What to replace my SEAT Ateca with?
Hi guys,
I'd like your advice please on what to change my SEAT Ateca for or stick like for like (it's a lovely drive).
I live in north Donegal so very windy roads but now spend three out of four weeks in Louth caring for my father who's had a stroke, So wheelchair and Zimmer frame space is needed. I already have heated front seats in mine, that's a must, plus I mind my grandnephew and there's a new baby on the way so it needs to be easy to fit a car seat also.
Because Donegal is so hilly I need a good bit of power. I was thinking automatic for the longer drives but honestly don't mind manual. I'm also used to diesel, I'd like rear parking assistance, Bluetooth, anti-collision detection if possible.
So many to choose from my brain is addled, I've a 172 Ateca at the moment so want to go 2021+ and my maximum budget is €16,000 plus whatever I get for my car as a trade-in.
Any advice would be great thank you
Lorraine Rath (Gweedore)Mar 2025 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Lorraine,
There really is a lot of choice out there, but we will try to help you narrow things down.
With your car as a trade-in, and the €16,000 budget on top, we'll look for cars up to about €27,000.
First up, narrowing the search to automatic SUVs post-2021 really limits your options to the Nissan Qashqai, which isn't very powerful, the Peugeot 3008 (which is quite rare) or the Skoda Karoq and Volkswagen Tiguan. The latter two are potentially worth a look as they're built on much the same underpinnings as your Ateca and their 2.0 TDI engines have plenty of go. There aren't many of them about with automatic gearboxes though.
Removing the constraint on that opens up the options considerably and one car that stands out for us right away is the Mazda CX-5. It's perhaps not as common as some others, but it's great to drive in particular and it should tick all your other boxes. Try to get hold of one to test drive for yourself.
A newer Ateca is of course an option, and we're big fans of the SEAT, but all the newer ones we found haven't a very powerful engine.
The Peugeot 3008 is another car we like and would encourage you to try it out for size. There are plenty of them about with a manual gearbox.
All of these should have the niceties you're looking for as well.
Come back to us if you need help narrowing your search further, or if you want our opinions on any other alternative to the above.
Explain these motor tax rates for me...
Hi,
My question is this: Why is the motor tax on a 2019 five-seat Peugeot Rifter only €270 and the motor tax on a 141 Peugeot van is €514? I'm thinking it may have something to do with the CO2 rating, but if so, why not the same for both vehicles?
Neil Dunne (Kinsale, Co. Cork.)Mar 2025 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Neil,
For cars, the motor tax band is determined by the CO2, as you said, but for vans it works differently. When a van is used purely for commercial reasons it's a flat rate of €333, but if the van is actually to be used for any private reasons, it has to be taxed as a private vehicle.
And for some bizarre reason, the rate it is then taxed at is determined not by its CO2 rating, but by its engine size. Hence the weird situation you've described above where the Peugeot van's engine (1,501-1,600cc in size) means it costs €514 a year to tax for private use, while the CO2 emissions of the Rifter (141-150g/km) mean it only costs €270 a year.
Hopefully that explains what's happening anyway, weird as it seems.
What will I replace my Kia Rio with?
Hi,
I have a budget of about €7,000. I've been driving a 2009 Kia Rio for five years. I like how it handles, but I'd like a higher seating position and more clearance underneath because I live very rurally.
Things that matter to me: handling on curves and in bad weather, comfortable ride, fuel efficiency, ideally fold flat rear seats as I occasionally like to do DIY. Not too noisy (wind and road).
I do love to drive, and a bit of horsepower wouldn't go awry! But once it isn't crawling uphill, the other factors are more important. I rarely have passengers. Not concerned whether it's petrol or diesel, once it's manual.
Appreciate your advice!
Mary Alagna (Kinsale, Co. Cork.)Mar 2025 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Mary,
There's loads of choice on the market at that price level, and one car that stands out as potentially perfect for you is the Honda Jazz. Manual versions are rarer, but they do exist. The seating position should be a little higher than your Rio's, but it's still a car that handles well in the corners rather than a lofty SUV. The rear seats have loads of versatility built into them as well.
