SKODA ENYAQ 130 LIMITED EDITION REVIEW: TRISH WHELAN, IRISH CAR

For decades, Czech car company Skoda has been renowned for producing good diesel cars. That won’t change in the near future. What has changed, however, is how the company has adapted to also producing some excellent electric motors. 

The brand refreshed its fully-electric Enyaq crossover/SUV in Spring 2025 with a new design, extended driving range, improved aerodynamics, greater use of sustainable materials, and an expanded list of standard equipment. Enhanced digital capabilities and the latest in driver assistance technologies also featured prominently in the refresh. Enyaq is also available as a sleek coupe. Both variants are built on the Volkswagen Group’s dedicated MEB platform for electric vehicles. The update includes a Limited 130 Edition to celebrate the 130th anniversary of the Czech company as a car manufacturer. Only 130 units were produced, featuring more premium equipment than the standard ’85’. 

The 130 Edition trim is based on the top luxury Laurent & Klement trim (L&K), and ’85’ architecture – L&K is in honour of the original two founders who established the company 130 years ago. It is the most elegant trim line with some exclusive touches and extensive equipment to distinguish it from other Enyaqs. The car’s dimensions are as before, including a wheelbase of 2,772mm, as the upgrade mostly involved exterior and interior styling, and improved technology. L&K models feature the brand’s new ‘Modern Solid’ design era, with an updated front featuring a glossy black panel, special bumpers, diffuser and door mirror design with exclusive Platinum Grey detailing, as well as slimmer headlights and the name ‘Skoda’ now in black letters front and rear in place of the old logo. Even front wing mirrors have discreet L&K badges. Roof rails are finished in silver; window frames have brushed chrome surrounds. Special, multi-spoke 21-inch Aquarius alloy wheels looked absolutely stunning. 

The luxurious interior, with a black and Shell cream colour scheme, looked classy and welcoming. Cream seats can be heated and ventilated and are so comfortable to sink into. They have manual seat adjustments including lumbar support, a massage function and the Laurent & Klement signature embroidered discreetly in gold stitching on seat headrests. Extra light filters into the cabin via the panoramic glass sunroof, with shade, that can tilt open for ventilation. The free-standing, user-friendly infotainment touchscreen has lovely colourful and clear graphics, and is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Below are controls for the 3-zone climate control and for drive mode options. The automatic gear shifter is located on the central console flat and includes a ‘B’ mode for regenerative braking. The smaller driver’s cluster provides all drive information and can be customised to your preference. Features include a wireless smartphone charger but I’m not a fan of a slider to control volume. As the glovebox is small, I used the open shelf down below the central console to store some items out of sight. 

Rear passengers enjoy huge head and legroom, and their own temperature control, as well as two USBs. The middle seat back lowers to provide two cupholders and a hatch through to the boot. My car had a power tailgate that can be opened with a kicking motion, and huge square-shaped boot space of 585 litres with all seats up. Charging cables can be stored beneath the floor. 

Customers can choose from two battery sizes and from three powertrains including the rear-wheel drive Enyaq 60 with 430kms of driving range, or the Enyaq 85 with an extended range of up to 574 kms, which was my review car. The 85x features all-wheel drive with dual motors for added traction in all conditions. A high-performance Enyaq RS variant is also available. 

The ’85’ offers improved charging performance with charging from 10% to 80% of the battery in just 28 minutes with DC charging at up to 175kW. I achieved 15.9 kWh/100kms during my days driving the 82kWh battery variant that delivers a claimed range of up to 563kms on a full charge. When recharging the battery, my screen read-out showed a 50% charge equalled 260km of range in real-world driving. Driving in traffic, superb blind-spot monitors light up on the insides of both wing mirrors. The 82kWh battery allows a 0-100km/h sprint of 6.7 seconds, which is nippy enough. 

