Expert answer

Hi Harvey,

I'd thoroughly recommend the Volkswagen Multivan for your needs. It comes in two lengths with seven seats. Both are highly versatile, and the boot is big even if you're using all the seats, especially the one with the “long overhang” body.

We've taken this car away on long holiday trips and it has been nothing short of phenomenal. We're only a family of five, but we all fitted in comfortably as well as a few bikes and way too much stuff for a couple of weeks away camping.

What's more, there are diesel and plug-in hybrid versions available, depending on your needs, and it drives more like a car than any of the actual van-based people carriers out there.

The Tourneo would do the job, too, but it's not as flexible and nowhere near as nice to drive.

Go test drive one for yourself and let us know what you think.

Expert answer

Hi Adam,

That's correct so long as the car was actually used in Northern Ireland – and not just imported by a dealer from the rest of the UK for sale. If it's an original Northern Ireland car then it's fine as well. Don't forget about the NOx levy as part of the VRT payment.

Expert answer

Hi Mary,

There are loads of examples of the 2021-2022 Hyundai Santa Fe on the market using the plug-in hybrid powertrain, priced from about €40,000 to over €50,000 depending on the model year, mileage, etc. This is a really good car, and far more spacious than your Tucson, but we urge you to go along to a dealer with your baby seats to check out the space inside for them. There is no ISOFIX in the middle seat of the second row, nor in the third row, and it may still be a bit of a squeeze depending on how large your seats are. A dealer shouldn’t mind you trying out the space with your own seats.

Hybrid alternatives at the same price include the Kia Sorento, again as a plug-in hybrid. This shares its underpinnings with the Hyundai and the seven-seat layout, but it might be better suited to your needs as the middle row is better shaped to potentially take three baby seats. Though the middle position has no ISOFIX if that’s important to you. However, the two seats in the third row do have ISOFIX. Nonetheless, using the third row in any of these cars means a tiny boot.

Another option, though rarer on the used market, is the Toyota Highlander. It’s a seven-seater as well, comparable to the Santa Fe in terms of space. It’s similarly priced though, unlike the Hyundai and the Kia, it’s not a plug-in hybrid. That might be preferable depending on whether you are willing to install a home charger.

Another plug-in hybrid option is the Volvo XC90 T8. It has three individual seats in the middle row and, though the central one has no ISOFIX and is smaller than the outer ones, it still is likely to accommodate a baby seat. Worth checking out for sure.

Now, if you’re willing to consider a car or estate instead of an SUV, you’d do well to take a look at the Skoda Superb as it has a really wide rear seat and a massive boot. It’s also much more affordable than the cars above, available as a hybrid and should come with lower running costs.

Come back to us if you need further help narrowing your search down, but we do urge you to go try out a few of these cars for yourself.

Read our Hyundai Santa Fe PHEV review here

Read our Kia Sorento PHEV review here

Read our Toyota Highlander review here

Read our Volvo XC90 reviews

Read our Skoda Superb reviews

Expert answer

Hi Mary,

You won’t get the three rear-facing seats you need in the back of a Hyundai Tucson, no. Obviously you could use the front passenger seat for one of those, but I doubt that’s what you’re asking. The only Hyundai that might manage it is the Santa Fe.

Expert answer

Hi Phelim,

A rate of €750 a year suggests that the car has been put into the 171-190g/km emissions band. That does seem higher than native Irish Santa Fes. When did you import the car? It sounds to me that Revenue may have 'uplifted' the NEDC emissions rating to its WLTP equivalent, something that has happened since 1 January 2021.

See our Guide to Importing Cars from the UK feature for more information - most of that applies to a car imported from Australia too. Hopefully that helps you understand it.

Expert answer

Hi James,

You SHOULD be able to bring your car in with you without paying VRT or VAT, as, according to Revenue: “You may be able to claim relief from Customs Duty and Value-Added Tax (VAT). This relief applies to imports of the following: bicycles and motor cycles, private cars, trailers, caravans, pleasure craft and private aeroplanes." VRT would be waived, normally, for a transfer of residence. You’ll need to have all your paperwork in order, and you can bet that Revenue will be checking carefully to make sure no-one is trying to pull a fast one, but you should be OK.

Expert answer

Hi Joseph,

If you want to tax a commercial vehicle at commercial vehicle rates, then it has to be strictly used for work purposes, so yes you would need a commercial business to do that. It has to then be used strictly for work purposes — no dropping the kids to school or heading off for the weekend — and there are substantial fines for any breach of that rule. If you want to use it as personal or family transport, then it’ll have to be taxed as a private car. 

Read our Buying a commercial vehicle for private use feature for more detail.

Expert answer

Hi Martin,

It will be safe in terms of the seatbelt mounting etc. The only thing to consider is that there is less room between the back of the car and the child in the case of a rear-end crash, but that's the case for nearly all seven-seat cars in fairness.

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. 

Ford Galaxy reviews

Volkswagen Sharan review

SEAT Alhambra reviews

Hyundai Santa Fe reviews

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.