Long about Saint Patrick’s Day—it’s this coming Monday—many of us start channeling our inner Irish. Some of the signs are obvious: We rummage through the back reaches of bottom dresser drawers for that green sweater from Aunt Millie that we once tried (but failed) to re-gift, or we pour an extra finger of Jameson as we settle into our leather recliners for the evening. Other indicators are slightly more nuanced: Our collective reverie turns to little green cookies lurking by the office kitchen microwave, and our appetite increases for red meats stewed with cabbages. And, as enthusiasts, we can’t help but wonder . . . what do the Irish drive—in Ireland?
Turns out, of the 82.8 million cars sold on this planet in 2013, just 74,091 were registered in Ireland. As car markets go, the Emerald Isle’s is a wee one, with Toyota typically selling more cars in the U.S. in one month than all carmakers peddle in Ireland in a year. And although the sales charts published by bestsellingcarsblog show that Ireland’s citizens generally favor the same compact hatchbacks and crossovers that other Western Europeans do, there are occasional surprises; the BMW 5-series briefly topped the Irish sales charts for a couple of months, and the Renault-cum-Romanian entry-level Dacia Duster made a strong showing one month in 2013. Still, steep fuel prices and equally tall engine-displacement-based registration fees drive most Irish to opt for small four-cylinder gas and diesel engines. And most are equipped with five- and six-speed manual transmissions. But we’ve kept you in suspense long enough, so based on 2013 sales, here are the five most popular ways to roll in Ireland:
1. Volkswagen Golf
The best-selling car in Ireland in 2013 is the VW Golf. That’s not a huge surprise inasmuch as Western Europeans love hatches and VW offers its complete lineup of Golf three- and five-door models there, including the GTD, GTI, and Golf R, as well as a large range of more-frugal gas- and diesel-fed fours for buyers with a smaller pot ‘o gold. Most come with a five- or six-speed manual transmission, but some are also offered with six- or seven-speed versions of VW’s excellent DSG gearbox.
2. Nissan Qashqai
Pronounced “KOSH-kai,” this is the only crossover/small SUV in the Irish top five. Nissan actually offers three different Qashqai models—the previous-generation five-seater, the long-wheelbase seven-seat Qashqai+2 (the rearmost seats of which are truly for leprechauns), and the new-generation five-seater that shares bone structure (but no engines or dimensions) with the larger Nissan Rogue. As is the regional preference, the engine lineup for all three Qashqais is thick with thrifty diesels ranging from 108 to 148 horsepower. The Irish don’t have to scrimp on equipment, however, with push-button ignition, a seven-inch touch-screen, intelligent parking assist, blind-spot warning, and safety nannies all available.
3. Ford Focus
Number three on the Irish car hit parade is the Ford Focus. Ford sells the four-door sedan and five-door wagon versions of the compact on the island as well as the expected five-door hatch. The new 1.0-liter EcoBoost three-cylinder gas engine is available, as is a Duratorq turbo-diesel. And for speedier trips across the stunning Irish countryside, there’s the tire-smoking 2.0-liter EcoBoost-powered Focus ST, although it costs nearly twice as much as the most basic model. Still, that’s better than Golf R buyers, who pay about 2.5 times the cost of a base Golf.
Prototype Drive: 2014 Ford Fiesta 1.0L EcoBoost
Comparison test: 2015 Volkswagen GTI vs. 2013 Ford Focus ST
First Drive: 2015 Volkswagen Golf TDI Diesel
4. Ford Fiesta
The Focus’s subcompact sidekick, the Fiesta, also gets a big share of the sales in Ireland. It’s available in both three- and five-door hatchback body styles. The wee Ford is powered by mostly wee engines, a 64- or 123-hp 1.0-liter turbo three-cylinder, 59- and 79-hp 1.3-liter four-cylinders, and a 74-hp 1.5-liter Duratorq turbo-diesel. Top billing goes to the Fiesta ST, a Car and Driver 10Best winner for 2014, featuring the same quick-spooling, 180-hp 1.6-liter turbo and six-speed manual as available in the States.
First Drive: 2015 Volkswagen Golf TDI Diesel
Tested: Ford’s Fiesty and Fun Fiesta ST
Official Photos and Info: Freshened and Fusion-fied 2015 Ford Focus
5. Toyota Auris
This European cousin of the Toyota Corolla comes in five-door hatch and five-door wagon form for Irish consumption. Speaking of consumption, as with most other cars for sale in Ireland, good fuel economy is a major consideration, so power is on the modest side. The Auris is available with an 89-hp 1.4-liter four-cylinder turbo-diesel, 98-hp 1.3-liter and 130-hp 1.6-liter gas four-bangers, and a 1.8-liter gas-electric hybrid offering 136 system horsepower. Interestingly, the hybrid has the most punch of the group, with Toyota claiming a 10.9-second 0-to-62-mph sprint for the five-door hatch version.