Hyundai Problems

The press preview drive is April 9, so it will be soon after that.

The cars are vastly different, yet both get The Tick from me. The advantages of the Hyundai are more boot space, open-road comfort and the five-year warranty and service package. The Mazda is good on quality, but you'll pay a bit for the "fruit". Don't get a diesel, despite the current cheap fuel price, unless you travel at least 30,000km a year, as diesel engines cost more than petrol.

Toyota spokesman Stephen Coughlan says: “There is no plan at the moment (to bring back a Corolla wagon). There is a two-wheel drive RAV4 and Rukus as substitutes.” So that’s a no from Toyota.

Look at a Hyundai i30 wagon, which gets The Tick and is the closest thing now to your Corolla wagon.

You could get an agreed value on the next car, which would cover you for that amount in the event of a write-off, but you will pay more for your insurance. It's probably not worth buying the write-off given that you would have to repair it. It will also have been placed on the written-off register, so you'll have the extra trouble of getting it checked and approved for a return to the road before you can register it and drive it again.

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Assuming it's done by a diff specialist there's no reason to think it won't be long lasting. If you're not sure ask your dealer to explain to you why it needs to be rebuilt as such low kilometres of what appears to be light duty use.

I rate the Colorado ahead of the Isuzu but, if you can make do with something that will tow 2500kg rather than 3000kg, also look at a Hyundai Santa Fe as I give it The Tick.

The Mazda CX-5 is my top pick and I also like the Hyundai ix35 for value, the Honda CR-V as a city runabout, and the base-model Subaru Forester as a family car.

I'd go for a Kia Sportage or a Hyundai ix35. They are essentially the same under the skin, and both get The Tick, so it comes down to the deal.

Unless you really enjoy driving, the Elantra will be better on space and will have more factory warranty coverage.

They are the sedan and hatch from the same mechanical platform, but unless you need the boot space the i30 is a nicer drive and more European in its look and feel.