1 Hyundai Tucson:

The Hyundai was Ireland’s best-selling car brand in 2016 and is well up the standings so far in 2017. It comes with three engine choices – a 1.6-litre petrol engine giving 132bhp, a 1.7-litre diesel engine giving 115bhp and the range-topping two-litre engine giving 136bhp. Across the range, there are both two- and four-wheel-drive options. A six-speed manual gearbox is standard on all variants but a six-speed auto is available with the big diesel engine. Towing capacities vary from 1,500kg to 1,900kg depending on which variant is chosen. Retail prices range from €26,145 for the standard-spec, two-wheel-drive petrol model to €42,995 for the bigger diesel engine with the automatic box, four-wheel-drive and all the bits inside.

2 Nissan Qashqai:

The Nissan was the first of this genre of vehicle to come to the market in 2006. It has come a long way since then. It comes with a huge range of engines from the 1.2-litre petrol engine giving 115bhp and the 1.6-litre petrol engine giving 163bhp to the two diesel engines – one 1.5-litre and the other 1.6-litre – giving 115bhp and 130bhp, respectively. Most of the range is front-wheel-drive but the 1.6-litre diesel engine is available at all spec levels with power to four wheels. The gearbox options are a six-speed manual or Nissan’s CVT transmission. Pulling capacity rises from 1,200kg to 1,800kg with more power and all-wheel drive. Retail prices range from €25,620 for the base model up to €38,720 for the top-spec diesel with off-road capability.

3 Kia Sportage:

The new Sportage was released last year and has been a good seller so far in 2017. It comes with three different engine options: a 1.7-litre diesel giving 115bhp, a 1.7-litre petrol giving 141bhp and a two-litre diesel engine giving 136bhp. Front-wheel-drive is the standard drivetrain but four-wheel-drive is available with the bigger diesel engine.

A six-speed manual gearbox and a seven-speed DCT (auto) are the gearbox options. Trailer hauling capacity starts at 1,400kg for the petrol two wheel drive and rises to 2,000kg for the diesel four wheel drive version. Retail prices range from €27,995 for the 1.7-litre diesel-powered LX specification up to €35,795 for the two-litre diesel engine in platinum specification.

4 Toyota Rav 4:

The Rav 4 has been around for quite a while but has recently been given a serious makeover. There are only two engine specifications available –a two-litre diesel engine producing 143bhp and a Hybrid. Front-wheel-drive is all you can have with the diesel engine but a four-wheel-drive version is available if you choose the hybrid power unit. Yet again, if you go with the oil burner you need to have the six-speed manual box and the hybrid-powered Ravs get the e-CVT (auto) box as standard. Allowable towing weights for the Rav 4 range from 1,650kg to 2,100kg. Retail prices range from €31,950 for the Luna spec diesel version up to €45,800 for the platinum-spec, all-wheel drive hybrid.

5 Ford Kuga:

The Kuga is another one of this class that was given a revamp in 2016, so it looks fresh for the 100-year celebrations which are currently under way.

There are four different engines available – a 1.5 Ecoboost petrol engine giving out 150bhp, a 1.5-litre diesel engine with 120bhp and a two-litre diesel engine giving out either 150bhp or 180bhp depending on specification. The smaller diesel and the petrol engine versions are only available in two-wheel-drive. The 150bhp diesel gives the option of either two- or four-wheel drive. The high-powered diesel engine comes with four-wheel-drive as standard. There is a six-speed manual or a power shift automatic. The auto is only available with the two higher-powered diesel units. The Kuga is rated to pull between 1200kg and 2100kg depending on engine and drivetrain.

The retail price ranges from €37,700 for the Ecoboost petrol with Titanium spec up to €47,030 for the powerful diesel and ST-Line spec.

6 Dacia Duster:

The Duster has gained a serious foothold in the Irish market, with its Jeep-like looks and reasonable pricing, and has taken over some of the hatchback market.

The Dacia comes with a 1.5-litre DCI diesel engine producing 109bhp. Two-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive options are available at all spec levels.

A six-speed manual gearbox is standard across the range.

The maximum towing weight for the little Dacia is 1,500kg across the range.

Retail prices range from €16,690 for the basic model to €23,390 for the top-of-the-range version.

7 Volkswagen Tiguan

The Tiguan is another model to have recently been reworked with some added options. The engine options are a 1.4-litre tsi petrol engine producing 125bhp and a two-litre diesel engine producing from 115bhp to a 240bhp in twin-turbo guise. The smaller-powered diesel engine and the petrol engine are only available in two-wheel-drive but four-wheel-drive is available from 150bhp upwards. Two transmissions are available, a six-speed manual and Volkswagen group’s DSG automatic. The lugging capability of the Tiguan ranges from 1,600kg to 2,500kg for the four-wheel-drive. Pricing for the Tiguan starts at €29,860 for the basic Trendline specification with the petrol engine and go up to €46,870 for the twin-turbo diesel engine with the top Sportline specifications.

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Special focus: motors