Your questions answered: Can I convert my Toyota Corolla Hybrid to a plug-in hybrid?

There’s plenty of diversity in the carsales e-mailbox this week – from a Toyota Corolla Hybrid owner wanting to convert their car to a plug-in hybrid to someone chasing a $100K fun machine that is not electric.

One SUV shopper wants to know if a Skoda is a good option while another is chasing a more fuel-efficient alternative – preferably hybrid – to their Subaru Forester.

And, of course, there’s no shortage of EV interest, including from one person wondering whether to snap up a discount on a current Tesla Model 3 or wait for the updated model that arrives soon.

Another current Tesla owner is looking for an electric SUV – and while they’ve loved their Tesla they’re prepared to think outside the Musk-sphere.

Question: Would it be possible to convert a Hybrid Corolla to PHEV? I want to be able to charge using solar at home. – Allan S

Answer: Anything is possible if you’ve got a big enough budget. But making a non-charging hybrid able to be recharged externally would be an enormous job. You’d obviously need a bigger battery pack (which is expensive) and the fitment of an onboard AC charger to convert the electricity to DC power for storage in the battery.

It would be a lot cheaper to sell your car and buy a new PHEV. Better still, go to full-electric. There are now some good options around $40K and plenty around $65K. It’s also worth checking with your accountant as to whether you can utilise the government’s FBT exemption, which could save you thousands every year.

Question:

Answer: The Skoda Kamiq is decent buying and one of the best driving compact SUVs on the market. It’s also got plenty of the trademark Skoda cleverness around storage spaces and additional thoughtful extras, such as an umbrella that slides out of one of the doors.

The Kamiq shares many underbody components and its architecture with the Volkswagen T-Cross, so it’s obviously worth cross-shopping that.

Also check out the new Hyundai Kona and Honda ZR-V, each of which is fresher to market and comes with plenty to like.

Question:

Answer: A few grand off a Tesla doesn’t happen often and it certainly makes the outgoing model an appealing prospect.

As for whether the new features are worth the extra spend, it depends a bit on what you value – and how much value you put in the styling revisions.

The rear touch-screen is the big-ticket extra. If you’re carrying people in the back then they’ll be able to stream videos and adjust some of the controls. Ambient lighting is a bonus, as are ventilated front seats. Plus the cabin also looks smarter with nicer finishes.

There are some unknowns, such as what it will be like to drive without indicator stalks (they’re now activated via buttons on the steering wheel).

On the whole, though, it looks like a worthy update that justifies the extra spend. That said, circa-$57K for the outgoing model is sharp buying.

Question: I am ready to replace my 12-year-old Subaru Forester which I love. It has been so reliable but also heavy on fuel. I am over-70s female. I am trying to decide between another Subaru Forester petrol car which I believe will be only available until the end of this year. Are they more fuel efficient now? Or move to a hybrid Subaru, Toyota RAV4, Hyundai, Kia to reduce fuel costs?

I’m after minimum screen and electronic controls and need to decide before these become even more dominant. I like the hatch to accommodate a bike. I’m looking for good driver legroom and headroom and full-size spare tyre. Hope you can help. – Carey

Answer: Mid-size SUVs are generally more fuel efficient than they were a decade or more ago. However, they are also bigger and have more equipment, so we wouldn’t be expecting an enormous difference.

Don’t bother with the Subaru Forester hybrid. It’s relatively expensive and doesn’t offer the fuel savings (only about 10 per cent) of other hybrids.

The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is an excellent option but one you’ll have to wait a long time to take delivery of. Wait lists are typically longer than a year and even second-hand ones are selling for silly prices.

The just-arrived Hyundai Kona Hybrid is a decent option, as is the Honda ZR-V e:HEV hybrid. However, neither will have a full-size spare. That will be the case with most hybrid SUVs because of the space required to fit the hybrid system.

Question: I’ve driven the same car for the last 20 years, and now it’s time to update. I want something a bit special and memorable – this is a mid-life crisis car, but one to keep for (ideally) another 20 years.

