Your questions answered: Which second-hand EV should I buy for $30,000?

There’s plenty of chat about EVs not holding their value, but go shopping at the more affordable end of the market and you’ll realise that’s not entirely true. The point was reinforced with us this week when we went looking for a great $30K EV for one reader prepared to go second-hand for their first electric vehicle.

Another reader isn’t so much worried about price but wants to ensure they get the best mid-sized electric SUV on the market.

And the hate of the load space on the new Toyota Prado 250 Series continues this week with one reader trying to work out how the compromised layout happened.

Plus, we’re looking at vehicle-to-grid for electric cars and a $15,000 first car for a novice driver.

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

Question: I am thinking about purchasing a second-hand EV. My budget is about $30,000. I live in Brisbane and at most will do return trips to Noosa as a maximum one-off journey.

Two electric cars I like are the Hyundai Kona and the BMW i3 with the Range Extender. My head says go with the Hyundai, good range and maintaining it would most likely cost less. I like the design of the BMW i3 with the range extender, replacement costs for batteries and anything needing replacement for European cars is an unknown but I imagine it could be higher than the Kona.

If you could suggest any other alternatives and if my concerns about the BMW i3 costs are well founded or if the Kona Electric is OK. - Mark

Answer: The Kona is a basic EV but one that is decent value on the second-hand market. It’s solid buying if a tad uninspiring.

The i3 is a great fun car with a really interesting design. As you may know it has a carbon fibre body and rear-hinged back doors (which are slightly impractical if you need to access the back seats).

It’s fun to drive, too, with sharp steering and engaging dynamics. I’d lean more towards the pure electric over the range extender (plug-in hybrid) version because of its simplicity (no two-cylinder motor to service).

The challenge, of course, is range. In 120aH guise (the biggest battery fitted to the i3, with a capacity of 42kWh) has a claimed range of 335km. Your Noosa-to-Brisbane-return would be something like 300km. Knock off some range for freeway driving and you’re likely looking at 240km or thereabouts.

That means you’ll need somewhere to charge. In the case of the i3 it uses a now-outdated J1772 fast charging plug rather than the industry standard CCS combo plug used by all but a few modern EVs (the Lexus UX and Nissan Leaf being two of them). That’s because BMW settled on that before the Aussie industry decided to go with CCS as the default.

So while there are plenty of fast charging options between Brisbane and the Gold Coast, we couldn’t find any that will charge an i3. Clearly that’s going to be an issue.

Which leaves you with the option of the range extender. As mentioned, you’ll miss out on some of the EV benefits due to having an engine that needs attention.

As for replacement batteries in either, I wouldn’t be getting too worried about that. Early data suggests battery degradation on most EVs is lower than expected.

And battery replacements are rare. Again, early experience suggests EV batteries will last a similar time to an engine, in some instances longer.

As for alternatives, don’t ignore the Kia Niro Electric, which is the Kia equivalent of the Kona (the two share components beneath the skin). If you want something newer, an MG4 is worth a look.

Question: I know and trust Toyota to deal with Australian extremes. I have owned an SR5 Hilux, 70 Series LandCruiser GXL, 2018 200 Series and now a 2021 200 Series that has in the last 12 months been to the western, eastern and northern most points of Australia! All upgraded by ARB.

I had a really good look at the Prado last week and walked away.

The screaming issue for anyone who goes bush is the (near useless) trunk. Where do you fit drawers? Where do u fit a fridge? Where do you store a second spare wheel?

A potentially great car is useless for me and everyone I know and travel with, all because of a next-to-nothing battery!

How could a company like Toyota get it so wrong for Australia? - Rob

Answer: It’s certainly a compromised layout in the back of the new 250 Series Prado.

Having a boot floor sitting so high to accommodate such a tiny battery (its capacity is 0.2kWh, which is similar to two clip-in batteries for power tools) is crazy. And it’s been done because the Prado gets a bigger battery in America (where it’s badged as LandCruiser), prompting designers to share components.

We’ve heard at least one aftermarket supplier is currently working on a solution to free up more space. And hopefully Toyota responds to the feedback sooner rather than later.

It’s a shame because the new Prado is in most ways a terrific car and one that deserves more focus than its compromised boot space.

