Expert answer

Hi Patrick,

It makes a lot of sense for the money. It does everything that the likes of an entry-level Nissan Qashqai or Skoda Yeti does but for a way lower price. For its basic price you could only afford a three- to four-year old Qashqai for instance.

However, it isn't as impressive in terms of ambience as the established makers' cars. Neither is it as polished on the road.

Nevertheless, its running costs are low, equipment levels generous and of course it comes with a new car warranty...

Read Paul's first drive here for more, but if you have any specific questions please do come back to us.

Expert answer

Hi Alan,

We spoke to Nissan Ireland today and it was confirmed that the 1.6 dCi engine is currently only available with four-wheel drive. It does plan to sell the front-wheel drive only model, but could not give us pricing or even a launch date. We'll be told more at the end of this year.

Keep an eye on our site for news on that.

Expert answer

Hi Sinead,

Before tackling the diesel issue, the Nissan Qashqai is a fine car. It's a little bigger than the Golf and feels it because of the higher driving position and larger boot. In general it has proved to be a reliable car with only a few minor issues cropping up.

The 1.5 dCi diesel is a good choice of engine, though if you really do stick to Dublin and its environs it may be worth considering the cheaper 1.6-litre petrol instead. It's a shame Nissan doesn't currently have a smaller capacity turbocharged alternative, as that would be a great option. The diesel car will be more economical for sure.

Hope that helps.

Expert answer

Hi Aidan,

Without knowing your budget and what your needs with regards to towing etc. are it's difficult to give a precise answer, but as a starting point, and in alphabetical order:

None of Audi's Q models are really suited to heavy off-road work, though the Q5 and Q7 are fine towing machines. Not that you'll find a Q7 with a manual gearbox.

Same story with BMW's X models. Fine for towing. You'll have to seek out an older X5 if you want a manual transmission though.

Citroen C-Crosser, Ford Kuga, Honda CR-V, Hyundai ix35: fine road cars.

Hyundai Santa Fe: depending on age and spec can be quite good off-road and as a tow car.

Hyundai Terracan: horrible beast of a thing, but it is big...

Hyundai Tucson: more car-like than most 4x4s.

Isuzu Trooper: hard as nails, durable workhorse.

Jeep Cherokee: good workhorse, but raucous on the road.

Jeep Compass: really not that great on the road despite its 'crossover' image.

Jeep Grand Cherokee: surprisingly good depending on age.

Jeep Patriot: a Compass with more upright bodywork...

Jeep Wrangler: tough, great off-road, but not so good on it.

Kia Sorento: first generation a tough tow car; latest more road-biased.

Kia Sportage: fine road car - especially the latest one.

Land Rover Defender: same comments as Jeep Wrangler above.

Land Rover Discovery: one of the very best all-rounders - newer versions way better.

Land Rover Freelander: good mix of on-road behaviour with all-road ability, but others at price better.

Range Rover line-up: luxurious regular model not bad off-road, Sport great to drive on-road and Evoque not really a 4x4 despite the badge.

Mazda CX-5: new SUV in the crossover mould - lovely on the road, where it should stay.

Mercedes-Benz M-Class: see BMW X5 comments.

Mitsubishi ASX/Outlander: very much road cars.

Mitsubishi L200/Pajero/Shogun: durable, strong, tough, but also rough and unrefined - proper 4x4 system though.

Nissan Navara/Pathfinder: see L200 etc. above...

Nissan Qashqai: a road car, even in 4x4 guise.

Nissan Terrano: old-school 4x4.

Nissan X-Trail: pretty good mix of attributes.

Opel Antara: road car - and not a good one.

Peugeot 4007, Renault Koleos, Skoda Yeti: just road cars.

SsangYong Actyon/Kyron/Rexton: rough and ready tow machines.

Subaru Forester: more a road car, though later one pretty good.

Subaru Outback/XV: road cars - nice ones.

Suzuki Grand Vitara: not bad as an all-rounder - relatively cheap and cheerful.

Suzuki SX4: car with 4x4 mechanicals.

Toyota Hilux/Land Cruiser: enviable reputation for toughness and reliability, though not very civilised.

Toyota RAV4: good road car, ok tow car.

Volkswagen Amarok: good all-rounder, though just a pick-up.

Volkswagen Tiguan: lovely road car, but most models so-so off-road.

Volkswagen Touareg: high quality car that's a good all-rounder.

Volvo XC60/XC90: good road cars - not for off-road.

So come back to us with more details and we'll talk you through a purchase.

Expert answer

Hi Peter,

It looks like nobody working with CompleteCar has driven this combination. The CVT is only offered with a 1.6-litre petrol engine in Ireland and our experience of any CVT gearbox with any petrol engine is not good. It is smooth, as there are no gear changes as such, but engine revs don't often correspond to forward motion, so it often feels that the engine is revving unnecessarily. CVT works well enough with diesel, but not with petrol engines.

Saying all that, you really should try it for yourself before discounting it completely.

Hope that helps.

Expert answer

Hi Noel,

There's a lot of choice out there within those restrictions and you've not given us your budget, so we'll give you a list of the cars we think are worth looking at to start with and you can come back to us if you'd like help narrowing the search:

1. Ford Focus 1.6 TDCi
2. Hyundai i30 1.6 diesel
3. Kia cee'd 1.6 diesel
4. Mazda3 1.6 diesel
5. Nissan Note 1.5 diesel
6. Nissan Qashqai 1.5 diesel
7. Peugeot 207 1.4 HDi
8. Peugeot 308 1.6 HDi
9. Toyota Auris 1.4 D4-D

The Volkswagen Polo and Golf and the Skoda Octavia are other considerations, though the 1.6 TDI engine was not introduced until 2010.

Let us know what you think

Expert answer

Hi Barry,

Thanks for confirming via email that the total budget including trade-in is about €15,000.

One car that immediately comes to mind is the Honda Jazz. They're utterly reliable, easy to drive and park and are available with a decent enough CVT (continuously variable transmission) automatic gearbox. Here's an example on Carzone.ie. Emissions are in Band B so annual road tax is €225. The seating position is more upright in the Jazz than in most small cars so it's easier to get in and out of.

Another option is the Nissan Note. The automatic version's engine is 1.6-litre in size so emissions are higher, putting it into Band D for tax - costing €481 per annum. Otherwise it compares well with the Jazz, with easy access and good reliability in a compact package. Here's an example on Carzone.ie.

The Nissan Qashqai may also fit the bill, though it's a larger car overall, which I suspect is not what you're looking for.

If you need help narrowing the search down further come back to us - and let us know what you go for.

Expert answer

Hi Damien,

Personally I'd have the 1.5-litre diesel version. It drives well and returns good economy. If you don't do a lot of miles the 1.6-litre petrol model might still be worth taking a look at, especially if you get a good deal on it.

The Qashqai received a mid-life facelift in 2010, and it's worth getting the updated car if your budget stretches to it. Along with a mildly restyled face the interior got a few useful changes. You'll find both the old and new car were sold in 2010 though so make sure you know what you're looking at.

Good alternatives (depending on your budget of course) include the current shape Kia Sportage and the Skoda Yeti and the Peugeot 3008.

Hope that helps.

Expert answer

Hi Joe,

On the face of it this is a great deal for sure - especially if you do not plan on doing excessive mileage. The terms and conditions (see here for the document) seem reasonable enough. One thing you have to realise though is that you're giving up any potential discount on the new car. Essentially you're offsetting that against a year of depreciation.

In your position I'd first of all go into a Nissan dealer and get the best deal on trading in your car against a new Qashqai as normal. Only ask about the Twice is Nice Deal after you have a price to compare with.

Please note that some dealers may have elected to have a limited quota of cars to sell on the Twice is Nice Deal as well so you may not get what you want from the first one you visit.

Let us know how you get on.

Expert answer

Hi Ciaran,

Sorry for the delay in coming back to you on this. Let me honest first and foremost and put my cards on the table and say that I probably wouldn't buy a second-hand Land Rover Freelander at all and especially one with 90,000 miles on the clock. You are right in what you say that the second one has proven to be more reliable than the first one but it still has been a little bit problematic. There aren't major reports of problems on the second version, but to be honest if I was looking at a vehicle a few years old and in SUV form I'd be looking at something from Japan or Korea. 

If you are going to get one and you have your heart totally set on it then only buy from a main dealer with a full service history and get the longest warranty you can find. 

For me though, I'd still be looking at something like Toyota RAV4, Nissan Qashqai or Hyundai ix35 to get something that will be reasonably headache free. 

I hope this helps.