We will soon be moving from the Netherlands to Ireland and will leave behind our 2014 trusty and very comfortable Volvo diesel XC60 because of driving on the left side of the road in Ireland. We are thinking of buying a four- or five-year-old Volvo XC40, ideally diesel, but there are very few on the market. What alternative would you recommend with a similar level of comfort and range (1,000km with a full tank)? From Philippe G
First and foremost, welcome to Ireland. We hope you’re going to be very happy here.
When it comes to moving with a car from Europe, yes, you’re right – our insistence on driving on the left is a bit of a blocker. It’s certainly not impossible to use and drive a left-hand-drive model in Ireland. It’s a pain in car parks and at toll booths. Insurance for left-hand-drive cars can also be problematic, but I digress.
An XC40 would be an ideal replacement for the XC60 as it’s more compact and more economical overall, but as you say a suitable replacement with a diesel engine are thin on the ground, largely because in the past five years in Ireland diesel sales have fallen off considerably, leaving a shortfall in good used stock with diesel engines.
Indeed, in the age range you’re looking at, we couldn’t find a single diesel-powered XC40 available. There are a number of plug-in hybrid XC40 Recharge models available, but this would only be a viable option if you’re moving to an address with a driveway or other off-street parking for overnight charging.
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That could, in theory, reduce your fuel bills quite a lot if you’re driving mostly short journeys, but it would reduce your long-haul range to around 650km on a combined tank of fuel and a full battery. So that’s not a great option.
A really good option, instead, would be a Toyota Rav4. There are two options in this case: a standard hybrid, or a more powerful (but impressively frugal) plug-in hybrid. In either case, on a full tank, and driven with reasonable care, you could get as much as 800km on a fill-up, which is at least getting closer.
There are other options, though. How about a previous-generation BMW X3 20d? A 2022 X3 20d can be bought for about €40,000, and you should easily get up to 900km on a full tank of diesel. Plus, it’s a terrific car to drive and has a really high-quality interior.
Of course, you could simply exchange one Volvo XC60 for another. The XC60 diesel remained on sale in Ireland for some time, and you can easily pick up a 2022-2023 edition for about the same cost as the BMW X3. Nice and familiar, and you should get that magic 1,000km on a tank if driven with care.
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There’s an easier way of hitting 1,000km on a tank, though. It just means sitting down a touch lower. Get yourself a Skoda Superb Combi (estate) TDI diesel. It’s even roomier inside than the XC90, really smooth and easygoing to drive, and the 150hp 2.0-litre TDI should easily hit 1,100km on a full tank. You could even run it on HVO instead of diesel.
If we’re talking estates, of course, we have to consider Mercedes and the awesome E-Class estate. There are few cars that so easily combine class, comfort, and carrying ability.
Sadly, Irish buyers tend to shun estates, but we did find a 2022 Mercedes E220d estate on sale for €44,000, and that should easily break the 1,000km barrier on one tank. Plus it’s a fantastic car to drive, with a gorgeous cabin. Easily one of the best cars on sale.