Which new crossover or SUV for me?
Hello,
Which crossover/SUV would you recommend? I do circa 25-30k kilometres per year, mostly motorways, but also a fair bit of urban driving.
Roseanna
Roseanna Gorman (Bray)Dec 2018 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Roseanna,
First things first — if you’re doing mostly urban and motorway miles, you really don’t need an SUV. A more conventional hatchback, saloon, or estate is going to be more comfortable, better value, more economical and a better-engineered vehicle all round. If you’re looking for something with practicality then the likes of a Skoda Octavia Combi estate, a Volkswagen Golf Estate, a Kia Ceed SW, or the new Ford Focus Estate all have much bigger boots than any small-to-medium SUV (more than 600 litres, all of them, compared to around 450 litres for, say, a Nissan Qashqai), and they’re all better to drive and more frugal.
However, if you’re hooked on SUVs then we’d recommend a SEAT Ateca (plain wrapper, but it’s roomy, comfy and nice to drive) or a Toyota C-HR (small on the inside, relatively, but hugely stylish and the hybrid version is frugal). If you’re looking to ‘posh-up’ a bit, then the incoming new Audi Q3 is a bit of a stunner, or if you want something smaller and more affordable than any of those, try the updated Fiat 500X, which is kinda cute and charming.
Here are our relevant reviews for you to read more:
Stop-start issues with my 2014 VW Golf.
I have a 2014 Volkswagen Golf 1.6 TDI Bluemotion. The start-stop function doesn't work anymore. I keep getting an error just saying "error auto start stop". I was thinking maybe it's the battery that's low, but I'm not sure. I've read online that it should work in Eco mode, but I have yet to try it; was just wondering if you could give me some more information?
SILVESTER PINARI (SWORDS)Nov 2018 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Silvester,
We have got so many questions from readers about non-functioning stop-start systems (from all makes and models) that we put together this guide to help you get to the bottom of it:
Can I get low tax on a converted camper?
If I covert a commercial vehicle, say a 2017 Volkswagen Transporter, to a camper van and get it certified etc, will I qualify for the lower rate of road tax?
VINCENT CROWLEY (Cork)Oct 2018 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Expert answer
Hi Vincent,
Yes, you will. Camper vans qualify for a flat-rate of €102 motor tax and, if the conversion is done properly and the car is re-registered, then that should be fine. Check with your local motor tax office for any paperwork that you’ll need to fill out.
Tiguan, SEAT Ateca or Peugeot 3008?
Which automatic SUV do you recommend: Volkswagen Tiguan, SEAT Ateca or Peugeot 3008?
Thanks
Brian McCarthy
Brian McCarthy (Listowel )Oct 2018 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Brian,
The Tiguan and the Ateca are, essentially, the same car, so you may as well get the SEAT, as it’ll be the cheaper of the two. There’s virtually no difference in terms of the way it drives nor the interior space and quality. The 3008 is an interesting alternative though — arguably more stylish inside and out, but it feels subjectively less roomy, and it may not be as solidly reliable in the longer term. Worth taking into consideration though.
Read our reviews below:
How much VRT on a 2015 VW Transporter?
How much VRT could I expect to pay for converting a 2015 Volkswagen Transporter to a crewcab?
Fergus Lordan (Kerry)Aug 2018 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi Fergus,
There should be no difference in VRT between a Transporter van and a a crew cab conversion. While the N1 commercial vehicle rules were tightened up this year to close off the loophole that allowed such big (often luxurious) 4x4s as a Land Rover Discovery or a VW Touareg to be registered as a commercial, ‘genuine’ vans with a crewcab setup should still qualify for the commercial 13.3 per cent VRT charge. Just make sure the vehicle has a ‘BE’ bodywork code and make sure to use a reputable specialist to do the conversion.
My VW Transporter is shaking...
I have a 2004 Volkswagen Transporter van and it's shaking. Why?
