Your questions answered: Which hybrid mid-size SUV is best?

Hybrid cars are front and centre of this week’s reader correspondence, which also delves deeper into the used car market.

Yep, there’s a broad spread of reader interest that sees one of our most varied selection of emails in months.

We’ve got one reader ready to take off on a big cross-country adventure and is in search of a second-hand 4WD to get the job done.

Another is wondering when prices of used EVs will drop further, while some lucky V8 LandCruiser 70 Series buyer is trying to work out whether to take the profits and run.

We’ve even got someone checking out the space-saver spare wheel on a used car and wondering whether it’s up to the long-term task.

Question: I’m hoping you can assist my daughter with a new car selection. She is 43 and has three children aged 13, 10 and eight, currently driving a Honda CR-V which she has had coming up to nine years, so she tends to keep cars for a while.

She is thinking of getting a hybrid SUV, not a plug-in as she does not want the hassle of having to plug the vehicle in. Her trips are fairly small (school/gym/shops) having only done 55,000km in the Honda in nine years.

In the first instance she was seeking to replace the Honda with a similar mid-size SUV. Obviously one of those choices is the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid and was wondering if the wait time is worth it? What other hybrid SUV (non-plug-in) would you consider (in order of your choice would assist)?

The other alternative she was considering was getting a seven-seater hybrid SUV (again non-plug-in hybrid). She is obviously weighing up the additional cost. Notwithstanding do you have any suggestions? – Paul

Answer: The Toyota RAV4 is hybrid-only these days because that’s what most buyers were opting for.

The biggest asset with the RAV4 is its hybrid system. It’s not particularly high-tech but delivers on efficiency and is also great to drive. Its value has been diluted due to price rises over the past few years, but that said, it’s still excellent value.

Inside, though, the RAV4 is starting to show its age, especially compared with fresher rivals. The cabin presentation is okay, but a tad grey and with finishes that aren’t as fresh as some. We’re also expecting a new RAV4 in the next year or two, something that could make the current car date further.

The Honda CR-V hybrid is far classier inside, for example, but with its terrific hybrid system is only available in top-level RS trim, which is close to $60K. The CR-V hybrid is also better to drive, in part due to its age.

Similarly, the Nissan X-TRAIL e-POWER is an excellent option with more space than the RAV4. It also drives really well because it’s only two electric motors doing the driving (the engine acts purely as a generator). The downside is it’s not as frugal as the RAV4, albeit much better than other SUVs.

You could also check out the Kia Sportage hybrid, which blends the excellent driving manners and value of the Sportage with a decent hybrid system.

I hear you on EVs and plug-in hybrids, but once she’s lived with one for a month or two the hassle of plugging in is less onerous than having to refuel. And if she can take advantage of the government’s fringe benefits tax exemption, it’s a good way to save some money.

Something like a Tesla Model Y would only need recharging every few weeks given her average usage.

And the BYD Sealion 6 is a left-fielder. It’s a plug-in hybrid that is sharply priced and delivers RAV4-like efficiency with the advantage of electric-only running (the rest of the driving experience isn’t as convincing, unfortunately).

Sure, it’d need to be charged more often than an EV, but if you can convince her to occasionally plug in (there’s about 75km of real-world EV range), she’d be looking at lower running costs.

Question:

We’re looking at Toyota Prado and Isuzu MU-X and are wondering what sorts of things we should be looking for? Is it different to buying a Corolla, the car we’ve been driving for the last eight years? – Sandra

Answer: Good on you for getting out and exploring the country!

As for buying your new ride, the basics of buying an off-road vehicle are no different to any other car. Check the service history, check for damage and see if you can learn how the car has been used as a start.

That last one is a biggie. The preference is to buy an off-roader that has had a cruisy life around the suburbs rather than one that’s already pounded along the Canning Stock Route. And anything that’s done heavy-duty towing (look for an electronic brake controller) will also have worked harder than one that’s been used for kids and family.

Also get down on your hands and knees and check out what’s going on underneath. A car that’s spent time off-road will likely have the dust to show for it and possibly some scars from rocks.

Also, get ready for a big change in driving manners. The Toyota Prado and Isuzu MU-X are hard-core off-roaders that come with significant on-road compromises to dynamics. Either will be a lot more ponderous and clumsy compared with your comparatively lithe Corolla.