I liked the well-balanced, direct steering, and appreciated the car’s tight turning circle when manoeuvring in a multi-storey car park. The large wheels, though, can make the suspension feel on the firm side, and a fair amount of road noise filters through into the cabin. 

All things considered, this is a car I felt very confident and comfortable driving at all times. A very practical family car with plenty of space for five people and their luggage. The Skoda Enyaq range achieved a maximum five-star safety rating from Euro NCAP under rigorous testing criteria. Enyaq 60 is from €43,259; Enyaq 85 from €45,250; RS performance variant from €61,240. Prices include SEAI grant and VRT rebate.

HONDA REVEALS UPDATES FOR CIVIC MODEL 2027

Honda Ireland has announced updates for the Civic Model Year 2027 including the introduction of the new ‘Sport’ grade priced from €43,750, and the debut of S+ Shift technology on a mainstream Honda model, writes Trish Whelan. The latest updates also bring refreshed interior styling, and upgraded equipment specifications as well as introducing a new exterior colour of Meteoroid Grey Metallic. 

This new Sport grade combines distinctive styling with a comprehensive specification, and is designed to deliver a more dynamic driving experience, as well as comfort, technology, and everyday usability. Revisions include red stitching on front seats, front and rear armrests, and distinctive red accents surrounding the air vents. 

Standard features include a 9-inch Honda Connect touchscreen infotainment system with smartphone connectivity, new 18-inch gloss black alloy wheels, and the latest suite of Honda SENSING safety and driver assistance technologies as well as a heated leather steering wheel, privacy glass, and exclusive Sport-inspired detailing for a more premium and engaging environment for both driver and passengers.

The Honda Civic 2027 model year range is now available to test drive and order at Honda Dealerships nationwide.

CUPRA RAVAL LAUNCHES IN IRELAND

The new Cupra Raval has been launched in Ireland at a starting price of €23,495, writes Brian Byrne. With front-wheel drive, customers can choose between a 37kWh LFP battery for urban use with up to 323km rated range or a 52kWh NMC battery with a range of up to 448km. Charging capabilities range from 50 to 105 kW, allowing for a charge time of approximately 23–28 minutes.

The grades lineup includes Urban V1 and V2, Endurance V1 and V2, and the performance-oriented VZ, with the Endurance producing 211hp and the VZ 226hp.

Features include heated seats and steering wheel, adaptive cruise control, a rear camera, mobile digital keys, and a 12.9-inch infotainment screen with Android OS. The Endurance V2 is expected to be the best-seller, with the VZ also attracting interest. The Irish market is anticipated to prefer the larger battery option.

The Raval competes against models like the Volkswagen ID Polo and Renault 5. As a brand, Cupra is gaining traction among younger buyers. 

BWM iX3 REVIEW: BRIAN BYRNE, IRISH CAR

BMW's supply chain is some 2,700 providers long, across 31 global production sites, writes Brian Byrne. That's a complicated web of people, equipment, products and processes to keep tabs on, along with development, design, and production of over 70 variations on its core lineup of around 11 model series. So it's a big decision when it comes to a total platform renewal like the Neue Klasse that's to underpin all future cars from the Munich-based company. With the fourth generation of the X3 crossover only launched in 2024, it probably surprised most of us when the battery-electric new iX3 was revealed last year as the first of the Neue Klasse cars, eschewing the older platform on which the first BEV X3 had been built. Yet it makes sense: just taking the Irish market, if the electric and combustion X3s are combined, it makes the model series the biggest seller for the brand.

The car certainly makes a visual impact for Neue Klasse, with styling details that completely sever from most of the largely evolutionary changes that have been a BMW hallmark over two decades. There are things, of course, that must be retained. The 'kidney' style grille shape, in this instance, and thankfully, much smaller than some of the more brutish iterations of recent years. The signature 'Hofmeister kink' on the rearmost window pillar. After these, the designers had free rein. The tall fascia is still impressive enough to give the car an unmissable presence when trying to nose into moving traffic. The rear, with a very distinctive lighting pattern, will distinguish the car from behind in these upcoming dark evenings. Overall the new iX3 looks leaner than the predecessor, thanks to being a little longer and rather lower, which provides both more legroom for passengers and some extra luggage space.

