Following on from their recent reviews of the
Top 5 Family Hatchbacks and
Top 5 Executive Saloons, our partners - and car review experts - at
CompleteCar.ie have come up with the best 5 new family saloons €25,000 can buy. When choosing a family car there’s a lot to consider, from space inside and everyday practicalities to fuel consumption and running costs. How it drives and looks also play an important role for many prospective buyers.
1 - Ford Focus Saloon - the popular choice
Plus: Recently updated, good engines and drives well
Minus: Not as affordable as it once was
- Pricing: from €18,795 to €29,390
- Popular engines: 1.0 and 1.6 petrol, 1.6 and 2.0 diesel
- Power output: 85- to 150hp
- Fuel consumption: 3.8- to 6.3 litres/100km
- Road tax: Band A3 to B2 (€190 to €280)
- Safety: The current model has yet to be tested, but it shouldn't be much different to the pre-facelift car, which obtained five stars from EuroNCAP, including 92% for adult occupant protection.
The Ford Focus has been a stalwart of the family car segment in Ireland since its introduction in the late nineties. The previous generation wasn’t the sharpest looking but Ford has addressed this with a revised model. Under that sleek body is a car that performs very well, particularly on Irish roads, with well-judged suspension and handling to match. The engine line-up features the latest in fuel efficient diesel technology - likely to be the popular choice for many buyers - but the 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine is well worth considering if you do shorter runs. Inside, there’s plenty of space, with a good-sized boot, while the cabin's materials both look and feel better than before. Ford’s 'SYNC 2' voice-controlled infotainment system is great, but costs a hefty €720 extra no matter which trim level you opt for.
2 - Volkswagen Jetta - the forgotten one
Plus: Solid build quality and resale value
Minus: Not quite as polished as the more popular Golf
- Pricing: from €21,995 to €31,165
- Popular engines: 1.2 and 1.4 petrol, 2.0 diesel
- Power output: 105- to 150hp
- Fuel consumption: 4.0- to 5.4 litres/100km
- Road tax: Band A3 to B1 (€190 to €270)
- Safety: Five stars from Euro NCAP, including 94% adult occupant protection
When it comes to Volkswagen family cars it’s easy to forget about the Jetta. Overshadowed by the mighty Golf and popular new Passat, the Jetta has long held a place in the Volkswagen line-up. The current model blends the looks of its more popular brethren and combines space with what remains a relatively compact size. Buyers have the choice of a good range of engines, and should you prefer an automatic transmission there’s the excellent DSG gearbox at your disposal. There are three different grades to choose from too, which will suit most budgets, and buyers can still get all the gadgets and gizmos you would find elsewhere in the Volkswage range. Canny buyers will note that the Jetta is well priced in comparison to the Golf and a bargain can regularly be had due to it being the less popular of Volkswagen’s family movers.
3 - Opel Astra - the sensible one
Plus: Economical diesel engines
Minus: Slightly dated looking interior
- Pricing: from €20,695 to €28,495
- Popular engines: 1.4 and 1.6 petrol, 1.6 diesel
- Power output: 100- to 136hp
- Fuel consumption: 3.7- to 7.1 litres/100km
- Road tax: Band A2 to D (€180 to €570)
- Safety: Five stars from Euro NCAP, including 95% adult occupant protection
The Opel Astra in its saloon form is one of the best looking cars in its range, especially if you’re willing to splash out a few extra euros for a higher SE or Elite specification. Looking every bit like a smaller version of the evergreen Insignia, the Astra is well suited to Irish roads. Its petrol engines aren’t particularly emissions-friendly so will cost a lot in annual motor tax, but Opel’s 1.6-litre CDTi diesel engine combines good fuel economy with low emissions and decent performance to make it a competitive package. The interior is roomy in the back and boot space is more than adequate; our only gripe is that the dashboard and centre console now look a bit dated. That said it does feel well put together and there’s a good spread of dealers nationally too.
4 - Toyota Corolla - the old reliable
Plus: Reasonably priced, good diesel engine
Minus: Dull to drive
- Pricing: from €20,995 to €26,790
- Popular engines: 1.3 and 1.6 petrol, 1.4 diesel
- Power output: 90- to 132hp
- Fuel consumption: 3.8- to 5.6 litres/100km
- Road tax: Band A2 to B1 (€180 to €270)
- Safety: Five stars from Euro NCAP, including 94% adult occupant protection
The public’s love affair with the Toyota Corolla has been a long one with its many generations still a common sight on our roads. This current version is the most dynamically styled model to date although its interior is somewhat lacklustre looking, even in the highest Luna specification. Engine wise it is the 1.4-litre diesel that is the obvious choice, returning an official 3.8 litres/100km and emitting a reasonable 106g/km. It is hard to fault the Corolla on a technical level but in terms of driving enjoyment it is lacking any real interest. Given its size and broad range of specification the Corolla is good value for money.
5 - Skoda Octavia - the spacious option
Plus: Roomy, frugal
Minus: Smaller engines aren’t as nice to drive
- Pricing: from €18,995 to €34,510
- Popular engines: 1.2 and 1.4 petrol, 1.6 and 2.0 diesel
- Power output: 86- to 150hp
- Fuel consumption: 3.8- to 6.1 litres/100km
- Road tax: Band A2 to C (€180 to €390)
- Safety: Five stars from Euro NCAP, including 93% adult occupant protection
Once the butt of many a joke, the current Skoda Octavia will now garner knowing nods of respect from others when you pull up at the school gates. The smart image is matched by a chassis that is shared with other key models in the Volkswagen Group and features a line-up of engines to suit every household’s needs. Its comfortable seats and generously sized cabin are a boon on longer journeys while rear legroom is one of the best in the segment. Complementing this is a massive boot that features a convenient lift back, which makes loading bulkier items even easier.
Wildcard choice
What if you want something a little less mainstream for your €25,000, but still require it to deal with the daily trappings of family life?
BMW (E39) M5
Plus: Offers a performance per euro ratio that’s hard to beat
Minus: It’s getting hard to find a nice one
- Engine: 4.9-litre V8 petrol
- Power output: 400hp
- Fuel consumption: 15.6 litres/100km
- Road tax: €1,809
There’s something special about the E39 M5 from BMW. It is generally considered to be the last truly analogue M-car and it is stealthy enough in its appearance to slip under most people’s radar. Aside from the signature quad tail pipe arrangement there was little to separate this 400hp saloon from the more mundane 5 Series. It also came with a proper manual gearbox and of course rear-wheel drive. The V8 packed a punch and could be equally thirsty, but generally it was a solid car. A thorough service history is a must if you’re purchasing now and finding a clean one is becoming harder as they become cheaper to buy. Find the right one though and it’ll be a keeper not to mention a potential future classic.
