CompleteCar
Search Ask Us Anything
Showing 51 - 60 results (out of a total of 252) found for "SUV" in Ask Us Anything

Can we claim back VAT on a five-seat SUV?

Can a company claim back VAT on a five-seat SUV?

Deirdre , Galway

Deirdre Dunne (Galway)

Dec 2019 Filed under: commercial vehicle

Expert answer

Hi Deirdre,

Not any more, I’m afraid. The government closed off the loophole in the tax system that allowed five-seat SUVs with big boots to be classed as vans for tax purposes. That was all shut down in July 2018. Now, it’s always worth checking with your accountant, and you can claim back VAT against five-seat crew-cab pickups and vans, but in general the claiming back on SUVs has gone, now. 


What will we replace our Passat with?

Hi there I have a query please.

I have a 181 Passat Comfortline with 78,000km on the clock. We are looking to change as we do every two years. We have got varying prices of €15,000 for the Passat and €16,000 for a Tiguan. We are thinking of the SUV route and have also priced the Skoda Karoq, where we were quoted €11,000. We don't think we are willing to pay as dear to stay Volkswagen, but the garage has a 192 demo Tiguan for €11,000 and wondering if that is worth it. Because of high mileage, resale value is a consideration.

Any advice appreciated.

Eleanor McGrath (Co.Clare)

Oct 2019 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Eleanor,

I think, in general, you’re being given a decent trade-in against your Passat, assuming that the cars you’re looking at have a new price tag of around €35,000. I think of the cars you’ve mentioned, the Skoda looks like the best deal (surprise, surprise) as it’s basically identical to the Tiguan underneath, and just as good to drive. Just as well-made, too. Obviously, going for a demo Tiguan makes a lot of sense too, but just remember that it’ll technically be a two-owner car once it comes to resale time. One final wrinkle is that the new Passat (not entirely new but with some significant updates) is just arriving in dealerships now, so would be worth checking out to see if you prefer that to an SUV.


How much to tax a commercial Santa Fe?

Can you please tell me how much my tax would be on a Santa Fe 2.0-litre commercial SUV, but with private tax cause I don’t have a VAT number? The car has only two seats.

Naomi Campbell (Tipperary )

Oct 2019 Filed under: taxation

Expert answer

Hi Naomi,

Quick question — are you sure it’s a 2.0-litre? Only most Santa Fes since 2006 have had a 2.2-litre diesel engine. If it is indeed a 2.0-litre, then taxing it as a private vehicle will set you back €710. If it does turn out to have a 2.2 then that’s going to be €951.


Can child seats touch each other safely?

Hi,

We are currently trying to fit three car seats in the back of a Ford Mondeo; we can fit a rear facing infant seat on a base (belted not ISOFIX), a slim high back booster non harnessed and a forward facing harnessed slim type high back booster. Only issue is they are all touching and whilst I have room to put my hand between the two boosters to buckle and unbuckle my eldest, I have had conflicting advice. Some people say it's not safe for the seats to be touching, others say once you have room to put your hand between to buckle and unbuckle it is safe, but in reality unless I move up to an SUV, any seats you fit three across in a family-sized car are going to touch off one another.

I would love to hear any advice or research to say whether it is safe or not to have them touching (mainly in regards to side car impact).

Thank you

Mary

Mary McSweeney (Tipperary )

Sep 2019 Filed under: child or baby seats

Expert answer

Hi Mary,

No, you don’t need to be worried if the seat sides are touching or rubbing together. After all, as the car leans over in corners, the seats will lean too and rub in different ways, so it’s not really an issue. As long as you can safely reach the seatbelt release in an emergency, and as long as the seatbelts are fitting properly across everyone’s shoulders, you should be fine. And of course that there's no danger of one seat pushing the release button for another.


Which head-turning SUV to go for?

Selfishly, I would like a head-turning vehicle, that's a comfortable ride and stylish. Unselfishly, I need to consider older parents that can get into the vehicle fairly easily and be comfortable in the back. Prepared to pay for the luxury but looking for right choice. Don't drive many miles a year, with a mix of motorway and urban. Petrol or hybrid seems sensible option. Have looked at SUVs briefly including Macan and Maserati, but not sure these are best buys? Looking for recommendations for a nice sized vehicle for up to four people.

Michelle Morgan (Bromley)

Aug 2019 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Michelle,

Well, a Porsche Macan or Maserati Levante would certainly be fun choices, but possibly not the best from the point of view of your parents… One potentially very good option could be the Volvo XC60 T8 Polestar — a plug-in hybrid with serious performance and excellent handing, but loads of space in the back and really comfy seats. Audi’s new SQ5 diesel is another good choice (really comfy and plenty roomy), as would be the mighty V8 diesel Audi SQ7. To be honest, though, if you want to spend big on a luxurious SUV that’s also fun to drive, it’s pretty hard to look past a Range Rover...

A little reading to help you decide:

Our Porsche Macan reviews

Our Maserati Levante reviews

Our Volvo XC60 reviews

Our Audi SQ5 review

Our Audi SQ7 review

Our Range Rover reviews


Which SUV for up to €23,000?

Looking for a mid-size SUV worth up to €23,000, at max two years old. Something stylish inside and out, quick and reliable. What should I go for?

Aaron Joyce (Limerick)

Jul 2019 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Aaron,

How about a Ford Kuga? That budget would get you into a nearly-new 191 or 182 1.5 TDCi, and it’s a bit of an underrated car — good to drive, roomy and nicely built. A sum of €23,000 obviously buys you a lot of either the ubiquitous Hyundai Tucson or Nissan Qashqai. How about a Mazda CX-5 instead? Gorgeous to look at, great to drive and with a 150hp engine, it’s not slow either. You could also think of a Peugeot 3008, a SEAT Ateca, a previous-generation Toyota RAV4 (better to drive than you might think), or a Volkswagen T-Roc. 