The interior has drama and a technological buzz. The clean basic dashboard structure sports a centre screen with edge-to-edge graphics and a kinky shape that is quite attractive and shows its information and virtual buttons in bright and colourful fashion. The driver information is provided by a panoramic screen that runs the full width of the windscreen base (the Citroën C3 uses a similar system, though it's only in front of the driver). The owner can decide which 'widgets' to have across the panorama, besides the essentials such as speed. The centre console offers charging for two phones, and also houses the transmission selector and the radio volume. The really futuristic item is the steering wheel, styled to encourage the quarter-to-three hold that I learned during a driving course with the company many years ago. The button controls on the wheel have their own distinctive styling, all quite intuitive. Some of the buttons only become visible when triggered, such as by an incoming call.

The seats, front and rear, are a comfortable mix of artificial leather and suede, and I found them well supportive and long-distance comfortable. The middle rear seat is best used for a smaller person, but there's lots of legroom.

There's a lot of improved tech in the drivetrain. Notably with the battery pack, which is next-generation and offers a 20 per cent energy efficiency improvement over the previous iX3. Worth noting too is that, taking overall lifecycle CO2 reduction, this car reaches emissions break-even with a combustion-engined car at around the 20,000km stage: that's a 42 per cent reduction compared to its predecessor, which should give owners something of a warm glow of smugness.

The rated range is up to 805km, my calculations in my time suggest a real-world figure of around 680km, which is in itself impressive anyway. If you're at a fast charger, you can get up to 372km in ten minutes. There's 469hp available, which will allow a sprint to 100km/h in under five seconds (if you do a lot of that, forget about my range calculations).

I took delivery of the new iX3 expecting to be impressed. But not as much as I actually was. This is one of those cars that you really enjoy, and look forward to the next while every time you click the key fob to open it up. It's not any one thing; more that in their work in the development of the car, including directing those 2,700 component suppliers, they have put together a vehicle that just feels right in almost every aspect. That's what makes the brand premium.

PRICE: From €66,985. WHAT I LIKED: The determination to get something right. 

EV VRT RELIEF TO CONTINUE TO END 2028

VRT relief for electric vehicles has been extended for two years in Budget 2027, writes Brian Byrne. Finance Minister Simon Harris announced that the relief will continue until 31 December 2028, while VRT on more polluting cars (A3 to F) will increase by one per cent to encourage low-emission vehicle purchases. 

Additionally, the temporary fuel excise reduction is extended until 28 February 2027, with gradual restoration by 30 June 2027. 

Recent analysis of customer searches by Done Deal Cars indicates a strong shift in consumer preferences, with electric vehicle searches rising by 75% and hybrid searches by 17% between September 2025 and September 2026. Diesel searches fell by 23% and petrol searches increased by 3% in the same period. 

JAGUAR DETAILS TYPE 01

Rendered images: JLR.

Jaguar has provided details the Type 01, a luxury four-door grand tourer with a unique body architecture and electric powertrain, writes Brian Byrne. Featuring a low roofline, long bonnet, and 23-inch wheels, it includes over 360 patent applications, making it the most technically advanced Jaguar ever according to the company. 

The Type 01 achieves a drag coefficient of 0.23 and offers two dynamic driving modes, with a power output of up to 1,030PS and 1,365Nm of torque. It accelerates from 0-100km/h in 3.2 seconds and has an expected range of up to 644km. The interior includes a 24-inch OLED screen, a central touchscreen, and a bespoke Jaguar Immersive Sound System. 

The car is expected to go on sale early in 2027. 

