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Large Family

Tuesday, April 04, 2006

The best buys and the ones to avoid for the large family car market in 2006....

The Best

OUR PICK

VW Passat
The all-new VW Passat is doing for the large family class what the VW Golf once did for the small family segment - redefining the benchmark for quality and refinement.

What’s most shocking is that VW hasn’t priced the car out of the running (it learned that lesson with the Golf) and hasn’t scrimped on equipment either.

Standard on the €25,750 base model you’ll find climate control, 16-inch steel wheels, traction control, a 115 bhp 1.6-litre and a six-speed manual.

A little more than two grand for the ‘Comfortline’ adds cruise, leather and wood on the steering and dash, dual-zone climate control and an electric driver’s seat, while €500 more nets you the ’Sportline’ with sports seats, 16-inch alloys and a trip computer.

Entry-level 105 bhp 1.9 TDi is a touch expensive at €29,375 while 150 bhp 2.0-litre FSI starts an outrageous €34,600.

Stick to a mid-range 1.6-litre and you won’t go wrong.

It’s not that quick nor is it the most engaging car to drive, but it oozes class and should hold its value like no other.

Toyota Avensis
Toyota’s Avensis was designed in Europe, which makes it better suited to this continent than any other previous big Toyota.

The styling inside and out might be a little sober but that’s what a large portion of buyers in large family class want, and there’s no debate about the cast-iron build quality and exceptional refinement.

The Avensis also rides and handles reasonably well and has decent equipment for the money.

Entry-level, 110 bhp 1.6-litre Aura costs a competitive €25,245 and comes with A/C, 16-inch wheels and audio controls on the steering.

The €26,945, 129 bhp 1.8-litre Aura is faster and cheaper than its rivals and is the one to go for.

116 bhp 2.0-litre D4-D diesels are perky and reasonably refined and start at €29,250, though the 150 bhp 2.2 D-4D engine isn’t bad value at €35k.

Avoid the €42k 2.4-litre automatic at all costs.

The Avensis doesn’t absolutely excel in any area, but it does everything well making it a crowd-pleasing all-round package that we can heartily recommend.

Ford Mondeo
Tough, handsome, spacious and above all fun to drive, the Mondeo became the benchmark for the class when it was launched more almost six years ago.

The Mondeo is close to replacement but two facelifts have kept it very much in the running.

The base 110 bhp, 1.8-litre LX costs €24,920 and pretty much has everything you need including A/C and electric windows and locks, while LX Steel adds 16-inch alloys for €350 more.

The 125 bhp, 1.8-litre Platinum for €26,145 is the model to go for, though, because it has the extra power, a headed windscreen, a leather steering wheel with audio controls, cruise control, climate control, alloys wheels and foglights, while 17-inch alloys are just €355 extra.

When the model change occurs the Titanium will remain a sought-after model.

The 113 bhp 2.0-litre TDCi LX Steel is probably the best diesel mode at €28,545.

Beyond that, there’s a bewildering array of engines so choose carefully.

Avoid the 2.5-litre or 2.0-litre V6s at all costs, while 2.2 diesels are great if out of sync with Irish tax regime.

The ST220 is also a fine car but expensive at €50k.

Peugeot 407
Peugeot has always had a strong presence in this segment and the 407 carries on the tradition of big, Gallic comfort but also adds a dose of style not found anywhere else in it class.

Looks aside, the 407 feels lavish compared to rivals and has a cosseting ride and a refined cabin.

It’s no ball of fire; nor is it the last word in driver involvement, but it is good value and is already proving popular.

The range has been revised for 2006 and the €26,075 base 1.8 SR has almost everything you could want in a car this size including climate control, 16-inch steel wheels, fog lights and a competitive 122 bhp 1.8-litre engine.

A 110 bhp 1.6-litre HDI costs €3,300 more - a steep premium even if it is a particularly good diesel.

ST models get 16-inch alloys and a leather steering wheel for €27,750 but cruise control is part of a €785 long-distance package that includes a 6-CD changer.

The 2.2, 3.0-litre V6 and 2.7 HDi are likely to depreciate heavily so avoid those.

Mazda6
The Mazda6 runs the Mondeo closest for driver fun and refinement, which isn’t that big a surprise considering they share many components.

The Japanese car is aggressive looking and has sweet engines, while its interior is noticeably more spacious if a little dated now.

The range has been overhauled for 2006 in conjunction with a mid-life facelift.

The €25,330, 120 bhp 1.8-litre Comfort model covers the basics but the ‘Touring’ model with a leather steering wheel with audio controls, cruise control and climate control for €1,360 more is the best value in the range.

There’s only one diesel now, a 141 bhp 2.0-litre TDi that’s just too expensive for most private buyers at €34,375.

Sport Touring pack adds attractive alloys but beyond that it isn’t worth the extra.

The 2.0-litre is now automatic only.

The €49,065, 276 bhp MPS version is fast but nothing like as much fun as an Mitsubishi Evo or Subaru Impresa WRX STi and is kind of dull looking, too.

The Rest

Hyundai Sonata – New Sonata is handsome, well-made and staggering value, but its 2.4-litre engine murders its competitiveness.

Renault Laguna – Big hatch offers big comfort and safety but it’s no back-road terror while build quality issues keep resale values low.

Opel Vectra – Facelifted model improves looks but it’s still no Scarlet Johanssen. Acceptable at every level, but equally uninspiring. Mere transport compared to the best.

Citroen C5 – Big, wallowy and uninspiring but you’ll never get so much for so little (discounted) money. Resale is appalling, mind, so it might be a good used buy.

Avoid

Fiat Croma – What was Fiat thinking with this over-priced lump? It’s big, but then so is Siberia and you don’t want to be there either. No 1.6, estate only. Pointless.

Nissan Primera – The big Nissan has aged badly and was oversold to rental fleets. Odd interior, underpowered petrols and coarse diesels didn’t help matters.

Hyundai Elantra – It’s an odd sized car that can’t decide what class it’s in. No matter because it doesn’t drive very well and has a limited range anyway.

Mitsubishi Carisma – It wasn’t very good when it was new but it’s still hanging in there. Fully loaded with leather for under €20k, but still…