Best plug-in hybrid on the market?
I have a budget of €30-35k; what is the best plug in hybrid car available in the market now?
Lee Russell (Dublin)Mar 2018 Filed under: hybrid
Expert answer
Hi Lee,
It depends on what you want. I reckon that the best new plugin hybrid on the market right now might be the Kia Niro Plugin, which has very good electric only range, and yet manages to do over 60mpg on long motorway runs. An excellent car. The new Prius Plugin is also very good, but only recently launched so will be beyond your budget unless you buy nearly-new.
If you fancy something a bit classier, the BMW 330e is a really good choice, but bear in mind it’s not as economical as the Kia or Toyota on longer journeys. Here are our reviews for you to read:
Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid review
Kia Niro review (not the plug-in model, apologies)
Honda Jazz or Suzuki Baleno?
I'm trying to decide between the Honda Jazz and Suzuki Baleno. Things that matter to me: rear seat comfort, front seat comfort, space overall, boot space and power.
Manav Abhijit (Ranchi)Mar 2018 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Manav,
The Jazz basically has the Suzuki beaten in every metric you’ve mentioned here, except for boot space (the Baleno has a single, solitary, extra litre of boot volume) and, depending on which model you go for, power.
The Baleno can be had with either a 90hp 1.2-litre petrol engine or a 111hp turbocharged 1.0-litre petrol ‘BoosterJet' unit. The Honda comes with a choice of 1.3 or 1.5-litre VTEC petrol engines, with either 102hp or 130hp, but it’s worth remembering that the basic Baleno comes as a mild hybrid, so it has a tiny electric motor that can boost power for a few seconds at a time, and is very economical.
What to replace my BMW 330d with?
I currently drive a BMW 330d Touring. It's been a great servant and never missed a beat in the four years I've owned it, but it's coming to the time to move on. With the future of diesel looking at best unsure, what would be your recommendation for a long term replacement?
Typically I like to hold a car for about five years and in an ideal world to buy a one-year-old car. Looking for something practical yet fast, engaging and comfortable. A plug in electric car is out as I don't have and cannot get a power point installed in the apartment complex that I live in. Typically I do only 11,000km per year in this car and 90 per cent of the time is on motorway runs.
David Smyth (Dublin)Mar 2018 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi David,
How about a BMW 320i? Not as powerful as your 330d, of course, but a really lovely engine, and pretty frugal for all those long journeys. Of course, if you’re buying a year-old car then diesel is still a viable option, especially if you’re racking those miles up, so another 330d could well be a good choice. It’s Euro 6 emissions compliant, so even if there are some penalties for diesel models coming down the line, it probably (fingers crossed) won’t be affected.
There are some other options, of course. How about a Lexus GS 300h? Big, comfy, great for long journeys, and 40mpg+, plus you’re future-proofing yourself with a hybrid (not a plugin). The IS 300h is also a good bet, but is a touch small on the inside, hence we’d possibly try and spend the extra to the the GS. Here are a few reviews to read:
I can't decide between petrol or diesel!
Hi there,
I am completely baffled about petrol vs diesel vs hybrid. I am looking to trade in a Skoda Octavia 1.6 diesel for a second hand car, but I am being told not to get diesel again as petrol is now being encouraged. I think hybrid looks too expensive and electric does not seem viable at this point. The additional problem is that there seems to be very little choice in a family saloon in petrol with a 2016 or 2017 reg.
Help!
Yours John
John White (Newbridge)Mar 2018 Filed under: petrol vs. diesel
Expert answer
Hi John,
Yeah, it’s a bit of a catch-22 at the moment. The thing is that diesel is still entirely viable if you’re someone who covers a big annual mileage. Petrol makes the most sense for those covering short mileages, and primarily driving in town; ditto hybrid, while electric mostly only makes sense for those doing entirely urban mileage.
So, if you live down the country and rack up at least 25,000km a year, then diesel could still work for you. If you’re struggling to find a good second hand petrol car, it may be worth looking at buying new, and trying to find a really sharp finance deal.
Can I write off cost of EV in first year?
I was told that if I buy a fully electric car for my business that I can write off the cost of it in the first year. Is this correct?
