If not a Mach-E (or other EVs), what to buy today

[voxel]

I borrowed a Wrangler PHEV from a friend and that was a blast to drive and I dare say I preferred it over my former 2Dr Big Bend Bronco - which sadly was cheap, noisy, and underpowered in comparison. I like Broncos for the shear fact they are awesome with the top/windows down but won’t pay a premium for them.

Had a 2021 RAV4 Prime. Meh.. it’s a Toyota.

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[Racdos]

We got an Audi Q4 last year and love it. It's our primary family vehicle now and I only use Mach E for work commuting. Much pricier though

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

The next and hardest question is how to explain this to my wife ?

Unfortunately, she wants PHEV or Hybrid only, no EV

Is this to do with range anxiety or...?

 

[dmitry]

Is this to do with range anxiety or...?

She doesn’t trust this technology yet, especially after bad experience with our first Mach-E (which was a lemon) and HVJB failure which happened recently with our current GT.

 

[RKinWA]

She doesn’t trust this technology yet, especially after bad experience with our first Mach-E (which was a lemon) and HVJB failure which happened recently with our current GT.

That makes sense actually. When you're already leery of the technology and you get a lemon and then have issues with another one, not to mention the state of public charging, it can definitely put you off. I have friends like that too (hell I was like that until I fell in love with the Mach-E and had to have it).

I have had the opportunity to check out the competition (well other EVs, there is no competition IMO). For some reason the Ioniq 5 is very popular, but to me it's the ugliest exterior and interior outside of Tesla. I liked the KIA EV6 and the Cadillac Lyriq more than the others as they both have some style, at least more than the others. I like the exterior of the ID.4 but hate the interior and technology. The others, like BMW, Audi, Polestar, Lucid, and whatever other 'high end' vehicles are out there seem to be over hyped, usually with lower range, and high prices. But that's just my 2 cents.

 

[Say Watt]

I purchased a First Edition EV6 GT-Line because my GTPE was AWOL. The Mach E finally arrived when I was coming home from this trip…

https://www.kiaevforums.com/threads/road-trip-to-yellowstone-national-park.3616/#post-50535

Now I have both the Kia EV6 GT-Line and the GTPE. The GTPE gets the most attention. The Kia EV6 gets the most respect.

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

She doesn’t trust this technology yet, especially after bad experience with our first Mach-E (which was a lemon) and HVJB failure which happened recently with our current GT.

Well, that's too bad.

If you want the best PHEV in small SUV form, that's the Rav4 Prime, hands down...

Unless you're a luxury vehicle kind of person. I don't do luxury vehicles (the mustang is the most luxurious vehicle I've ever been in), so...

 

[thekat03]

She doesn’t trust this technology yet, especially after bad experience with our first Mach-E (which was a lemon) and HVJB failure which happened recently with our current GT.

Perhaps Ford Escape or Honda CR-V? Or if a truck might work, Ford Maverick? The upsated Prius Prime is definitely more sporty looking, but may be too small, since making it look sportier means its shorter and lower to the ground. If she wants a hybrid, and wants more reliability, Toyota seems obvious, but Japanese cars do seem to lean towards fitting smaller/shorter people.

 

[67 Stang Convertible]

Is this to do with range anxiety or...?

I have the same issue with my wife. She is due late this year for a new car. When I ask about a EV; she gives me the hard no. When I ask why?, she "just doesn't like the idea" and the 30 min stop on trips is her only legitimate objection. I'm thinking of showing her the Lyriq and not telling her initially it's a EV (LOL).

 

[MONDO]

I expect for others to disagree with this take, but I think the Model Y is the best value outside of the Mach E right now

Agreed. A Model Y Long Range with no additional options less tax credits ($7500 Federal, $3500 MA state) comes to ~$40,600. Despite the car’s flaws, would be very tough for me to justify other cars in this segment right now. I rented one for a week last month and its a better family car than the MME.

 

[RKinWA]

I purchased a First Edition EV6 GT-Line because my GTPE was AWOL. The Mach E finally arrived when I was coming home from this trip…

https://www.kiaevforums.com/threads/road-trip-to-yellowstone-national-park.3616/#post-50535

Now I have both the Kia EV6 GT-Line and the GTPE. The GTPE gets the most attention. The Kia EV6 gets the most respect.

Great trip, thanks for sharing

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

I have the same issue with my wife. She is due late this year for a new car. When I ask about a EV; she gives me the hard no. When I ask why?, she "just doesn't like the idea" and the 30 min stop on trips is her only legitimate objection. I'm thinking of showing her the Lyriq and not telling her initially it's a EV (LOL).

I challenge everyone who thinks their ICE refueling stops are 5 minutes to time their next 10 road trip stops (not local gas station stops).

I'm going on an overnight trip today. The one-way distance is 322 miles, Google says drive time is 4:45. It's usually a 5-5:30 for me in an ICE. It'll take exactly the same time in the Mustang.

 

[MachE1977]

Golf R
Civic Type R
Integra Type S
Audi S3/RS
Mustang Mach 1
Supra

There’s probably a bunch I am forgetting….. so many great choices…

As far as refueling, if it takes more than 5 minutes than it takes more than 30 min to re-charge. But the fun factor of an ICE has no time limit. In an EV make sure you have a co-pilot to wake you up.

 

[phil]

I challenge everyone who thinks their ICE refueling stops are 5 minutes to time their next 10 road trip stops (not local gas station stops).

My car goes over 600 miles on a full tank, so I rarely refuel at all on a road trip. Most of my trips are around 400 miles. I might stop for a burger, but generally drive straight through to the destination.

 

[thekat03]

I challenge everyone who thinks their ICE refueling stops are 5 minutes to time their next 10 road trip stops (not local gas station stops).

I'm going on an overnight trip today. The one-way distance is 322 miles, Google says drive time is 4:45. It's usually a 5-5:30 for me in an ICE. It'll take exactly the same time in the Mustang.

I just (yesterday) drove from Maine to Ohio. Google maps estimates that at a 12.5 hour drive. Actual driving time with rest and gas stops for a 13 year old Prius was 14 hours, but I was going solo; this tip takes longer with kids and dogs. ABRP estimates 15 hours for a Model Y, and 16 for the Mach-E. It estimates 18 hours for my Bz4X, but reality is probably more like 36 hours, which is why I want a Mach-E. A decent EV can road trip. But the tech is new enough that I can understand wanting a more established and predicable vehicle that we can just get into and be confident it will get us where we want to go (note that I currently own a Bz4X, and still am hauling long distance on my 194k mile Prius).

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