Ford Galaxy or Hyundai Santa Fe?
Ford Galaxy or Hyundai Santa Fe? I have not been able to do test drives yet, but would appreciate your view as well. I need something to drive in the city as well as for family trips (kids are 4, 10, 12 and 14). I know kids would be happiest with a V-Class, but I need something for daily commute as well. Am trying to find the right type of car. SUVs are not large enough, MPVs seem a bit big and not as fun to drive (or perhaps not), while vans are only suitable for longer trips, I think.
Thank you.
Emir Cehajic (Sarajevo)May 2020 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Emir,
You’re quite right — with kids of those ages, most seven-seat SUVs simply aren’t roomy enough, unless you go for something genuinely massive and expensive, such as a Land Rover Discovery. So, I’d say the Ford Galaxy is indeed your best choice — lots of space, seven proper seats for seven proper people and it's good to drive too. Other options well worth looking at are the VW Sharan and SEAT Alhambra, and — if you can afford the running costs — the old Mercedes R-Class.
Looking for used automatic car...
Hi, I am looking for a used automatic hatchback petrol car for my wife. She's a learner and would prefer a small automatic hatchback. Would you mind helping me to find the best automatic car from year 2015 to 2017? We went through your reviews and made a list of cars thatsuits our needs. They are Hyundai i10, Skoda Citigo, Kia Picanto, Toyota Yaris, SEAT Ibiza, SEAT Mii, Opel Corsa, Peugeot 108 and Renault Clio etc. I was wondering if you could suggest me the best option?
Nithin Mathew (New Ross, Wexford)Apr 2020 Filed under: automatic
Expert answer
Hi Nithin,
You’re kind of shopping in two separate segments of the market, there — small city cars (such as the Up and the i10) and larger superminis (such as the Yaris and Clio). If it’s one of the small ones you want, then the decision is kind of made for you. The Up is one of our favourites, but there’s no automatic option, so the Hyundai it has to be. No bad thing — it’s an excellent car.
If you fancy something a little larger and roomier, then I’d suggest going for the Toyota Yaris Hybrid — it gets you the automatic transmission you want, plus you’re future-proofing yourself a little with the hybrid powertrain.
Which big car for a growing family?
Hi guys,
I love your website and the reviews are great.
I have a family of two girls under three with third child due in two months! We have a Kia Sportage that is full with two baby car seats and have no space for a third. We have the need to upgrade. Currently considering the Volvo XC90 as it seems to have the best third-row option - I really can't see myself driving a Galaxy... We have been looking at 2016/2018 models.
Are we better off waiting and seeing what happens? Any advice on what you would recommend would be great - open to suggestions.
Thanks
Colm Fuller (Dublin)Apr 2020 Filed under: family car
Expert answer
Hi Colm,
Well, in terms of ’seeing what happens’, how long have you got? The first thing I’d say is that you shouldn’t rule out cars like the Galaxy, the SEAT Alhambra, the VW Sharan and especially the Ford S-Max. I know MPVs are not as fashionable as SUVs, but when you’ve got kids to haul around, they really do make a huge amount of sense. Plus, if you were to go for the S-Max, you’d be getting a car that’s brilliant to drive, too. Get it in a smart metallic colour with nice alloys and it looks good, as well.
If you’re determined to get an SUV, then yes — the XC90 is probably the best of them, and reliable too. The Hyundai Santa Fe is well worth a look as well (although its third row isn’t as roomy as that of the Volvo’s) as is the Kia Sportage (one of our favourite SUVs, actually).
But seriously, go for the S-Max.
Is VRT €200 on importing some vans?
Hi,
I plan to import a 2018 VW Transporter van from the UK. This van has front seats only with bulkhead (not a Kombi). It's a standard, SWB, manual 2.0-litre van. Am I right in thinking that the VRT on these vans is €200?
Thanks
Colm Griffin (Castlebar)Mar 2020 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi Colm,
It depends — for the most part, all vans are charged VRT at a rate of 13.3 per cent of the Irish market selling price, but some N1 vans qualify for a basic charge of €200 if, according to Revenue, they have always had fewer than four seats, and at any time a laden mass greater than 130 per cent of the mass in service. Better check with the local motor tax office to find out which category your Transporter fits into...