RANGE ROVER ELECTRIC REVEALED IN IRELAND

Range Rover Electric has been unveiled, maintaining the brand’s luxury and capability while introducing EV performance, writes Brian Byrne. The starting price in Ireland is €160,620.

The design brief was for a “Range Rover first, electric vehicle second” approach, preserving the iconic design and all-terrain abilities. The car is built on the Jaguar Land Rover MLA platform, which was developed from the start to use various powertrains, including electric. 

JLR developed the battery and twin electric drive units in-house, and the new car claims a 531km WLTP range, and has 900mm wading capability. 

Performance figures include the capability to accelerate from 0–100km/h in as little as 4.5 seconds. Features like twin-chamber air springs and active noise cancellation enhance refinement and performance, and the car is said to be the quietest Range Rover yet. 

BYD EXPANDS IRISH LINEUP

Atto 2.

The BYD lineup in Ireland has been expanded with the introduction of the Atto 2 Super Hybrid and the Atto 3 EVO, writes Brian Byrne. The Atto 2 Super Hybrid, available in ‘Active’ and ‘Boost’ models priced at €32,990 and €35,990 respectively, offers up to 1,000km range and 90km electric-only range. 

The Atto 3 EVO, available in ‘Design’ and ‘Excellence’ variants at €40,530 and €43,985, features all-wheel drive, a rated 510km range, and rapid charging capabilities. 

Both models include a 15.6-inch touchscreen, panoramic sunroof, and vehicle-to-load technology, with a six-year vehicle and eight-year battery warranty. 

BYD is distributed in Ireland by Motor Distributors Limited (MDL).

TEXACO CHILDREN'S ART EXHIBITION

Junction 14 Mayfield on the M7 in County Kildare is hosting an exhibition of the top 21 artworks from the 72nd Texaco Children’s Art Competition, running until 1st November, writes Brian Byrne. The competition dates back to 1955.

Located off the M7 motorway near Monasterevin, the exhibition features 1.5-metre-tall artworks visible to thousands of daily visitors. Liam Fitzpatrick, co-owner of the venue, praised the young artists’ talents, while James Twohig of Valero Energy highlighted the long-standing partnership with the Fitzpatrick family. 

The exhibition showcases artists from counties including Cork, Dublin, and Galway.

Pictured at the opening is James Twohig, Director of Operation, Valero Energy (Ireland) Limited; Pauline O’Connell, Final Adjudicator of the Texaco Children’s Art Competition; Mary Therese Fitzpatrick, co-owner of Junction 14 Mayfield; Laois student artist, Abdul Ahad Zulfiqar; and local art teachers Sandra Doyle and Ciara Connolly. 

MGS6 REVIEW: BRIAN BYRNE, IRISH CAR

The only MG car that our family ever had was the Magnette Mark IV my Dad owned in the mid-1960s, writes Brian Byrne. A trimmed-to-luxury level of the Pininfarina-designed British Motor Corporation mid-sized saloons produced under the Morris, Austin, Riley and Wolseley marques, it was walnut veneer and leather, comfortable, tough, and in British Racing Green was a handsome enough beast. It didn't have quite the same cachet as the Jaguar 240 he had traded in for it, but, unlike the Jag, it wasn't always refusing to start on any kind of a chill morning. In fact, for the four years he kept it, the Magnette proved utterly reliable. And the toughness was exemplified during one weekend when I had taken it to Achill, and had to tow at least three other cars out of the ditches they had slipped into from the high and narrow roads of the island.

In 2005, following the collapse of the MG-Rover Group in the UK, the Chinese Nanjing Automobile Group bought the MG brand and assets. Nanjing was subsequently bought by SAIC Motor of Shanghai, which in recent years has been strongly pushing the MG brand in the UK, Europe and Australia. The MG4 EV launched in 2022 has offered affordability and decent quality in the compact family electric car segment, a key driver in making MG one of the fastest-growing brands in Europe. In Ireland, MG has gone from less than a thousand units in 2024 to more than 2,400 this year to date, largely thanks to that MG4. Now at 16th place in Irish registrations, this Chinese revival of a quintessential British brand has left many established European carmakers struggling to catch up, offering four BEV models as well as PHEV and hybrid cars.

