Your questions answered: Are Chinese utes worth considering?

Our fast-changing landscape is reflected in a variety of questions to the carsales mailbox this week, with affordability top of mind – specifically with the new breed of Chinese utes – as well as lower running costs and other advantages of EVs and hybrid cars.

There’s also an adventurous streak, with some looking for 4x4 off-roaders that don’t mind getting their tyres muddy.

Plus, we look at the pros and cons of buying one of the last Holdens ever built, and we tackle the issue of buying online versus buying from a dealer.

Are the LDV and GWM utes worth considering?

Answer: Neither of the cheaper utes – the LDV T60 and GWM Ute – match the big players for an all-round package. The GWM’s engine isn’t particularly grunty, for example, and is laggy off the line. The LDV is also showing its age in the cabin and neither is it particularly sharp to drive (keeping in mind they’re in a market segment where nothing is sharp to drive!).

That said, the LDV’s diesel engine is pretty handy and the GWM has a decent torque-on-demand four-wheel drive system. Both are more than respectable off-road although both also only tow up to 3000kg (half a tonne less than most others).

So it’s a bit of a case of you get what you pay for and both are a long way from perfect. Forced to choose, we’d edge towards the GWM Ute; it’s better in most aspects except its engine.

Should I get a Toyota RAV4 Hybrid or an EV?

Should I look at a hybrid or an EV? Which brands of hybrids would you recommend? Should I wait for a full EV? I don’t like flashy posh nosh – competing with the other tennis ladies in their Range Rovers and Audis. Thank you so much. – Sue D

Answer: An EV would suit in most situations except for one: the lack of a spare tyre. The current crop of EVs have been designed for predominantly bitumen running and as such don’t have spare wheels. Those more utilitarian EVs will come (some are already available overseas), but for now the offerings are limited.

That said, Tesla offers a handy tyre replacement service where they deliver it to you. It could be worth touching base with them to see if your hobby farm is within the service area. Tesla prices just came down a few grand this week and the Model 3 would be a great option that should also give you a government rebate in most parts of the country.

Otherwise consider a Kia EV6, which is a terrific EV and was named carsales’ Car of the Year.

As for hybrids, Toyota is the pick and rightfully dominates the hybrid market. The tech is basic but effective in saving fuel and with only a modest price premium. The challenge will be getting hold of one. RAV4s have crazy wait lists, so look at a smaller Corolla Cross instead.

Don’t limit yourself to hybrids and EVs, either. The Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage (essentially the same vehicles beneath the skin) have great diesel engine options that are also frugal. Plus, each has a full-size spare tyre.

Which small SUV can replace my Peugeot?

Answer: Francophiles are often horrified to discover that the Peugeot 4008 was more Mitsubishi than Peugeot. It was a rebadged version of the Mitsubishi ASX and, perhaps unsurprisingly, it received a suitably lukewarm welcome. In short, it wasn’t worth considering.

The Peugeot 3008, however, is a true Pug and a far more impressive vehicle. There are French quirks – you look over the steering wheel to the instruments rather than through it, for example – but it’s fun to drive and beautifully presented.

The Subaru XV is a much better vehicle, although it’ll soon be known as the Crosstrek as part of a local rebranding. We haven’t driven the new model, but it’ll be in dealerships within weeks. It won’t be wildly different from the XV, which is a great car. Also consider a Kia Seltos, Mazda CX-30 or Hyundai Kona – carsales’ Best Small SUV for 2022.

What’s the difference between a mild hybrid and a full hybrid?

Answer: There’s not a technical definition between full and mild hybrid systems. Broadly speaking, a full hybrid uses the electric componentry as a major contributor to how the car drives. In mild hybrids it’s mostly petrol doing the work, usually with much less assistance from an electric motor.

Some mild hybrid systems – including some from Audi and Mazda – don’t use the electric system to drive the wheels at all. Instead, it powers ancillaries and allows the engine to shut down more often (such as when coasting).

Unsurprisingly, a mild hybrid only reduces fuel use slightly – anywhere from three per cent to around 10-15 per cent. Full hybrids can halve fuel use, especially in urban areas.

As for your Haval H6, it’s a full hybrid, so hopefully you’re enjoying low fuel bills!

Which small SUV can actually go off-road?

Answer: There’s really only one small SUV that is designed to truly adventure off-road: the Suzuki Jimmy. It’s got huge ground clearance and the sort of hardware that allows it to venture into some pretty gnarly terrain. But there are many buts… The 1.5-litre engine is underpowered, so it needs to be revved hard pretty much everywhere. And on-road the handling is well off passenger car standards.

