Your questions answered: What’s the best hybrid family SUV?

International travel is back but there’s still plenty of people looking for a new car to explore Australia. And it’s a trend unlikely to wane anytime soon.

Little wonder large SUVs and utes continue to be hot property with buyers.

While many are looking for hybrid or EV alternatives, the options are slim, at least at the affordable end of the market.

Question:

Answer: If reliability is one of your prime criteria, then you’ve experienced one of the best in the business. It’s unlikely any brand currently available will better Toyota, although some will certainly come close. You can get lucky with a luxury brand and have a car that soldiers on for many years with minimal trouble. But the complexity of the vehicles and history suggests that many highly-fancied luxury brands are more likely to experience age-related issues than a Toyota. As such, there aren’t many luxury brands we’d put on that shortlist for staying trouble-free for a decade or more. Of the luxury players it’d be Lexus that wins when it comes to a reputation for reliability. That’s because it’s Toyota beneath the ritzier sheet-metal. While you’ve driven the Lexus RX 450h, it’s also worth popping its replacement on your consideration set. The new Lexus RX was revealed recently and is expected in Australia early in 2023. The hybrid model gets a new 2.4-litre turbo engine that promises better performance and efficiency. With the Volvo XC90 Recharge, keep in mind it’s a plug-in hybrid (PHEV). That means electric-only range for short distances (think up to 60km) but the back-up of a petrol engine. When in EV mode it will have a lot less performance than when running as a hybrid. And when running as a hybrid it will use a lot more fuel than the claimed 1.8 litres per 100km; that’s because PHEVs work well on the official government fuel cycle, which runs for less than 20 minutes (so the car runs mostly in electric mode) but are not always representative of most people’s driving. Another PHEV worth considering is the BMW X5. Same challenges as the Volvo but with that ability to be electric for most suburban driving and petrol for longer trips.

Question:

Answer: Don’t hold your breath on the Tesla Cybertruck for Australia. Apart from running years late globally, it seems it may never make it to Australia. While Tesla Australia initially took orders for its first electric ute, that website functionality has recently been removed. And in 2020 Tesla boss Elon Musk suggested the Cybertruck would not meet European regulations; given Australian Design Rules closely align with those in Europe, it casts doubt on the EV truck’s suitability to Australia. There are other electric utes, including the Ford F-150 Lightning, Chevrolet Silverado and Rivian R1T. None have yet been confirmed for Australia and at best they are years away. There are other brands working on electric utes, including some Chinese manufacturers. But, again, they’re not imminent. Which leaves your brother-in-law back in diesel-land… He shouldn’t be worried about investing in a diesel ute in 2022. Yes, EV interest and sales are growing, but fossil fuels are here for a long time yet and off-roaders and tow vehicles such as utes may be one of the last to ditch their current ICE ways. In terms of the best, the D-MAX is certainly an impressive option. Also consider the Mazda BT-50, which looks different but has identical hardware to the Isuzu underneath. It’s also worth considering the new Ford Ranger. We’ve driven some early versions and will be covering it thoroughly when it launches in July.

Question:

Answer: The electric car market is in its infancy, albeit growing very quickly. That’s even more pronounced in Australia and the reality is the brands that have brought cars here have not focused on towing for now. Most EVs sold here – including the Tesla Model 3 that accounts for about two-thirds of all EV sales – cannot legally tow. The BMW iX has the highest rated EV tow capacity, at 2.5 tonnes. As for a three-tonner, they’re on the way and already available in the US with vehicles such as the Ford F-150 Lightning. Be ready for a big drop in EV range though, because shifting that much weight requires a lot of energy.

Question: Can you tell me what the servicing will cost for a Toyota RAV4 Hybrid after the five-year capped price is finished? Does the CVT make it more costly to be serviced? Does the XSE model rate as far as a good reliable car goes, will it last 15 years or so? – Lynda K

Answer: The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid has 12-month/15,000km service intervals and costs $230 for the first five years under the brand’s capped-price plan. It’s sharply priced and makes sense to get the car serviced by an official Toyota dealer. It’s cheap because it’s subsidised by head office, which is why more comprehensive services (the second and fourth ones, for example) don’t cost any extra. But… Toyotas can often get expensive to service beyond the capped-price service plan – and that is the case with the RAV4 Hybrid. The Toyota website is great for forward pricing of services and Toyota is currently quoting the six-year/90,000km service at $778.40. Ouch. That’s partly because it combines some bigger-ticket items – new differential oil and brake fluid, for example, with the first fresh set of spark plugs and a tightening of bolts and nuts on the chassis. The 105,000km service drops back to $259.99 but then it’s $734.03 for the 120,000km service. Remember, though, that you can look to independent mechanics who may service it for less. Just make sure they are performing the service to at least the standard stipulated in the service book. As for the CVT, yes it needs attention during servicing, but we’re not aware of it being any more costly to maintain than a regular automatic. As for the reliability, the XSE will be the same as all other models. The model grade determines the level of equipment, but the mechanical package is broadly the same across all. A well-maintained RAV4 should easily cover 15 years of average driving.

Question:

Answer: You’re not alone in noticing the rising costs of new cars. There are various factors at play, one of which is inflation (something that is impacting most consumer items). Another is demand. Globally the industry is struggling to keep up with demand and buyers are still keen to buy, although how long that lasts could depend on what happens with the broader economy, including interest rates. When people are queueing to own a car there’s no need for discounts and it also allows some car-makers to increase prices. The other thing going on is brands evolving and protecting their respective patches. Kia was once a discount brand and has become aspirational among the mainstream players, allowing the company to better specify its cars and charge higher prices. That in turn puts pressure on existing players in that space, such as Mazda and Toyota. Little wonder Mazda is looking to edge itself a bit further upmarket. That in turn encroaches on the luxury brands, so it’s no surprise to see many of them have also started shifting their cars higher up the price scale. None of which helps you in chasing a cheap car. While there are some exceptions – the Kia Rio being one of the more convincing ones – most brands have abandoned that sub-$20K space and have little interest in getting back into it. That opens the door for new brands, although there’s not a whole lot of action there, either. So, time to start saving or look at a used car. While the used car market has been running hot for a couple of years, it’s expected to cool in the months ahead.

Question:

Answer: You’re looking in the right part of the market because both those SUVs are designed to go off-road (many aren’t). The Ford Everest is more polished on the road and terrific on gravel and outback roads. The Prado has a bit more space and a much bigger fuel tank, which is handy in remote areas. Also consider the latest Isuzu MU-X. What it lacks in glitz it makes up for with honest ability and a rugged demeanour. And don’t forget there’s an all-new Ford Everest due in a couple of months. It’ll have a V6 diesel engine option as part of its artillery.

Question: Do you have any details on towing capacity of the Kia Niro EV? I plan to tow a camping trailer weighing 400-500kg. – Marty S

Answer: Kia has already homologated the new version of the Kia Niro for Australia and, oddly, it’s not rated to tow anything. However, the car is being re-homologated to add that detail, something that should be done before the car hits dealerships by the end of June. Our spies tell us the EV version will be able to tow 750kg. However, as with all EVs, remember that additional weight is going to significantly impact how much electricity it uses. And most regional charging stations aren’t very accommodating of cars with trailers. That may mean unhitching to recharge.

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

Find more of Your Questions Answered by carsales here