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Hi Pat,

Depends which model and engine you're talking about. The best TDI diesel front-wheel drive version officially returns 64.2mpg (4.4 litres/100km), while the petrol models (RS variant aside) use as much as 6.6 litres/100km (42.8mpg).

As always, few people will ever achieve the official figures, but it gives you something to compare the Q3 with its rivals.

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Hi John,

If its reliability you need get a Honda. Either a Civic with the 2.2 or 1.6 diesel will do nicely and you should get 60mpg from it. 

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Hi John,

If you're buying an Irish car then you'll be very limited in terms of choice. The vast majority of 2010 Ford Focus on the roads in Ireland are powered by the 1.6-litre TDCi diesel engine, in either 90- or 110hp states of tune). It's not a bad engine with a great performance-to-economy ratio and low road tax. Be aware though, like many engines of this type, it's only really suited to average annual mileage of 20,000km and above - or the majority of its time on a fast-flowing road/motorway. The reason is that its diesel particulate filter (DPF) can clog up and it can be expensive to remedy. There are other components in the engine itself that also gum up if the car is used predominantly for low-speed driving.

Other engines in the 2010 Focus are the 1.8 TDCi diesel and, for low-mileage drivers, the 1.4- and 1.6-litre petrol units. All of these are much rarer. The 1.8 isn't quite as susceptible as the 1.6 diesel to issues, but it's less economical. If you're sure that diesel suits your needs then seek out a 1.6.

Hope that helps

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Hi Irene,

Engine size means less than it used to, especially when comparing a petrol engine to a diesel one. That Hyundai will be more economical and cheaper to tax than the 1.4 petrol Golf from 2008. Saying that, if most of your driving is in town there won't be a big advantage for the diesel, but it should still use less fuel overall.

A larger car such as the i40 is likely to be a bit heavier on things like tyres, but it's newer than your Golf so shouldn't need tyres for a while. 

Hope that all helps 

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Hi Karena,

You're right on the edge for choosing between petrol and diesel. If those miles are mostly on the motorway then diesel may still make sense, but if they're mostly at low speeds then you're right in considering petrol.

Now, the Volvo V40 is a fine choice, but I'm not sure what year you're looking at, as the latest petrol models are powered by a relatively efficient turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engine, badged either T2 or T3. The EcoBoost Focus is also a cracking car. Try to get a test drive in a few before you decide and come back to us if you need more assistance.

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Hi Louise,

You don't necessarily need a 4x4 for that - a mid size estate car would do the job just as well. So, have a look at the following and see what you'd like: Mazda6 2.2d, Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCi, Skoda Superb 2.0 TDI.

Or, if you really have to have a 4x4, check out the Hyundai Santa Fe, Audi Q5 or Nissan X-Trail.

Relevant reviews:

Mazda6 Tourer estate review

Skoda Superb Combi 4x4 review

Hyundai Santa Fe review

Audi Q5 review

Nissan X-Trail review

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Hi Mike,

You'll probably pay in and around the €13,000 mark for it and as far as we're aware these are solidly reliable cars with no common major problems. 

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Hi Padraigh,

I'd say in and around €4,000.

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Hi Jillian,

OK, there's a few good options out there. You could try and track down a Mitsubishi Grandis - think of it as a Japanese Ford S-Max, with space for seven and endless reliability, but I'm slightly worried that you might be caught for space as your kids get bigger. How about something van-based? A Volkswagen Caddy Maxi Life has seats for seven, lots of space and  based on a commercial vehicle means it'll go forever. That 1.6 TDI  engine makes it cheap to run too.

If you need more space than that, then you're into big van-with-windows territory such as a Ford Transit Tourneo or Volkswagen Caravelle, but these are really big and unwieldy and can be pretty thirsty. If you can all squeeze into the Caddy happily enough, that's the one I'd go for.

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Hi John,

It depends on the history and condition of course, but somewhere around the €5,500 to €6,000 mark. They're generally worth a good bit less than an equivalent cee'd 1.6 diesel.