Question: In six to 12 months we’re looking to buy a new EV mid-size SUV vehicle. We live in central NSW on a property and do around 30,000km per year with most journeys 300-400km. We have 20kW of solar panels as well. Looking for quality vehicle, engineering and driveability more important than price.

If you can advise on possibilities would be much appreciated. - Andrew

Answer: A Tesla is one that should be on your shortlist. Yep, there are a lot around, but it’s with good reason. The updated Model Y is looking like moving the game on with some decent improvements, including to the presentation of the interior.

And if the previously firm suspension makes as dramatic an improvement as it did on the Model 3 it should make it far more comfortable. The Long Range model – with 551km of claimed range – would be the one best suited to your driving.

Also look at the Polestar 4 (or even more luxurious Polestar 3, if the budget stretches that far). Both are great cars, the 3 bigger and better to drive. Sticking with the Polestar 4, it’s a great option with an upmarket cabin and up to 620km of range.

Another one to consider is the BYD Sealion 7, which is effectively the SUV version of the Seal. There are details still to be confirmed, including pricing, but it’s shaping up to be an interesting option.

If you feel like stepping up in price check out the Porsche Macan and Audi Q6 e-tron. Each shares underpinnings. I’ve only driven the Porsche so far and it’s the best driving of the mid-sized SUVs. It’s not cheap, but it delivers on luxury and driving excitement.

And if you’re not buying for at least six months there’s a lot of new models due this year. Drop us a line again later in the year if you’re still undecided.

Question: My daughter is looking to purchase her first car and we would love your advice in narrowing down the potential field please.

She wants to be able to take the car down the coast surfing and potentially sleep in the back overnight, so thinking mid-to-large SUV. Occasional beach driving on firm-ish sand is also likely. Budget is maximum $15K.

Top of the current shortlist is a Mitsubishi Outlander. We are unable to convince her to consider at a Subaru Forester as her grandfather had one (“it’s a grandpa car”) or an Outback because her mother had one for 15 years. I know the RAV4 should be on our list, but would have to be fairly old to fit within budget. Any other make/model suggestions?

She currently has her eye on a 2012 Outlander XLS with 189,000km for $11K (supposedly recently serviced with books … features she likes are leather seats, reversing camera, sunroof and split tailgate).

We are in South Australia and intend to get an RAA inspection on whichever vehicle is selected prior to purchase. Anything else we should be taking into consideration? - Dave

Answer: It’s a shame she won’t look at a Subaru because it’s in many ways the ideal car for what she’s chasing. As well as decent off-road ability (by light-duty SUV standards) all came with all-wheel drive as standard, so you don’t have to go shopping for one with that.

The 2012 Outlander was fairly basic motoring. The best bit was arguably that split tailgate, which Mitsubishi has since abandoned with newer Outlanders. The biggest negative is its so-so handling and as with any older car you’d want to check its condition.

Other good options would be a Nissan X-Trail or Mazda CX-5. You should be able to get a 2014/2015 Mazda within your budget. And Mazda was ahead of most rivals in fitting safety features and other items that make them attractive on the used car market now. Be aware of potential issues with the 2.2-litre diesel engine, though, something that should show up with an independent inspection.

Similarly, there are loads of X-Trails that will fall within your budget and not be too old and worn. The X-Trail was fairly spacious and was a nicer car generally than the Outlander of that era.

Question: Curious if you know when Kia will release their new EV5 with bi-directional capability so I can interplay powering my car with powering my home?

Are there any other EVs for sale, or about to land with bi-directional capability?

Otherwise I will have to bite the bullet and electrifying my 35-year-old Land Rover Defender.
Howard

Answer: Kia is preparing for vehicle-to-grid – or bi-directional – charging but currently doesn’t offer it on any of its EVs sold in Australia, the EV5 included. And early indications are that it will require a hardware update to enable such functionality, so don’t go buying a car now in the hope that it will be enabled down the track.

As for when – or if – V2G will come on the EV5, Kia is not saying for now. All of which leads you towards converting that old Land Rover!

Be aware that won’t be a cheap exercise, though, as you’re no doubt aware. Basic EV conversions can kick off at around $50K and easily head into six figures.

One battery electric vehicle currently enabled for V2G in Australia is the Nissan Leaf. With prices now around $35K for a new one it’s starting to make a bit of sense. But it’s not a particularly engaging car to drive or look at.

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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