Which category is the Transporter crewcab?
I am considering importing a 2017/18/19 Volkswagen Transporter crewcab van for personal use. How do I know which category it would fall into for VRT? Is a crewcab van still classed as a van and in Category C or due to five seats is it classed Category A?
Peter Cody (Enfield )Feb 2020 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Expert answer
Hi Peter,
It depends on how the interior layout of the van is arranged. If there is no bulkhead or physical separation between the seating area and the cargo area, then it’ll be registered as a Category A vehicle and it’ll be taxed on the full CO2 emissions. If, though, there is a fixed bulkhead or separation between the seats and the cargo, then it goes into Category B, as it’s allowed to have more than three seats but have the passenger and cargo/functional compartments in completely separate units. That should VRT is charged at a flat rate of 13.3 per cent of the OMSP.
ISOFIX in a Peugeot Partner van?
Hello,
I am buying a commercial van, a 172 Peugeot Partner with three seats in the front. Can you tell me if there is ISOFIX installed please?
Dan Roberts (Kildare)Jan 2020 Filed under: child or baby seats
Expert answer
Hi Dan,
It should do, for the outer front passenger seat. Check at the point where the base of the seat meets the backrest for ISOFIX logos (a silhouette of a baby sitting in a car seat) and you should also be able to feel the steel anchoring points at the back of the seat base.
Toyota RAV4 Luna vs. Sport?
What is the difference between a Toyota RAV4 Luna and RAV4 Sport?
Don Murphy (Cork)Jan 2020 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Don,
The differences are around €5,000 in terms of a new car price. The Sport, on top of the Luna, gets built-in navigation, contrast stitching on the dash, blue ambient background light, paddle shifts for the CVT gearbox, power operated driver's seat, heated front seats, 18-inch alloys, rear privacy glass, sportier exterior styling, contrast-colour roof and bi-beam LED headlights.
Can I register a day van as a camper?
Hi,
I have bought a van in the UK. It's a day van with a pop top roof installed, it's still listed as a van on the logbook. I want to bring it over to Ireland and have it registered as a motor caravan. Is it possible to bring over a van and register it as a motor caravan?
Darragh Ginty (Rosses Point)Jan 2020 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Darragh,
No, you probably won’t be able to. According to Revenue, to qualify as a camper van, a vehicle has to have sleeping accommodation, seats and a table, and — crucially — cooking facilities. As a day van, I think it still qualifies as just a van.
VAT or VRT on N1 to M1 conversion?
I want to purchase a commercial SUV, but I will have to convert the vehicle from an N1 to an M1 category as it will be insured and taxed privately. Am I liable for any VAT or VRT?
Paul Devine (Maynooth)Jan 2020 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Expert answer
Hi Paul,
No. If you purchase it as a commercial vehicle, then you will pay the commercial vehicle VRT rate of 13.3 per cent, whether or not you then go on to convert it. There should be no VAT implication either, as you’ll pay the normal VAT rate at the time of purchase. According to Revenue, if you’re converting to M1 status, you only need to make them aware of it if you’re adding seats to the vehicle, but as with all VAT matters, check with your accountant before leaping.
Should a disabled driver buy a new commercial?
I am a disabled driver. Would I be better off to purchase a new five-seat commercial SUV given that I am exempt of VRT and VAT?
Hugh Cormack (Blacklion Co Cavan)Jan 2020 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi Hugh,
Sort of, yes. The thing is that there aren’t any five-seat commercial 4x4s anymore — the N1 certification loophole for that kind of car was closed off in 2018, so now five-seat SUVs pay a full rate of VRT. However, if you’re exempt from paying both VRT and VAT then one of those very cars (Toyota Land Cruiser, perhaps? Or maybe a VW Touareg?) would be an ideal car for you as you will be getting one at an effective 50 per cent discount compared to the rest of us. Well worth investigating.