Advice for PHEV replacement?

[deadduck]

I looked at least in some part at most of the PHEV's. The best of the lot, at least one's I'd consider were,

• RAV4 Prime
• Lexus NX450+
• Hyundai Tuscon and Santa Fe
• Kia Sportage and Sorrento
• Mazda CX-70 or 90 (90 is almost here, 70 should be later this year).

Excepting the Mazda's and Lexus, the rest will all likely have some form of ADM on them. I'm down on Hyundai / Kia brands given their problems recently as well as their dealer network with makes Ford's look like a 5-star outfit. I don't fit in the RAV4.

That basically left a NX450+ and the Mazda's that aren't here yet. The Lexus is $70Kish in California with taxes, but so is an MME in many cases but you get tax credits on it. The CX-60 (same as 70) has gotten mixed reviews in Europe.

So, none of them were perfect.

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[MW1515]

One caution. Our mechanic told me that a customer with a PHEV - a Bolt - was able to drive exclusively using battery. Never took long trips so never used to engine. Long enough that the gas began to form varnish in the injectors. Lesson: Use the engine more than once every 6 months.

The mechanic probably said "Volt." I used to have a 2017 and loved it. Not great trunk space and the T shaped battery making a hump on the floor between the 2 back seats makes it non optimal for driving the kids around and dropping off at school, etc. But for driving yourself around town and the occasional long trip the Volt would be great if you want a PHEV. Mine usually got between 30 and 50 electric miles depending on the weather. They haven't made new ones in a couple years though.

 

[jay1122]

They're getting a little easier to find now that they don't qualify for the tax credit.

I simply do not see any value in any PHEV if it does not qualify for the tax credit. With the extra $$ over regular hybrid. It takes a long time to get those $$ back. And the electric only 10 sec 0-60 can't be too pleasant to drive. For that 46K price, I would rather get an NX350h.

 

[ARK]

If you like how the Mach-E is set up in terms of how things work, I would guess the Escape PHEV would be your closest bet.

I had a Mazda small SUV rental last year (not the PHEV). I really disliked the setup, and realized I am probably used the way things are done in a Ford in terms of interior ergonomics and all that.

 

[Stanmckinney]

I stand corrected. My wife has an AWD hybrid. I do t know why the plug in isn’t.

 

[voxel]

Hey everyone. Looking for some advice. Have had a 21 Premium awd extended range for 18 months and have loved it. But now have a need to drive from Iowa to Colorado on a fairly regular basis and am considering changing to a PHEV that will let me use electric only most days for commuting to work but make the trips to Colorado faster.

Any suggestions?

Have looked at the Grand Cherokee 4xe and like it (especially considering mountain driving in Colorado) but would love to hear your thoughts.

Thanks!

Just no on the GC 4xE. Go test drive one. Please. And do it with as low battery as possible. 2.0L turbo on a giant 2-row SUV? If that's acceptable to you... it's fine. Most new GCs have near luxury level interiors though so if that appeals to you - go for it.

I've had two RAV4 Primes... meh. The NVH is pretty high on Toyotas so it's a big step down from your Mach-E. I enjoyed EV mode but disliked almost everything about the gas/HV mode. If you must only have one car... the R4P does fit the bill and availability is whole lot better than a year ago when they were impossible to find. I just saw one delivered last week when I picked up my Sequoia. Buyer waited a year but paid MSRP.

Definitely would look at the Mazda CX-90 too. That one has the luxury of the new GC but the power of the Prime.

 

[generaltso]

I simply do not see any value in any PHEV if it does not qualify for the tax credit. With the extra $$ over regular hybrid. It takes a long time to get those $$ back. And the electric only 10 sec 0-60 can't be too pleasant to drive. For that 46K price, I would rather get an NX350h.

It's actually quite pleasant to drive in EV mode. But I doubt I would have bought it without the tax credit.

 

[1969Camaro]

Check VROOM 45 Mach E's for sale and NO RAV4 Primes. Even the used RAV4 Hybrids are priced higher then MME. What happened?

 

[Triggerhappy007]

Check VROOM 45 Mach E's for sale and NO RAV4 Primes. Even the used RAV4 Hybrids are priced higher then MME. What happened?

Tesla lowered prices.

If you really want a RAV4 Prime, go to their forum and see if anyone wants to trade.

 

[voxel]

Check VROOM 45 Mach E's for sale and NO RAV4 Primes. Even the used RAV4 Hybrids are priced higher then MME. What happened?

Ford has produced more Mach-Es than Primes but Prime demand is probably 5-10x higher.

Join the FB group and you will see Primes popup occasionally like today.

EDIT Also check out No Markup Toyota group.

 

[RickMachE]

Glad the gas question got corrected. In addition to the car being programmed to run the gas engine (called Fuel Freshness Mode in our 2018 Fusion Energi), the fuel system is also pressurized, to prolong the life of the fuel. Sometimes you had to wait up to 15 seconds for the fuel door to open after pushing the button as it depressurized.

The Energi would run the gas engine to drain the tank until only 1.2g remained IF you didn't add gas for 18 months. For nearly everyone, that never happens, but clearly for some it can.

 

[LincolnLuvr]

2024 BMW X5 50e (used to be the 45e) will have a larger battery-only range of 40 miles.

 

[1969Camaro]

Ford has produced more Mach-Es than Primes but Prime demand is probably 5-10x higher.

Join the FB group and you will see Primes popup occasionally like today.

EDIT Also check out No Markup Toyota group.

Thanks! Maryland dealers don't sell out of state. Or at least they didnt when I last checked.

 

[4sallypat]

2024 BMW X5 50e (used to be the 45e) will have a larger battery-only range of 40 miles.

Don't tell my wife - she was fine with the 45e at 30 mile range.

Now she will definitely want one as her current PHEV has a 50 mile range...

 

[dmastro]

In general, I still think a PHEV is probably a better solution to handle most driving profiles. Enough electric-only range to accommodate 90%+ of typical daily driving, and ability to road trip without having to worry about finding a working charger and waiting 35 minutes to fuel.

I strongly considered a RAV4 Prime when I bought the MME. If my wife didn't have an irrational hatred for Toyota vehicles (we've never owned one to base experience from) and they hadn't been selling with incredible dealer mark-up, I likely would have bought it instead.

My boss just bought one of the new Cherokee plug-ins and loves it. Winters are relatively mild here in California, but he's able to make the 35 mile each way commute almost fully on electric every day, charges during the day, and commutes back. I've ridden it a few times and enjoyed it.

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