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Hi JP,

They’re basically the same car — same engine, gearbox, electronics etc, just with different bodies. Our preference comes down, slightly, on the side of the Kia, just because we prefer the styling and the interior, but you won’t go wrong with either. Here are our reviews:

Hyundai Santa Fe review

Kia Sorento review

Expert answer

Hi Brian,

I’d be very tempted by the new Peugeot 5008, especially the one with the 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol 130hp engine. It’s really roomy, comes with seven seats as standard, is good to drive and even with the petrol engine isn’t too harsh on tax. The Skoda Kodiaq is another very, very good seven-seat SUV, but you do have to pay extra for the extra seats. Kia’s Sorento is a big favourite of ours too, but it’s bigger and pricier and has higher tax than the Peugeot or Skoda. Here are our reviews to help you decide:

Peugeot 5008 review

Skoda Kodiaq review

Kia Sorento review

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Hi Ray,

If you fancy a hybrid, then the best current model is the Toyota Prius. Its looks may divide opinion, but it is exceptionally economical, even on a long motorway run, and it has a roomy, comfortable cabin. Read our Toyota Prius review here.

If you fancy something a little more prestigious, then how about the Lexus IS 300h? Not quite as spacious as the Opel you have, but with exceptional build quality, decent economy and terrific refinement. Read our Lexus IS 300h review here.

BMW”s 330e plugin hybrid is another good contender, as is Volkswagen’s Passat GTE, but they’re both quite pricey and work better in downtown than they do on the open road. As far as hybrid SUVs go, Toyota’s C-HR is lovely, but rather small inside, so it may be worth waiting for Honda to launch its new CR-V hybrid next year. More reviews for you:

BMW 330e review

Volkswagen Passat GTE review

Toyota C-HR Hybrid review

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Hi Colin,

Yes, the X-Trail has always been a touch noisy, and that hasn’t changed much for the latest version, although it is a little improved. While the Nissan is a really good car with lots of space, decent quality and decent handling, for our money the Skoda has it well beaten, not least because of its cabin, which is more attractive to look at and better-built. The Kodiaq is also slightly nicer to drive, and definitely a little more refined. A few relevant test drives:

Skoda Kodiaq 2.0 TDI review

Nissan X-Trail review

Expert answer

Hi Declan,

Don’t get an X3 then — it has great seats, and is higher up, but has a ride every bit as hard as that of the 4 Series. Would you consider a Lexus? The NX SUV is really very comfy, and softer riding than most competitors, as is the Volvo XC60 (either the new model or the old one) as long as you avoid larger optional alloys and the R-Design pack.

Read our BMW X3 vs. Lexus NX twin test

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Hi John,

Yes, just go to the system settings menu (have a look at your owner's manual) and change the selection from Metric to Imperial. It takes a couple of seconds, but best to do it when you’re stopped rather than driving.

Expert answer

Hi Daithi,

Well, the best brands for residual values are generally held to be Toyota, Skoda or the premium German car brands. That said, Kia tends to perform quite well in residual terms right now, not least because of that impressive seven-year warranty. An Optima should make a good choice, then, as would a Toyota Avensis. That said, it’s very clear right now that the market is moving, rapidly, to being centred around SUVs and crossovers, not traditional four-door saloons, so you might be well advised to have a look at one of those — a Kia Sportage, perhaps, or Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Tucson, Nissan Qashqai or Volkswagen Tiguan.

Expert answer

Hi Enda,

There's a growing number of options for seven-seat SUVs. The new Skoda Kodiaq is excellent and €50k would buy you one with a lot of toys. The Kia Sorento is also in that price bracket and is big, roomy and hugely comfortable. Ditto the Hyundai Santa Fe. Peugeot's incoming new 5008 is worth a look too. Here are our reviews of them all to help you out:

Skoda Kodiaq review

Kia Sorento review

Hyundai Santa Fe review

Peugeot 5008 review

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Hi Amylee,

We really like the Renegade - true, the looks won't please all, but it's decent to drive, that 1.6 diesel is frugal and has good power (bit noisy though) and there's decent space in the cabin. Quality levels seem good too, although the boot could be bigger. Out of 100? 65-70 I'd say. 

Read our Jeep Renegade review here

Expert answer

Hi Martin,

We haven’t actually done that, as yet, but here’s a quick rundown of our favourites:

1. Skoda Superb Combi: massive, roomy, cavernous, spacious, replete with space — whatever way you want to put it, the Superb is the best estate around simply because you can fit the most amount of stuff into one. Looks good too, and is exceptionally comfortable. Not the sharpest thing to drive, but you won’t really care.

2. Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate: really good looking, massive boot, staggeringly high quality cabin, comfortable, smooth 2.0-litre diesel and surprisingly good to drive.

3. Volvo V90: another one that’s surprisingly good to drive, with sharper steering than you’d expect. Gorgeous interior, exceptionally comfy seats and the only problem is that the boot isn’t quite as big as it should be. Exterior styling does kind of make up for that, a little.

4. Volkswagen Golf Estate: not the obvious choice perhaps, but adds extra space (lots of it — a 605-litre boot) to the Golf’s usual other qualities of quality and classiness. An ideal family car and more affordable to buy and run than an average SUV.