Expert answer

Hi Declan,

Don’t get an X3 then — it has great seats, and is higher up, but has a ride every bit as hard as that of the 4 Series. Would you consider a Lexus? The NX SUV is really very comfy, and softer riding than most competitors, as is the Volvo XC60 (either the new model or the old one) as long as you avoid larger optional alloys and the R-Design pack.

Read our BMW X3 vs. Lexus NX twin test

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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.

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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

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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

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Hi Susann,

The Rapid Spaceback is a decent car, but it’s actually quite small, and just a bit cheap-feeling, inside. In this instance, I’d advise you to go for the Pulsar. Not the most exciting car by a long chalk, but it’s roomy, well made and very comfortable. Here are our relevant reviews:

Nissan Pulsar review

Skoda Rapid Spaceback review

Expert answer

Hi Martin,

To be fair to the car companies, they would all like to see the end of VRT – there’s little or no protectionist advantage to them (aside from it causing a small, largely ineffective brake on personal imports) and freeing customers from that yoke would make the Irish car industry much more competitive.

As for lobbying against it, that has largely dried up now. Why? Because of the tacit admission that even if VRT could be dismantled, any Irish Government would simply come up with a replacement for it. Even with the Apple tax decision hanging in the air, no Minister for Finance is going to turn off a €4 billion annual tap of combined motoring revenues, of which VRT makes up a a major component.

As for the application of both VRT and VAT to major safety items, you’re quite right – that is a staggering shame, one that should (but probably doesn’t) weigh heavily on the consciences of all in the Department of Finance, the Road Safety Authority and the Society of the Irish Motor Industry. Whether it’s autonomous emergency or a child safety car seat, adding VRT and/or VAT increases the price and makes it less likely that a customer will spend the extra to buy that system, not least because there is no benefit to your insurance premium for doing so.

Mind you, in some ways, Irish customers have only themselves to blame. Back in the early 2000s, when anti-lock brakes were often an option, and not an especially expensive one at that, most buyers shunned them in favour of a sunroof or a better stereo…

Expert answer

Hi Peter,

To be honest, if it's just the two of you, then you don't really need to trade up to an E-Class or 5 Series sized car - a 3 Series would do you just as nicely. That said, there is definitely a slight comfort benefit from going for the bigger model, so I can understand why you might want to. 

I'm going to suggest something a little left-field for you but I think it might just work - have a look at a Lexus GS 300h. It's perhaps not as obviously economical as a BMW 520d or Mercedes E 200 CDI, but it's enormously refined and comfortable, and endlessly reliable and solidly built. It's also really nice to drive and I think the quirky elements of the styling and engineering might appeal to a former Saab driver. Have a test drive and let me know what you think.

Relevant reviews:

Lexus GS 300h review

Expert answer

Hi John,

OK, there's good news and bad news here. The good news is that the four marques of which you've spoken have all really lifted their quality and reliability games. Renault especially has come on a long way since the dark, unreliable days of the early 2000s. While electrical gremlins are pretty much guaranteed further down the line, that's something you could equally say of any Mercedes-Benz, BMW or Audi.

Dacia tend also to make very reliable cars, in no small part because they're so simple and lacking in the sort of high-end electronics that festoon other models. The brand regularly features very high up in the European JD Power customer satisfaction rankings.

Fiat tends to do less well in those rankings, but much of that is down to a dealer network that's still trying to get its head around modern customer service requirements. The fact is that Fiats these days are no more or less well made or reliable than any other brand (mostly - more on that in a tic). Certainly, we know of many Fiat customers who've had trouble-free motoring for many, many years.

Citroen too has really lifted its game and the latest generations, such as the C4 Picasso and C4 Cactus are really well put together. Long term reliability is still an unknown of course for these new models, but in general, longevity seems to be on the up.

However, just as these Franco-Italian brands have improved, so too have the Japanese and Koreans. There is still a distinct gap in overall solidity between the Japanese brands (Honda especially) and everyone else. It's still the case that if you want genuinely trouble-free motoring, the Japanese are still kings, with the Koreans and Skoda hot on their heels.

That said, I reckon if you bought any Fiat, looked after it properly and made sure it was fully serviced to schedule, you wouldn't have any major problems.

Expert answer

Hi James,

Well, frankly that's a good dilemma to have. Both are utterly excellent cars and you honestly won't go wrong picking either.

To compare, you're right that the BMW does feel that bit more reactive, that bit more plugged in to the road surface, but the gap between the A6 and the 5 Series is far narrower in that regard than once it was. 

You're also right that the 5 Series is becoming a touch, shall we say, common on the roads these days and while Audi is hardly struggling to shift A6s, they are perhaps a little less widely seen.

One small spanner in the works; have you tried the Jaguar XF? It does give a little away to both the Germans in terms of cabin design and space, but it's gorgeous and utterly brilliant to drive. Plus, of a Friday night, you get to turn to your significant other and utter the immortal words; "Darling, tonight, shall we take the Jaaaaaaaaag...?"

Expert answer

Hi Ian,

There are really only two options when it comes to S-Max engines and those are the 125hp 1.8 TDCi diesel and the 2.0-litre TDCi diesel in 140hp form. There was a 163hp version as well, but they're pretty thin on the ground and forget about the rarer than hen's molars 2.5-litre 212hp petrol version with the engine from the Focus ST; it was fantastic fun but nobody bought one as far as we can tell.

Now, originally both the 1.8- and 2.0-litre engines shared the same 164g/km CO₂ rating, which makes road tax a bit on the pricey side (€570 a year), but in 2010, Ford facelifted the S-Max, dropped the 1.8 TDCi and introduced an updated 2.0 diesel with emissions of 143g/km, making for a much more palatable €390 a year tax bill. So, that's the one we'd advise you go for and as long as you get either a Zetec or Titanium spec version, you'll get a reasonable amount of toys to keep you happy in the cabin.

Cracking car, the S-Max actually. Spacious but terrific to drive. Let us know how you get on.