But they’ll do a much better job of dealing with corrugations, gravel, rocks and sand! Enjoy!

Question: I’ve seen some of the commentary about how EV prices are plummeting. But when I went online to check out the prices some of the cars I wanted – either a Kia EV6 or Hyundai IONIQ 5 – weren’t as cheap as I was expecting. Should I expect more price falls or am I missing something? – Sukur

Answer: You may be shocked to hear this, but some media outlets and vocal social media posters haven’t been overly accurate in their reporting or assertions.

Yes, EV prices have dropped this year, as has the entire used-car market. Part of it is coming back down to earth from the crazy COVID pricing highs, while there’s also some catching up with recent drops in the prices of new EVs.

Either way, it’s not all doom and gloom in the used EV market, although there are some bargains out there.

Will prices keep dropping? Absolutely, because that’s what happens with the prices of used cars. Will they plummet as some are predicting? I wouldn’t bank on it.

Question:

Answer: The move by Toyota to ditch the LandCruiser 70 Series V8 has a lot less to do with demand and a lot more to do with fuel efficiency expectations and regulations.

Keep in mind, too, that while blokes like you are tripping over themselves to get a V8 LandCruiser, the biggest buyers of the LC70 – fleets and government departments – would prefer the lower fuel and insurance bills. There are also plenty of younger drivers who can’t drive a manual or a V8, too, so the auto-only four-cylinder makes more sense for them.

If your goal with your new arrival is to make some money – or, at least, minimise your losses – then selling the V8 LC70 now isn’t a bad idea. And you can obviously leverage the current (crazy) demand.

Remember, though, that what people are advertising their cars for doesn’t mean that’s what they’re selling them for. There’s no shortage of optimistic speculators currently trying to capitalise on V8 LandCruiser demand!

The big question is whether prices of V8 LC70s will remain healthy or even increase in future. No crystal ball will enlighten us on that for now.

That said, it’s difficult to see the love for V8s waning in the medium term.

Question:

Answer: The FBT exemption is certainly a great way to get the government to help fund your car – if you’re a salaried employee who can take out the appropriate novated lease to leverage it.

However, it only applies to full battery-electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids (not the more common non-plug-in hybrids), the latter only until April 2025.

Keep in mind, though, that it will also apply to purchases of used EVs that were first registered after July 1, 2022, provided no luxury car tax was ever applied to the car. Check the details at the government’s website.

As for which to buy, there are obviously loads of Tesla EVs on the used car market and the Model 3 is a great place to start. Also check out the Polestar 2, Hyundai IONIQ 5, Kia EV6 and Volvo XC40 Pure Electric. At the right price any will make a terrific addition to the garage.

Just make sure you speak to your company’s leasing company before you start making offers to ensure you can arrange funding in a timeframe that suits the seller.

Question: I’m looking at a new ute and had pretty much decided on the new Ford Ranger. But I’ve also seen that the Volkswagen Amarok is basically the same car. Wondering which you would buy? – Greg

Answer: Yep, the latest Volkswagen Amarok is a Ford Ranger underneath, although it obviously has different styling inside and out, something that may sway you one way or the other. The Amarok also comes out of a Ford factory in South Africa whereas the Ranger is built in Thailand.

There are also differences in the features offered; as a general rule the Amarok has a few more trinkets, although depending on the model, prices may be slightly higher.

As for which we’d buy, we’d be hitting some Ford and Volkswagen dealerships to see how much each will sharpen their pencils.

There will likely be only minor differences in value, but every little bit counts these days!

Question:

Answer: Space-saver wheels are designed for short-term temporary use to get you out of trouble. They’re compromised on grip, one reason car-makers limit their recommended top speed to 80km/h.

Space-saver tyres also tend to be a softer compound so will wear out quicker. We’ve heard of some only lasting a couple of thousand kilometres, at which point finding a replacement can be tricky (tyre retailers tend not to stock many of them!).

You also need to keep an eye on the condition of an unused space-saver spare because the rubber will naturally degrade over time and lose its ability to perform as intended.

Mercedes-Benz, for example, recommends changing the space-saver spare after six years, even if it’s never been used.

If you’ve got a question, email us at editor@carsales.com.au

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