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Hyundai Santa Fe or Kia Sorento - new?

I want to get a new seven-seat SUV in January, but am undecided between the Hyundai Sante Fe Executive and the Kia Sorento Platinum. Which is a better? Also, would the Sante Fe hold its value better if I wanted to change again in three years?

Thanks

Therese Berry (Cavan)

Nov 2016 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Therese,

Both will hold their value pretty solidly, although the Hyundai might just do a shade better as it's a more popular brand overall. We'd still prefer the Kia though - it has the nicer cabin and is fractionally the nicer to drive. Here are our reviews to help you further:

Hyundai Santa Fe review

Kia Sorento review


What is going on with PCP variability?

PCP financing is something of a dark art! Deals tend to vary wildly from dealer to dealer (even for the same make and model) and the advertised offers don't seem to bear much resemblance to how they pan out in reality (I looked into an offer with monthly repayments of €362, but on a 20 per cent deposit the price ballooned to over €600).

Any advice for navigating this form of car financing, especially on how to compare packages?

Martin Moroney (Dublin)

Nov 2016 Filed under: finance

Expert answer

Hi Martin,

Unfortunately, this being Ireland, there's little (nothing actually) in the way of a central database for these things so the only thing is to shop around. I know - I sound like Mary Harney... PCP is, like any form of finance, wildly variable depending on your deposit, your trade in, your credit score and more. The advertised rates are, as ever, based on a theoretical perfect version that may or may not exist in actuality. Think of them like Ryanair seat prices... 


Which is the best new seven-seater around?

Hi, I was looking for a seven-seater; which is the best one? Price, space and technology are important to me. I am looking to buy a new one.

Jinesh Sebastian (Athenry, Galway)

Nov 2016 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Jinesh,

It depends on what kind of size you need. If it’s a compact seven seater, then the best on the market are the Volkswagen Touran, the Toyota Verso and the Kia Carens, but it’s worth looking at the Citroen C4 Picasso too, and maybe even the new Renault Scenic, which goes on sale in the New Year.

If it’s a larger car you need, then the two best choices, by far, are the Ford S-Max and the SEAT Alhambra.

Here are our reviews to help you decide:

Volkswagen Touran review

Toyota Verso review

Kia Carens review

Citroen Grand C4 Picasso review

Renault Grand Scenic review

SEAT Alhambra review

Ford S-Max review


Which high-up SUV to go for?

Guys,

I am interested in buying a second hand SUV with a similar elevation to the Land Rover Freelander, but I am finding most SUVs are closer to saloon car height. Do you have any recommendations for SUVs similar to the Freelander?

Does it make more sense at this stage to wait until January when there will be a more plentiful supply and if so where is best place to get a short term rental for a couple of months?

Thanks

Conor Dowd (Enniskerry)

Nov 2016 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Conor,

The two best SUVs of similar elevation to the Freelander would be the Honda CR-V and the Nissan X-Trail. Both are excellent choices (and the X-Trail can be had with seven seats), but the Honda’s more spirited driving experience nudges it for us. Also worth looking at a Land Rover Discovery Sport (effectively the third-generation Freelander), although they’re pricier than the Honda or Nissan.

As for choosing a buying time, yes, if you wait until the end of January, depending on how new car sales go, there should be a few more trade-ins and the like cluttering up dealer lots so you might get a sharper deal. Any of the big car rental companies will set you up with a good deal on a long-term rent, and Enterprise is probably the best place to start.

Here are a few of our reviews to help you choose:

Honda CR-V review

Nissan X-Trail review

Land Rover Discovery Sport review


What €20,000 MPVs would you recommend?

Hello, we have an 18-month old and have twins due next year. We need a car to fit all the baby seats plus all their buggies and paraphenalia. Will be used for local trips plus for weekend trips back to Cork (from Dublin). Our budget is €20k. What models would you recommend? Imported my current car (Peugeot 407 SW), so not a problem if I need to do that again.

