Your questions answered: Which mid-sized hybrid SUV should I buy to tow an 1100kg caravan?

Our mailbox this week features a diverse array of automotive queries, starting with someone exploring mid-sized hybrid SUV options capable of towing a small caravan.

Another reader is facing a common dilemma: whether to tackle a costly repair on an ageing car or get rid of it.

There’s also interest brewing around range-extender hybrids, the latest petrol-electric tech adding to the electrified race.

Plus there’s a reader curious about what happens to retired versions of highway patrol BMWs.

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

Question: We have purchased an older Jayco van (tare 750kg, max weight 1100kg), and had intended to tow it with our 2013 Hyundai ix35 two-wheel drive with 230,000km.

But our mechanic has suggested we will probably kill the car with the towing and has suggested if we were thinking of buying a new car (which we sort of are) now is probably the time.

He has suggested a Toyota RAV4 hybrid or a Hyundai hybrid or even a Mitsubishi Outlander, but to make sure we get all-wheel drive.

Our budget is probably max $50,000.

He also suggested a diesel engine if we don't get a hybrid.

With little or no car knowledge, I would like your opinion. – Kate

Answer: Something fresher is certainly worth considering, in part because the 2.0-litre engine in your ix35 will be working pretty hard to lug around another tonne.

I’m assuming you’re looking at near-new used cars given the openness to diesel (not many new medium SUVs offer diesel anymore).

With any mid-sized SUV, though, you have to be wary of tow capacities and payloads when towing.

That’s likely why your mechanic suggested an all-wheel drive.

In the case of the Toyota RAV4 hybrid, the front-drive model is only rated to tow 480kg whereas the all-wheel drive can lug 1500kg. Even then, you need to keep an eye on the payload; with 1100kg out the back you could have as little as 360kg of payload left for people and luggage (assuming 10 per cent of the caravan weight is pushing down on the towball).

Of all those mid-sizers the RAV4 hybrid is a great place to start. It’s great to drive, reliable and represents solid value. Prices hold up well on the used car market, so you may not necessarily pick up a bargain, but there should be plenty to choose from within your budget.

Also check out the current shape Kia Sportage (it went on sale in 2021). It’s excellent buying and also offers a great hybrid system, albeit only in front-drive guise. That said, it’s rated to tow 1650kg and shouldn’t have any issues with your van.

There’s also a diesel all-wheel drive with a 1900kg tow capacity. It’s a great engine that’ll work nicely for towing, but it won’t be as economical as the hybrid when you’re not towing and driving around town.

The Hyundai Tucson hybrid is also worth sticking on your shortlist. It’s the sister car to the Sportage so uses the same hybrid system – and it was also offered as an all-wheel drive.

The Nissan X-TRAIL e-POWER is another one worth looking at. It’s all-wheel drive and has a different hybrid system because the engine never drives the wheels; it’s only used to charge the battery. There are two electric motors that provide more of an EV-like driving experience. There’s also great cabin space and plenty of features.

Question: Have you driven the new Deepal REEV? Apparently, it has a petrol engine only to charge the battery. Any plus and minus points to consider? – Narinder

Answer: There are always pluses and minuses with any tech, whether it’s EV, hybrid or plain old petrol.

To answer your question, I’ve only driven some Deepal range extenders (range-extender electric vehicle gives you the REEV acronym) briefly in China.

And, yes, you’re right in that the engine only ever charges the battery rather than directly driving the wheels. In that respect, a REEV is different to a plug-in hybrid (PHEV); even the newer PHEVs with bigger batteries and more powerful motors still drive the wheels with the engine in some situations, usually at higher speeds.

Like many of the latest PHEVs and REEVs from China there’s no shortage of performance and the driving experience is very EV like.

That’s the positives.

There are also negatives, starting with weight. A REEV with a decent range already has a big battery pack, then you need to account for the engine, fuel tank, exhaust system and everything else that goes with a petrol engine.

You’ll also need to service that petrol engine, even if you’re rarely using it.