Gerry Connors (Wicklow )Jul 2018 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Gerry,
This is very difficult to diagnose remotely so we suggest you bring the van into a good mechanic to have it checked over. Various possibilities include a broken engine mount, the engine running poorly or down a cylinder or two or even just simply wheels out of balance.
How does the VW Polo 1.0 MPI perform?
I want to know about the performance of the Volkswagen Polo 1.0-litre MPI...
Kushal Goon (Guwahati, Assam)Jul 2018 Filed under: performance
Expert answer
Hi Kushal,
Do you mean the current model? If so, then it’s not too bad, but equally not a ball of fire. The most basic 65hp model is… well, it’s not quick, but it’s sure not as glacially slow as the old 55hp version was. Put your foot down hard and you’ll have a wait a bit for momentum to build, but it’s not terrible. Happily, the 75hp version is much better again, and actually feels quite peppy in the lower gears.
Belt or chain for VW's 1.0 TSI engine?
Does the VW 1.0 TSI petrol engine run with a timing chain or timing belt?
Samad Sapawi (Singapore)Jun 2018 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Samad,
It's a timing belt, defined as a long-life item by Volkswagen.
Looking at maybe a new petrol SUV.
Hi,
I'm looking to change my 151 Toyota Corolla 1.4 Luna diesel at the end of this year or early next year. It currently has 93,000km on the clock. About 70 per cent of our driving is on short journeys such as short runs to town of about 10km. Would I be better to stay with diesel or go to petrol? I'm thinking about getting a crossover/SUV, something like a Peugeot 3008, Nissan Qashqai or a Kia Sportage, or would I get better value getting a smaller SEAT Ateca, Suzuki Vitara or Opel Mokka? My children are all adults now and are only around at weekends so our mileage will be decreasing a bit. Any advice would be great.
Thanks
Rob
Roddy McMyler (Kilkenny)Jun 2018 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Roddy,
Well, it sounds definitely as if petrol is the way to go, and as you’ve mentioned the Ateca, that’s a good one to look at. It’s cheaper, by a little, than most of the competition, has an excellent 1.0-litre 115hp turbo petrol engine (don’t be put off by the small engine — it copes just fine) and isn’t ‘smaller’ at all — it’s the same size as the VW Tiguan, thanks to using the same chassis. The same goes for Skoda’s Karoq. A Peugeot 3008 with the 1.2 PureTech petrol engine would also be a good choice, but the Sportage isn't currently offered as a decent small petrol version, so we’d give that a swerve. The Nissan Qashqai comes with a good 1.2 turbo petrol, but doesn’t feel as good to drive in that form as the diesel. The Opel Mokka X is just too old a design and feels well out of date, but actually if you can cope with the smaller size, the Suzuki Vitara’s a good shout — good to drive, good looking and hugely reliable.
Read or reviews for more:
Should an older camper mean vintage VRT?
I imported a 1972 Volkswagen T2 van from Europe. It is quite basic and not fully done up yet or restored. Revenue want to charge €800 VRT despite me paying only €800 for it when I bought it. I am being charged as a camper van, but I expected to be charged the flat vintage rate of €200 as it is over 40 years old. Should I not have been taxed the vintage rate? They say that is only for cars, but the website does not state that. It says all vintage vehicles and the VW T2 is a vehicle is it not?
Great if you could advise.
Ellen Armie (Dublin)Jun 2018 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi Ellen,
Yes, theoretically I’d say you’re absolutely right. A classic VW T2 should be considered a classic, and not as a camper or anything else. To be honest, Revenue can be pretty useless when it comes to assessing VRT on classics and vintage cars, because the market in Ireland is so small for cars like that. What you’ll probably have to do is (unfortunately) pay the VRT up front, and then challenge it.
Get on to your local classic car club, or better yet a VW owners club for some expert opinion (in writing, of course) and maybe get your solicitor to draw you up a letter outlining why it’s a classic and not a camper. You should get a rebate, but it may take some time and effort.