Suzuki Swift or Hyundai i10?
Which car is better for easy and safey driving for a new learned driver: the Suzuki Swift or Hyundai i10?
Sai Ram (Srikakulam)Dec 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Sai,
Both are good from the point of view of being reliable, simple, affordable and easy to drive, but of the two, we’d go for the Swift as it has much sharper, more reactive steering that will give you a much better idea of what’s happening at the front wheels. It's also a little more spacious inside and technically competes with the Hyundai i20. Read our reviews here for more information:
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 (Srikakulam)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:
New Mazda2, Fiesta, Dacia or Hyundai i20?
I'm buying a new car... it's between a Mazda2, Ford Fiesta, Dacia Sandero Stepway or Hyundai i20. Which one should I choose or have you a better option?
Thanks
Darragh Limerick
Darragh Madden (Limerick )Nov 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Darragh,
I think it comes down to a straight choice between the Fiesta and the Mazda, with the Mazda edging it slightly on the basis of it being better-built and more reliable. The Sandero is fine if all you want is something cheap, but then the Stepway version makes no sense because it’s just a more expensive Sandero with stick-on plastic bits. The i20 is a good outside choice though — very spacious, roomy, and well-made, but you need to upgrade to the 1.0-litre turbo engine for it to be a good choice. Here are a few reviews of those cars for further reading:
Which engine in a 2018 VW Polo?
Can you please explain the engine choice in the new 2018 Volkswagen Polo? Wondering are the naturally aspirated petrol options 65hp and 75hp only suitable for city driving? I understand the TSI petrol 95hp are only available in automatic, is this true? I do mostly city and country driving with the occasional motorway trip. At the moment I drive a 1.4 diesel 75hp Peugeot 207 and want to go for petrol as my yearly mileage is only 6,000 kilometres. Which petrol engine do you think would be the best for me?
Regards,
Catherine
Catherine Connolly (Galway )Nov 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Catherine,
Which car for my graduating daughter?
I’m looking for best all round, safest, reliable car for my daughter (22-25 yrs) who will be needing a car once she graduates from university. I’m torn between the Skoda Fabia, Toyota Yaris, Hyundai i20, Suzuki Swift or Opel Corsa. All too confusing to make a wise decision...
Sharon Adderley (Sandy)Nov 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Sharon,
If it’s safety and reliability you’re looking for, choose from either the Yaris or the Fabia. They’re the safest bets in the car market in general, and certainly the strongest cars of the ones you’ve suggested. The Yaris, with its insurance-friendly 1.0-litre engine, is probably the best overall. Here are our reviews of each:
Hyundai Santa Fe or Kia Sorento?
Hi,
I'm getting a new company commercial SUV. I regularily drive remote country roads and am mainly based on site. I have the option between a Hyundai Santa Fe or a Kia Sorento with a budget of around €40k including VAT. Which would be the best to go for?
JP Heraty (Dublin)Oct 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi JP,
They’re basically the same car — same engine, gearbox, electronics etc, just with different bodies. Our preference comes down, slightly, on the side of the Kia, just because we prefer the styling and the interior, but you won’t go wrong with either. Here are our reviews:
Which seven-seat SUV would you buy?
Which seven-seat SUV that has low road tax would you buy? I’m thinking of buying new.
Brian O Rourke (Dungarvan)Oct 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Brian,
I’d be very tempted by the new Peugeot 5008, especially the one with the 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol 130hp engine. It’s really roomy, comes with seven seats as standard, is good to drive and even with the petrol engine isn’t too harsh on tax. The Skoda Kodiaq is another very, very good seven-seat SUV, but you do have to pay extra for the extra seats. Kia’s Sorento is a big favourite of ours too, but it’s bigger and pricier and has higher tax than the Peugeot or Skoda. Here are our reviews to help you decide:
Can you suggest a car to suit our needs?
Might be looking for a car that doesn’t exist, but we’re hoping to find something that’s easy for elderly parents to get in and out of; handsome looking; economical (ideally a hybrid); could easily take child seats; reliable; and have all the mod cons - reverse camera, heated seats etc. Can you help?!
Thanks!
Aisling Costelloe (Dublin 7 )Oct 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Aisling,
OK, that’s a very particular set of criteria, and I think realistically only three cars match it — the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, the Toyota C-HR Hybrid and the Kia Niro hybrid. Of those three, I think that it’s the Kia that comes closest to matching your needs, as the RAV4 might actually be a bit too tall for your parents, while the C-HR might be too tight in the back. The Niro’s actually quite a decent car, although totally unexciting to drive. If that doesn’t matter much to you, go check one out. Here are our reviews:
New Mondeo or something else for 2018?
Need help. Trying to decide between 2018 Ford Mondeo or Audi A4... or wait for the next Audi A6... or rob a bank for a BMW 520d. What do you think?
Fergal Reidy (Celbridge)Oct 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Fergal,
The Mondeo is a fine car, but it has fallen back a bit compared to previous versions and I don’t think it’s really comparable to the current crop of premium-badge saloons, which is a shame. The A4 is very, very good, but if you’re going to have to ‘rob a bank’ to get a BMW 520d then you’re going to have to do the same for the new A6.
That said, there are some very good mid-size saloons around at the moment that are better than a Mondeo, and which can give an A4 a serious run for its money. A Skoda Superb, perhaps? Volkswagen Passat? Mazda6? All well worth a look, and better value all-round than the A4.
Here are a few of our reviews to help you decide:
Which hybrids etc to look for new in 2018?
Currently driving a 142 Opel Insignia Sports Tourer 2.0-litre diesel with a view to upgrading in 2018. What hybrids/electric cars/SUVs are worth considering as an alternative, but will still give me the space I need as opposed to driving a box?
I mainly drive around my local town (Waterford) and surrounding areas during the week then at weekends I travel long distances going to hurling/rugby games in and around the Munster region.
Thanks
Ray
Ray Power (Waterford)Sep 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Ray,
If you fancy a hybrid, then the best current model is the Toyota Prius. Its looks may divide opinion, but it is exceptionally economical, even on a long motorway run, and it has a roomy, comfortable cabin. Read our Toyota Prius review here.
If you fancy something a little more prestigious, then how about the Lexus IS 300h? Not quite as spacious as the Opel you have, but with exceptional build quality, decent economy and terrific refinement. Read our Lexus IS 300h review here.
BMW”s 330e plugin hybrid is another good contender, as is Volkswagen’s Passat GTE, but they’re both quite pricey and work better in downtown than they do on the open road. As far as hybrid SUVs go, Toyota’s C-HR is lovely, but rather small inside, so it may be worth waiting for Honda to launch its new CR-V hybrid next year. More reviews for you: