Your questions answered: Should I buy a Toyota HiLux or Ford Ranger 4x4 for my motorhome?

This week we’ve got a couple preparing for the Big Trip. They’ve already ordered the motorhome but are wondering what ute they should slide underneath it.

There’s also someone looking to replace a very well-used Toyota Camry and another wanting to know about buying an EV online.

It’s not the only electric car question, with another reader looking at second-hand options.

And, of course, another person disappointed with a long wait for a Toyota RAV4…

Question: In 12 months we have to select a four-wheel drive two-door cab chassis ute (auto) as a base for a 4WD motorhome (Suncamper Sherwood). The choice is Ranger or HiLux. These things can go virtually anywhere Outback and have off-grid capability, so reliability is paramount. We plan visiting some pretty out-of-the-way locations. HiLux is dated, with Ford I query reliability. Which would you choose? – Mark O

Answer: Toyota certainly has the reputation for reliability and if that’s the number-one goal then that’s your choice. But all our experience with the latest Ford Ranger suggests it’s a tough truck that will cope with plenty of punishment.

It’s also a far better ute, from interior space and technology to performance and driving dynamics.

So if it was our choice we’d be heading to the Blue Oval brand.

Question: After a lifetime of going to a showroom to purchase a vehicle, how are you supposed to buy an EV from the pretty pictures shown online? There is more than enough information online, so that it becomes confusing. It is a big expense to just buy online without seeing what you are buying. Any ideas? – Jennifer

Answer: The industry generally has transitioned far more to what are effectively online showrooms, most with the ability to purchase the car from the world wide web. Whereas people used to go to a dealership to learn about a car, these days they typically go to a dealership for the final validation and to see the car in the metal.

Some EVs don’t even allow you that luxury, such is the early demand for them. Our suggestion would be to insist on a test drive before shelling out money. After all, it’s a major purchase that you’ll be (hopefully) living with for many years.

Question: Thank you for the opportunity to ask your advice on possible replacements for my automatic 1991 Camry CSi – purchased 23/08/1993 ex Education Dept with 55,475km on the clock, it’s been such a reliable car, but now showing its age! Please would you advise as to what you consider is necessary as to all the ‘Bells & Whistles’ on offer in today’s modern vehicles – especially for use by a Senior Citizen!

I would be sticking with automatic transmission, and in an effort to cope with our rural dirt roads, an SUV with a higher clearance has been suggested. I do not need a big vehicle so possibly smaller than the Camry would be ideal, preferably with excellent headlights for nighttime driving.

Our motor mechanic has suggested a Mitsubishi ASX or Hyundai i30 – as cars that he seldom sees in the workshop – your thoughts please on these along with your recommendations would be greatly appreciated. – Marion R

Answer: I can imagine a 32-year-old Camry is starting to show its age! But it’s great it’s had such a long life.

As for a replacement, there’s no shortage of compact SUVs that would do the trick. Given you’re often on dirt roads, one thing to keep in mind is what spare tyre the car has. Many cars these days either don’t bother with a spare or use those skinny space-savers instead.

So… as for a shortlist, the Mitsubishi ASX is looking and feeling tired. It first went on sale in 2010 and today’s car is an evolution of that one.

The Hyundai i30 is a good option, although it’s not an SUV. Have a look at the Hyundai Kona instead. It’s a terrific option, although it does only get a space-saver. If you step up to the Hyundai Tucson it’ll have a full-size spare.

Also check out the Kia Seltos. It’s a great option and comes with a full-size spare on most models. Plus there’s plenty of equipment and a seven-year warranty.

The Toyota Corolla Cross is also good buying, although wait lists on them have been crazy, so unless you can get one within a few months we wouldn’t bother joining a queue that only ever seems to get longer – in turn frustrating those who are having to wait.

As for great headlights, they’ll all be a big step up from your old Camry. But not many cars designed primarily for the city have fantastic high-beam lights. It may be worthwhile considering a light bar; they’re fairly affordable these days.

Question:

Answer: The Ford Puma EV certainly looks like an interesting addition to the Ford line-up and will be the most affordable electric car in the Blue Oval showroom.

As for exactly how much it will cost, we’re not entirely sure. But if you look at other affordable EVs – including the MG4 and Fiat 500e – we’d reckon it needs to vaguely compete with those. So our best guesses are it will be priced around $55,000.