The MGS6 I drove recently has only been here since March, but is already making a serious impact in the medium-large SUV space. Before I had travelled many kilometres, I was already thinking that this is the car that most European premium carmakers are scared of. If they're not, they should be.

In style, its profile is much like any other modern SUV, but the front-end design has a mix of simplicity and detail that gives it a very elegant look. Both of those elements are repeated in different forms at the rear, the whole ethos coming out as a very smooth result. 

The elegance is also apparent inside, with smooth curve-lines around the dashboard and doors, and a relatively restrained use of chrome-style detailing. The traditional octagon surround of the MG badge is mildly repeated in the shape of the steering wheel, but not so much as to make it awkward. A fairly large centre console has a selection of knobs and buttons to manage radio volume and some climate. Transmission selection is a rotary knob on that console, underneath which is space for a handbag. The infotainment screen is a quantum better in design and usability than those in earlier MGs from China. Graphics and permanent virtual buttons are large and clear, and other carmakers from that part of the world should take note. On the other hand, the over-sensitivity of driver monitoring that seems to be elemental in Asian cars is still an annoyance.

The seats are large and well upholstered in an artificial leather and suede material that both looks good and is comfortable, especially in hot weather. As a D-segment car, there's plenty of room for the rear passengers. Though this is not priced as a premium car, the whole materials selection and fit were upmarket in feel.

That sense was also evident in the drive. Obviously, the electric drivetrain was going to be quiet, but the overall road and wind noise is also noticeably well damped, with most progress verging on the serene. I'm not going to throw a large SUV around on twisty roads, but on all normal driving it was clear that the MGS6 will cope with any conditions very well indeed. (Perhaps even towing cars out of ditches on Achill.)

The 240hp electric motor gives this big car a very sporty 5.1-second sprint capability to 100km/h, vastly superior to that original Magnette. There's a rated 530km range that in practice came out at around 480km for me, and the 13.6kWh/100km was a very respectable energy efficiency.

So, no walnut veneer, and no real leather. But the MGS6 is definitely going to take a solid chunk of that almost-premium business.

PRICE: From €39,495. WHAT I LIKED: Modern execution of a premium sporty heritage.  

BMW NEUE KLASSE 3 SERIES ARRIVAL

Details of the eighth-generation BMW 3 Series with Neue Klasse design and technologies have been announced by BMW Ireland, writes Brian Byrne. They include fully electric models, the BMW i3 40 xDrive and BMW i3 50 xDrive, available from launch, with a BMW i3 M60 xDrive M Performance model to follow.

The i3 50 xDrive offers up to 912 km range (WLTP) and 400 kW DC rapid charging. Petrol options include the BMW 320 and the six-cylinder BMW M350 xDrive. All models share a consistent design, equipped with BMW Panoramic iDrive, BMW Operating System X, and advanced driver assistance technology. 

Prices in Ireland start at €71,935 for the BMW 320 and €60,285 for the BMW i3 40 xDrive. Customer deliveries for the i3 begin in autumn 2026, with petrol models arriving in January 2027. 

NEW CONTINENTAL VIDEO FOR TYRE SAFETY DAY

Continental Tyres Ireland has commissioned a new video for Tyre Safety Day, marked on October 5, in collaboration with content creator Michael Deady, writes Brian Byrne. The video aims to encourage motorists, especially younger drivers, to regularly check their tyres. 

Tom Dennigan, Head of Continental Tyres Ireland, and Deady highlight examples of neglected tyres at a Dublin Modern Tyres outlet, emphasising the risks of driving on tyres below the legal tread depth or with visible damage. 

