Expert answer

Hi Diana,

The seven-seat EV market is tiny thus far and most of the vehicles are based on commercial vans. Here's a list in order of starting price:

• Citroen E-Berlingo, from €38,693 (as 'LWB' model)
• Opel Combo Life Electric, from €39,504
• Peugeot E-Rifter, from €39,600 (as 'long' model)
• Citroen E-Spacetourer, from €48,626
• Opel Combi Electric, from €49,068
• Peugeot E-5008, from €50,995
• Opel Zafira Life Electric, from €62,495
• Volkswagen ID. Buzz LWB, from €67,785
• Kia EV9, from €77,500
• Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV, from €114,111
• Volvo EX90, from €117,910
• Mercedes-Benz EQV, from €125,830

Expert answer

Hi Domnick,

If the V5 shows the WLTP CO₂ emissions, or the WLTP rate is available for the car in question, then that is what the VRT band will be based on. If the WLTP rate is not shown or not available then Revenue will apply an 'uplifting' formula to the CO₂ emissions figure in a bid to bring it up to a WLTP-equivalent value.

We go into more detail on the actual uplift formula etc. in our Guide to Importing Cars from the UK feature if you're interested, but don't hesitate to come back to us for more help if you need it.

Expert answer

Hi Paul,

As a passenger vehicle, the VRT cost will depend on the Open Market Selling Price (OMSP) and the VRT band. The latter is determined by the CO₂ rating, which for that model means the highest with emissions of well over 191g/km. VRT is therefore 41 per cent of the OMSP.

Unfortunately, the OMSP is nothing to do with the price you pay for the car. It's the figure Revenue believes the car to be worth in Ireland. That's not very easy to guess at for a rare model such as the Defender. For the purposes of our calculations let's assume it's €40,000, but you may know Irish values of these cars better so adjust the figures accordingly.

At an OMSP of €40,000, the VRT alone would be €16,400.

You will also have to pay the NOx levy on top of that. This can be up to €4,850 for diesel models and unfortunately the Defender is likely to attract the top value.

Assuming the Defender was imported into Northern Ireland and used there by someone (i.e. not just a car dealer), then you should not be liable for VAT or customs duty, but you will need to be able to prove its status to Revenue when importing it.

Motor tax in Ireland will be at the top rate of €2,400 per year.

A few useful guides for you:

Motor Road Tax Prices in Ireland Explained
Guide to Importing a Car from Northern Ireland
How Much VRT is Paid in Ireland?

Expert answer

Hi Mary,

There are loads of examples of the 2021-2022 Hyundai Santa Fe on the market using the plug-in hybrid powertrain, priced from about €40,000 to over €50,000 depending on the model year, mileage, etc. This is a really good car, and far more spacious than your Tucson, but we urge you to go along to a dealer with your baby seats to check out the space inside for them. There is no ISOFIX in the middle seat of the second row, nor in the third row, and it may still be a bit of a squeeze depending on how large your seats are. A dealer shouldn’t mind you trying out the space with your own seats.

Hybrid alternatives at the same price include the Kia Sorento, again as a plug-in hybrid. This shares its underpinnings with the Hyundai and the seven-seat layout, but it might be better suited to your needs as the middle row is better shaped to potentially take three baby seats. Though the middle position has no ISOFIX if that’s important to you. However, the two seats in the third row do have ISOFIX. Nonetheless, using the third row in any of these cars means a tiny boot.

Another option, though rarer on the used market, is the Toyota Highlander. It’s a seven-seater as well, comparable to the Santa Fe in terms of space. It’s similarly priced though, unlike the Hyundai and the Kia, it’s not a plug-in hybrid. That might be preferable depending on whether you are willing to install a home charger.

Another plug-in hybrid option is the Volvo XC90 T8. It has three individual seats in the middle row and, though the central one has no ISOFIX and is smaller than the outer ones, it still is likely to accommodate a baby seat. Worth checking out for sure.

