Your questions answered: Should we buy a new Ford Everest to tow our caravan?

From big adventures to preparing for the family’s first EV arrival, this week’s carsales mailbox has it all.

There’s someone looking to keep their friends happy with more back seat space than their Mazda CX-3 offers, while another reader is looking to replace a near-20-year-old Honda CR-V with something with a bit of spark.

There are also people wondering what chargers they should install for the imminent arrival of an electric car.

Question:

Also, is there something else we should be considering in this price range? We would need the car by May 2024 at the latest. – Robyn and Glen

Answer: Wow, lucky you! I’m jealous… Whichever car you look at you want to make sure you’re not banging up against its tow limit. With the Everest you’ll be fine, because it’s rated to tow 3500kg.

But you still have to be aware of the payload once you’re towing that much. Assuming you’ll have the industry standard 10 per cent pushing down on the tow ball, then you have to include that 290kg in the payload. You also have to consider the gross combination mass (the weight of the car and trailer and everything in each of them).

For the Trend 4x4 four-cylinder the maximum you can carry in the car when towing 2.9 tonnes is 415kg. That will get soaked up pretty quickly by four people and their luggage. For the Sport V6, it’s slightly less, at 403kg.

So in either guise you’ll have to pack carefully – and possibly consider putting some of your heavier gear in the caravan, assuming it can cope with it.

As you point out, either car will do the job, although the V6 will do it a lot more easily. So if you can stretch the budget then it’s the pick. See our tow test on the V6 Ford Everest.

Alternatives are also more expensive and bigger. Don’t even bother with a Toyota LandCruiser, because there’s almost no chance of getting one by next year.

A Nissan Patrol is a good option, though. Thirsty, yes, but big and punchy and with a decent payload. And over 10,000km of driving we reckon you’ll spend maybe $700-$800 more in fuel than you would have in the Everest.

In the scheme of a trip like you’re talking about, we reckon that’s a pretty small hit on the budget.

Question:

Answer: EVs typically do plenty of calculating to establish if they’ll make it to the next charging station on the remaining charge in the battery. That can involve warnings, reducing the effectiveness of the air-conditioning or even limiting the top speed. Some will even reduce the peak power.

But we’ve never heard of anything turning off things such as the head-up display (HUD). Most electronics for the car – sound system, infotainment screens and lights – use very little energy compared with how much is required to move the car. To put it in perspective, if your headlights/tail-lights were drawing a combined 50W of power then they’d consume 500Wh of electricity over 10 hours of driving. For an average EV that’s around 2km of driving range.

We’ve asked Kia for clarification and they confirmed the HUD works off the 12V electrical system (the one also running the lights, sound system, etc) and it does not get shut off.

Your Niro should give a general charging warning below 15 per cent state of charge (similar to a low fuel warning light in an internal combustion engine car). Below five per cent SOC your Niro will start limiting power of the drive system and provide sterner warnings to charge.

So if your HUD keeps shutting down it has nothing to do with the charge in the battery. Maybe point out to the dealer that this is the feedback you’ve had from the tech department at head office and that they may want to investigate the HUD issue once more…

Question:

Despite me having explored the interior space (well I thought, at the time) I quickly discovered that the back seating space is not roomy enough for most passengers’ needs and that I am unable to fit a friend’s walking frame in the luggage area – even with the false floor removed. (These are issues I didn’t have with the Impreza.) I am also not sure that I am ‘enjoying’ the bigger wheels. However, my biggest issue is the rear-view mirror outside my driver’s window. Its size and positioning are such that it all-to-easily provides me with a blind spot to vehicles coming on my right, which is particularly challenging on roundabouts. Whilst I have learned to take extra care, I am concerned. (I am of average height and have not encountered this issue in other vehicles in the past.)

With all this in mind, I am seriously searching possibilities for trading it in – presently aiming for returning to a sedan. Whilst I enjoy all-wheel drive, given that in retirement I am not now driving distances nearly as much as I have in the past, I think that is not high on my wish list this time. Therefore, my particular wishes are: a new vehicle (sedan) with as much back seat legroom as possible (hopefully fitting three people without much difficulty), clear right-side vision, smaller wheels, good fuel consumption level! and a good-size luggage area.

In an ideal world, I would trade my vehicle in with a very limited cost outlay! Whilst I did some researching online a little time ago (but when new vehicles were not so freely available), I am wondering what suggestions you might provide for me to consider now please? Part of my research has provided me with mixed messages about whether, or not, the Subaru Impreza is still being made – if that should come into consideration.
– Margaret F

Answer: SUVs can be deceiving from a space perspective because their higher-riding exteriors often make them seem larger than their interiors are. That’s what you’re noticing with the CX-3, which is about the size of a Mazda2 hatchback inside.

