Cottage Lifestyle Car: Ireland’s Cottage & Countryside Boom - Why Suzuki Is the Perfect Rural Companion
Ireland’s rural revival is no longer a trend — it’s a full-on movement.
More people are swapping city life for cottages, country lanes, and slower mornings, embracing the cottage lifestyle car as part of their new way of living. Starting this journey often means considering what features matter most in a car for rural roads and remote living. And with that shift comes a new question: what’s the right car for Ireland’s countryside? This search for the ideal vehicle is key when moving from the busy city to a peaceful house in the country.
In our experience at Gerry Caffrey Motors, Suzuki has become the go-to choice for Irish drivers making the move from Dublin suburbs to Wicklow, Kildare, Meath, or deeper into the countryside. In fact, Suzuki models are known for their reliability and fuel efficiency, making them especially practical for rural living. Many have decided that Suzuki’s range perfectly doubles as both a practical van and a comfortable car for rural life.
Introduction to the Countryside Boom
Ireland’s countryside boom isn’t just about moving house—it’s about reimagining what life can look like. More and more people are interested in leaving the city behind to explore a lifestyle that offers freedom, privacy, and a closer connection to nature. For some, that means finding the perfect cottage; for others, it’s about converting a car or van into a cozy, mobile home that doubles as both transport and living space.
This trend has sparked a wave of creativity, with people sharing their converted van and car living experiences on YouTube and Instagram. These platforms are filled with inspiring stories, clever design ideas, and practical tips for making the most of limited space. If you’re interested in this lifestyle, you’ll find a supportive community ready to help you improve your setup and enjoy life on the road.
The appeal is clear: with a well-designed car or van, you can finally enjoy the freedom to explore Ireland’s backroads, discover hidden gems, and make every journey an adventure. Whether you’re searching for a new way to live or just want to try something different for a time, the countryside boom makes it easy to start your journey. Sign up for newsletters, follow your favourite accounts, and confirm your interest by attending workshops or meetups. As you continue to explore this lifestyle, you’ll find that the experience of living on the move can be as rewarding as settling into a traditional cottage.
So, if you’re ready to leave the past behind and embrace a new way of living, now is the perfect time to start your search. With the right car, a bit of creativity, and a willingness to try new things, you can create a living space that’s uniquely yours—one that brings you joy, comfort, and the freedom to enjoy every mile of the road ahead.
Why Rural Drivers Are Choosing Practical, Reliable Cars
The countryside demands something different.
Narrow roads. Surprise bends. Lanes where grass grows down the middle. Weather that changes in seconds. If you’re commuting back to Dublin or doing regular runs into town, you need a car that’s compact, reliable, and genuinely economical.
A thought that often comes up for rural drivers is how much consideration goes into choosing a car that can handle unpredictable conditions while still being affordable to run.
Rural drivers also want to avoid cars that are too large for tight lanes, have poor fuel efficiency, or lack the durability needed for rougher country roads.
That’s where Suzuki shines.
1. Suzuki Vitara – Built for Irish Backroads
The Vitara is one of Ireland’s most underrated rural heroes and has been featured in many country lifestyle videos on YouTube and Instagram, confirming its popularity among rural drivers.
It’s light, agile, and surprisingly tough — perfect for tight boreens and unpredictable surfaces. We often see Dubliners relocating to Wicklow or Kildare choosing the Vitara because it has that ideal blend: SUV visibility without the bulk.
- Low running costs (a big win with today’s fuel prices)
- AllGrip available for slippery rural roads
- Great ground clearance
Added roof rails and protective body cladding further enhance the Vitara’s practicality and style, making it even more suited to rural adventures.
The Vitara’s wide-opening doors make it easy to get in and out, even on narrow country lanes or when standing beside hedgerows.
If you’re moving from Rathfarnham or Tallaght to a cottage outside Naas, this is the kind of SUV that actually fits the lifestyle.
2. Suzuki Swift – Perfect for Town AND Rural Lanes
You wouldn’t think a compact hatchback could handle rural life — but the Swift proves people wrong every week.
It’s unbelievably efficient (great for long commutes back to Dublin), and its tight turning circle is gold on those blind bends. The clever design also means you can bring all your essential items—like books, hooks, or gear—whether you’re heading into town or out to the countryside.
We’ve sold Swifts to customers in Blessington, Maynooth, and Lucan who wanted something super economical but still fun to drive.
If you’re moving to the countryside but still visiting Dublin regularly, the Swift keeps costs down without feeling like a compromise.
3. Suzuki S-Cross – The Rural All-Rounder
The S-Cross is for drivers who want comfort, space, and no-nonsense practicality.
It’s ideal for families settling into rural homes — school runs on winding roads, weekend trips to the coast, and long stints on the M50 or N81. In our experience, S-Cross buyers love that it ticks all the boxes without the bulky size of traditional SUVs. Many rural families have relied on the S-Cross for years, appreciating its consistent comfort and dependability through changing needs.
- Smooth on both rural lanes and motorways
- Proven reliability (hugely important outside Dublin)
- Hybrid options
If you’re balancing Dublin city work with rural living, the S-Cross feels like a smart middle ground.
Why Suzuki Works So Well for Ireland’s Countryside
Built for real-world Irish conditions
Suzuki engineering isn’t about flashy gimmicks — it’s about everyday usability.
On Irish roads, that matters more than anything.
- Lower VRT and running costs vs. many competitors
- Excellent reliability for long-distance commuting
- Light, responsive steering
- Easy to manoeuvre on narrow roads
Low maintenance and strong reliability
Irish weather is tough on cars — wind, rain, potholes, salt air along coastal routes.
Suzuki holds up extremely well, which is why rural buyers love it.
We often see 10-year-old Suzukis coming through NCTs with minimal issues.
New vs Used Car: What Rural Drivers Usually Choose
At GCM, we see a clear pattern:
Used Suzuki buyers love the brand’s reliability and the value it delivers long-term.
New Suzuki buyers want hybrid efficiency, the latest safety tech, and low VRT.
Many customers trading in Dublin-registered cars (D-reg) find that Suzuki gives them a more practical option for their new rural lifestyle — especially when moving from apartment parking to driveway parking.
If you’re unsure which direction makes sense, we’re always happy to talk through it.
Final Thoughts: If You’re Moving Rural, Suzuki Deserves a Look
Ireland’s countryside boom isn’t slowing down.
And if you’re planning a move — or you’re already settling into a cottage or country home — Suzuki models offer the reliability, comfort, and efficiency that rural driving demands.
Thinking about upgrading to a Suzuki? Visit Gerry Caffrey Motors in Terenure, Dublin 6W.
We’ll help you find a model that fits your lifestyle — whether you're commuting back to Dublin or embracing full countryside living.
Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and YouTube to see the latest Suzuki models in action and hear from other drivers who’ve made the switch to rural life.
Finally, if you’re interested in improving your rural driving experience and enjoying the privacy and charm of country living, Suzuki is the sign that your cottage lifestyle car search is over.