Dan O'Connell (Dublin)

Nov 2016 Filed under: family car

Expert answer

Hi Dan,

I think you’ll probably need to upgrade to an MPV with all those kids and all the kit you’ll need to carry around with you. If you don’t fancy a seven-seater then there’s always five-seat versions such as the Volkswagen Golf SV or Citroen C4 Picasso. Have a look at the likes of a Volkswagen Touran, Kia Carens or Toyota Verso too.

Our reviews to help you decide:

Volkswagen Golf SV review

Citroen C4 Picasso review

Volkswagen Touran review

Kia Carens review

Toyota Verso review


What do you think of the Volkswagen Tiguan?

Any thoughts/advice on the Volkswagen Tiguan 115bhp diesel?

Martin Moroney (Dublin)

Nov 2016 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Martin,

Nice car and the 115hp TDI engine can handle the strain (although the 150hp 2.0 TDI makes life a little easier). Great quality and lots of space. However, if you're shopping for the cheapest Tiguan, have a look at the new SEAT Ateca - it's mechanically the same but much better value for money. Our reviews:

Volkswagen Tiguan review

SEAT Ateca review


Hyundai Tucson or SEAT Ateca?

Hyundai Tucson or SEAT Ateca? I can't decide! Which would you choose and why? I need a diesel, we have two kids and I commute about 150km a day in total.

Thanks

John Murray (Drogheda)

Nov 2016 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi John,

Tough call actually, as there’s very little to separate them. The SEAT is a little nicer inside, in terms of layout and quality, but the Hyundai is a little more spacious. Both the 1.6 TDI engine in the SEAT and the 1.7 CRDiin the Hyundai are a touch underpowered but they’re both solidly good from a point of view of emissions and fuel consumption. It really is too close to call, so perhaps it comes down to styling (arguably the SEAT is a bit more handsome) or warranty (the Hyundai’s five-year unlimited mileage one is hard to beat). Best bet is go drive them both and form your own opinion, but to help, here are our reviews:

Hyundai Tucson 1.7 CRDi review

Hyundai Tucson 2.0 CRDi review

SEAT Ateca 1.4 TSI review

SEAT Ateca 2.0 TDI review


I like the look of the new Ford Kuga...

I like the look of the new Ford Kuga. Which version is best and what will it cost? Any other cars I should look at?

Dave Peterson (Dublin)

Nov 2016 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Dave,

If you find the overall aesthetics of a car matter to you then the Kuga ST Line is the best version of the new line-up to go for. It looks especially good in darker colours. We’re also fans of the Volkswagen Tiguan, though it is at the more expensive end of the market. A similarly good looking car, and more affordable, is the SEAT Ateca. Here are our reviews to help you decide:

Ford Kuga ST Line review

Ford Kuga Vignale review

Volkswagen Tiguan review

SEAT Ateca review


Will I get a Mazda CX-3 or Mazda3 hatchback?

Thinking of purchase a new car. My heart (perhaps not my head) is tending towards a Mazda CX-3 or 3 hatchback. I have a budget of about €22k, as well as trade in of my 06 SEAT Leon. What's the best car for my money? Tend to be in car on my own as second car is MPV for family.

Bucks (Cork)

Niall Buckley (Cork)

Nov 2016 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Niall,

The Mazda3 is the better car, to be honest. It’s bigger inside, much more refined and a little sharper to drive. The CX-3 is nice, but it’s basically a Mazda2 with ambition, so you are essentially getting a smaller car with a smaller interior. Now, I know you say you’re going to be own your own a lot in the car, so perhaps that’s not so important, but even so, the 3 is the superior machine in this case.

Saying all that, we realise that the CX-3 looks fantastic so we'd understand if you were tempted.

Here are our reviews to give you more food for thought:

Mazda3 1.5 diesel hatchback review

Mazda3 2.2 diesel saloon review

Mazda3 1.5 petrol hatchback review

Mazda CX-3 1.5 diesel review


How do I fold my Skoda Octavia's seats?

How do the rear seats fold falt on a Skoda Octavia?

Catherine Williams (Brecon)

Nov 2016 Filed under: seating

Expert answer

Hi Catherine,

There’s a catch on the top corner of each side of the rear seat. Simply lift that and fold the backrest flat. 


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