Our Ford Kuga reviews

Our Hyundai Tucson reviews

Our Nissan Qashqai reviews

Our Mazda CX-5 reviews

Our Peugeot 3008 reviews

Our SEAT Ateca reviews

Our Toyota RAV4 reviews

Our Volkswagen T-Roc reviews


A work-home vehicle conundrum...

Hi,

I have a question in relation to insuring an SUV on a private policy and taxing it as commercial. The details of it are: I work as a sole trader and have a company registered etc so all the paper work is covered. However, I need a car for private use and for carrying equipment for work etc. The insurance company have told me the only way to have any private use of a commercial SUV would be to insure it privately with a clause for it to have work use also. I'm trying to find out if I insure it as private will I also have to tax it as private, even though it is a commercial vehicle and primarily used for business. My only other option is to run and insure two different vehicles, only able to use my no-claims discount on one, making it extremely expensive.

Paul Cuddihy (Drogheda)

May 2019 Filed under: commercial vehicle

Expert answer

Hi Paul,

I think in this case, tax is the more serious issue than insurance. From what you’ve explained, you’re planning to tax your SUV as a commercial vehicle, but still use it for private and domestic tasks, and that I’m afraid is a big no-no. It’s specifically prohibited to use a vehicle taxed as a commercial for private, domestic, or pleasure purposes, and that leaves you open to a pretty hefty fine. As for insurance, you can always shop around to find a policy that suits you better, but as always it’s best to be up front and honest with them to avoid any issues down the line if you need to make a claim. Different insurers will have different policies for commercial and private vehicle insurance, and you might be better off finding a good broker who specialises in such mixed-use policies. 


Which new hybrid SUV to go for?

I am a disabled driver and use hand controls for the brake and accelerator. For the last 12 years I have driven a Honda Accord 2.0 petrol automatic. It has been a fantastic car and now has 260k km on the clock. I am looking for a higher vehicle, an SUV, and am looking at the Honda CR-V Hybrid, Toyota RAV4 Hybrid and the Volkswagen Tiguan (I could wait for the hybrid later in the year). I live in rural Ireland and handling on twisty roads is important and accelerating to pass slower moving cars on those all too few straight stretches of road. Is this a good shortlist, and if so, which would you recommend?

Robert Joyce (Clifden)

Mar 2019 Filed under: hybrid

Expert answer

Hi Robert,

Yes, it’s a very solid shortlist, although obviously we can’t comment either way on the Tiguan plug-in hybrid as we’ve not driven one yet. As for the Honda and the Toyota, the Honda is roomier and rather more engaging to drive (better for all those twisty roads) so is probably the one we’d go for. The new RAV4 is well worth looking at, though, and it has impressive performance, so it’s good for all that overtaking. Links to our reviews below:

Honda CR-V Hybrid review

Toyota RAV4 Hybrid review


Looking for a spacious family car...

Looking for recommendations for a family car for a two-year old and a newborn. Petrol, good legroom and boot size, affordable and doesn't feel 'huge' to drive or difficult to park. Already checked out Skoda Octavia and Nissan Qashqai so any advice on these? We weren't looking to buy a brand new car but they both seem to have good scrappage deals...

Orla Greaney (Dublin)

Mar 2019 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Orla,

Get the Skoda. Trust me, as the father of two growing boys a Qashqai is just not big enough inside. The Octavia, on the other hand, has lots of rear legroom (crucial for people in rear-facing child seats or boosters) and a massive boot, especially if you go for the very practical Combi estate version. If you’re looking for other alternatives, stick within the mid-size estate market — they’re much more practical for families than a compact SUV, and usually cheaper too run too. Oh, and they’re not much bigger than the hatchbacks they’re based on, so parking etc. is still a doddle.

Good alternatives to the Skoda are the Ford Focus Estate, the Kia Ceed Sportswagon, the Hyundai i30 Tourer and the Toyota Corolla Touring Sports. Click on those links to read our reviews of each.


Hyundai Santa Fe vs. Skoda Kodiaq 4x4?

Hi.

Could I ask you to do a comparison between the Skoda Kodiaq and new Hyundai Santa Fe in 4x4 format, please?

Thanks

Philip

Philip Donegan (Ballina)

Feb 2019 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Philip,

Well, the first thing to note is that with four-wheel drive, both models will be quite a bit thirstier on fuel than if you went for the more basic front-wheel-drive models. In terms of making a direct comparison of the Kodiaq and Santa Fe, that’s actually kind of tricky as they sit at very different price points. You can pick up a basic Kodiaq for €32,495 while a new Santa Fe starts at €42,745. The Skoda is a really nice car — handsome, roomy and good to drive, but its cabin can feel a little bit plain at times, unless you spend a lot of money on optional extras. The Hyundai looks and feels rather more luxurious, as befits its price, and it feels more of a premium product. Both, in seven-seat form, suffer from the usual SUV problem of the third row seats not really being big enough, either for adults or for small kids in bulky safety seats. If it’s value you’re after, then the Skoda is the obvious choice, but if you fancy something that can take on the German premium brands, at a slightly lower price, then it’s worth looking at the Hyundai. Both should be very reliable in the long term, incidentally.

Skoda Kodiaq reviews

Hyundai Santa Fe reviews


-->