Are older hybrid cars proving reliable?
Hi,
Hybrid cars, like the ones that Toyota uses rather than plug-ins, have been around for quite some time now. Have you any information on the long term costs of owning a hybrid compared with petrol or diesel, eg, battery life span and replacement costs, longevity of electric motor, servicing costs, CVT transmission, etc?
Thanks
Philip
Philip Donegan (Ballina)Feb 2019 Filed under: hybrid
Expert answer
Hi Philip,
Generally speaking, long-term hybrid reliability seems to be excellent. It probably helps that most hybrids that have been built and sold so far have been made by those paragons of reliability, Honda and Toyota. Both companies say that many of their older hybrid models — first generation Prius dating back to 1997, and Civic IMAs dating back to 2002 — are still on the road and in regular use. Indeed, Honda says that it has never had to replace a battery pack on models such as the post-2010 Insight or the little-seen Jazz Hybrid. Toyota says similar things about older Prius and Auris models, and points to the huge numbers of those cars being used on taxi fleets, racking up mega-miles with no major reliability issues to report. That’s likely helped by two things — electric motors are simple and therefore generally reliable, and most hybrid cars on the road at the moment use older-style nickel batteries, which aren’t as energy-dense as newer lithium-ion batteries, but which again are simple, rugged and reliable.
Even if you do need to eventually replace a battery pack, it’s not that expensive to do so — a second generation Prius pack change costs around €1,400 — not far off what you’d have to pay for a major engine rebuild or replacement, and you’re about as likely to need one. Basically, the advice is as for any second hand purchase — buy on condition, not mileage, make sure it has a full and complete service history and, if you have any concerns in the longer term, consider taking out a second-hand warranty programme.
Which used crossover to go for?
Hi,
Out of Hyundai ix35, Tucson, Kia Sportage or Qashqai, all 2015, which to go for? Drove ix35 today with impressive kit, heated seats, windscreen, dual-zone climate etc. Will be going to UK to buy as will save at least €2,000. Which would you choose considering two small kids and about 20,000km per year?
Gerry Coen (Galway)Feb 2019 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Gerry,
At 20,000km a year, you’re just on the cusp of choosing between diesel and petrol, so I’d tread carefully, and make sure you do your sums before you decide. Of the four cars you’ve mentioned, the ix35 is the oldest in tech terms and, although it’s a decent car, it’s feeling pretty out of date by now. The Qashqai is the nicest to drive, but both the Tucson and the Sportage are more roomy, so with kids to cart around, I’d go for one of those. It sort of doesn’t matter which — mechanically, they’re identical, so it comes down to which one you prefer on a personal level, and which one you can get the better deal on. Also, do consider a SEAT Ateca. They start from 2016, and the 1.4-litre turbo petrol is a terrific combo of performance and economy. Here are links to the relevant reviews to help you decide further:
Have you a list of all the hybrids in Ireland?
Do you have a list of hybrids?
Thanks
Tony O'Brien (Shankill, Dublin 18)Feb 2019 Filed under: hybrid
Expert answer
Hi Tony,
Currently you can buy the following hybrids on the Irish market: Toyota Corolla, CH-R, RAV4, Prius, Yaris, and there are probably a few run-out examples of the Auris Hybrid out there still in dealerships. There’s also the Kia Niro and the Hyundai Ioniq. There’s the full Lexus range — CT, IS, RC, GS, ES, LS, NX, RX and LC. There’s the Ford Mondeo Hybrid, too. There’s the new Honda CR-V Hybrid, some Mercedes diesel-hybrids and petrol plug-in hybrids, oh and the new AMG 53 six-cylinder mild hybrids.
Suzuki does mild hybrids too — for the Baleno, Swift and Ignis. Then there are the plug-in hybrids — Kia Niro and Hyundai Ioniq again, plus the Volvo XC90 and XC60 T8 models, along with the S90 and V90; the BMW i8, 330e, 530e, X5 40e, 225xe, and the MINI Countryman S E; there’s also the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport plug-ins, the Mitsubishi Outlander, the Volkswagen Golf and Passat GTE, the Audi Q7 e-tron and the Porsche Panamera and Cayenne.
I bet I've forgotten some...
Timing belt on a Ford S-Max?
Does the Titanium or Zetec Ford S-Max have a timing belt?
Peter O'brian (Shankill, Dublin 18)Feb 2019 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Peter,
Titanium and Zetec are just trim level names and have nothing to do with the engine.
Assuming you're asking about the first-gen Ford S-Max (2006-2015), then here's the lay of the land:
1.6 TDCi diesel: timing belt
1.6 EcoBoost petrol: timing belt
1.8 TDCi diesel: timing belt
2.0 TDCi diesel: timing belt
2.0 petrol (all versions including EcoBoost): timing chain
2.2 TDCi diesel: timing belt
2.3 petrol: timing chain
2.5 petrol: timing belt
Belt or chain on the Ford S-Max Titanium?
Does the Ford S-max Titanium have a timing chain or belt?
Tunde Falade (Shankill, Dublin 18)Feb 2019 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Tunde,
Titanium is just a trim level name and has nothing to do with the engine.
Assuming you're asking about the first-gen Ford S-Max (2006-2015), then here's the lay of the land:
1.6 TDCi diesel: timing belt
1.6 EcoBoost petrol: timing belt
1.8 TDCi diesel: timing belt
2.0 TDCi diesel: timing belt
2.0 petrol (all versions including EcoBoost): timing chain
2.2 TDCi diesel: timing belt
2.3 petrol: timing chain
2.5 petrol: timing belt
When to change my Astra's timing belt?
When does the timing belt need changing on an Opel Astra (A16LET engine)?
Peter Hill (My Waverley)Jan 2019 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Peter,
The A16LET engine is a 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol unit according to our records, producing 179hp and manufactured from 2009 to 2014.
If your engine is pre-2010, the recommended change interval is 150,000 kilometres or 10 years, whichever comes first. For engines made after that date, it's still 150,000 kilometres, but the maximum time between changes is six years.
Petrol, hybrid or diesel for my next car?
Hello
I'm unsure whether I should opt for hybrid, diesel or petrol for my next car. I drive approx 80km per day, mainly national roads. I am interested in hybrid, but considering I drive very little in town/city environments, I'm not sure it's the best option. I'd love your opinion as everyone I speak to seems to have conflicting advice.
Many thanks
Eimear Morrison (Roscommon)Jan 2019 Filed under: hybrid
Expert answer
Hi Eimear,
It’s a tricky one and it kind of depends on what age of car you’re looking at. I think with your driving profile and the fact that, as you say, you don’t drive much in town, hybrid may not be right for you. Emphasis on the ‘may.’
If you’re buying a new hybrid, that equation changes a little. The current Toyota Prius, for example, gets an easy 65mpg on the motorway, which is better than I’ve ever got out of any diesel. Ditto the Kia Niro plugin-hybrid. It’s not just new cars either. A few years back I squeezed better economy out of a Lexus GS 300h on a run from Dublin to West Cork and back than I did on the same route, in the same week, with a Ford Mondeo Vignale diesel.
Should I go for a Mazda6 diesel now?
Just read your review on the Mazda6. Is it wise to buy a diesel nowadays considering all the bad press? Do you think the government will come down on diesels hard in the future as all you can hear is "dirty diesel"? Or would you advise one to go for a hybrid instead?
Patrick Collins (Dublin)Jan 2019 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Patrick,
I think if you’re buying new then diesel is still a safe enough bet for the moment. Yes, doubtless, there will be some future restrictions on diesel, either through tax, or tolls, or city centre usage restriction, but as long as the diesel engine in question is the most modern type possible, conforming to the latest Euro6d Temp regulations (as does that of the Mazda6) then it should be fine. If you’re a low-miles driver, and someone who mostly drives in town, then obviously it’s well worth considering a hybrid alternative or, for that matter, Mazda’s rather excellent 2.0-litre petrol engine.
How would you rate the diesel Hyundai Kona?
How would you rate the 2019 Hyundai Kona 1.6 diesel automatic? Is it as reliable?
Marlene Zammit (Malta)Jan 2019 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Marlene,
In terms of reliability, I wouldn’t have any worries — Hyundai’s reliability reputation is iron-clad, and besides; if you did have any trouble with it, there’s that five-year, unlimited mileage warranty backing it up. One word of caution though. The Kona’s best engine is the 1.0-litre T-GDi petrol version, which is a sweet engine with good economy and might be a better ownership bet unless you’re doing big miles every year. Alternatively, it’s well worth checking out the new all-electric Kona, which has a really long one-charge range.
When to change my Mondeo's timing belt?
Hi,
I have a 2014 Ford Mondeo 2.0 Zetec with 59,000 miles on the clock; when is it advisable to change its timing belt?
Jay Ryder (Halifax)Jan 2019 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Jay,
I'm assuming you have a 2.0 TDCi diesel engine, not one of the 2.0-litre petrol units of that year (they all use timing chains, not belts). If so, then the recommended change interval is at least every 200,000 kilometres or 10 years, whichever comes first.