German-built would be my first choice but I am a bit flexible. I have friends with EVs and they are very quick and quiet, but for me they’ve become appliances – losing a lot of the drama which I love when driving. Price-wise I’d rather not spend too much more than $100K. Oh, and my partner and I are both really tall (I’m 195cm) so anything with a tiny interior is out. - Gregory

Answer: You might need to narrow the field for us… Sports car, off-road adventure mobile? What’s your motoring nirvana, winding bitumen or a straight line dissecting the horizon???

In terms of fun drives there’s some cracking used cars under $100K that are keepers.

A BMW M3 or M4 is a great place to start… But there are also some cracking non-M-based BMWs worth a look. The Z4 is often overlooked, and six-cylinder low-kilometre used will easily slip under your price ceiling.

Not many Porsches under $100K that are 20-year keepers. The right 981 series Boxster/Cayman might work.

And consider the Mercedes-AMG C 63 Coupe – a few of the older ones – just make sure the history’s right. Earlier ones pack in a 6.2-litre V8 with an amazing soundtrack. Later (2016 onwards) 4.0 twin-turbos are fast and there’s even convertibles in your price range.

If it’s new you’re after, the German fun-field narrows but there’s some hot hatches that fit the fun/$$$ landscape you’re in; check out the Audi RS 3 or BMW M240i.

Question:

Answer: A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) can be externally recharged. A regular hybrid cannot be charged by any means other than through onboard regenerative braking (something a PHEV and EV also have), so it runs purely on petrol.

I’m not a fan of PHEVs because they tend to be quite expensive and compromised when in electric mode and when running in hybrid mode. In short, they’re generally not that efficient (don’t be fooled by the headline fuel consumption number, which is usually ludicrously low due to the test used to calculate it).

Regular hybrids make a lot more sense because they are generally fairly affordable and they can often halve your fuel bills. Have a look at a Toyota Corolla Hybrid or Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid. But also be aware that used car prices are currently quite high (particularly on the Corolla Cross) due to high demand and a shortage of supply.

Many ask about longevity of the hybrid system. Like all batteries, the ones in a Toyota hybrid will degrade over time (losing their ability to hold charge), but you should get many hundreds of thousands of kilometres of operation before they need attention. You can also replace or recondition them affordably.

Question:

Answer: The Tesla Model Y is a very convincing choice in the electric car market. You won’t get the free supercharging for life (that was certainly a bonus on those earlier Teslas!) but it’ll obviously be a familiar vehicle and one that stacks up on value. As you may be aware the Model Y may soon get some tweaks similar to those recently announced for the Model 3.

Also check out the Kia EV6 as a spacious alternative with some terrific driving manners (the Kia EV6 GT, in particular, is an impressive machine).

While we haven’t driven it yet, we think the Kia EV5 looks like it could be a very competitive electric SUV at the more affordable end of the market.

Then there’s the Polestar 3 (which is not particularly cheap) and Volvo EX30.

There’s a whole bunch of alternatives due soon that we don’t know a whole lot about as well; things such as the Audi Q4 e-tron and Porsche Macan. Cadillac is also expected to make a comeback in Australia as an EV brand.

Question:

Answer: The Volkswagen Passat and Arteon share an architecture and many mechanical components. The main difference between the two is styling, with the Arteon a bit more adventurous (each was previously available as a sedan and wagon in Australia but the Passat is now exclusively a wagon). That also means it compromises slightly on interior space, but mainly in the back seats and load area.

That more upmarket look also flows through to the cabin, where the Arteon is closer to a luxury brand in its attention to detail. The Arteon also gets a long list of standard equipment.

So, yes, you should notice a step up. But don’t overlook other options, including electric ones – especially if you can take advantage of the government’s FBT exemption. The Tesla Model 3 mounts a solid case, as does the Hyundai IONIQ 6. You could even check out a BMW i4.

Got a question but don’t know where to find the information you need? Email us at editor@carsales.com.au

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