As for the driving range, those details are also yet to be confirmed, but we’d be thinking somewhere around 450km. But they’re purely educated guesses – and we’ve been wrong before!

As for when it will arrive, we’d be expecting it later in 2024.

Question: I am at an early stage investigating a Hyundai IONIQ electric vehicle or similar. I’m not interested in a hybrid.

I am an older person and think that in future electric vehicles may become compulsory. I currently have a Honda HR-V which gives me better vision having higher seating. Driving is 95 per cent-plus locally with very few longer trips.

I had been looking at MG electric vehicles but would require reversing camera. Also cost is a consideration which seems to price out the Kia range. Is there a later version than 2020 Hyundai and if so what is the likely cost? Would welcome any observations you have. – Leslie P

Answer: The regular Hyundai IONIQ (as opposed to the newer, bigger and more expensive IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 6) was discontinued in 2022, so it’s only second-hand examples you can buy now. There are a handful listed on carsales priced below $30,000 with the others edging above that. It’s a basic EV but one that should provide many more years of emissions-free motoring.

The MG ZS EV could also be worth a look – and like anything these days it does have a reversing camera. A Hyundai Kona Electric or Kia Niro EV would be even better, but they’ll mostly be north of $40,000. It’s the same with the BYD Atto 3, which is also an excellent choice.

Question: I’m a retired transport manager, and a long time before that a truck driver, and in retirement I take a serious interest in the stock market. I made a couple of excellent investments in lithium that has grown substantially, so I thought – why not, I’ll buy an EV!

Well of course there’s been delay after delay, and I get that. Finally it was loaded on a ship for Port Kembla via Port Melbourne, with an ETA in Port Melbourne of August 16th. And it’s still doing donuts in the bight, due I presume to quarantine issues.

I note there are five car carriers in port now and another five expected, not including the vessel carrying my car. These delays are massive, and I suggest will continue. It seems the shortage of car carriers due to the delays will probably continue to force manufacturers to park them on fields in Europe and the circle continues.

Oh and my major reason not to buy Chinese?? Not the quality, but my political views of the leadership there.

I was also pleased that the iX1 has two motors as standard and the Mercedes equivalent can provide an optional second/rear motor for a further $36K. And there were virtually no options on the BMW, it’s all included!

I will now call my purchase a Christmas present, in hopeful anticipation of seeing this calendar year. – Rob K

Answer: The delays on deliveries of some vehicles have been horrendous – and seriously frustrating for would-be owners. As you’ve surmised, it sounds as though yours is as a result of quarantine issues and physically getting cars off boats.

It’s got so bad that Ford Australia recently rented its own car carrying ship for three years to ensure it has more control over when cars were being transported.

As for not buying Chinese, we hear what you’re saying, but also wonder what you make phone calls on, which TV you watch and what computer you use. There would be very few households without a lot of Chinese-made products in them already. And it’s lucky you didn’t buy the BMW iX3 because it’s made in – you guessed it – China.

For various reasons some people have in the past had issues with buying cars from other countries but those issues quickly fizzle out when they realise the products are appealing and of a high quality. Already China is now the third most prolific country in supplying cars to Australia (behind Japan and Thailand) and it appears only a matter of time until it will be at the top of that list.

There have been no updates from the dealer unless I call and there is still no estimate on delivery date. The most recent salesperson said how unethical the dealership was with regard to cancelled orders, with the cars going straight to the used lot. Never offered to the next customer the queue.

I’m told we are now 10th in the queue, and approximately 17 RAV4s arrive each month, but our white colour hasn’t been made for a long time and may not come until sometime in 2024. What is bizarre is that we were the oldest order several months ago but 37th in the queue.

Answer: We feel your pain, David. Despite numerous requests from Toyota head office, many dealers are still putting profits way above customer service by turning the cars into used cars (basically brand-new cars that are sold as used cars) and charging hefty premiums.

Sounds like you’ve been caught in that storm. It is a ludicrous situation and one that is so short-sighted because buyers like you end up going off the brand.

At the risk of matrimonial harmony, can we suggest you at least test drive a Kia Sportage or Hyundai Tucson. Or indeed the new Nissan X-TRAIL e-POWER. All solid choices, with the Nissan a very different take on hybrid.

Meanwhile, let Toyota know how you feel by enlightening their Guest Experience Centre on 1800 869 682 (Toyota doesn’t have customers, it has guests… and it appears you’ve been a would-be guest for way too long!) to your lengthy wait.

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