Your questions answered: Which is the best plug-in hybrid mid-sized SUV?

Australians are still buying a lot more EVs than plug-in hybrids, but the interest in the petrol-electric technology continues to bubble along, as this week’s reader’s letters show.

And despite the hybrid surge in the first half of 2024, there’s also lingering love for full battery electric vehicles, especially once you throw in the government tax incentives that can make them cheaper to own.

Four-wheel drives aren’t going anywhere either, with lots of Aussies still keen on the Big Trip.

Also this week we’ve got one reader pondering the colour choice for their new Mazda and another wondering where all the spare tyres have gone.

However, if you can get 50-80km on electric power out of a PHEV and the average suburban journey is 38km then one can easily drive on electric power around the suburbs with minimal petrol use.

Consequently, I am interested in your opinion on which is the better of these three: Mazda CX-60 PHEV, Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, BYD Sealion 6 PHEV. - Marty

Answer: My main issue with plug-in hybrids is they’ve generally been too expensive and too compromised, especially when it comes to performance.

A relatively low-powered electric motor lugging around all the EV gear as well as an engine and gearbox often results in something not particularly fun to drive, especially when compared with a battery electric vehicle.

Keep in mind, too, that even if you can run mostly on electric propulsion, you’ll be using a lot more electricity than an equivalent EV – and accelerating in a much more leisurely pace.

Plus, you still need to get the petrol engine serviced according to the book – usually every 12 months – even if it’s almost never used.

And if the average drive is only 38km a day then there are a heck of a lot of people who could very easily transition to an EV without worrying.

But, PHEVs are getting better, and the BYD Sealion 6 is proof of that. It prioritises the electric side of its drivetrain equation, so drives more like an EV than any PHEV before it.

It’s also sharply priced.

The negative is it’s not particularly sharp dynamically, especially when compared with the Mazda CX-60.

That said, the CX-60 has an underwhelming hybrid system and it’s expensive.

The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is also expensive and is outclassed by the BYD. All of which points towards the Sealion 6.

But don’t forget to check out some of the better EVs at a similar price point. The Tesla Model Y is a great place to start and the upcoming Kia EV5 also looks sharp on paper.

We’re wondering if the four-wheel drive version will be much of a benefit? We don’t plan to head off-road, so mainly need the car for its tow capacity. - Helen

Answer: Towing is a lot more than ensuring the trailer you’re towing comes in under the claimed tow capacity of the vehicle.

There are also many other calculations you need to make, especially regarding gross vehicle mass (how much is pushing down on the wheels of the car) and gross combination mass (the combined weight of the loaded tow vehicle and trailer).

Often an SUV can’t carry much in the way of people and luggage once it’s towing close to its maximum load. And, obviously, the four-wheel drive system adds weight, which can play a factor when calculating how much you’re left to play with (the payload).

Fortunately Ford ups the gross vehicle mass of four-wheel drive versions of the Everest. On the Sport model, for example, the GVM of the 4WD is 150kg more than the rear-wheel drive version. That said, the 4WD system adds 158kg to the vehicle’s weight, so all up it can carry 8kg less than the 2WD model.

It’s a minimal difference and is unlikely to sway your decision. But, again, make sure you do all the other towing calculations before hitching up and heading into the sunset.

Also keep in mind that the four-wheel drive system may have benefits elsewhere. It may be a bonus getting out of a muddy campground, for example. If you’re planning on hooking up a boat having all four wheels doing the driving can be advantageous on a slippery boat ramp.

Plus, there are loads of gravel tracks and trails you may want to explore that will be easier in a 4WD.

I wasn’t sold on an EV but am thinking that could be the best option, at least financially.

What are your thoughts? And do you know if Toyota is doing a plug-in hybrid version of the RAV4 anytime soon? - Mandeep

Answer: Toyota says it will soon be selling plug-in hybrids in Australia but it hasn’t confirmed which vehicles will get a PHEV system (currently all Toyota hybrids run purely on petrol).

The fringe benefits tax (FBT) exemption currently applies to PHEVs, but it’s due to revert to battery electric vehicles only from April 2025, something that could again make EVs more appealing.

As for which Toyotas will go PHEV, given the RAV4 is the top selling hybrid in the Toyota line-up it would seem an obvious choice. Not that we’ve had any clues along those lines, we’re just joining the dots.

However, there is one hurdle for the RAV4: the current generation car has been around since 2019 and Toyota typically runs a circa-six-year model life for its passenger vehicles (off-roaders and commercial vehicles run to 10 years or more).

So logic would suggest there’s a new RAV4 lurking around the corner, so it may make sense for Toyota to make a PHEV splash when that car arrives (whenever that is).

Still, if you can make an EV work then the Model Y is a great place to start. It’s got more space than the RAV4 and better performance, plus the access to Tesla’s charging network maximises the places you can charge if you do plan on venturing away from your home base.

Also keep an eye on the delayed (but soon to arrive) Kia EV5. It’s looking like a good bit of gear.

I’m a bit confused and am wondering what you’d recommend? - Ange

Answer: There’s a bit of a myth with some who believe white is easier to colour match when it comes time to get crash repairs done.

The reality is there are so many different shades of white and it can be just as tricky to get it matched, especially once you’re talking about metallic colours (which have a metallic fleck, something that needs to be matched in terms of how much is included in the mix).

Mazda is an interesting one with colours. It doesn’t charge much more for its premium colours, but more and more colours are attracting a premium. Many luxury models are very conservative on colour choices – grey, silver, black or white is often the bulk of it – yet with more affordable cars there’s often more of a kaleidoscope.
As for which to pick, we’d recommend going for the one you like most. It’s your new car and it’s important you enjoy it as much as possible. Red it is then!

Any suggestions would be welcome either location of charging points or any app that would assist me to move into the 21st century! Thank you very much. I’m determined to master the move to electric. - Kate

Answer: Your best friend in the app world is PlugShare. Don’t leave it at that, though. You’ll also need other apps to ensure you get the electrons flowing. The various charging companies will want you to have an account and payment method to be able to start the charging sessions.

As a start make sure you’ve got Evie, Ampol, BP Pulse, Chargefox and Jolt apps on your phone. You could also add Everty and EO.

What’s going on? Surely in a country like Australia they should be mandatory? - Phil

Answer: Some brands push hard to fit spare wheels to most of their cars. Toyota, Hyundai and Kia are among them, but even then, each has models with no spare at all (some of them are EVs, which pose a challenge in trying to fit the spare in given the space taken up by a battery pack).

But many brands simply don’t bother, in part because buyers typically don’t demand them (to be fair some probably don’t even know until they get their first puncture!). If a car is selling in decent numbers without a spare tyre, why would a manufacturer go to the engineering effort and cost of fitting one?

Still, we agree with you in principal that spare wheels should be far more prevalent than they are.

So make sure you tell the dealer, splash it across social media and tell your friends. The more feedback a brand gets the more chance there is of some wheel action happening!

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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