Expert answer

Hi Ciara,

In general, larger cars come with better seats, and the Auris is in a class above the Clio in size terms so that would normally hold true. However, there's two years between these cars and over 100,000km, to the benefit of the Clio, and that really goes against the Toyota as its seats (and everything else of course) will have been through a lot more use. On top of that, the Clio is one of the bigger and more substantial cars in its sector.

In this case, and without knowing anything about the condition or service history of both (just as important as mileage and year), I'd suggest the Clio would be a better bet for you. Both are similarly economical.

A quick look on Carzone.ie for a diesel hatchback for under €9,000 reveals plenty of good alternatives to the above, including the Nissan Note and Pulsar and Honda Civic. There are loads of others with higher mileages on the clock already. From what I've seen, the Honda Civic seems like a really good option.

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Hi Catherine,

It will depend on the car's CO₂ rating. We believe that is 163g/km. Assuming that this car is already registered in Ireland, then the annual motor tax for that car is €570 up to the end of 2020, and €600 thereafter.

Full details on the Irish motor tax system can be found in our Motor Road Tax Prices in Ireland Explained article.

Expert answer

Hi Nicola,

Sadly, that is the correct rate. A 2009 Auris, which would have been on the CO₂ tax system from the get-go, with the 1.4-litre VVTi petrol engine, has CO₂ emissions of 163g/km, and is therefore liable for €570 a year in motor tax or, as you currently pay, €160 every quarter. 

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Hi Catherine,

Now is a good time to buy a hybrid, that’s for certain, but given that the Toyota C-HR and Hyundai Kona are among the very few hybrid crossovers currently on sale, you may struggle a little to find choice beyond those two models. It could be well worth looking at a Toyota Corolla or Auris hatchback or estate instead — they’re more practical, in any case, and there’s very little actual difference in height. Alternatively, there’s the Kia Niro hybrid, which was on sale from 2017. Prices for early Niros are now down to around €20,000, and they’ll still be under warranty until 2024.

Read our Toyota C-HR reviews

Read our Hyundai Kona reviews

Read our Toyota Corolla reviews

Read our Toyota Auris reviews

Read our Kia Niro reviews

Expert answer

Hi Ann,

Well, in general, it’s usually better to go for the younger, lower-mileage car — but, it’s far more important to buy on the basis of condition and history. Does one have a full, complete and bulging service history file? Go for that one. Is one in obviously better shape? Is one being bought from a franchised dealer who’s offering a good warranty? All of these things need to be factored in; it’s not just age and mileage.

Expert answer

Hi Margot,

Well, you could go for the alternative option to both — the Toyota Auris Hybrid estate. Lots of space and excellent economy. I’ve put my reputation on the line recommending these to a couple of friends recently and so far, I’ve not been told off for sticking them with a bad car...

Other good alternatives are the Peugeot 308 SW, the Kia Ceed SportWagon, the VW Golf Estate and the Skoda Octavia Combi. The only issue, really, is finding any of these — estate sales in Ireland are so small that you may have to consider an import.

Here are our relevant reviews to help you decide:

Toyota Auris Touring Sports review

Peugeot 308 SW review

Volkswagen Golf Estate review

Skoda Octavia reviews

Expert answer

Hi Tom,

It’s lovely — plenty powerful enough, decent economy and good refinement. Arguably, the hybrid is the better Auris model, but if part-electric power’s not your thing then the 1.2 is a very good substitute. 

Read our Toyota Auris reviews here

Expert answer

Hi Rory,

OK, the car that most obviously fits your criteria is the Toyota Yaris Hybrid. However, the cheapest one we’ve seen for sale is a 2015 model for €12,995 so that’s a bit over budget and already four years old. A Toyota Auris Hybrid would also seem to fit the bill, but again you’re looking at a much older car to fit your budget — probably a 2012 or 2013 car, so that’s not going to have the modern electronic systems you’re looking for.

I think the best bet might be to go small — like really small. Like Volkswagen Up or Skoda Citigo or SEAT Mii small. You’ll easily find one of those in budget, with a small petrol engine (1.0) and, if you shop around a bit, with the high-tech options you’re looking for.

Expert answer

Hi Antoinette,

The thing is that they’re two very different cars — the Polo is a significantly smaller vehicle than the Auris. So, if you need the space, and you like the hybrid aspect, then definitely go for another Auris. If you’re happy with the space in the Polo, and you can live without the hybrid bit, then the Polo is a very fine car.

Expert answer

Hi Tony,

Currently you can buy the following hybrids on the Irish market: Toyota Corolla, CH-R, RAV4, Prius, Yaris, and there are probably a few run-out  examples of the Auris Hybrid out there still in dealerships. There’s also the Kia Niro and the Hyundai Ioniq. There’s the full Lexus range — CT, IS, RC, GS, ES, LS, NX, RX and LC. There’s the Ford Mondeo Hybrid, too. There’s the new Honda CR-V Hybrid, some Mercedes diesel-hybrids and petrol plug-in hybrids, oh and the new AMG 53 six-cylinder mild hybrids.

Suzuki does mild hybrids too — for the Baleno, Swift and Ignis. Then there are the plug-in hybrids — Kia Niro and Hyundai Ioniq again, plus the Volvo XC90 and XC60 T8 models, along with the S90 and V90; the BMW i8, 330e, 530e, X5 40e, 225xe, and the MINI Countryman S E; there’s also the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport plug-ins, the Mitsubishi Outlander, the Volkswagen Golf and Passat GTE, the Audi Q7 e-tron and the Porsche Panamera and Cayenne.

I bet I've forgotten some...