Now, if you’re willing to consider a car or estate instead of an SUV, you’d do well to take a look at the Skoda Superb as it has a really wide rear seat and a massive boot. It’s also much more affordable than the cars above, available as a hybrid and should come with lower running costs.

Come back to us if you need further help narrowing your search down, but we do urge you to go try out a few of these cars for yourself.

Read our Hyundai Santa Fe PHEV review here

Read our Kia Sorento PHEV review here

Read our Toyota Highlander review here

Read our Volvo XC90 reviews

Read our Skoda Superb reviews

Expert answer

Hi Peter,

We’d never consider those cars to be rivals. The entry-level EX90 is nearly €120,000 while the most expensive ID.7 Tourer listed on Volkswagen Ireland’s website is a little over half that.

The EX90 has seven seats and is a luxury car. The ID.7 is lovely inside, really spacious in the rear seats and has a massive boot, but it can’t compete with the Volvo’s interior in reality. Nonetheless, to drive, we’d take the ID.7 every time.

But does any buyer that can afford a certain level of outlay look at a cheaper car and think, “that’ll do me”? We don’t believe so.

Volvo EX90 review

Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer review

Expert answer

Hi Caroline,

The only 'free' colour is called Unbleached Ivory. 

Atlas White or Tomboy Khaki are €295, while it's €595 for either Buttercream Yellow or Abyss Black.

It's the black paint on our test car shown here.

Expert answer

Hi Ger,

If you’re sticking with automatic, then your choices are very limited. We found only the Opel Grandland and SsangYong Korando, neither of which we’d be huge fans of.

Here are the manual models we found that otherwise fit the brief:

Cupra Formentor: We really like this car as it looks great, and it drives well. You might find it a little too low down for your liking as it’s not as tall an SUV as the Qashqai, but worth a look.

Dacia Duster: Not quite as solid as the Qashqai perhaps, but it’s very comfortable and you’d get more for your money - you could get a 2024 version for example.

Ford Kuga: A comfortable and well-built option. Plenty of them about.

Hyundai Tucson: Very spacious inside and in the boot. Loads of them around as it has been the best-seller for so long. Despite that it still looks interesting outside. Good reliability. Strong reputation shown by the fact that you’d probably only afford a 2022 example with your budget.

Kia Sportage: Identical to the Tucson under the skin so it just comes down to which of the two you prefer the look of. Though the Kia has a longer warranty in terms of time if mileage is low.

Mazda CX-5: Fantastic to drive and feels like a premium car in comparison to most others here. Might cost a little more to run and they’re not very plentiful on the used market.

Peugeot 3008: A stylish replacement for the Qashqai. Solid car. Double-check you can get on with the cabin layout.

SEAT Ateca: Once one of our favourite cars of this size, though it is getting on in years now. Might not feel as modern as some cars on this list, but is still well made, comfortable and spacious.

That’s still quite a long list, admittedly, but hopefully it helps you drill things down to a shortlist. We have our own preferences, and you will, too.

Feel free to come back to us if you want further help of course.

Expert answer

Hi Ed,

The G6 does not have a head-up display or a proper one-pedal-driving mode, though you can alter the level of brake energy regen through the infotainment system.

Neither does it have something called Highway Assist, though it does feature adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist etc. so it has all the hardware necessary to enable that, but XPeng doesn't appear to bundle them together to work like Highway Assist.

Read our detailed XPeng G6 review here

Expert answer

Hi Louise,

It would be €710 a year. See our Motor Road Tax Prices in Ireland Explained guide for more information.

Expert answer

Hi Shane,

When you're taxing a commercial vehicle for private use then the rate goes by the engine size. 

The Wildtrak can be had with 2.0 or 3.0-litre diesel engines, while the Ranger can be had with a 2.0-litre diesel or 3.0-litre petrol option. The 2.0-litre engines cost €710 a year to tax and the 3.0-litre units (doesn't matter what fuels them) are €1,494 per annum.

Read our Motor Road Tax Prices in Ireland Explained feature for full details.