Dennigan stresses that regular, simple inspections can prevent serious safety issues and extend tyre life. The video will be available on Continental Tyres’ Instagram account.  

ASTRA GSE LINE TO DEBUT AT PARIS SHOW

The new Opel Astra GSE Line will debut at the Paris Motor Show 2026, showcasing battery-electric, plug-in hybrid, hybrid, and internal combustion options, writes Brian Byrne. Made in Russelsheim, the Astra GSE Line complements the electric Mokka GSE and Corsa GSE models. 

It features a distinctive GSE Line colour design, lettering, and diamond-cut alloy wheels. Inside, it offers bright yellow stitching and optional sports seats. 

A 280hp variant will launch in spring 2027, with more GSE Line models to follow. 

SKODA KAMIQ REVIEW: BRIAN BYRNE, IRISH CAR

The Latin for traffic jam is fluxus interclusio, writes Brian Byrne. No, that doesn't refer to ancient Rome's stone streets crowded with ox-drawn plaustrums and essedums powered by horse — carts and chariots for those of us without a heavy classical education. It's a modern phrase in the special dictionary, Lexicon Recentis Latinitatis, updated regularly by scholars in the Vatican, the only state where Latin is still the primary working language.

I was thinking of that recently when driving Skoda's current Kamiq small crossover. Not because of the car itself, but its manual transmission. While caught in some of those 'fluxus' traffic situations and having to do the stop-go thing with gear stick and clutch. As we move through the next few years, that's a thing fewer motorists will be experiencing. In the last three years, automatic transmissions in new car sales have gone from two in three to more than eight in ten. That will be gradually feeding through the used car system until eventually the bulk of the national car parc will be automatic.

The Kamiq was also unusual in these days in that it comes as petrol-only in our market. With that kind of engine in third place of preference, behind battery-electric and hybrid, it might seem on the extinction road. But no, the engine still has a solid 20 per cent share of the powertrain type. As the brand says these days, 'there's a Skoda for that'.

The Kamiq has been around since 2019, with a facelift in 2023, and is styled as a straightforward small crossover, related to the other VW Group cars SEAT Arona and Volkswagen T-Cross. Skoda always does something different though, and in the Kamiq's case that difference is more interior room. Making it a good option for a family on the grow but not wishing to go as far as a larger and more expensive C-segment alternative. The facelift sharpened up the front and rear and there were some upshifts to the interior trim and instrumentation. My review had a pack option replacing chrome trims with black, which, paradoxically, added a style strength to the whole thing.

The interior look in some ways has a lot going on in the trim design, yet the various elements do work together. The centre screen is small by today's general standards, but with good, intuitive graphics, and there are knobs and switches for climate, seat heaters, and audio volume. I liked the modern styling of the driver information cluster, and impressive too is the clear labelling on the steering wheel remotes. 

The seats in the review car were a mix of artificial leather and suede, all seeming very practical. The Kamiq is wider, taller and longer than its cousin Arona I drove some time ago, and that extra space is given mostly over to the comfort of the rear occupants, via a longer wheelbase. It makes a significant difference, the Skoda accommodating full adults rather than the mostly child-sized accommodation in the SEAT. There's 400L of cargo capacity in both. Up front, for this awkward taller, less supple than I used to be, driver, I found my space and ergonomics to be quite Goldilocks in suitability.

The engines in the Kamiq are a 1-litre 3-cylinder with 95hp available in the base Essence grade, or 115hp in the Selection and Monte Carlo trims that offers a quite respectable 0-100km/h in under 10 seconds. Perfectly adequate — nobody buys this kind of car for a hot rod experience. The DSG automatic option is a 7-speed.

Handling is par for the course in this level of car, which again is exactly what it should be for the kind of use it will get. As for that manual transmission, even in the 'fluxus interclusio' situations that I encountered on some of the usual commuter gridlocks in my area, it was a tidy shifter to manage, with a nicely balanced clutch action that took some of the hardship out of the equation. I'd still always prefer the now more common autobox, though.

