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 Thomas,

The Tiguan eHybrid officially manages up to 121 kilometres on a charge of its 19.7kWh battery. That's up among the longest-range PHEVs on the market right now. Cupra's Terramar is built on the same underpinnings and has more or less the same electric range as well.

In comparison, the Tucson PHEV and Sportage PHEV manage 70km at most as they have a smaller battery. Same story for the Toyota C-HR. The Toyota RAV4 PHEV goes slightly further on a charge than those, but we suspect that situation will improve further in the new generation that is about to be unveiled.

Expert answer

Hi Marek,

Go to https://www.mlit.go.jp/jidosha/jidosha_fr10_000019.html (and use a browser that will automatically translate it from Japanese to English for you) and scroll down to item 6 and get Excel files full of information for loads of JDM cars. Those hold engine codes, etc, fuel consumption and CO₂ data.

We found several entries for the Toyota you mentioned, with CO₂ varying from 173-187g/km depending on the specific version of car.

If you're importing this car, Revenue will likely take the official NEDC CO₂ figure for the European market and 'uplift' it to WLTP standards, meaning that even the automatic model will likely be in Band F (191-225g/km), while the manual may be in Band G (226g/km and higher).

Expert answer

Hi Cathal,

The Audi Q3 is a bit smaller than the Kia and Hyundai mentioned so make sure you try one out for size if you're serious about that. The equivalent Skoda (to the Sportage and Tucson) is the Karoq, though the larger Kodiaq would also be in budget.

I'd have a little more confidence in the Kia and Hyundai in terms of reliability in comparison to the Audi and Skoda, but only a little as all of these are decent cars. The Hyundai is the most common by far, which means you could afford to be picky in terms of mileage, condition and specification. The Sportage and Tucson are effectively identical under the skin, though the Sportage may come with more of the original warranty in tact, which is another consideration.

In terms of alternatives, we've always liked the Mazda CX-5 for how it drives and, if you're not set on diesel, then the Toyota RAV4 hybrid shouldn't be ignored, either.

Feel free to come back to us if you need further help narrowing things down.

Let us know how many in the family and on which car seats if applicable, plus your annual mileage.

Expert answer

Hi Jacqui,

That's highly unlikely unless you actually convert the vehicle by removing its rear seats and fitting a bulkhead and then have it reclassified as a commercial vehicle. Even if you did all that, the annual commercial vehicle tax fee only applies to vehicles used solely for the purpose of a business, which you'd need to prove. No personal use is allowed at all.

Expert answer

Hi Dermot,

The conversion work would either have to be done (and certified) before importation (in which case it could be imported as a commercial) or the Land Cruiser would have to be imported as a passenger car and the conversion carried out afterwards. Either way it's a lot of hassle for sure.

As a passenger car, the Land Cruiser would likely attract 30 per cent VRT. That's 30 per cent of the Open Market Selling Price (OMSP) as determined by Revenue. If we assume that's €8,000, then the VRT would be €2,400. And the NOx levy would be on top of that - up to a maximum of €4,850 for diesel cars if you can't prove it has a lower level of NOx emissions.

Expert answer

Hi Alan,

Yes it does. The seats are also heated and ventilated. 

Expert answer

Hi Chris,

Assuming the vehicles are registered in your name and you qualify for Transfer of Residence (ToR) relief, the following steps must be completed:

1 - Apply for ToR relief by following the steps on Revenue's Moving to live in Ireland from outside the EU page. After completing this, you'll receive a reference number or ToR approval letter, ensuring no customs duty or VAT are due. 

2 - Book an appointment at NCTS.ie to have the cars inspected. Even if eligible for ToR with no VRT due, you still need this step. You'll then get Irish registration numbers to get plates made. 

3 - Tax the cars on Motor Tax Online and the Irish registration certificates will come in the post. 

For the latter steps you'll need the following:

- Original V5C 'logbook' for the cars

- Proof of Irish address

- Photo ID

You should start the ToR process immediately as you are supposed to book an appointment with the NCTS within seven days of arrival in Ireland and then complete the process within 30 days.

One word of caution though, and perhaps it's worth a call to Revenue in Ireland on this, but the above guidelines are correct when bringing one car into Ireland that you own. There is no specific guidance in the public realm for bringing more than one vehicle with you. In theory it should make no difference how many cars you bring in, but it's worth checking that before you commit to the process to avoid unnecessary costs.

Do let us know how you get on.

Expert answer

Hi Michael,

You'll find someone somewhere that has had an issue with nearly every car on sale, but the Hyundai Tucson in general has been very reliable and we'd not hesitate in recommending it. The Kia Sportage is based on the same mechanicals, and it has the same strong reputation. If you're not set on diesel, you could consider the dependable Toyota RAV4 instead, or the Nissan Qashqai e-Power for that matter.

Come back to us with your budget and annual mileage if you want us to help you narrow your search.

Expert answer

Hi Gary,

We'd definitely advocate for an estate over an MPV or SUV as they're more space efficient, more fuel efficient and generally better to drive, especially as you clearly spend quite a bit of time on the road.

Assuming you're on the motorway for much of that, then a diesel probably makes the most sense, though if you're generally at lower speeds, it's well worth considering a hybrid instead to keep your maintenance bills down.

Within budget are some lovely premium estates, such as the Audi A4 and A6 Avant, along with the BMW 3 Series Touring, Volkswagen Passat and Skoda Superb, though you might have to compromise and go for high-mileage examples.

There are a few diesel Ford Focus estates around as well, along with the underestimated Kia Ceed estate. On the hybrid side, there's an estate version of the Toyota Corolla to consider as well.

Come back to us if you'd like help narrowing down your search, as you have loads of choice with €20,000 to spend.