New Car Buyers' Guide - Motorshow

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MOTORSHOW 2011New Car Buyers’ GuideiQPrices start at: €13,660Engines: 1.0 VVTi,Body style: Small hatchback.Plus points: Has earned a lotof respect for practicality, frugalityand design. Good one for ascrappage deal.Minus points: It is expensive for a city car.Best buy: 1.0 VVTiFinal answer: Yes, residual values make it a sound buy.Verso sPrices start at: €16,995Engines: 1.33 VVT-iBodystyle: MPV (5 Seater)Plus Points: Just arriving inFebruary but with a good preproductiondrive reportsMinus Points: To early to say.Best Buy: 1.33 VVT-i.Final answer: Yes, but because it is all-new, check it out ingreater detail.YarisPrices start at: €14,395Engines: 1.0, 1.33 Dual VVT-i,1.4 D4DBodystyles: 3dr./ 5dr. Hatch.Plus Points: Rock solid superminialways on buyers’ shortlist.Just does everything in a nonfussyway. Holds value well.Minus points: Skimps a bit on cabin space.Best buy: 1.0 5dr.Final answer: YES, an easy choice.Urban CruiserPrices start at: €20,705Engines: 1.33 Dual VVTi, 1.4D4DBody style: HatchPlus points: Toyota’s attemptto meet so-called urbandemand. Roomy, handles well,good diesel.Minus points: Lacks focus of appeal – what and who is it for?Best buy: 1.4D4DFinal answer: Yes. But only because it is a Toyota.AurisPrices start at: €18,945Engines: 1.33 VVT-i, 1.6 VVTi,1.4 D4DBodystyles: 3dr/5dr hatchbackPlus points: Hatchback hascarved out a distinct slot foritself. They’ve made the 1.4D even more frugal. Simple, straightforwardcar with a roomier cabin than you’d think. Priced keennow.Minus points: Quite bland to look at inside and out comparedwith many rivals.Best Buy: 1.4 D4DFinal answer: YES, it’s a ‘Corolla’ hatch so it warrants inclusion.CorollaPrices start at: €19,995Engines: 1.33 VVT-i, 1.4 D4D.Bodystyles: SaloonPlus points: Huge push onprice/scrappage deals hasmade this the best value ithas been. Big and roomysaloon it has the best 1.4-litre diesel engine you’ll drive for manya day. Three-year warranty.Minus points: Bland design and cabin.Best buy: 1.4 D4DFinal answer: YES, value for money and reliability.VersoPrices start at: €27,705Engines: 1.6VVT-i, 1.8VVTi,2.0 D-4DBodystyles: MPV (5/7 seats)Plus points: They hit on agood combination with this andat just the right time.By far the easiest MPV to drive. Lovely cabin, gear change andit’s easier to mix and match seating/luggage combinations.Minus points: Just that bit short on space especially for the third row.Best buy: 2.0 D4DFinal answer: YES, smooth operator in a discerning anddemanding market segment.AvensisPrices start at: €24,165Engines: 1.6 VVT-i, 1.8VVTi,2.0VVT-I, 2.0 D4D, 2.2 D-CATBodystyles: Saloon /Hatchback and Tourer (estate)Plus points: Big, big push onprice here again, relatively newmodel with roomier cabin, better equipment and engines. Massiveboot. Reliability and re-sale big plus factors.Minus points: Already looking a bit dated and VW (new Passat),Ford (Mondeo update) are snapping at its heels.Best buy: 2.0 D4D saloon.Final answer: YES, always a safe bet for the family or commercialtraveler.PriusPrices start at: €27,125Engines: 1.8 Hybrid(Petrol/Battery)Bodystyles: SaloonPlus points: Now a big car,with same cabin space asAvensis. So much technologyand equipment. Impressive package. Frugality and price.Minus points: Bit sloppy to drive and uses petrol engine nearlyall the time on longer drives.Best buy: One modelFinal answer: YES, it is quite an achievement and has the practicalityto take the family.RAV-4Prices start at: €28,695Engines: 2.0 VVT-i, 2.2D-4D,2.2 D-CATBodystyles: 5dr. SUVPlus points: One of the easiestto drive with an exceptionaldriving position. Well equippedand good diesel. Price.Minus points: Cabin needs a bit of an overhaul because it islooking a bit tired compared with several rivals.Best buy: 2.2 D-4D LunaFinal answer: YES, it is a top-three entrant always.97New Car Buyers’ Guide
