Are French cars my only option for real comfort on Irish roads?

What medium size car can best soak up the endless bumps on Irish roads, without loosening the passengers' false teeth? I know French cars have a good name for poor surfaces but reliability might be a problem...

Sean O Donovan (Cork)

Jun 2014 Filed under: choosing new car

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Expert answer

Hi Sean,

It's a tough question to answer, this one, simply because different wheels and tyres can make an enormous difference to ride quality. As you say, French cars tend to fare very well in this regard and I think the most comfortable car I have driven in recent years was a top-spec Citroen C5 with the traditional Citroen hydra gas suspension, which just felt as if the road surface wasn't there. As you say, French cars can have their reliability issues, but the C5 was always pretty well screwed together.

Of the other options, both the Ford Mondeo and Opel Insignia are good bets, especially if you can avoid any cars that have been specced-up with big wheels and low profile tyres. Go for nothing bigger than a 17-inch wheel with at least a 55-profile tyre - wheel and tyre combos make a huge difference to ride comfort,

Of course if you want the ultimate in ride comfort, then track yourself down a Jaguar XJ6 saloon from the mid-eighties. Best ride quality of any car ever. I can't vouch for the reliability though...

Neil Briscoe - Complete Car Adviser
@neilmbriscoe