If you found your Kia dependable, a natural replacement could be the Kia Venga, a kind of tall hatchback. The Hyundai ix20 is effectively the same car, and they're not bad, though probably won't tick the "bit of horsepower" box for you...
Let me know if we're on the right track and if you need help narrowing down your search.
Do I pay a NOx levy importing a commercial?
Hi,
Can you help? I want to import a 2005 Mercedes Sprinter pickup with two seats and a driver's seat; will I have to pay a NOx levy?
Thanks
Rory Mc Donnell (Roscommon)Mar 2025 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Expert answer
Hi Rory,
The NOx levy only applies to passenger cars, so no, you shouldn't have to pay it.
Toyota bZ4X or Hyundai Kona Electric as a taxi?
Think of getting an EV in the next few weeks for taxi driving around Dublin city (will avail of the grant). I’m caught between the Toyota bZ4X and new Hyundai Kona; any feedback would be appreciated.
Frank (Dublin)Feb 2025 Filed under: taxi
Expert answer
Hi Frank,
We wouldn’t have considered those to be natural rivals as the Toyota starts at about €43,000 and the most expensive Kona Electric is €38,495 and in truth, the cabin ambience of the bZ4X reflects that – it’s a more luxurious car inside. The Toyota is also more spacious in the back seats, though they have similarly sized boots. The bZ4X is nicer to drive and smoother, though the Hyundai is a little more efficient in real-world driving.
In short, if the price difference isn’t part of your decision, you just need to go and test drive both to see which you prefer, as we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend either.
Are both seats powered in the Kia EV3?
Does the Kia EV3 GT-line in Ireland have both front seats powered?
Edwin Richards (Letterkenny, Ireland)Feb 2025 Filed under: seating
Expert answer
Hi Edwin,
No, it's just the driver's seat.
Which seven-seater to replace our Tucson?
What make of seven-seater would you recommend as a good family car? Need to be able to take three baby seats, needs to be automatic, hybrid and have a good-sized boot. We have a 2022 Hyundai Tucson and the Santa Fe might be an option. Preferably no older than 2021.
Thanks
Mary Higgins (Dublin)Feb 2025 Filed under: choosing used car
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
Looking to import a Range Rover for my business...
I am looking at buying a 2012 ‘L322’ Range Rover from NI; can I tax it for commercial tax if I have a VAT number and I have my own business?
Michael (Thurles Co,Tipperary)Feb 2025 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Expert answer
Hi Michael,
To qualify for commercial tax rates, the Range Rover must have had its rear seats removed and a bulkhead fitted. Or be previously classed as an “N1” commercial. You can’t just bring in a regular SUV such as the Range Rover and tell Revenue it’s a commercial, even if you do have a legitimate business.
Which Hyundai for three baby car seats?
What is the best Hyundai car that will take three baby seats for a four-year-old, a two-year-old and new baby safely? Can a Hyundai Tucson fit three baby seats?
Mary Higgins (Dublin)Feb 2025 Filed under: child or baby seats
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.
VW ID.7 Tourer or Volve EX90?
Supposing you had €100K plus to purchase a car. Which of Volvo EX90 or Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer would you purchase?
Peter Conlan (Wexford)Feb 2025 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Peter,
We’d never consider those cars to be rivals. The entry-level EX90 is nearly €120,000 while the most expensive ID.7 Tourer listed on Volkswagen Ireland’s website is a little over half that.
The EX90 has seven seats and is a luxury car. The ID.7 is lovely inside, really spacious in the rear seats and has a massive boot, but it can’t compete with the Volvo’s interior in reality. Nonetheless, to drive, we’d take the ID.7 every time.
But does any buyer that can afford a certain level of outlay look at a cheaper car and think, “that’ll do me”? We don’t believe so.