Paddy Comyn

AS THE FACE of DoneDeal Cars and with 25 years’ experience in the industry, Paddy Comyn is ‘the’ car guy to everyone in his life and is now widening out that role to you, The Journal readers. 

In this brand-new Car Clinic series, he will answer all your motoring questions and queries. Have one? Send it to with the subject line CAR CLINIC to motoring@thejournal.ie – we will publish all answers on Mondays on The Journal. (Your questions will be anonymised.) Please let Paddy know what your budget is if you’re asking about your next big purchase. 

Here’s this week’s question:

My mother is in her late 70s and is driving an Opel Mokk. She wants to change it now for something that she feels has “a step up” so a slightly higher driving experience. She’s thinking of a Ford Puma, a Yaris Cross or a Hyundai Kona – all automatic. 

What would your pros and cons be? She’s not fussed about any of the technology, just reliability. Good value and roomy interior but not a large car.

I can be pretty decisive with this one, as the Toyota Yaris Cross is without doubt the most user-friendly of the three cars you mention and as a result it is incredibly popular with a more ‘mature’ buyer.

It also sits the highest of three cars you mention, with a ride height of 212mm compared to the 160mm in the Mokka. The Kona (170mm) and Puma (163mm) aren’t much of a height upgrade on what she has already.  

The Yaris Cross is an excellent car, super reliable, good dealer network and doesn’t overwhelm with technology. It is also the most affordable of the three here.

All three cars you mention will have large screens dominating but if she has been in an Opel Mokka then this won’t be too much of a leap. The Kona is the most powerful (141hp) but this might not be a major priority, with the 116hp of the Yaris Cross really enough for most people.

The Yaris Cross has the smallest boot too, so unless your mother is a golfer then it should be fine.  

All three cars hover around the early to mid €30k mark – the Yaris Cross starts at €32,075, the Kona Hybrid from €35,095 and the Ford Puma from €34,842 with an automatic transmission. All three are excellent cars but my head and my heart says get the Yaris Cross.  

Paddy Comyn is the head of automotive content and communications with DoneDeal Cars. He has been involved in the Irish motor industry for more than 25 years.

Journal Media Ltd has shareholders in common with DoneDeal Ltd.