PRICE: From €29,270; Review car €34,170. WHAT I LIKED: Understated style can still make a statement. 

KIA SELTOS COMING TO IRELAND

Kia Ireland has announced pricing for the new-to-this-market Seltos, in the competitive C-SUV segment, writes Brian Byrne. Starting at €39,500, the Seltos will be available exclusively with a 154hp hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) drivetrain across four trim levels. 

The first models will arrive in Ireland this December, ahead of the 271-registration period. Display models are already in all Kia dealerships for customer viewing.

Seltos is Kia’s second best-selling model globally. It features a spacious interior, best-in-class boot space of 536 litres, and advanced driver assistance technologies. 

The K2 entry model includes 16” alloys, dual panoramic displays, and smart cruise control. The top-tier GT Line Plus, priced at €48,000, includes a sunroof and Harmon Kardon sound system. 

A 1.6-litre manual petrol display model is available in dealerships for viewing. 

CITROEN TO OFFER NEW THEME WITH C3

Citroën will unveil the C3 Outdoor variant at the Paris Motor Show, showcasing its new cross-brand slogan, Outdoor, aimed at those seeking adventure and imagination, writes Brian Byrne. The C3 Outdoor features a redesigned front bumper, exclusive Infra Rouge accents, and new 17-inch alloy wheels. 

The interior has Advanced Comfort seats with comic-book character Migoo embroidery and Infra Rouge detailing. 

Available in petrol, hybrid, and electric powertrains, the C3 Outdoor offers a range of up to 323 km (WLTP). The C3 Aircross Outdoor, with its family-friendly design and functional roof rails, will also be featured, offering a range of up to 400km in EV form. 

NEW AUDI Q7 ARRIVES

The third-generation Audi Q7 has arrived in Ireland at a starting price of €117,900, writes Brian Byrne. Available with five, six, or seven seats, the Q7 power comes from a 3.0 V6 diesel engine, available in two outputs – 299 PS or 245 PS – with an eight-speed tiptronaic gearbox and permanent quattro all-wheel drive.

Design highlights include a bold silhouette, digital Matrix LED headlights, and third-generation OLED rear lights with multiple digital signatures. 

Advanced driver assistance systems, adaptive air suspension options, and innovative interior lighting features enhance comfort, safety, and handling. 

JAPAN IS LARGEST SOURCE OF IRELAND USED CARS

Japan has become Ireland’s largest source of used cars, rising from under 5% of imports in 2019 to 55% in the first half of 2026, writes Brian Byrne. According to analysis by DoneDeal Cars of official vehicle registration data, this shift is largely due to Brexit-era tariffs and VAT making UK imports less economical. 

Notably, Volkswagen has emerged as the top make from Japan, with German premium models re-exported to Ireland. The strict Japanese NCT-equivalent standards ensure many imports are in excellent condition. Despite the change in sources, total import volumes have increased, with 59,895 cars arriving in H1 2026, potentially surpassing any full year since 2020. 

While UK imports have become cleaner, Japanese imports remain mostly petrol and hybrid, resulting in little change in the average emissions of imported cars. 

UPGRADES TO HONDA CIVIC

Honda Ireland has unveiled updates to the Civic range, introducing the Sport grade and improved transmission technology, writes Brian Byrne. The Civic Sport, priced from €43,750, features a 9-inch infotainment system, 18-inch gloss black alloy wheels, and Honda's Sensing safety technologies. 

The interior includes red stitching, a heated leather steering wheel, and 12 Bose speakers. S+ Shift technology enhances driving engagement by simulating quick automatic gear changes. 

The Civic offers three drive modes and a refreshed exterior colour range, including the new Meteoroid Grey Metallic. 