If you’re mainly driving the car for shorter distances then an EV will almost certainly be a better bet; lighter, more efficient and often better to drive.

Question: I bought a 2015 Mazda CX-5 second-hand in December 2022. The car now has 190,000km on the clock and in September 2024 on the way home from a road trip from Rockhampton to the Gold Coast the DPF warning light came on.

The car had low power and difficulty accelerating. No zoom zoom.

The diagnosis from the mechanic was that the exhaust boost pressure sensor needed upgrading. It worked okay until April 2025, then the DPF light came on again, but no issues with power. The mechanic reset the warnings.

A few days later, light on again. Mechanic completed a DPF regeneration. A few days later, light on again. Mechanic resets values, etc.

I'm at the stage of seeking a second opinion, either a diesel specialist mechanic or Mazda service department. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. – Doug

Answer: A second opinion is definitely in order.

Diesel particulate filters (DPFs) can cause plenty of problems, especially if you’re only driving on short trips (which it sounds like you’re not).

Plenty of DPFs have needed replacing, especially in cars with the sort of mileage yours has.

But as I’m not a mechanic (and haven’t seen the car!), I obviously can’t diagnose it.

But either way you’d want to take it somewhere else and see what they can figure out.

I’d go for a good diesel mechanic or independent mechanic ahead of the official service centre; they can often be good at finding solutions to complex issues, which it sounds like this is.

Related: Mazda CX-5 – What you need to know

Question: My questions are related. Firstly, why is the resale value of BMW 7 Series diesel so much lower than that of the 7 Series petrol?

And what happens to those BMW 5 Series cars used by the NSW Highway Patrol? – Eric

Answer: Demand for diesel in limousines tends to be limited, which is why BMW discontinued the diesel variants of its 7 Series in 2022.

Anecdotally, it also seems some of that diesel demand was from chauffeur companies, whereas private buyers typically go for the petrol variants.

Not that there are many buyers of either. As a top-shelf limousine with a big price tag, the 7 Series has never sold in big numbers (nor have its rivals).

Also, the diesel models were typically towards the lower end of the model line-up. The more lavishly appointed (and powerful) models were more expensive, something that would flow through to the used car market.

With more of an apples-versus-apples comparison, there doesn’t seem to be much in it according to data from Redbook (it actually swings in favour of the diesel slightly).

A 2022 730d (diesel) was $204,400 when new and is now estimated to be worth between $98,500 and $106,250.

A 2022 740i (petrol) was $215,900 when new and is now valued at between $88,050 and $95,200.

As for those BMW police cars once they’ve finished their duties, they eventually end up on the used car market.

The police sell them at auctions. Many are snapped up by dealers who rectify any issues (most of them cosmetic) and pop them on the used car market.

They’re usually easy to spot because they have big kilometres on the odometer. There’s no shortage of 530ds with upwards of 120,000km on the clock.

Question: During a recent service of my eight-year-old Audi Q3, a leak between the front and centre housings of the transmission was discovered.

The local workshop recommended I contact a transmission specialist to obtain a cost estimate, which I did. They advised the minimum cost would be $3500 but until the housings were disconnected they could not give a firm quote.

I have made a claim against Volkswagen regarding this. However, if this is knocked back, how much money should I spend on this car on top of the minimum $3500 estimate for rectifying the leak?

Or should I look at purchasing a Kia Seltos, Hyundai Kona or Toyota Rav 4? – Gary             

Answer: At best you may get a contribution from Audi/Volkswagen, depending on the service history of the car and how far it has travelled.

Under Australian consumer law, major failures – which it sounds like this is – will often extend beyond the warranty period (depending on the initial warranty).

But, equally, it’s an eight-year-old car.

According to Redbook, depending on the model and condition, a 2017 Q3 is valued between between about $11,000 and $18,000.

The question is what you’d get for the car as a non-driving vehicle.

I suspect a few thousand dollars would be well spent to ensure you have a saleable car that will at least get you some money back. But, again, it depends on your particular car and the condition it’s in.

Obviously you wouldn’t want to be spending too much more.

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