Expert answer

Hi Noel,

I'm actually one of the (few) motoring writers who kind of likes the Pulsar - it's not in the slightest bit exciting but it's comfy, spacious, economical and OK to drive.

The Leaf is different - it's far more of a ground-breaking car and genuinely high-tech, plus of course there's the whole concept of it being entirely free from pollution and emissions at the local level. Buying one though does mean making sure that your driving pattern and lifestyle fit the Leaf's capabilities. With between 160- and 200km on a single charge being the absolute best you can get from it, it's still really only a car for those covering short journeys and mostly city mileage. Do you regularly take long journeys or spend a lot of time on the motorway? Then the Leaf, as yet, is not for you.

Read our review of the Nissan Pulsar here

Expert answer

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

Expert answer

Hi Joe,

I'd say your Octavia is worth in and around €12,000. The RAV4 and the CR-V are not really direct rivals although there is some crossover of their price points.

The RAV4 is very nice, well made, decent to drive and very spacious, but the more expensive CR-V looks and feels appropriately more sophisticated. 

Relevant reviews:

2015 Honda CR-V review (AWD)

Toyota RAV4 review

Honda CR-V review (front-wheel drive)

Expert answer

Hi Ronan,

Go for the Octavia. The Mazda3 is nice to drive and incredibly reliable and the Corolla is about as reliable and unbreakable as a granite rock, but the Octavia has the best interior space and reliability is generally excellent, so go for that. Case in point: once spent two consecutive weekends hauling my young family from Dublin to Waterford to visit relatives. First weekend with a Ford S-Max, second with an Octavia (this would have been 2006) and the Octavia carried the same amount of luggage as the S-Max...

Relevant reviews:

Skoda Octavia review

Toyota Corolla review

Mazda3 review

Expert answer

Hi Sharon,

€10,000 buys you an awful lot on the second hand market, but I'm assuming you want to stay within roughly the same size band as the Accent. So, your best bets are to go for a two-to three-year old small hatchback - think Toyota Yaris, Kia Rio, Honda Jazz, Hyundai i20 or Volkswagen Polo. The Kia or Hyundai are probably the best bets as they'll both have factory warranties left to run.

Relevant reviews:

Toyota Yaris review (2010 model)

Kia Rio review (2011 model)

Volkswagen Polo review (2012 model)

Expert answer

Hi there,

I'd go for the Octavia. The boot is significantly bigger than that of the Astra's, and the Astra is also starting to feel its age a bit - there's an all-new model coming towards the end of the year, so the Octavia feels fresher and better to drive.

That said, there's absolutely nothing wrong with the Astra, and if, with that new model coming along, you can get a sharper deal on the Astra, there'd be nothing wrong with grabbing one.

Relevant reviews:

Opel Astra Sports Tourer review

Skoda Octavia Combi review

Expert answer

Hi Gearoid,

It's really good to drive. The Leaf has a low centre of gravity, which helps it feel planted and reduces unwanted body movements so it's surprisingly fun in the corners. There's no steering feel and the brake feel takes getting used to but it's comfortable, quiet and the instant torque means it's also really quite fast by normal car standards. 

If you've not driven an electric car before this will surprise you. Don't take our word for it though; go get a dealer test drive. 

Expert answer

Hi Joe,

Lots to choose from, but if she fancies another Sportage, then hang on for a year - there's an all-new model coming. You could consider a trade-up into the excellent new Kia Sorento, but that's a bigger, more expensive car. If you want to stick in the same size range (and stick with an SUV) then have a look at the Volkswagen Tiguan, Nissan Qashqai or Toyota RAV4. 

Relevant reviews:

Kia Sorento review

Nissan Qashqai review

Toyota RAV4 review

Expert answer

Hi Caroline,

The new V60 Cross Country is on sale now from €40,845 (click here to go to Volvo's configurator for that car). We've not driven it as yet, but will be during the summer. For what it's worth, we really like the regular V60. Read our review of that here.

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