Which new crossover or SUV for me?
Hello,
Which crossover/SUV would you recommend? I do circa 25-30k kilometres per year, mostly motorways, but also a fair bit of urban driving.
Roseanna
Roseanna Gorman (Bray)Dec 2018 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Roseanna,
First things first — if you’re doing mostly urban and motorway miles, you really don’t need an SUV. A more conventional hatchback, saloon, or estate is going to be more comfortable, better value, more economical and a better-engineered vehicle all round. If you’re looking for something with practicality then the likes of a Skoda Octavia Combi estate, a Volkswagen Golf Estate, a Kia Ceed SW, or the new Ford Focus Estate all have much bigger boots than any small-to-medium SUV (more than 600 litres, all of them, compared to around 450 litres for, say, a Nissan Qashqai), and they’re all better to drive and more frugal.
However, if you’re hooked on SUVs then we’d recommend a SEAT Ateca (plain wrapper, but it’s roomy, comfy and nice to drive) or a Toyota C-HR (small on the inside, relatively, but hugely stylish and the hybrid version is frugal). If you’re looking to ‘posh-up’ a bit, then the incoming new Audi Q3 is a bit of a stunner, or if you want something smaller and more affordable than any of those, try the updated Fiat 500X, which is kinda cute and charming.
Here are our relevant reviews for you to read more:
Should I keep or fix my Nissan Qashqai?
Hi,
I am driving a 2012 Nissan Qashqai dCi; I am the third owner and I bought it on 158,428km. I had to replace the battery, clutch master cylinder, front and back brake pads. I took it for a service at the required intervals, but this time around I have exceeded the mileage for the next service by over 5,000km due to financial constraints. I'm not having major problems except hearing some funny squeaky metallic sounds when I'm driving. I need to do the wheel alignment/balancing and I was also told at my last service that the sub-frame needs to be replaced because it is bent somehow. I am not in a position to buy a new car and I still owe money on this car; is it advisable to fix this car or just sell it?
Thank you
Bernadette Dyani (Cape Town)Nov 2018 Filed under: reliability
Expert answer
Hi Bernadette,
Sounds to us like the Qashqai is not a good one and it is likely to keep costing you money. We'd advise you trade it in for another car.
Used Qashqai, Sportage, ix35 or BMW X1?
I am looking for a 2012 Nissan Qashqai, Kia Sportage or Hyundai ix35 or a 2010 BMW X1. All of these have driven approx. 80,000 miles for a price range of €12-13,000. Which one would you go for? Most driving will be on motorways during weekends.
Thanks
Naved Iraqi (Dublin)Jun 2018 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Naved,
The X1 is, obviously, the most ‘premium’, but it’s also kind of ugly and has weirdly heavy steering, plus it’s quite small inside, so let’s leave that one off the list. The Sportage and the ix35 are basically the same car, but the Sportage is nicer to look at on the outside in my opinion, and slightly nicer to drive too. Reliability between the two should be about even. The Qashqai is very appealing, but as it’s the older model, it struggles against the Sportage and has some reliability issues too, so go for the Sportage.
Looking at maybe a new petrol SUV.
Hi,
I'm looking to change my 151 Toyota Corolla 1.4 Luna diesel at the end of this year or early next year. It currently has 93,000km on the clock. About 70 per cent of our driving is on short journeys such as short runs to town of about 10km. Would I be better to stay with diesel or go to petrol? I'm thinking about getting a crossover/SUV, something like a Peugeot 3008, Nissan Qashqai or a Kia Sportage, or would I get better value getting a smaller SEAT Ateca, Suzuki Vitara or Opel Mokka? My children are all adults now and are only around at weekends so our mileage will be decreasing a bit. Any advice would be great.
Thanks
Rob
Roddy McMyler (Kilkenny)Jun 2018 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Roddy,
Well, it sounds definitely as if petrol is the way to go, and as you’ve mentioned the Ateca, that’s a good one to look at. It’s cheaper, by a little, than most of the competition, has an excellent 1.0-litre 115hp turbo petrol engine (don’t be put off by the small engine — it copes just fine) and isn’t ‘smaller’ at all — it’s the same size as the VW Tiguan, thanks to using the same chassis. The same goes for Skoda’s Karoq. A Peugeot 3008 with the 1.2 PureTech petrol engine would also be a good choice, but the Sportage isn't currently offered as a decent small petrol version, so we’d give that a swerve. The Nissan Qashqai comes with a good 1.2 turbo petrol, but doesn’t feel as good to drive in that form as the diesel. The Opel Mokka X is just too old a design and feels well out of date, but actually if you can cope with the smaller size, the Suzuki Vitara’s a good shout — good to drive, good looking and hugely reliable.
