New Opel Mokka X or similar crossover?
Hi,
I'm considering buying the new Opel Mokka X or similar sized, height and priced car. What would you recommend? I've even considered the Dacia range, but maybe its false economy with them?
Thanks
Simon
Simon McCormack (Straffan)May 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
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.
Hyundai i10 or i20 to buy new?
I want to buy a car, though which to buy? The top Hyundai i10 petrol model or Elite i20 petrol 1.2?
Akshan Jain (Jmmu)May 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
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.
Thinking of buying a SEAT Ateca 1.4...
Hi guys,
Thinking of buying a 1.4 TSI petrol SEAT Ateca and trying to find a report on the engine configuration. I recently had a test drive in one and at one stage the engine indicated on the dash '2-cylinder mode' - not sure how that works!
Any direction on understanding this would be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Robert
Robert Smyth (Wicklow)May 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
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.
Best small car for value and reliability?
What is the best small car on the market with respect to value and reliability?
Made;eome O'Sullivan (Limerick)May 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
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.
How noisy is the 1.0-litre Skoda Octavia?
Is the Skoda Octavia 1.0 TSI petrol noisy if you maintain 120km/h on the motorway? Is the interior cabin quiet at both low and high speed?
Thanks
Graham Whelan (Cork)Apr 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
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?
Have you reviewed the Hyundai Tucson?
Reviews of the Hyundai Tucson?
Carol Moore (Cork City )Apr 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
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:
Which SUV for kids with €30k to go for?
Good morning guys,
I need some advice on cars or SUVs! I am looking for a family vehicle as I have three kids under five. So that means car seats. I have a bad back so I need height and I need boot space for a buggy. My budget is €30k and I already have a Renault Grand Scenic that does the job, but is ugly to be honest. I live in Kildare and do drive on bad roads. I do have an option to buy in the UK and bring the car over, as well.
Can you recommend anything?
Thank you
Donna
Donna Phelan (Maynooth )Apr 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
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:
Nissan Qashqai or SEAT Ateca petrol?
Hi guys,
My wife drives a Volkswagen Golf 1.4 petrol with 80,000km on the clock. Her work will be based in Naas from August this year. We're looking to upgrade her car, we don't reckon she warrants diesel and have narrowed it down to the Nissan Qashqai or SEAT Ateca (1.2 and 1.4). We have about €20k to put towards it (including what she'd get for the Golf). Reliability and running costs are important. We've had two kids since she bought the Golf so she's looking for something a bit roomier.
Which of the above would you say is the better option and is there anything else we should consider (she doesn't like the Golf SV)?
Much appreciated
Brendan Cullen (Knocklyon)Apr 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
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.
Mitsubishi Outlander or other 4x4s?
Hi ,
Thinking about buying a 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander 2.2 diesel from the UK, not for the seven seats, but for 4×4 capabilities, low running costs and reliability. I'm wondering are there any other options. And is the Mitsubishi 2.2 belt or chain driven?
Thanks
Jonathan Crawford (Donegal )Apr 2017 Filed under: choosing used car
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.
Alternatives to the Golf GTD Estate?
Hi,
If possible please can you do a 'Five of the best' report for compact estate cars in Ireland? I desire and am ready to order a Volkswagen Golf GTD Estate as am currently on my second GTD, but need more space. I want to carry on the Golf GTD customer journey, but alas, this perfect solution for me and my family is 'not available in Ireland...' Therefore I need to look elsewhere so would appreciate your opinions if possible? It appears SEAT and Skoda have this category to themselves.
Martin Smith (Donegal )Apr 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
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.