Expert answer

Hi Carol,

You'll struggle to get a premium-badge model from 2024 on for that budget so we'll focus on hybrid SUVs instead, which are plentiful.

In fact, if the year really matters to you, there are even a few new-car options open to you, including the Dacia Duster and MG ZS.

Go back to 2025 and others to consider are the Nissan Juke and Ford Puma, or you may find the more spacious Renault Arkana as well.

If size matters, you will probably have to go back to 2024, and an excellent choice would be the Nissan Qashqai e-Power, or even the Hyundai Kona Hybrid if you can find one.

Here are our reviews of those cars to help you decide, but do come back to us if you need help in narrowing things down further, and always take the time to test drive as many cars as you can yourself:

Dacia Duster Hybrid review

MG ZS Hybrid+ review

Nissan Juke Hybrid review

Ford Puma reviews

Renault Arkana reviews

Nissan Qashqai reviews

Hyundai Kona Hybrid review

Expert answer

Hi Margaret,

Both are fantastic cars, but the EV2 definitely has a higher 'hip point', meaning you sit higher up and it's easier to get in and out of it. The Kia is also a fraction more comfortable on the road.

But... if you like the Renault 5, you should really check out the Renault 4 EV as well, as you sit up higher in that and it shares a lot with the 5.

Either way, make sure you go and test drive both cars to get a feel for them - and we'd massively appreciate a (private) message via the Contact Us page to let us know which one you go for.

Expert answer

Hi Kay,

From your description, I'm going to assume you need a decent boot, but outright range is probably not so important and you're unconcerned with rear-seat space. Given you have solar panels, you should be able to charge up the car at home during the day, for 'free' most of the time as well, which is great.

There are some excellent brand-new electric cars around for under the €30,000 mark, such as the MG4 EV, Nissan Micra and Renault 5. The boots in the latter two may not hold all your golf stuff, though you can of course fold down the rear seats to do so. And if you're willing to do that, then you really should also consider the excellent Hyundai Inster.

Our top choice for you, though, is the Renault 4 E-Tech electric, which has a bigger boot than all of the others mentioned here, along with a relatively upright seating position, making it easy to get in and out of.

Here are links to our reviews of the above cars for your interest, but don't hesitate to send us another question if you want us to help you narrow down your search:

MG4 EV reviews

Renault 5 reviews

Nissan Micra reviews

Renault 4 reviews

Expert answer

Hi Mary,

A diesel would probably continue to give you the best economy given your usage, but we'd worry about long-term maintenance for sure as modern diesels have expensive components that can get gummed or clogged up.

If you're willing to make that compromise, then you could do a lot worse than a 2018 Honda Civic 1.6 diesel. Lovely car. It also came with a 1.0-litre petrol engine, but it has known 'wet belt' issues so we would not recommend it.  

You could afford a 2019 Hyundai i30 with either a 1.6-litre diesel or a 1.0-litre petrol engine and that's a very good bet in terms of reliability. Same for the related Kia Ceed, though they're rarer.

Even less common is the Mazda3 of the same year. It's a lovely looking car, of great quality and though it comes with a 2.0-litre petrol engine, it's an efficient and reliable option.

If you liked your Peugeot, you could move up six or seven years to a newer 308, though best to stick with diesel if you are doing that as the 1.2 'Puretech' petrol engine can have wet belt issues like the Honda.

One of the last of the Renault Megane hatchbacks is another good option, available with petrol or diesel power depending on your preference.

The SEAT Leon is possibly our favourite find for you at this price point with good petrol and diesel engine options and great comfort. You can't ignore the Skoda Octavia for the same reasons, and it's even bigger.

Lots to think about there so come back to us and let us know if we're on the right track. We've only selected mid-sized hatchbacks, while there would be plenty of crossovers and small SUVs in budget as well.

Expert answer

Hi Tomas,

Revenue's website is only ever a guide in any case, so you should always do your own calculations, so you have an estimate. We can help with that but be aware that all figures below are only estimates.

First up, we're assuming you mean “GB” – i.e. England, Scotland and Wales – as opposed to “UK”, as the latter would include Northern Ireland as well. If the van is coming from Northern Ireland, the treatment of import duty and VAT is different.

Coming from GB, however, you will have to pay 10 per cent import duty and 23 per cent VAT.

The duty is calculated on the “customs value”, which is the price paid, transport and insurance together. If the van is £13,000, that's about €15,000, so the import duty would be a minimum of €1,500 before any allocation for transport or insurance.

VAT is charged on the sum of the import duty and the customs value. So if import duty is €1,500 in this case, and the customs value is €15,000, that's a total of €16,500. VAT is 23 per cent of that, at €3,795.

Unfortunately, regardless of where you are importing the van from, Revenue will treat a six-seat crew cab van as Category A for VRT, which means you'll have to pay the NOx levy (could be as high as €4,850 for a 2019 Trafic) and VRT based on its CO₂ emissions.

You'll need to get the official figures for this van, but if say the CO₂ emissions rating is 171-190g/km, then it's in Band 19 for VRT, at 35 per cent of the so-called OMSP.

That's the Open Market Selling Price, a value Revenue believes the van to be worth after registration in Ireland. It's not easy to guess. If it's €20,000, then the VRT would be 35 per cent of that, or €7,000.

This is all looking very costly, I'm sure you agree.

Expert answer

Hi David,

Driving and owning an EV is arguably easier than a petrol or diesel car with one important caveat – you get a home charger. Do that and, with your low annual mileage, you'll rarely have to bother with the public charging network. No more petrol stations, either. Just plug your car in at home overnight and it's ready to go in the morning, for a lot less “per kilometre” than any petrol or diesel model.

EVs are simple to drive as they're automatic and they also have a lot less maintenance. Even standard servicing requirements are less.

Pop into a Renault dealer and book a test drive and I doubt you'll look back. They'll even help you with the process of sorting the home charger. Once that's done it's all plain sailing and you just drive the car as normal.

Feel free to come back to us with any other concerns or questions. EVs don't suit everyone yet, but it certainly sounds like one would suit you. And they don't come much more desirable than the new Renault 5.

Expert answer

Hi Patrick,

While some owners have reported such issues with the Arkana, not all have – i.e. it's not widely known as an unreliable car, but some vehicles clearly are not up to scratch. Hence, go into the process with your eyes wide open and scrutinise any car you like the look of in detail, checking every sub-system and warning light and getting as long and as detailed a test drive as you can.

Insist on a full service history and also check that the car has had all its recall work done, as the Arkana was subject to a few recalls from Renault.

Expert answer

Hi John,

First thing to check is the relevant fuses. F13, F16 or F17 are the ones you need to check, though failure of these would usually mean another system failing as well. Still, easy thing to check first.

After that it's a case of looking at the physical wiring.

If in any doubt, bring the car to a good mechanic.

Expert answer

Hi Dawn,

Most people in your position – i.e. a new driver – consider the cost of insurance when choosing their first car. You'll need to keep the engine size down for that reason, though there are plenty of small-engined cars that should still fit the bill. Just keep it in mind and maybe get insurance quotes before you commit to any car.

I would suggest that you're better off going for a slightly larger car if it's to be used regularly for longer journeys as they are generally more comfortable at motorway speeds. From your list, the VW Golf and Hyundai i30 would be good options, but you could also seek out the SEAT Leon, Peugeot 308 or Mazda3.

I've probably given you more to think about there…

Come back to us with a budget in mind and we'll try to find some specific cars for you to consider.

Expert answer

Hi John,

It certainly does, as standard.

Read our detailed Irish review of the Renault 5 E-Tech electric here.