Expert answer

Hi Mai,

OK, lots to choose from here. Volkswagen Golf, Ford Focus and Toyota Auris are all ever popular and all with very good reason. They're reliable (the Toyota scoring best here), beautifully made (the Golf come out top in this category) and nice to drive (the Focus wins here). Lots of all three about so you can afford to be picky. Fancy something a bit different? Try a Honda Civic, especially the 1.6 i-DTEC diesel version, which is possibly the best compact diesel engine around.

Also well worth a look are the Kia cee'd (especially the handsome and practical estate version) and the current model of the Peugeot 308 (ditto on the estate version there).

Relevant reviews:

Volkswagen Golf review

Ford Focus review

Toyota Auris review

Honda Civic review

Kia cee'd review

Peugeot 308 review

Expert answer

Hi Eamonn,

Do you mean big or small? Actually, the new Fiat 500x we've just driven could be a good shout for a small crossover, or if you don't fancy that, take a look at the MINI Countryman.

Something more medium? There are only two players really - Skoda Yeti or Nissan Qashqai. Ford Kuga is also worth a look, but only the current model, not the old one.

Bigger than that? Honda's CR-V is always a good one, or if you're buying new have a long, hard look at the latest Kia Sorento.

Relevant reviews:

Fiat 500X review

MINI Countryman review

Ford Kuga review

Skoda Yeti review

Nissan Qashqai review

Honda CR-V review

Kia Sorento review

Expert answer

Hi Pat,

As luck would have it I have the latest version of the Subaru Forester on test this very week. It's powered by the 148hp 'boxer' diesel engine, which also has 350Nm of torque. Paired with the 'Lineartronic' automatic transmission it's surprisingly responsive. That's a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) and it seems to do a great job of keeping the engine at its optimum operating speeds for a variety of situations. We've not fans of these gearboxes when fitted to petrol engines, but they work well allied to diesel and in the Forester it's a good match.

Officially this Forester 2.0D XC Lineartronic does 0-100km/h in 9.6 seconds, but even at motorway speeds it has plenty of go and it happily cruises above 120km/h.

In terms of comfort, the Forester scores well too. The suspension is quite soft and absorbent so bumps are dispatched with ease and it's relatively quiet on the motorway. The upright seating position is comfortable too.

Shame you don't need the back seats, as they're massively spacious.

Further reading:

Subaru Forester review (2013 manual model)

Expert answer

Hi Breda,

Sounds like a good one to me. The new RAV4 is an especially nice car - comfy, spacious and good to drive and that price looks decently sharp too.

Relevant reviews:

Toyota RAV4 review

Expert answer

Hi Denise,

No, you should be OK. Renault reliability and quality has come on a long way since the bad old days of the early 2000s. Check it out carefully and make sure it has a full service history.

Relevant review:

Renault Fluence Z.E. review

Expert answer

Hi Elizabeth,

I would think so, yes. I'm a bad back sufferer myself and I've had no problems with the current generation Yaris in that respect. That said, everyone's back is different so get out there and try one yourself to see. It would be worth asking the dealer for an extended 24-hour or 48-hour road test to try and spend as much time as possible in the car and see how your back reacts.

Relevant reviews:

Toyota Yaris review (2010 model)

Toyota Yaris review (2015 model)

Expert answer

Hi Caroline,

It's too early to tell on Jeep residual values - the brand is well known but still trying to re-establish itself properly in Ireland so it's hard to say quite how values will shake out long term. The Cherokee is nice though, if a touch pricey. Lots of space and it feels rugged. 

The CLA Shooting Brake is also nice, and very pretty too, but I think you'd find it a lot less practical than the A4 - space in the back and the boot is really tight.

Relevant reviews:

Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake review

Jeep Cherokee review

Expert answer

Hi Dave,

Quite a bit actually - that 120hp diesel is pretty underpowered in a car as bulky as the A4 and you'll probably notice it most in fuel consumption. You'll have to work it so hard to keep up with traffic that you'll find it quite thirsty. Upgrade to the 140hp if you can.

Relevant reviews:

Audi A4 2.0 TDI 140 review (quattro model)

Audi A4 2.0 TDI 177 review

Expert answer

Hi Damien,

If we're talking about second hand versions, I'd go for the Santa Fe - really nice car, sophisticated and smooth and very good to drive. If we're talking brand spanking new, go for the Sorento - one of the nicest, most roundly impressive cars I've driven for a good while.

Further reading:

Hyundai Santa Fe review (2013 model - still on sale in 2015)

Kia Sorento review (new model launched early 2015)

Kia Sorento review (2013 model)

Kia Sorento review (2010 model)

Expert answer

Hi Bronagh,

If it's the current RAV4, then I'd say the RAV4 - really sweet to drive and lots of space. If it's the older model (or if you really, really need the seven seats) then go for the Qashqai. 

Further reading:

Toyota RAV4 review

Nissan Qashqai+2 review