Expert answer

Hi Simon,

The Mokka is quite nice, and a bit of an underrated car actually, but we reckon the best car in this class is the Suzuki Vitara, which is affordable, genuinely rugged, reliable and quite nice to drive. Handsome too. The Dacia Duster is actually a terrific machine — you have to allow for a rough and ready interior and an unrefined driving experience, but for the money it’s nigh-on impossible to beat.

Opel Mokka X review

Dacia Duster review

Suzuki Vitara review

Expert answer

Hi Akshan,

Well, they’re very different cars that do different jobs. The i10 is best used in town, where its compact size and agility make it a good choice. It’s fine on main roads too, but the i20 will obviously be bigger, more comfortable and more refined on longer journeys.

Hyundai i10 review

Hyundai i20 review

Expert answer

Hi Robert,

Great choice. We published our Irish road test of that very car only last week and it's a good option for those that don't need diesel. The 1.4-litre TSI petrol engine features something called Active Cylinder Technology (ACT), which automatically shuts down two of the engine's four cylinders when the car is cruising or the engine is on light load. This saves fuel and is nothing to worry about in the least. By displaying when the engine switches into that mode it educates the driver as to when the car is being driven in its most efficient mode.

Anything else specific you need to know, just shout.

Expert answer

Hi Maddy,

If it's reliability you want, you need to buy either Japanese, Korean or Czech. That means Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Skoda, Kia, or Hyundai.

The Honda Jazz is really good, exceptionally roomy and smooth to drive, but it is pricey. Now, that higher price includes a lot more standard equipment than in rivals, but it's a hurdle to get over. On the whole, it would be our choice with the Toyota Yaris and Skoda  Fabia tied second and the Kia Rio and Hyundai i20 bringing up the rear.

If you're buying new, it's also potentially worth waiting for the new SEAT Ibiza, which is very roomy, well made and nice to drive. 

Honda Jazz review

Toyota Yaris review

New SEAT Ibiza review

Skoda Fabia review

Hyundai i20 review

Kia Rio review

Expert answer

Hi Graham,

Quite the opposite, actually. The 1.0-litre TSI engine is quieter at speed on the motorway than the diesel alternatives. It's nearly always quieter in fact. It's a very smooth and refined engine and one I'd throughly recommend in this car.

Have you seen our Skoda Octavia 1.0 TSI review?

Expert answer

Hi Carol,

Sure thing. We've tested two different versions of the current Hyundai Tucson:

Hyundai Tucson 1.7 diesel Executive review

Hyundai Tucson 2.0 diesel 4WD auto review

We've also pitched the Tucson against its two closest rivals in a unique three-way test if that's of interest:

Nissan Qashqai vs. Hyundai Tucson vs. Renault Kadjar

Expert answer

Hi Donna,

The current Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage are both just about wide enough to take three child seats across the back, or you could try the SEAT Ateca or Volkswagen Tiguan too (this has the widest back seat of all those). The Skoda Kodiaq is brilliant, but it’ll be outside your budget if you want a diesel, or, if you can hang on until the summer, the new Peugeot 5008 is coming, which has three ISOFIX points in the back, and should come in for under €30k.

Relevant reviews:

Hyundai Tucson review

Kia Sportage review

SEAT Ateca review

Volkswagen Tiguan review

Skoda Kodiaq review

Peugeot 5008 review

Expert answer

Hi Brendan,

We really like the Ateca, and the 1.4 turbo petrol engine really suits it, so that’s the one we’d advise you to go for. There’s an updated version of the Qashqai coming very shortly, so bear that in mind if you’re looking at the Nissan — you might be able to get a better bargain on a run-out model.

SEAT Ateca 1.4 TSI review

Nissan Qashqai review

Facelifted Nissan Qashqai preview

Five best mid-sized SUVs and crossovers in Ireland

Expert answer

Hi Jonathan,

The 2.2 diesel Outlander has a timing belt, not a chain, so that will need inspecting depending on the mileage. As for cars with proper 4x4 ability, try a Land Rover Freelander 2 (more reliable than you’d think), Jeep Cherokee, Nissan X-Trail or Toyota RAV4.

Expert answer

Hi Martin,

It is a shame that the GTD Estate isn’t imported into Ireland by Volkswagen as it’s a cracking car, but the sad fact is that the market for compact estates is so small, and high performance compact estates smaller still, that it’s probably not worth Volkswagen’s while. That said, the GTD Estate is effectively imported in the guise of both the Skoda Octavia RS TDI Combi and the SEAT Leon ST 2.0 TDI 180hp FR — of those two, we’d go for the Skoda, as it’s marginally sharper to drive than the SEAT, looks great and is simply massive inside.

Other options are the Opel Astra Sports Tourer in SRi spec with the 136hp 1.6 CDTi diesel engine — not as powerful as the Skoda or SEAT, obviously, but a great car and terrific to drive. Lovely interior too. Or you could try the Ford Focus ST TDCi Estate, which is brilliant fun to drive, but sadly is again on the personal import list.

Lastly, there’s the option of going second hand or nearly new and buying something along the lines of a BMW 3 Series Touring or Audi A4 Avant.