Should I replace my Octavia with a Tucson 4x4?

I just crashed my 1.9 Octavia. I travel about 20,000 kilometres a year. I was thinking of getting a 07/08 Hyundai Tucson 4WD but am concerned about the difference in fuel economy. I live rurally (the Skoda slipped on mud) and on a steep hill. I also travel to scenic locations as I take landscape photos. I've read conflicting reports with regard to the economy. I've a loan of a 2007 Fiesta 1.25 and have put €70 into it in the last five days to do about 300 miles. Is the Tucson a realistic choice?

Mark Callanan (Templeglantine)

Sep 2014 Filed under: choosing used car

---

Expert answer

Hi Mark,

Right, obviously it's always a bit of a scare when you slip on the road and damage your car, and it's natural for the reaction to be "I'd better get a 4x4." Hang on though, because there are 4x4s and 4x4s... First off, the Tuscon. According to the official figures, the 2.0-litre diesel 4x4 Tuscon does 39mpg while the 2.0-litre petrol model does 35mpg. We'd bet that you'll struggle to match those figures on the road and will instead get around 30mpg on average. Also, 4x4 Tuscons are a little tricky to track down in Ireland.

So, as an alternative, why not consider a Skoda Octavia 4x4? You know you like the car, the all-wheel drive system is just as good at finding traction as any big SUV's and the lower, lighter body means you won't pay as heavy a fuel consumption penalty. We've found one for sale on Carzone for just over €10k, so they're not even too expensive.

Worth a look, at any rate.

Neil Briscoe - Complete Car Adviser
@neilmbriscoe