Best hybrid SUV for three teens in back?
Need to replace a very reliable 12-year-old Toyota Corolla Verso that was bought to accommodate three child seats. Mostly city driving, only 100k on said Verso. Now looking at a hybrid SUV, which would need to fit three teens. Any tips on best SUVs with space in rear seats?
Fidelma O'Reilly (Dublin)Aug 2020 Filed under: hybrid
Expert answer
Hi Fidelma,
A Skoda Kodiaq would be a very good bet — lots of space in the rear seat, plus the option of extra seats in the boot (although those ones are a bit tight for teens), but there’s no hybrid version as yet. Its close cousin, the SEAT Tarraco, will soon be offered as a hybrid, while the new Volkswagen Tiguan arrives next summer.
The Toyota RAV4 is pretty roomy, but there’s no seven-seat option and you might find the rear bench a little narrow for three teens side-by-side. The best thing to do is bring them on the test drive and see if they all fit comfortably.
Peugeot’s 3008 plug-in hybrid could also be worth a look, although you might be better off waiting for the larger 5008 version using the same powertrain. Toyota will be launching its new Highlander seven-seat hybrid SUV in early 2021, but that might be too far away for you.
It all depends on how much you want to spend, as there are hybrid versions of the BMW X3 and X5, plus the Volvo XC60 and XC90. Come back to us with your budget if you want more specific advice.
Price of the Skoda Octavia in Ireland?
What's the price of the new Skoda Octavia?
Peter Mulroe (Emyvale)Jul 2020 Filed under: pricing
Expert answer
Hi Peter,
At the time of writing, the starting price of the new model is €23,950. Read our news story on the new Octavia for more details of the range.
Looking for a car to cover all bases...
We are a senior couple living in a long country lane in Ireland. We drive four long journeys per year. Our nearest large town is 15km away. We would like a car that is comfortable, good on long journeys and short journeys, low on fuel costs, tax and maintenance. And fit at least three grandchildren for school runs.
Marietta O Dowd (Cavan)Jul 2020 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Marietta,
I think a Skoda Karoq might be a good bet for you. It’s a roomy car, and a safe one too, for the grandkids. Get it with the 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine and it’ll be economical on those short runs to town and back, and good enough on those four regular long journeys. It's cheap to tax, and Skoda makes reliable cars, so it should cover all bases.
How much to do crank sensor in an Octavia?
How much would I expect to pay for supply and fitting of a crankshaft sensor on a 2010 Skoda Octavia 1.9 TDI?
Mark Connor (Waterford)Jun 2020 Filed under: parts
Expert answer
Hi Mark,
The price of the sensor itself could vary depending on where it's bought. I suggest you call your local Skoda dealership, ask for the parts department and give them your chassis number or registration number to quote for the part.
The work itself should take a good deal less than one hour.
Toyota Avensis or Mazda CX-5?
I am driving approx 52k yearly in a 1.6-litre diesel 161 VW Passat with 125,000km on the clock. Thinking of changing to a 171 Mazda CX-5 2.2 with 62,000km or a 161 Toyota Avensis 2.0-litre with 98,000km. Which is the better option or is there another I should be looking at?
Mags
Mags Smith (CARRICK-ON-SHANNON)Jun 2020 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Mags,
OK, there’s a bit of a balance to be struck, here. The Avensis would, normally, be a good, solid choice and of the two cars you’ve mentioned, it’s the more economical overall. However, we’re always slightly wary of cars that may have been used in the past as taxis, so you’d want to carefully check the history on that one, using Cartell.ie, for example.
The Mazda CX-5 is one of our favourite cars, but if it’s a 2017 model you’re looking at, then you’d want to make sure that it’s the second-generation CX-5 — not that the older car is bad or anything, but the newer version is a deal more sophisticated and refined, so worth stretching the budget for. The current version arrived in Ireland during 2017. It would be a bit thirstier than the Avensis but of the two it would be our choice.
Others worth looking at? Honda’s CR-V is always an excellent choice (massively roomy, hugely reliable), VW Passat (go for the estate), or the Skoda Superb. Here are a few our reviews to help:
Hot-start issues with my Skoda Octavia...
Hello,
I have a 2009 Skoda Octavia 1.9 TDI. It has 116k miles on the clock, so low for the year. I have been having a nightmare of a problem the last two weeks. The car will start no problem when cold but when it heats up it will not start. It tries to turn over but just conks out then. When running the car runs great, no lag, loss of power etc I have changed the fuel pump, coolant sensor and crankshaft sensor and there are no faults coming up on the diagnostic machine. I have read about software problems but speaking to someone who provides mapping says it would not be a software problem and it is a mechanical problem, but I can't find the fault. This is getting very expensive at this stage and I can't afford to keep trying new parts. Can you shed some light on this?
Thank you.
Stephen Kavanagh (Dublin)Jun 2020 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Stephen,
That is very frustrating. It does, however, point to the coolant sensor, which is a known weak point of this engine. You say you replaced it, but did you fit a new part? Is there any possibility the wiring or connector is the issue rather than the sensor itself?
Failing all that, I think it's time to get a good mechanic or Skoda dealer involved to get to the bottom of this.
VW T-Cross, Skoda Kamiq or Suzuki Vitara?
Looking at VW T-Cross, Skoda Kamiq or Suzuki Vitara... which would you recommend?
Mary Bane (Ennis)Jun 2020 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Mary,
Of the three, it’s probably the T-Cross that we prefer. It is more expensive than the Skoda, but makes up for that by feeling rather more stylish and a little more engaging to drive. Both are very good, though. The Vitara is decent, and solid, but feels a little too cheap in the cabin these days, which does hold it back. Incidentally, if you’re buying new and you’re in the small crossover market, you should also look at the new Ford Puma — it’s the best car in the class by far. Here are our reviews to help you decide:
NOx levy on a 2014 Skoda Octavia TDI?
Hi,
How much is the NOx levy on a 2014 Skoda Octavia SE 1.6 TDI?
Thanks
Igor Cotorobai (Dublin )Jun 2020 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi Igor,
According to our best data, it should be a 131mg/km, so that would equate to €1,575 of NOx charge, which of course is on top of the rest of the VRT calculation.
NOx charge on a 2010 Skoda Octavia?
Do you know the NOx charge for a 2010 Skoda Octavia diesel 1.6 105hp, rated at 119g/km?
Thanks in advance
Michael Downes (Crusheen)Jun 2020 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi Michael,
OK, the NOx charge seems still to be something of an inexact science, not least because accurate NOx values are still hard to come by for some models. Now, we think that a 2010 Octavia 1.6 TDI has NOx emissions of 152mg/km, which would equal a NOx charge of €1,725 (€5 per mg for the first 60mg, €15 per mg between 60 and 80mg, and then €25 per mg per the balance: €300 + €300 + €1,125 = €1,725). That’s on top of the normal VRT charge, of course.
NOx figure for this Skoda Superb TDI?
I am considering importing a 2019/2020 Skoda Superb 190hp TDI L&K Combi, but apart from one website that tells me the NOx is zero (zero: can this be correct?), I cannot find any official figures to work out the VRT costs. Can you help, please?
Terry Crofton (Ballydehob)May 2020 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi Terry,
That car should have a NOx figure of 67mg/km (although the final figure will depend on the car’s spec and equipment — it should be recorded on the V5 registration document). If our 67mg/km figure is right, then that translates to a NOx charge of €405.