MOTORSHOW 2011New Car Buyers’ GuideNew Car Buyers’ GuideLand CruiserPrices start at: €61,995Engines: 3.0 D4D,Bodystyles: 4x4, 3/5drPlus points: New one is,believe it or not, better thanthe old one and that was inour humble opinion the bestand had been for some time. Brilliant on and off road. Excellentdiesel.Minus points: Bit soon to crib except to say large SUVs are notin huge demand these days.Best buy: 3.0D4D LWB GX 5drFinal answer: YES, back at Number One where it belongs.VOLKSWAGENOverall Marque Rating: ✰✰✰✰✰Dealerships In the Republic of Ireland: 39Dealers listing/ Brochure request: 01 8989700www.volkswagen.iePLUS: See our Used Car Guide at the back of this publication.Prices and specifications correct as at 15.01.2011.FoxPrices start at: €9,990Engines: 1.2Bodystyle: 3-dr hatchbackPlus points: City car built tolast and last. Plenty of zest inthe drive, good cabin.Minus points: We don’t hearmuch about it; demand shouldbe higher.Best buy: 1.2.Final answer: YES. Good residuals mean it is a solid buy.PoloPrices start at: €14,550Engines: 1.2, 1.2 TDi, 1.4 TSi,1.6TDiBodystyles: 3/ 5dr.HatchbackPlus points: Bigger and better,it is built like a tank andtypically sturdy. Fine new-technologypetrol engines but thediesel appeals too. Pricingattempts to sweep more buyersinto lower priced versions.Minus points: Has perception ofbeing expensive and unexciting. Many rivals now have cuttingedgelooks and massive scrappage backing to sell.Best buy: 1.2 Comfortline 5drFinal answer: YES, Residual values and reputation push it highup the list.ALWAYS DRIVE RESPONSIBLY98GolfPrices start at: €18,995Engines: 1.2TSi, 1.4TSi,2.0TSi, 1.6 TDI, 2.0 TDI,Bodystyles: 3/5dr. Hatchback- GTi, Cabrio.Plus points: Best Golf to dateby some distance. Great mix ofpetrol and diesel engines; cabin roomierthan you’d think. Residual values.Always popular with Irish buyers.Minus points: Not that much different from old one – it hasalways been thus as design is evolutionary rather than revolutionary.Best buy: 1.4 TSi 5 DrFinal answer: YES, built to last and always a favourite.Golf PlusPrices start at: €21,850Engines: 1.2 TSI, 1.6 TDIBodystyles: Hatchback/MPVPlus points: Has more room,some good engines anddecent boot room.Minus points: Price notjustified by meager enough additional room.Best buy: 1.6TDiFinal answer: NO, not in these cost conscious days.TiguanPrices start at: €27,250Engines: 2.0 TDI.Bodystyles: SUV 4WD/2WDPlus points: Mid-size sportsutility that embraces ‘big brother’Touareg technology. Gooddrive and decent room as wellas a practical 4x2 version.Minus Points: Hard to criticise but rivals have taken a lot ofground and this hasn’t really caught on.Best buy: 2.0TDIFinal answer: YES. Well worth a test drive. Better than some ofthe trendier competitors.TouranPrices start at: €27,495Engines: 1.6TDi, 2.0 TDIBodystyles: MPV 5/7 seats.Plus points: Newly revised itcarries on as one of the bestbut most understated peoplecarriers around. Improved allround, plenty of space and thediesel is excellent. Seating/accommodation changes now moreeasily achieved.Minus points: Same as Golf – not great show of design flair.Best buy: 1.6 TDiFinal answer: YES, fresh new model offers quite a bit now.JettaPrices start at: €21,700Engines: 1.4 TSi,1.6TDIBodystyles: SaloonPlus points: Fine saloon;should have done better butGolf stole its thunder. New onehere this spring. It’s bigger andbetter. Huge boot, roomy cabin.Minus points: New one due. Overshadowed by the Golf.Best buy: 1.4 TSiFinal answer: NO, wait for the latest manifestation in May.
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New Car Buyers' Guide - Motorshow

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