Read or reviews for more:
Planning on buying a 2014 Nissan Qashqai.
Hi,
I am planning to buy a 2014 Nissan Qashqai with 109,000 miles on the clock. What's it worth and also is it a good bet after so many miles on?
Arun Rak (Dublin)Jun 2018 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Arun,
It depends. If it’s the current-shape model, then it should be worth around €14-15,000. If it’s the last of the old-shape models (which were on runout in 2014) then it should be more like €11-12,000. That mileage is a little on the high side, right enough, but it should be fine as long as the car has a full and complete service history.
Electrical problems with my Nissan Qashqai...
In my 2007 Nissan Qashqai, the ABS and handbrake lights come on when driving, the steering goes light and km/h pin stops working. What's going on?
Ollie Brennan (Galway)May 2018 Filed under: electrics
Expert answer
Hi Ollie,
Sounds like a major issue with the wiring loom or engine control unit (ECU). It's a known issue with older examples and you might need to get the ECU re-programmed. Best bet is to get the car into a good mechanic to have a look at it.
2014 Nissan Qashqai: how much VRT?
How much VRT should I expect to pay on a good spec 2014 Nissan Qashqai?
Paul Kelly (Limerick)Jan 2018 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi Paul,
It will depend on the fine-grain spec of the car, but it should be in the region of €2,500.
Is the diesel auto Kia Sportage good on fuel?
I now have a 1.2-litre petrol automatic 161 Nissan Qashqai and thinking at getting a 181 Kia Sportage 1.7-litre diesel auto. Will I be spending less on fuel?
Mark Crowley (Ennis)Jan 2018 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Mark,
You’ll probably use a little less fuel, but overall you’re going to be spending more because of the cost of upgrading to what’s quite a pricey diesel version, especially with the automatic gearbox. Kia quotes official fuel economy for that model of 57mpg, but we’d expect to see more like 40-45mpg in real world conditions. That’s a little better than the Qashqai 1.2 petrol, but not very much better. If you want to do better on the economy front, consider dropping the automatic gearbox and getting a manual instead.
Looking for a reliable family car...
We are looking for some good options for a really reliable family car. Nothing too big as parking in the car park my wife works in is a nightmare as it is very tight. We were looking at a 2014 Nissan Qashqai+2, a 2015 Kia cee'd Sportswagon and might look at the Skoda Octavia. Insignia looks good but it's a monster of a size.
The Qashqai+2 seems expensive for a 2014 model. Would it be a waste? We do mileage of about 11k to 12k a year. Are the cars we looked at above the best options or what others would you recommend and best engine to go for? We want a really good boot and rear seat space for young kids with ISOFIX seating.
Thanks
Tomas Best (Dublin)Jan 2018 Filed under: family car
Expert answer
Hi Tomas,
The problem with the Qashqai+2 is that it’s the older model Qashqai, which is nowhere near as sophisticated as the current model. Do you really need the seven seats? If not, then I think that the Kia cee’d Sportswagon is a much better bet — bigger boot than the Qashqai, comfier and better to drive and with that seven-year warranty for peace of mind. A cracking choice.
Also well worth looking at the Octavia Combi and the VW Golf Estate, but make sure you’re going for a petrol engine with that mileage — you won’t need a diesel. Actually, with that in mind, the Toyota Auris Hybrid Sport Tourer estate is also well worth a look. Here are a few reviews to help you decide:
Should I swap my Nissan for a Mercedes?
Hi there,
Thinking of changing my car this year from a Nissan to possibly a Mercedes GLA or B-Class. Are they similar? Can you help me narrow down my decision; should I change or stick with Nissan?
Thanks in advance
Mary Murphy (Clare )Jan 2018 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Mary,
Do you mean a Nissan Qashqai? The Mercedes GLA and B-Class are, although mechanically related, really quite different cars. The GLA is a compact crossover, similar in size to the Qashqai, but looking rather like a jacked-up A-Class hatchback. That said, it’s nice to drive, well made and very economical. The GLA 180 petrol or 180d diesel are the best models. The B-Class is a high-roofed five-seat MPV, a rival to the likes of the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer, and the Renault Scenic et al. Again, it’s no looker, but it’s not bad to drive, very roomy and again is well-made.
Compared to the Qashqai, they’re both of higher quality in the cabin and slightly sharper to drive, but the GLA is less roomy and the B-Class less stylish (to our eyes). And both will be more expensive to run, as Mercedes servicing costs are higher. Here are some relevant reviews to help you decide, but come back to us again if you need to: