Looking for a reliable family car...
We are looking for some good options for a really reliable family car. Nothing too big as parking in the car park my wife works in is a nightmare as it is very tight. We were looking at a 2014 Nissan Qashqai+2, a 2015 Kia cee'd Sportswagon and might look at the Skoda Octavia. Insignia looks good but it's a monster of a size.
The Qashqai+2 seems expensive for a 2014 model. Would it be a waste? We do mileage of about 11k to 12k a year. Are the cars we looked at above the best options or what others would you recommend and best engine to go for? We want a really good boot and rear seat space for young kids with ISOFIX seating.
Thanks
Tomas Best (Dublin)Jan 2018 Filed under: family car
Expert answer
Hi Tomas,
The problem with the Qashqai+2 is that it’s the older model Qashqai, which is nowhere near as sophisticated as the current model. Do you really need the seven seats? If not, then I think that the Kia cee’d Sportswagon is a much better bet — bigger boot than the Qashqai, comfier and better to drive and with that seven-year warranty for peace of mind. A cracking choice.
Also well worth looking at the Octavia Combi and the VW Golf Estate, but make sure you’re going for a petrol engine with that mileage — you won’t need a diesel. Actually, with that in mind, the Toyota Auris Hybrid Sport Tourer estate is also well worth a look. Here are a few reviews to help you decide:
Should we stick with petrol or go diesel?
Hi there,
We do annual mileage of about 11 or 12k. During the week the daily mileage is only about 20 miles or so and on slower roads so speed only about 80km/h max. We would do bigger mileage some weekends on motorway. My question is, would we run into problems with a diesel car? We currently have petrol but looking to update to a bigger car with a 1.4-1.6-litre range. However, there are very few petrol car options it appears suitable for family size. All the options seem to be diesel, which is fine, but I have heard that there can be mechanical issues if mileage and speed is not sufficient. Is that true?
Any advice much appreciated. What car options would you recommend to look at if going petrol or diesel?
Tomas Best (Dublin)Jan 2018 Filed under: petrol vs. diesel
Expert answer
Hi Tomas,
Yes, it is an issue and could potentially be a very serious issue with your kind of mileage and driving profile. The problem is that you need to generate heat in the exhaust system to keep the diesel particulate filter clear, and low mileages and low speeds just don’t do that. You can get around that, a bit, by doing a regular long motorway or main road run, keeping to a low-ish gear for a while, but that’s not convenient for everyone.
Basically speaking, I think you’re best sticking with petrol if at all possible and there are some big-car petrol options out there if you look around and get a little lucky. Try and track down a Skoda Octavia with the 1.2 TSI turbo petrol engine, perhaps? Or maybe consider a Toyota Prius — they’re pretty big inside (although the boot is not massive).
Price of a 2008 Toyota Corolla?
What about the price of a 2008 Toyota Corolla with petrol 1.4 engine and 134,000km?
Jins Joseph (Rosecommon)Jan 2018 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Jins,
A lot will depend on the condition and history, but I’d say it will be worth around €4,500; maybe €3,000 as a trade-in.
What to replace my Renault Scenic with?
I have an ageing Renault Scenic petrol automatic. Apart from poor mpg, it is brilliant - comfortable (I've fitted cruise control) with very good options for load carrying. What do I replace it with?
John Wiloughby (Stroud)Jan 2018 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi John,
Well, there are lots of good options. If you still like MPVs and like Renaults then the new Scenic is a bit of a cracker. Very comfy, and you can get it with an impressive 115hp 1.2 petrol turbocharged engine that should be rather more economical than what you’ve been used to. And it comes with cruise control as standard now.
Other, similar models worth considering are the Citroen C4 Picasso/Grand Picasso, VW Touran, Kia Carens or the Toyota Verso. Here are our relevant reviews:
Can you tell me about a new Lexus crossover?
Can you tell me anything please about the new Lexus hybrid small crossover due out in 2018 I think? I drive an Audi A4 and love it, but thinking of changing to Lexus so I can drive a hybrid.
Many thanks
Elizabeth Regan (Dublin)Jan 2018 Filed under: hybrid
Expert answer
Hi Lily,
We’ll very likely find out a good deal more about the new small Lexus crossover at the upcoming Detroit Auto Show, or failing that the Geneva show in March. Here’s what we know for now, though...
It will be called the Lexus UX, and the company has already trademarked the UX 250h badge for the hybrid version. That suggests it may use the 2.5-litre petrol engine and hybrid assistance found in the existing Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, but, as the UX will platform share with the smaller Toyota C-HR, it may be that it will get a higher performance version of that car’s 1.8-litre hybrid. Certainly, Toyota has been making noise about a higher performance version of the C-HR Hybrid so it’s likely that both models are being developed in tandem.
Tell me about the Toyota Auris 1.2...
Hi,
My friend is considering buying a new Toyota Auris 1.2 Turbo petrol and was asking me for some advice. Is this engine the same as the Puretech one made by Peugeot, as I know Toyota and PSA share some engines, etc? Or is it made by Toyota themselves or is it a BMW engine? I would almost rather if it was much the same as the PSA Puretech one, but is this so?
Kieran, Waterford.
Ciarán Holohan (Waterford)Dec 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Ciaran,
No, it’s actually Toyota’s own design of engine, and is quite closely related to the 1.0-litre three-cylinder unit in the Yaris and Aygo. It’s pretty clever actually — able to switch from Otto cycle to Atkinson cycle (which helps to save fuel) and back again. It’s a good engine to drive, if you’ve not tried one, smooth and reasonably powerful (only 114hp but a decent 184Nm of torque).
We need a reliable family car for two kids...
Hi there,
We are starting to look for a good reliable family car suitable for two young children as our journeys now require a lot more space for everything. I know the estates are probably the most practical, but not our preferred choice so if possible could you recommend more compact options with the best interior space?
We were considering the following: Nissan Quashqai - which is best spec? Renault Kadjar - is it reliable however? Skoda Octavia? Any options from Toyota or Hyundai? Reliability is very important. Your thoughts on the above would be really appreciated.
I also note that most, the Kadjar in particular, are available mostly in diesel. Our mileage is probably around 15,000km a year. Would we be ok with a diesel option?
Many thanks
Mark Yeates (Waterford)Dec 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Mark,
Yes, estates are definitely the most practical, and generally offer a lower purchase price and lower running costs than an equivalent SUV or crossover. They tend to have bigger boots, too. The best Qashqai spec is generally SV or SVE, which come with the touchscreen, air conditioning and some other nice toys. The Kadjar is essentially mechanically identical to the Qashqai, so should be fine from a reliability front.
The Skoda Octavia Combi estate would probably be the best overall bet for you. The rear seats and boot are massive and very kid-friendly, and they’re reliable. With your mileage, you’re probably better off with a petrol engine, so go for a 1.2 TSI for the best overall value.
It’s well worth looking at a Toyota Auris Estate too — it's huge inside and virtually unbreakable. Worth considering the hybrid as well. Hyundai is also well worth a look. The Tucson makes a good SUV option, and the i40 Tourer estate is a terrific car, but you’ll struggle to find anything other than a diesel. Here are a few reviews for further reading:
Economy of a 2016 Toyota Corolla 1.4?
Economy of a 2016 Toyota Corolla 1.4?
Mick Cox (Ballina)Expert answer
Hi Mick,
The official fuel consumption for a 1.4 D-4D diesel Toyota Corolla is 4.1 litres per 100km, or 68.8mpg. That would suggest that you should see 50-55mpg in normal, daily driving.
Petrol Golf, Civic or Toyota Auris Hybrid?
Unsure what to buy, I am torn between three cars, the Honda Civic Smart Plus, VW Golf Comfortline and the Toyota Auris Hybrid Luna Sport. All are petrol, doing 1,000km a week so looking for most economical and within reason an all round good car.
Thanks.
Declan Dore (Tralee)Nov 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Declan,
It’s actually really hard to pick a winner out of those three. The Auris Hybrid is a good choice, but works best if most of your mileage is in town. At 1,000km a week, it sounds like you’re doing longer journeys than that. Between the Golf and the Civic? Both have excellent 1.0-litre turbo petrol engines, but I think on balance we’d come down on the side of the Civic. It's roomier inside than the Golf and has (slightly) better reliability prospects in the longer term.
Can I get leather on a new Toyota C-HR?
I have asked my Toyota dealer if I can order the leather seats for my 2018 C-HR 1.2 Luna Sports and he said it doesn't come with them, ut another garage said yes I can order them no problem, for €1,000. Can l or can't I?
Mark O Shea (Cork)Nov 2017 Filed under: seating
Expert answer
Hi Mark,
We asked Toyota Ireland about this and the explanation appears to be that the leather seats are not set up to be ordered from the factory, though they can be purchased as an aftersales accessory.