For something easier to live with day-to-day try the Subaru XV, which will soon be known as the Crosstrek. It’s got a simple but effective permanent all-wheel drive system and decent ground clearance by city-slicker SUV standards. There’s a spare tyre, but it’s only a space-saver.

A Toyota Corolla Cross will also tick plenty of boxes, although it’s ultimately not as well configured as the Subaru for driving beyond the blacktop, in part because the AWD version has a near-useless tyre repair kit.

The Corolla Cross all-wheel drive works differently to most of the off-roaders you’ll see in North Queensland. Instead of a drive shaft sending the petrol engine’s propulsion to the back wheels there’s only an electric motor providing that rear-drive.

Should I buy online or from a dealer?

Answer: The Kia Seltos is a great small SUV (it’s not too small) and should be high on your shortlist. It’s a little less attractive following recent price rises, but is still appealing.

The 2.0-litre engine is basic and drives only the front wheels. The 1.6-litre is a better bet, mostly for its added pull through the middle rev range (thank the turbo for that). It’s obviously more expensive and also comes with an all-wheel drive system.

As for where to buy it, brands such as Mercedes-Benz, Honda, Tesla, Polestar and Cupra now have fixed prices that mean buying online is no different to going into a dealership (although in the case of Mercedes-Benz the website is a bit of a mess so a dealership will be an easier option).

But Kia still has dealerships that will fight for your business. That means you could get a sharper deal with some haggling in a dealership. We say “could” because if there is very strong demand and they’re easily selling every car they have then they’ll be less willing to negotiate.

Pop into a couple of dealers and see how you go.

Which is the best large SUV?

Answer: The diesel engine options on the Santa Fe and Palisade could make them a better bet for your longer trips. Both also come with a full-size spare tyre, which is handy when you’re a fair way from help.

As for which one suits, it’ll come down to size. They use almost identical underpinnings but the Palisade has more space (it’s a bigger SUV, even though both are classified as large SUVs), particularly in the third-row seats. So if the larger boot and keeping people in the third row content is a priority, then the Palisade wins.

Be aware, though, that the Palisade has the latest speed warning system that is ludicrously annoying. Indicate 1km/h over the limit and it beeps and bongs. You’ll get those same warnings when you drive through a school zone when the lower limits are not in operation. You can deactivate it after diving deep into menus in the touch-screen – but it has to be done every time you get in the car.

As for others to stick on the list, check out the Kia Sorento, which shares engines and other components with the Hyundais. It also gets a full-size spare and is carsales’ reigning Best Family SUV.

Which EV should I get to replace my Toyota Camry Hybrid as a taxi?

Answer: The Tesla Model 3 would mostly do the trick although its luggage space may not quite tick the boxes you’re hoping to tick. In which case check out a Tesla Model Y, which has more interior space.

They’re two of the best EVs on the market (albeit not as cheap as a Camry Hybrid) and will give you access to the Tesla charging network. Public fast charging is currently a disaster with many chargers not working and queues forming at others, but Tesla chargers are far more reliable and prolific.

Otherwise, a Kia EV6 or Hyundai IONIQ 5 is worth a look. But be aware that each is only arriving into the country in limited numbers so they can be difficult to get hold of.

Another option is the BYD Atto 3, although it may be too small for taxi work. Make sure you go into a dealership to check it out because there’s more cabin space than you might imagine by looking at it from the outside.

If you think hybrid might suit you better then also consider the Nissan X-TRAIL e-POWER.

Which hybrid or EV could replace our Honda Odyssey?

Answer: It’s a large SUV or people-mover that would likely fit the bill best for your requirements. There’s not a whole lot of action in the electric or hybrid people-mover space, although the LDV MIFA 9 is available.

It’s primed with gear but comes with a huge price tag, something tough to swallow with a brand known for its budget offerings.

Kia is also expected to soon offer a hybrid version of its Carnival.

VW is also gearing up to launch the Volkswagen ID. Buzz in 2025 which is the modern EV interpretation of the Kombi. It’s a terrific-looking vehicle and will also be offered as a long-wheelbase with more space (it hasn’t been seen yet) that could work well for you. That said, it’ll likely cost upwards of $100K.

Larger electric SUVs have been tough to come by in the sub-$100K space, although there’s some action there, too. Late this year, the Kia EV9 will arrive, which not only looks great but also promises heaps of interior space.

Got a question but don’t know where to find the information you need?

Find more of Your Questions Answered by carsales here

Join the conversation at 

our Facebook page

Or email us at 

editor@carsales.com.au