Expert answer

Hi Aine,

CLA for my money. The GLA is nice, and obviously a bit more practical, but it doesn't feel special enough to justify the price tag. 

The CLA on the other hand looks terrific and is really sweet to drive. The small diesel engine is fine - not the quickest ever or anything but it'll do and a realistic 65mpg will make up for any straight-line deficiencies.

One thing - make sure you spec the smallest wheels and the tyres with the deepest possible sidewalls. The CLA rides pretty hard and big wheels with low profile tyres make it really uncomfortable.

Further reading:

Review of the Mercedes-Benz CLA (on Irish roads)

Review of the Mercedes-Benz GLA (on Irish roads)

Expert answer

Hi Simon,

Both are excellent choices. In fact the RAV4 probably doesn't quite get the attention it deserves - it's good to drive, spacious and well made. Good value too. 

That said I think I'd go for the CR-V. The 1.6 i-DTEC front-drive model would probably be sufficient. It's very spacious, really comfy and good on economy too. There is a new four-wheel drive 1.6 160hp version on the way though, so it may be worth waiting until that arrives in the summer before you make a final decision.

Further reading:

Irish road test of the Toyota RAV4

Irish road test of the Honda CR-V 1.6 i-DTEC

Expert answer

Hi James,

Yup, very. No reported common faults as yet and almost all of them will still be under warranty even if something does crop up. A cracking little car.

You can read our road test of the latest Hyundai i10 here

Expert answer

Hi there,

Easy: Golf. Or Focus. They're both good. 

Need a little more? OK, the Golf (and I'm talking about the models currently on sale) is a touch more sophisticated and a little more spacious and if you're really nit picking then it has a better 1.6 diesel than the Focus.

It's also true to say that the Volkswagen 1.2 TSI petrol is a slightly better engine than Ford's 1.0-litre turbo EcoBoost, but here the gap is much narrower. 

The Focus has it won with dynamics though - even though the Golf is nice to drive there's just no beating the Focus' steering feel and response and its chassis balance. 

So, honest answer? Golf. Or Focus. They're both excellent.

Further reading:

First drive of the new Ford Focus

Irish road test of the current Volkswagen Golf

Expert answer

Hi Roman,

The Insignia is a thoroughly good car, and one that feels especially slick and pleasant to drive. The only common problems seem to be small electrical glitches (alarm systems especially) and leaky boot seals that let rain in.

We've never experienced any suspension problems with any Insignia we've driven, nor does it seem to be an issue amongst owners. Could you elaborate on your Passat problems? Could be a useful bit of info for our database...

Expert answer

Hi Tom,

It really does depend on what you mean by 'better'. The 1.5 has been around a long time so the 1.6 is more refined and more powerful, but the 1.5 is still more economical and emits less CO₂, so it's cheaper to tax. On top of all that the 1.5 is €1,500 cheaper. Our money would be on the old engine unless you value performance highly or you expect to do a lot of towing.

Further reading:

Irish road test of the current Nissan Qashqai 1.5 dCi

First drive of the 1.6-litre engine - in the old-shape Nissan Qashqai

Expert answer

Hi Debbie,

If you're importing it as a commercial vehicle (and it may well be that Revenue will ask for some proof of its future use before allowing you to do so) then it comes in under Category B, so it's a minimum of €125 VRT, or 13.3 per cent of the Open Market Selling Price, or OMSP.

How much that is can best be answered by me waving this piece of string around and asking you how long it is. I'd take a stab at around €8-900,  but honestly that's just a SWAG (Scientific Wild-Assed Guess). You won't know for sure until the car has been inspected. The wonderful certainties of the Irish vehicle taxation system...

If you're not importing it as a commercial, but as a private vehicle, then you're going to be paying more. The CO₂ emissions for the 2. 5D with 114hp were 186g/km, which puts the L200 into the ninth VRT band, which means you'll pay 30 per cent VRT. That should work out at about €1,500 or so, but again, that's a total finger-in-the-air guess and I can't offer you any more than that without taking the actual, physical car to Revenue myself for the valuation.

Best of luck with it

Expert answer

Hi Conor,

Hmmm. Tough one. I'd always be tempted by the younger car, and if it's the 1.6-litre diesel Passat then there's a good chance you'll never have to refill the tank - I once did Galway-Dublin-Glasgow-Dublin-Galway-Dublin on a single tank of juice in one.

That said, the Audi would be hugely tempting and while there's really no fundamental difference between the too (you are paying extra for the badge and not much else really) there's no denying the extra feel good factor of the A6.

All things being equal then, and assuming both cars come with and equally full service history, I'd be minded to treat yourself and go for the Audi. 

Further reading:

First Irish drive of the new Volkswagen Passat

Expert answer

Hi Mary,

Hmmm. Tough choice. Please note that the following is based purely on personal taste and other opinions are available. They're wrong, but they're available...

1. Honda CR-V: Not the glamorous choice but it's massively spacious, comfy, well made and frugal. Might be worth waiting for the new 150hp 1.6 diesel which arrives later this year - alongside a facelift.

2. Audi Q5: Super-slick, nice to drive and has a cracking 2.0 TDI diesel engine. 

3. Mitsubishi Outlander: Referring specifically to the PHEV plugin hybrid, it's the most cost-effective and practical way of going (partially) electric and it's hugely clever. 

4. Hyundai Santa Fe: Stylish, spacious and affordable plus it has a five-year warranty. Hard to beat, really. 

5. BMW X3: It's a sight better looking than the original X3 but it's still quite stiff-riding and it's not as nice to drive as the Q5.

6. Subaru Forester: Not pretty and it has a terrible cabin (all cheap plastics and ancient-looking displays) but it's probably the most ruggedly reliable car here and has genuine off-road ability. 

Further reading:

Road test of the Honda CR-V 1.6 i-DTEC

First Irish drive of the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

Road test of the Hyundai Santa Fe

Road test of the Subaru Forester

Expert answer

Hi Una,

If you had said the old-shape Note, then I'd say yes. It was always a nice car to drive, and both spacious and reliable too. If you mean the new one, then no - it just feels cheap and built down to a price. Not a nice car at all. However, if you fancy something Nissan-y for a bargain price, then I have good news. Nissan Ireland is currently offering up to €4,000 trade-in bonus on the new Pulsar. Now, it's perhaps not the most exciting car on the road, but it's comfy, roomy, well-built and well-equipped. Definitely worth a look.

Further reading:

First Irish drive of the Nissan Note

First drive of the Nissan Pulsar