William Doyle (Dublin 6)Feb 2018 Filed under: electric cars
Expert answer
Hi William,
As always with these questions, check with your accountant, but yes — as far as we understand it, those businesses buying an electric car can indeed write off 100 per cent of the capital cost in year one.
How much could I sell my Merc coupe for?
Hi, I’m just in the process of getting Irish plates on my Mercedes E 350 auto Coupe BlueEfficiency (first registered on July 2009), which I’ve had in London for four years. It has a panoramic roof, electric mirrors, heated seats, satnav, AMG seats and 68,000 miles on the clock. How much can I expect to sell it for privately?
Thanks,
DD
Dave Downey (Dublin)Jan 2018 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Dave,
A tricky one to value, mostly because the Irish market tends not to like the big engine option, even in something like an E-Class Coupe. I think you’re looking at a value of around €10,000, but it could be challenging to find a buyer.
My Ford Focus has poor radio reception...
I have a 2010 Ford Focus and it has a very poor radio reception. I have checked the aerial and the wire going to the radio and they are ok
Martin Mc Phillips (Cavan)Jan 2018 Filed under: electrics
Expert answer
Hi Martin,
That's not an easy one to help you with from afar as there are too many unanswered questions, such as, has the reception changed or has it always been like this? Have you moved? Have you compared it to reception in other cars in the same area? Our advice would be to bring the car along to a good auto electrician or in-car entertainment expert and explain it in full.
Best of luck
Advantages of a regular hybrid car?
Can you explain the advantages of a hybrid car that doesn't plug in to the grid, please and thanks?
Philip Donegan (Ballina)Oct 2017 Filed under: hybrid
Expert answer
Hi Philip,
The advantage of a hybrid (as opposed to a plugin hybrid) is that you can, theoretically, use a smaller petrol engine, running on the fuel-saving (but power-sapping) Atkinson combustion cycle, and use an electric motor, fed with power by an on-board battery pack that’s charged by both the engine and regenerative braking, to fill in the gaps and holes in the power delivery.
It’s a relatively more simple system than a plugin hybrid, and has the convenience advantage that you don’t actually have to plug it in. Up until quite recently, such hybrids tended to be very thirsty unless driven in a very specific way, and were especially poor in both performance and economy terms on long motorway journeys. Recent improvements in software and battery design (and Toyota is at the cutting edge here) mean that hybrids are now comparable with diesel cars when it comes to overall economy, and much better in town traffic. They’re generally much better for harmful emissions such as nitrogen oxide as well.
We need advice on a faulty car...
Hi,
We need advice on where or what to do next. We bought a 132 VW Passat 1.6 TDI on the 7/4/17 from a dealer for €11,500. Well pleased until five weeks ago when the car had a fire (a fuse went on fire) and burned all the fuses and fuse box to a crisp. The warranty crowd wouldn't cover the damage as it's an electrical fault, but after much rowing and threats of a solicitor the garage said they would cover the damage and put in a new wiring loom and fuse box .
We collected the car last Thursday from a different garage, as the one we bought it from sends all its cars to this crowd for any work that needs doing. The car drove grand for two days and then problems started intermittingly, wipers packed up, power steering stopped working, airbag lights on dash, central locking going mad, windows dropping, etc. Then on Monday, the car refused to start so I checked the fuses (driver's side) and noticed there was no new wiring loom put into the car and all the cables were soldered onto a new fuse box.
The car was recovered last night for it to be fixed again. This car is now unfit for purpose and we have lost all faith in it. I can't really afford a solicitor at €150 an hour. Where do we go from here?
Please help!
Ruairi Mc Carthy (Mullagh Co Cavan)Oct 2017 Filed under: electrics
Expert answer
Hi Ruairi,
Oh, that’s just not good, and I’m worrying that you may well actually need a solicitor at this point, especially as clearly one garage or other has reneged on what they told you they were going to do. Did you get, in writing, the assurance that a new wiring loom was going to be installed in the car? That would be helpful.
Basically, under the Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act, either the car or the repair was clearly not ‘of merchantable quality’ and you are entitled, under consumer law, to a full replacement or refund. Car dealers will often try and squirm out of that, but if they do I suggest you tell them you’re going to take it to the small claims court (where there’s no need for a solicitor). If that doesn’t get them moving, then it’s time to get the lawyers in.
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: