Your questions answered: I’m a Toyota man, but should I go for Ford Ranger over HiLux?

It’s back to basics in this week’s carsales mailbox, at least with some of our questions from readers.

From choosing the best new ute to towing boats with a family-friendly SUV, there are clearly plenty of people who still need to lift (or tow) heavy things.

But the EV juggernaut keeps rolling, as do questions on the tech.

We’ve got one reader questioning how cars designed to tow 3.5 tonnes and carry a tonne will be able to do that with such heavy battery packs powering them.

Someone else is wondering about EV charging times, while another wants to know when prices of new electric cars will be coming down.

Question: I’m in the market for a new ute and have long been a Toyota man. But I keep reading good things about the latest Ford Ranger. Is it really that good? I’m still tending towards the new HiLux but also want to make sure I’m keeping my options open. – Kyle

Answer: Yep, the latest Ford Ranger is really that good. It’s a big step over the Toyota, leading in driving manners, space, technology, safety, performance and more.

The one area it arguably doesn’t lead on is durability and reliability – and that’s mainly because Toyota has set such a high bar. In short, the current HiLux is feeling tired – the current shape hit the market in 2015, although has been updated significantly along the way.

We’re expecting a new-generation HiLux in 2025, although that may stretch out to 2026.

And when it arrives we’d expect it to be bigger and come out swinging on tech and driving nous. We’re also hoping it adopts some of the tougher styling from the upcoming new Prado (you can all but guarantee it!).

In an ideal world, you’d wait until you see that new HiLux. But if you need to pull the trigger today, then the Ranger wins comfortably.

Just to confuse things slightly, make sure you pop into a Volkswagen dealer to check out the new Amarok. It comes out of a Ford factory and uses Ford mechanicals beneath the skin, albeit with plenty of Volkswagen attention to detail in the cabin.

Question: I do a lot of driving for work around the Shoalhaven, Illawarra (and a bit beyond), and I also have a boat (mainly used locally). I’m looking for a new or used car with the best possible fuel economy, comfort, reliability and towing capacity. Current car is a 2015 Subaru Outback, and I was originally looking at simply updating to 2023 Outback Touring model. I’m looking to spend up to around $50-60K. – Pete

Answer: The latest Subaru Outback is a huge step up on your 2015 model. However, the 2.5-litre engine is feeling seriously undernourished in an era of hybrid and turbocharged cars that can deliver so much more.

The Subaru Outback XT – with a 183kW/350Nm turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder – is a far more convincing engine, albeit one that comes with a price and fuel economy penalty. It also calls for premium unleaded, whereas non-turbo Outback models run on regular unleaded.

Plus, the Outback XT can tow 2400kg versus 2000kg for the non-turbo models. Keep in mind, too, that Subaru recommends its cars don’t tow at more than 80km/h, although if you’re using it locally that may not be an issue. Check out our tow test on the Outback XT.

Alternatives include a raft of mid-size SUVs, including some hybrid options. The Honda CR-V Hybrid is terrific buying although its tow capacity in hybrid guise is limited to 750kg, which may make it useless for your boat. The Nissan X-TRAIL e-POWER is more useful – and a great SUV – able to tow up to 1650kg.

Toyota’s RAV4 Hybrid (1500kg tow capacity for AWD models) is also popular with good reason, although wait lists can be prohibitive.

Question: Years ago I wrote an article regarding gross vehicle mass. From memory, a Toyota HiLux, fitted with a bull bar, winch, dual batteries, tow bar, was then allowed legally to carry about six bags of cement. My question concerns the carrying capacity of proposed electric 4WDs when the batteries weigh far more than what legally they were allowed to carry. No doubt, the new vehicles would have to be re-engineered. Any word of their carrying capacity? – John

Answer: EV battery packs typically weigh at least 400kg, often 500kg or more. Obviously, the vehicle does without an engine, but they still end up being heavier than an equivalent internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle.

It’s worth noting, though, that the EVs designed from the ground up as an electric vehicle – rather than adapted to an ICE architecture – tend to be lighter and more efficient.

Still, the issue of heavy batteries is likely to be amplified with off-road vehicles and utes, each of which is expected to tow heavy loads and carry lots of people and their luggage.

That’s one reason Nissan has nominated later in the decade as the time it will likely unleash battery-electric versions of its heavy hitters, such as the Patrol and Navara.

By then, Nissan wants to have solid-state batteries available, which have roughly double the energy density. That means the company can either significantly increase the range or reduce the capacity of the battery. The end result is likely to be a mix of the two.

Similarly, Toyota is working hard on solid-state batteries and they’re likely to be important in powering HiLux, LandCruiser etc in the future.

Before then we’ll see some electric utes from newcomer Chinese brands – BYD, Geely and JAC, as a start. That could give us a better idea of what to expect in the shorter term.

There’s a chance some of the earlier EV utes and 4WDs won’t have the carrying capacity some will expect. But, equally, we’d anticipate that by the end of the decade the clever engineers at car companies will work something out – because they know what customers want and demand.

Question: I currently drive a Toyota HiLux and am looking to upgrade in the next year or so. My question is around not only what car to buy but also whether I should be looking at an EV or hybrid for my next ute? I keep reading conflicting things and am getting quite confused. Ultimately I just want a ute that’s reliable and gets the job done – and if I can do my little bit along the way then even better. – Kris

Answer: Utes are under a heap of pressure with the introduction of the federal government’s New Vehicle Emissions Standard (NVES), which is due to start in January 2025. It means that utes will have to halve their CO2 emissions by 2029. No small task…

There’s one big caveat: the reductions apply across a brand’s entire fleet. So if they can sell some electric utes – or EVs of any persuasion – they can potentially still keep selling thirstier diesel ones.

So diesel utes aren’t going anywhere in a hurry.

That said, you will start seeing more fuel-efficient alternatives, including petrol-fed hybrids and EVs.

Regarding your HiLux, if you’re hoping to stay within the Toyota family then we’re expecting a new HiLux in 2025 or possibly 2026. It’ll naturally be more efficient, likely utilising the 48V assistance system (Toyota won’t be marketing it as a hybrid) that’s just been introduced across more models. And there should also be a proper hybrid before long.

We wouldn’t bother with the current HiLux. It’s feeling tired against fresher competition such as the Ford Ranger, Volkswagen Amarok and Isuzu D-MAX. The best thing the HiLux has in its favour is its excellent reputation for reliability.

Question:

Answer: All EVs have advanced battery management systems – computers – that monitor the condition of the battery, including the voltage and temperature of individual cells. The aim is to ensure cells aren’t getting too hot during charging. And it’s high current loads – pumping in lots of power – that creates that heat.

Active cooling systems using fans and liquid control (similar to a radiator in a petrol or diesel car) can help keep those temperatures in check. But so can slowing down the rate of charge, or how much current is being taken on.

So as the battery gets towards full – typically say 80 or 90 per cent state of charge – the battery management system will start decreasing the charge rate to reduce heat. It’s all about protecting the battery and increasing its longevity.

That’s why on a road trip, in particular, you’re often better off factoring in another stop for a quick top-up rather than trying to get the car back to 100 per cent.

Even with the additional time finding the charger and diverting off the main road it’ll likely end up being quicker than waiting for the slowest part of the charge.

Question: When will EVs get more affordable? I’d consider an electric car but all the ones I’ve looked at so far are too expensive. Can we expect something closer to $30,000 or even $35,000? – Jamie

Answer: EV prices are already coming down due to increased competition. Even market leader Tesla is offering discounts on 2023 models of the Model 3 (the last of the cars to arrive before the updated model). Polestar is also offering discounts of up to $10,000.

MG also recently snuck the price of its MG4 – our 2023 Car of the Year – down to below $40K drive-away (just!), which is terrific buying. And in response, GWM just this week lowered the price of its Ora hatchback to $35,990 drive-away.

Will we see a $30K EV? Possibly, but we wouldn’t expect anything this year. In 2025 you’ll likely see some getting closer to that magical $30K mark. And you’ll almost certainly continue to see more competition and discounts elsewhere in the market.

Find more of Your Questions Answered by carsales