Your questions answered: How can my new RAV4 price rise after I’ve ordered it?

Long queues for some new cars continue to shape the way people are buying vehicles – and how long they’re being forced to wait.

And it’s some of the most popular models that are affected, as our emails this week demonstrate.

Despite the frustration, there are often compromises that can make the wait that little bit easier – or shorter.

And despite the EV onslaught – which has some people asking whether internal combustion engine (ICE) cars are still relevant – there’s still lots of love for good ol’ fashioned diesel workhorses.

Question:

Answer: What’s going on is that the RAV4 Hybrid is in hot demand and Toyota can’t make enough of them. And unfortunately there are some dealers who are taking advantage of the unprecedented demand. Whether the dealer can force you to pay more will depend on the contract you signed. We suspect there will be a clause allowing them to back out or upgrade you to the newer model.

That doesn’t mean what is happening is morally correct. With so much demand, we’ve heard of some dealers pushing orders back so they can sign keener buyers up on a higher price. We’d suggest taking your money to another Toyota dealer – or looking at other brands (unfortunately, there are very few hybrid rivals in this segment and the RAV4 is the pick). You may not save any money, but you might feel better giving someone else your business.

Question:

Answer: What you’re noticing is that the DNA of a dual-cab ute such as the Toyota Hilux is closer to that of a truck than a regular passenger car. It’s a hugely capable off-roader that can also lug big loads – and for that you need some pretty serious hardware. That hardware adds weight and means you’ll have nothing like the agility and on-road temperament that you’re used to in the Kluger, which is basically a passenger car underneath its high-riding SUV skin. So make sure you really need the load capacity of a ute, because they all come with compromises.

It could be worth looking at some of the SUVs that are designed to tow and go off-road. Many utilise some of the underpinnings of a ute. One option is the upcoming new Ford Everest, which can tow 3.5 tonnes. The latest Isuzu MU-X is also a serious tow vehicle.

As for the caravan, be prepared to wait for some of the popular models. Like some cars, they’re more popular than ever right now. Check out our related website caravancampingsales to search for vans and for the latest news and reviews.

Question: I’ve got a three-year-old Toyota RAV4 that needs new tyres. I don’t know where to start when it comes to buying tyres. Should I just get the cheapest? Will they all broadly do the same thing as something that costs twice as much? – Jerry R

Answer: Tyres are a lot more than just round black things and there’s a lot of engineering and tech that goes into them. Having been involved with multiple tyre tests over the years I can guarantee they are not all the same. I’ve generally found that with tyres you get what you pay for – at least to some extent. Sure, you can get decent cheap tyres, but you can also get terrible ones that fall short somewhere, whether it’s wet weather grip or freeway stability. And in almost all instances an expensive set of tyres will be much better than the cheapies.

Keep in mind that all tyre design is a compromise; ones with more grip tend to wear out faster, for example. Those with lower rolling resistance (for better efficiency) may not be as sticky as those that could incrementally increase your fuel use. So look around and chat to reputable retailers. If you’re not sure, stick to the big brands that generally have a well-earned reputation.

Question: I’m thinking of buying a new ute but am wondering if I’ll be buying a dinosaur that will soon be replaced by electricity? Everything I hear is that EVs are about to take over the world. How soon will that happen? Should I be worried about buying a diesel-powered ute? – John E

Answer: There’s no doubt the world is transitioning to zero-emissions motoring and in the current climate – and with the tech we know today – it’s battery-electric vehicles that are in pole position. The big question is how quickly it will happen. In some parts of the world the sales of new cars will be EV only within a few years. And by 2035 there will be many countries with similar policies. And that’s the key: government policies. That’s what really shifts the EV game along swiftly. Either way, don’t expect Australia to be at the point end of the EV revolution…

And don’t be worried about buying diesel tech today. Utes are arguably the toughest vehicle category to wholly transition to electric because there are still plenty of buyers who will use them for lifting heavy things and towing up to 3.5 tonnes. And even if there is a ban put on the sale of diesel- and petrol-powered vehicles by, say, 2035 (as the ACT has announced) you’ll still be able to drive your ICE machine for years beyond that. When vehicle regulations are tightened – be they around safety, exhaust emissions or something as simple as lighting – it typically doesn’t impact vehicles already on the road.

Question: Will Chinese EVs be cheaper than the current crop? I’m keen to look at electric cars but cannot stretch my budget to a Tesla or Kia EV6. I was really hoping they’d be more affordable by now.

Answer: We’ve long expected prices of EVs to come down as competition intensifies, more models become available and more Aussies start buying them. But EVs are caught up in the perfect storm of booming global demand (leading to a shortage of stock) and rising manufacturing costs due to inflation and higher prices for raw materials. Car-makers can also make more money selling EVs elsewhere because they can be used to offset penalties applied to petrol and diesel cars. So the reality has been that prices of EVs are rising, even for the brands sourced from China.

That scenario is unlikely to change in the short to medium term, but look out a few years and we’d expect prices to come down, especially with new brands such as Chery and BYD coming into the market. That said, we can’t see a world where EVs are cheaper than the exiting petrol-powered crop. The financial gains with EVs will instead be in lower running costs; EVs are lots cheaper to service and electricity costs are about one-third those of topping up with petrol.

Question:

Answer: Take the V6 out of the Ranger equation for a tick and you’ll see that the four-cylinder twin-turbo in the Ranger is still solid when compared with the broader ute market. It’s among the most powerful diesel dual-cabs currently available and the 10-speed auto is a nicer thing in this latest-gen Ranger. In isolation, then, the four-cylinder is solid buying, especially considering all the other goodness that’s gone into the Ranger.

But there’s still the V6 lurking alongside it in the dealership. In our mind the V6 is absolutely worth the extra spend. While you may not utilise the extra power much, the additional torque makes it meatier where it counts – plus there are benefits with refinement. In short, it’s more relaxed to drive. That said, we wouldn’t be settling in for a long wait at the expense of owning a four-cylinder version. So buy the four-cylinder and be happy with what is the pick of the utes at the moment.

Question:

Answer: You will literally be stepping up into a 4WD, because they’re a lot higher off the ground. That’s something the kids might not appreciate – and is one of many compromises when you buy a proper off-roader such as a LandCruiser or Discovery.

As much as people-movers aren’t the latest in fashion statements at school drop-off, they do a brilliant job of fitting people in and making it easy to pack all their friends in as well. So you’ll need to accept that you’re going backwards on interior space, for one. Chunky off-roaders also tend to be more cumbersome through corners and when navigating suburban streets. Blame it on all the hardware that makes light work of tracks and trails.

As for which is best, the Discovery is more comfortable and better behaved in the suburbs. The LandCruiser is better suited to the rugged roads Australia does so well. Plus the LandCruiser has a much better reputation of not having issues, something that is a big consideration if you really are adventuring. So if adventuring is in your future we’d gravitate towards the LandCruiser.

Oh, and with that trip you’re dreaming of, don’t keep dreaming – lock in a date soon after you buy the car. You don’t want it just to be a dream…

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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