OPEL FRONTERA EV REVIEW: TRISH WHELAN, IRISH CAR

Eight months following its Irish launch last December, Opel’s new Frontera has become the brand’s best-selling passenger car ahead of the Corsa and flagship Grandland X, a remarkable achievement for a new car to market in a short time. Opel in Ireland is on a roll, having sold 2,726 units this year, which is over 30% more than in 2025. The Frontera is attracting buyers looking for a mid-sized SUV, offering all-electric or hybrid power, a choice of five- or seven seats (seven in the hybrid model), at an affordable price. Size-wise, it sits between the Mokka and larger Grandland in the brand’s SUV line-up. 

The Frontera name is a revival, having previously been a rugged-looking, ladder-frame utility 4x4 produced by Opel from 1991 to 2004. It's a good-looking, everyday car, not pretending to be anything else, and that’s part of its charm. High, boxy, it's a practical motor with a spacious cabin and a good view of the road. My car looked cool in its Khaki Green exterior colour (€800 extra) that will appeal to adventurous types, with contrasting black roof and pillars, roof rails, high-gloss black door mirrors, 17-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, LED headlights/tail lights, rear fog lamps, dark silver skid plates, and privacy glass. The new black Opel Blitz emblem, in the centre of the car’s fascia, is lost as it blends into the black background, which is a shame. But the model’s name stands out in black lettering across the rear. The cabin is welcoming with cheerfully patterned front seats that are comfortable. The driver’s seat has 6-way adjustments, the passenger's 4-way adjustments. 

The dash features a long unit for the 10-inch digital driver display, and same-sized colour touchscreen angled towards the driver. Infotainment, satellite navigation, Opel Connect, and phone pairing are managed here. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, as is built-in navigation. There are physical controls directly below the large screen for key climate controls, and for heating the front seats and the steering wheel. Current speed is shown large and centre top on the driver’s customisable instrument cluster along with remaining charge. The 3-spoke flat-topped and bottomed steering wheel feels good to hand and features remote audio and voice recognition. There’s a wireless phone charging pad on the centre console and two C-type USBs. The familiar Stellantis lever-type automatic transmission selector has an added ‘C’ mode setting which disengages energy regeneration. 

Rear doors open wide and rear passengers enjoy decent head and leg space helped by the car’s high roof and long 2,670mm wheelbase. The middle seat is small. There are two small USBs and the low tunnel doesn’t interfere with foot space. The tailgate is manually operated. Boot space of 460 litres is good for a car of this size (with an adjustable boot floor), and luggage space can be further expanded to 1,600 litres with all seats down. Charging cables can be stored below the floor. There’s a tyre puncture repair kit. Trims are SC, Elegance, and GS – the latter being my review car. 

Standard safety items included a good rear-view camera, front and rear parking sensors, excellent blind-spot alerts on side mirrors, Hill Assist, Cruise Control, Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Keep Assist, Forward Collision Alert, and safety child lock. Drive modes are Eco, Normal, and Sport. 

Battery options are a standard 44kWh and a longer range 54kWk both powering a 113hp motor, and torque is 120Nm. The larger battery in my review car had a claimed 400km range. On collection, the screen showed the battery fully charged, with a possible 389km available, near enough to the claimed figure. After driving over all types of routes, the readout showed energy consumption of 19.2Wh/100km. Fast charging from 20% to 80% takes 30 minutes, or you can add 100km in 10 minutes to get you home. 

I found the Frontera EV an easy and relaxing car to drive, rock solid on the road, and comfortable for all passengers. The steering was firm, which I prefer. From 0–100km/h takes around 13 seconds, not tyre-smoking but adequate for a family car. Road tax is €120. Surprisingly, the all-electric version of the Frontera comes in at a lower cost than the hybrid version. Frontera has not yet been tested by Euro NCAP. The model carries a five-year unlimited mileage warranty. 

Prices are from €24,606 for the electric BEV, inclusive of SEAI grant and VRT rebate, and from €27,995 for the hybrid version.