That’s a whole size smaller than the Subaru Impreza you were used to.

We’ve never experienced the same issue with the rear-view mirror, although that would also be related to your seating position, as much as the car. Keep in mind that most new cars you’re looking at should have blind spot monitoring, which will also help with an extra warning system for other vehicles nearby.

As for alternatives to your CX-3, if you really want to maximise back seat space in a compact vehicle then an EV is the way to go. Many of them have flat floors in the back (no hump in the middle) which makes fitting people so much easier. Check out the Tesla Model 3 or even the GWM Ora, which is surprisingly spacious for a compact hatch. But as you live in central NSW, I appreciate an EV may not be right for you just yet.

So, check out the Kia Cerato, which offers terrific all-around value in a decent package – plus it’s available as a sedan .

As for a new Impreza, there will be one, but we’re not expecting a sedan body style. That said, Impreza hatches have always been very spacious. So if the five-door hatch still interests you, then check out the Subaru Crosstrek; it uses exactly the same body but with more of an SUV look due to its higher ride height. Otherwise, you can wait until late in the year for the regular Impreza.

Question:

Answer: You’ve got two main options. A regular wallbox that just provides electricity when you plug it in, or a smart wallbox that can ‘talk’ to the grid to maximise your solar usage and potentially charge when electricity is cheaper.

The latter is obviously a better bet, especially for the long term. The Zappi or Ocular LTE are popular choices.

If you’re after a reliable regular charger check out the Tesla Gen 3 wall connector.

A left-fielder is the Juice Booster, which can also be portable. You’ll have to get a three-phase plug installed in your garage and then it can provide the charge you need while also being able to be taken with you on a road trip.

Question:

Answer: Yes, PULP is very common in country and remote areas these days. Even during Outback driving you’ll find it in places such as Innamincka and Birdsville.

You had me second guessing on the Camry Hybrid requiring premium unleaded. They never used to need it but have required premium since the introduction of the 2.5-litre engine in 2017.

Question:

Answer: Neither of those two are available here yet, although each is available for pre-order. That’s our way of saying we haven’t driven them in Australian conditions, although we have tested the BYD Dolphin in Shanghai.

So we’re reluctant to go making definitive recommendations on them just yet.

Re: BYD, though, the social media forums are abuzz with alleged reports of sub-standard customer service. There have been issues with 12V battery failures, for example; it’s a minor issue that’s easily fixed, but one that’s caused significant inconvenience for some owners.

That said, BYD is a huge brand in China and is providing the most serious competition to Tesla, both in Australia and globally. So while there are some teething issues, the brand certainly has runs on the board and we’re expecting it to continue to grow substantially.

Don’t rule out other options, either. The MG4 has some promise, as does the GWM Ora, although each for different reasons; the MG4 gets the basics right but lacks the fruit of the Dolphin or Ora. The Ora is surprisingly spacious but could do with more driving polish.

Question:

Trouble is, she has loved the seat and driving height and particularly loves the tiny turning circle of the old CR-V, and we are struggling to find a small SUV replacement that anywhere nearly gets to satisfy those factors. Candidates may include Honda HR-V or ZR-V, Hyundai Kona or Tucson, Mazda CX-3 or CX-30, Mitsubishi ASX, perhaps something from Toyota, but they all seem to be not much more than the old hatchback. Looking for all petrol probably, hoping for minimum 110kW/200Nm or thereabouts.

Answer: Let’s throw a left-fielder into the mix from the start: the Cupra Formentor. As you may know, the newcomer brand is part of the Volkswagen Group so it utilises major mechanical components also used by Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda, etc. The Formentor is a great size and terrific to drive.

Also have a look at the Volvo XC40. It’s one of the best of those compact prestige SUVs. And if you go for one of the sportier options it’s close to hot hatch levels in performance.

Both those options will be more enticing than the basic Mercedes-Benz GLA. And while an Audi Q3 will tick plenty of boxes, the Formentor adds a bit more zing for the money.

And why not consider an EV? The Volvo XC40 is available as an electric (although the prices may have your wife freaking out) or you could go with the masses on a Tesla Model Y (like Apple iPhones, it’s popular for a reason).

If you’re still keen on mainstream brands, check out the Kia Seltos, which packs plenty in for the money.

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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