’d say the Ford Galaxy is indeed your best choice — lots of space, seven proper seats for seven proper people and it's good to drive too. Other options well worth looking at are the VW Sharan and SEAT Alhambra, and — if you can afford the running costs — the old Mercedes R-Class.
I want satnav in my Hyundai i40...
Hi ,
I would like to replace a standard radio in a 2013 Hyundai i40 with a standard 2013 Hyundai i40 satnav unit. Will this be a case of just plugging in the new satnav unit or will I require additional cables etc?
Thanks in advance for your help.
Ciaran Kelly (Sarajevo)Apr 2020 Filed under: satellite navigation
Expert answer
Hi Ciaran,
If the i40 did not have satnav from the factory then it will not have a GPS antenna, so you'll have to obtain one of those and wire it in as well, I'm afraid.