Then buy … a Skoda Superb
Happily, given this answer, it doesn’t really matter which Superb you buy as they’re all perfect for this task. Better than a Kodiaq for long hauls because the lower-slung shape makes for superior aerodynamics and therefore improved fuel economy, the Superb also has that critical factor for long journeys – space. Honestly, driving long runs in a Superb is like travelling Lufthansa Senator Class, while everyone else is squeezed into a Ryanair 737. Even with four people on board, you all feel as if there’s enough space to have your own Eircode, doubly so with the extra on-board air of the Combi estate version. The 2.0 TDI diesel can average 5.5 litres per 100km, but the surprise is the plug-in hybrid, which combines 100km-plus electric range with genuinely impressive long-run fuel economy (and rapid charging so you can top up as you go). A superstar of a car, even if the price is looking a bit stiff these days.
[ Skoda’s new Superb truly lives up to its badgeOpens in new window ]
Plus: All that space
Minus: Some cheap-feeling fixtures
Equals: Best all-round car
Also try: Dacia Duster
Oddly, it’s rural buyers who seem most resistant to electric power, in spite of everyone in the country having their own driveway – which is the number one prerequisite for owning and running an electric car. Ah well, plus ça change. Unquestionably – well, unquestionably until the new Bigster arrives – the best car for rural life right now is the new Dacia Duster. It’s more stylish than before, almost dramatically so with that castellated bonnet and slim headlights. Something in us pines for the simplicity of the old Duster’s looks, but there’s no denying this one’s handsomeness. That’s true inside too, where the cheap plastics have been given simple textures that make them far more appealing, while there’s enough space for four big people to squeeze in easily enough, and a big boot too.
All Dusters have enough ride height that you won’t have to worry about “traditional” Irish road surfaces, while the all-wheel drive TCe 130 model has some proper off-roading gumption, complete with adjustable traction control. Most will be better served by the more frugal front-wheel drive hybrid version, though.
The new Duster is, of course, more expensive than it used to be, but still somehow quite affordable, and it’s hard to think of a car more perfectly suited to rural Ireland.
[ New Dacia Duster: Great value returns in a much prettier packageOpens in new window ]
Volkswagen Tiguan
The latest Tiguan feels like a big step up in terms of size and prestige from the previous model, and there’s a level of technological sophistication here that is really quite something, from in-built ChatGPT intelligence to remote parking while standing outside the car. Not that most rural buyers will care much – they’ll be more interested that it comes with a diesel engine (a plug-in hybrid, and a darned good one at that, is also available). Not cheap, mind.
[ VW Tiguan review: Tempting SUV in a world of uncertaintyOpens in new window ]
Wild card: Toyota Prius
Imagine 20 years ago, recommending a Toyota Prius as a perfect companion for long, rambling, cross-country drives? You’d have been laughed out of the place – but not any more. The new Prius is a bit of an odd car – it combines swoopy lines that almost remind one of a 1970s Ferrari, with plug-in hybrid power that’s economical on the motorway, a laid-back driving position, surprisingly small rear seats and a tiny boot. An unusual combo, but the Prius’s assured, sure-footed chassis and refinement make it an unexpected long-haul gem.
Buyer’s guide series: What car should you be driving in 2025?
What should I buy if I want a high-end executive car?
What should I buy if I need an ‘affordable’ second car?
What car should I buy if I need a small runaround?
What car should I buy if I need a seven-seater?
What should I buy in 2025 if I need a ‘reward for life’ car?
