Expert answer

Hi Emer,

There are plenty of used electric options in and around that price point if you're looking for SUVs of about the same size as your Kia, but if you're looking to directly replace the larger X-Trail, choice is much more limited.

A few options include the Mercedes EQB, Peugeot E-5008 and, if you can make do with five seats, other big electric SUVs are the Nissan Ariya, Renault Scenic and Opel Grandland, though not many of these come with a range of over 500 kilometres.

Come back to us (use the contact us form) with more details in terms of the size of car you need and we'll try to narrow things down more.

Expert answer

Hi Ps,

Unfortunately, the MGS9 PHEV is not coming to Ireland, which is a big shame.

Seven-seaters are rare in general here, unless you're talking about big, expensive SUVs, though we have heard a rumour that BYD might well be planning something for next year.

The best, most affordable alternatives are things like the Kia PV5 Passenger, which is now available with seven seats.

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 Ron,

If you don't want the Honda or Toyota, then how about something from Nissan or Lexus? The X-Trail e-Power is a lovely SUV, but the only difficulty might be finding an all-wheel-drive one, as most of them sold were front-wheel drive only.

From Lexus, you could get into the luxurious RX for your budget, but it wouldn't be much newer than your existing car, so how about a Lexus NX instead?

Again, most are front-wheel drive, but we did find a few for sale with four-wheel drive, well within budget. Admittedly, the NX isn't quite as large as your Honda.

Lexus has a stellar reputation for reliability and quality, however.

Go and test drive a few options and come back to us if you want any more assistance.

Expert answer

Hi Tony,

You'll really struggle to fill that brief for under €40k as a new EV, but there are a few good used options to consider. Forget about estates, though, as there are so few electric estates.

The first car that comes to mind is the BMW iX1. The dual-motor 'xDrive30' variant has a 490-litre boot (your Jaguar's is 500 litres I believe) and while it doesn't quote have the same peak outputs as the I-Pace, it is quite rapid and it drives very well.

There are actually a few examples of the BMW iX around within your budget as well, with significantly more performance and space than the iX1. That one has rather more divisive styling we feel...

Another option with loads of power is the early electric version of the Volvo XC40.

Let us know if we're on the right lines here and we'll help you narrow things down further (submit another question to get back to us).

Expert answer

Hi Lynsey,

The only way to do it would be to permanently remove the rear seats and seatbelts and create a bulkhead between the front two seats and the cargo area. It will also require a conversion declaration.

Expert answer

Hi Julia,

We wish everyone gave us as much detail in their questions as you have done! You have loads of choice, so we'll pick out a few options that we'd recommend.

1 – You could actually afford a brand-new Hyundai Kona in electric or hybrid guises, and though it's bigger than the previous model, it might be smaller than you're looking for. Worth considering nonetheless as it's a very good car.

2 – The Hyundai Tucson is significantly larger and probably better suited to your needs. For just under €40k you'd get into a very new plug-in-hybrid version or have your choice of plenty of non-plug-in-hybrid variants. It's a solid option.

3 – Same story for the Kia Sportage. It's based on the same underpinnings as the Tucson so really, it's a case of which of them you prefer the look of, or which you can find the best deal on. Loads of them on the market either way.

4 – Now, if you do decide that you want a seven-seater, most of them are larger vehicles, but there are options within budget. The newest and best that come to mind are the Kia Sorento (available with seven seats as a plug-in hybrid) and the Hyundai Santa Fe. Again, they're effectively the same underneath and both are excellent.

5 – There are fewer Volvos about within budget. The newer options are plug-in-hybrid versions of the XC40 or XC60, both decent enough cars, the latter the bigger. To get a seven-seat XC90 you'd have to go back to a 2019 model to stay in budget and we'd suggest that would likely come with big repair bills in the near future so not really what you're looking for.

6 – We're not convinced that available Audis will suit you. You might find a few examples of the Q4 e-tron, which is all electric, though most within budget that are plug-in hybrids are either the Q3 or the Q5. These are fine for your own family size, but limited otherwise, and you'd have to compromise on newness to get into the larger Q5.

7 – Finally, one for the heart rather than the head perhaps, you could afford either a Range Rover Evoque or Land Rover Discovery Sport with plug-in-hybrid power from a few years back. Both of those have five seats, not seven.

Having done all that research for you, we'd suggest that the best options come from either Hyundai or Kia, whether you're going to go for a seven-seater or not. But of course, we'd understand if you're swayed by other factors.

Don't hesitate to come back to us if you want further help narrowing things down.

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 Haris,

It will be difficult to find a car that will fit two large rear-facing child seats and a booster in a single row without going for much larger vehicles. The alternative is an SUV with a third row, but that comes with compromises as well.

Anyway, searching within your budget, there are options. Large SUVs such as the Audi Q7 and Volvo XC90 would fit you all in, but at €25,000 you'd be buying relatively old ones with high mileage and likely high maintenance costs. Same for the BMW X5.

The Hyundai Santa Fe would be a better bet, as would the Kia Sorento or indeed the Nissan X-Trail. All of these are large SUVs and well-priced, reliable and decently equipped.

Finally, and I think this might be the best option, there's the Peugeot 5008. It has three separate seats in the middle row, so should fit all the kids in and you can fold away the rearmost seats to maximise boot space. There are petrol and diesel variants within budget with far lower mileage than the premium-badge options mentioned above.

You've not told us about any other preferences in terms of fuel, size of vehicle or anything, so come back to us if you want us to help narrow down the search further.

No matter what you decide, make sure you bring the child seats with you on any test drive and ensure they fit in properly.

Expert answer

Hi Martin,

There are a few options for sure, starting with the plug-in-hybrid Audi A6, if that's not larger than you're looking for. There are plenty around within budget. Most are the less-powerful '50 TFSI e' model, though there are a few sportier editions as well, including the '55 TFSI e' variant. None of them will feel as agile as your BMW, but they're not bad cars at all.

If you've not been put off by your BMW's issues, then the 530e M Sport is a logical next step up. Again, not as agile as the 3 Series, but a fabulous car by any other measure. You could just about afford the Touring estate model as well.

From Mercedes you could get into the C 300 e instead. They're not as common as the others here, but the C-Class is a comparable size to your 330e, yet it has a dramatically more modern interior.

Finally, if you're open to estate cars, the Volvo V60 is an excellent option. It's powerful, great to drive, stylish, well-made and has a decent electric range. It would possibly be the one we'd choose from this selection.

If you want us to help narrow down your search, don't hesitate to come back to us again. Here are a few of our relevant reviews:

Audi A6 50 TFSI e review

BMW 530e review

Volvo V60 review