Expert answer

Hi Donal,

Short answer – no. That’s partially down to the fact that such in-depth comparisons have to take into account the type of mileage you do, the electricity tariff you’re on and more. The best I can suggest is that you have a good long look through our various electric car reviews and then use the cost calculators on both the ESB and SEAI websites to further refine your research:

BMW i3 review

Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric

Nissan Leaf review

Renault Zoe review

Tesla Model S review

Volkswagen e-up! review

Volkswagen e-Golf review 

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Hi Larry,

The seven-speed DSG automatic works very well with the 2.0-litre TDI engine. Around town and in traffic is makes driving relaxed and easy while the long top gear means the engine revs remain low on longer motorway journeys. In fact, the noise insulation in the new Tiguan is very good and you'd almost forget that you're driving a diesel.

I also drove the manual version, and to be fair it drive very well too. If you can afford the price jump to get the DSG automatic though I would recommend it. 

Read our Volkswagen Tiguan review in full

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Hi Brian,

Well, it's all down to the CO₂ emissions because it's that on which the rate of VRT will be applied. You need to do your homework though as cars that can be quite affordable in the UK can be wildly over-priced in the Irish market leading to you paying more VRT than you really should do.

Ideally, you need to be spending above €30k on a car to make it truly worth your while on importing a car, thanks to the exchange rate. The BMW 3 Series, Audi A4 and Mercedes-Benz C-Class are all well worth looking at, as well as higher-spec versions of the likes of the Skoda Superb, Volkswagen Passat and Mazda6. 

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Hi Philip,

Short answer: no, they're not coming back. For a start, they only ever sold in pretty small numbers and so it's tough to justify the investment in creating new ones. Secondly, the folding hard tops themselves are generally significantly heavier than a cloth roof, and with every gramme counting towards the all-important CO₂ figure, don't bet on seeing a return any time soon.

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Hi Philip,

No. During this year you will be written to by Skoda and Volkswagen inviting you to bring your car in for a recall, at which time the engine will be modified to bring it into line with the emissions regulations. Volkswagen has thus far assured us that the modifications will not lead to any degradation in drivability or fuel consumption, but I guess we’ll have to wait and see on that score.

At this point, there’s no legal way you can force the dealer to buy the car back, but it is of course your legal right to take a case against them selling you the car under false pretences. That, I would say, is unlikely to go anywhere as the dealer is highly unlikely to have known what was happening within Volkswagen at the time of selling you the car so really your only legal recourse is to take a case against Volkswagen itself. And in that instance, it’s a case of get in line, because there’s a lot of people ahead of you…

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Hi Kaara,

Caddys are really good, no question and one of them should definitely be top of your shopping list. It's also well worth looking at a Citroen Berlingo, Renault Kangoo and Ford Transit Connect too though.

As for common Caddy problems? Look out for fuel injection and air mass sensor problems on older models and make sure anything you're looking at comes with a full service history. 

Expert answer

Hi Philip,

Volkswagen has made no announcement as yet, but we are expecting a new Polo-sized SUV to appear on sale in 2017 at some stage. I really doubt there'll be a three-door or open-topped version though.

Expert answer

Hi Aidan,

I think with a weekly Cork-Dublin run you should probably go for the diesel. Much better long-run economy. 

Expert answer

Hi Barry,

Tough choice - both really good but quite different cars. The CC is arguably more stylish and slightly the sharper to drive, the S60 has that wonderfully reassuring Volvo safety and a really gorgeous cabin. Personally, I'd say the Volvo just shades it but it's a close run thing and you won't go far wrong with either.

Expert answer

Hi Pat,

This is a question we get asked so often and there's no easy answer. Well, actually there is, but it's an answer that many people don't like - an MPV such as the Volkswagen Touran, Toyota Verso, Citroen C4 Picasso or similar.

There are very, very few (if any) conventional hatchbacks or saloons that will these days take three child car seats across the back. There are some conversion kits available that will allow as many as four child seats to be fitted to a 'normal' saloon, but these tend to be designed around the big rear-facing infant seats and won't take your own seats.

The best I can suggest, if you don't fancy an MPV, is to test drive the biggest, widest saloons you can find and make sure you bring the kids with you to actually try the seating properly so that you know for definite before you buy.