Recommend us a new vehicle

[SC Clarity]

Hello All -

Wanted some feedback from actual owners and users of the vehicles vs. short term reviews online.

My main driver is a 2018 Honda Clarity Touring PHEV. Just turned 100K miles and you can see I drive 20K miles a year or more. It is mostly local driving and I charge at home on a Level 2 32A circuit. I cant increase that amperage easily, it would be prohibitively expensive. I do have solar for the home. With a 42 mile average EV only range on Eco mode I can usually get 1500-2000 miles per tank of gas (5-6 gallons) with my driving needs.

Daily drive during week looks like this - 40 miles morning, charge. 40 miles afternoon, charge. Can be another 30+ in late afternoon to evening depending on kiddo activities. Weekends vary greatly.

We really like the car and it's not going anywhere. Issue is I have 3 boys, two of them teens. The back seat is getting tight! Add in the fact they all play music and sports and we need to take my wife's Honday Odyssey more and more.

So what vehicle would you recommend? I am in South Carolina if it matters. New or used doesnt matter, I bought the Clarity used. EV or PHEV doesnt matter either.

Budget - $50K-ish max unless it is say $60k with big rebates. No rush to buy either so we can wait for a new model that looks promising.

 

[insightman]

Hello All -

Wanted some feedback from actual owners and users of the vehicles vs. short term reviews online.

My main driver is a 2018 Honda Clarity Touring PHEV. Just turned 100K miles and you can see I drive 20K miles a year or more. It is mostly local driving and I charge at home on a Level 2 32A circuit. I cant increase that amperage easily, it would be prohibitively expensive. I do have solar for the home. With a 42 mile average EV only range on Eco mode I can usually get 1500-2000 miles per tank of gas (5-6 gallons) with my driving needs.

Daily drive during week looks like this - 40 miles morning, charge. 40 miles afternoon, charge. Can be another 30+ in late afternoon to evening depending on kiddo activities. Weekends vary greatly.

We really like the car and it's not going anywhere. Issue is I have 3 boys, two of them teens. The back seat is getting tight! Add in the fact they all play music and sports and we need to take my wife's Honday Odyssey more and more.

So what vehicle would you recommend? I am in South Carolina if it matters. New or used doesnt matter, I bought the Clarity used. EV or PHEV doesnt matter either.

Budget - $50K-ish max unless it is say $60k with big rebates. No rush to buy either so we can wait for a new model that looks promising.

The Chrysler Pacifica is the only PHEV van AFAIK, and it's in your price range.

 

[danrjones]

KIA EV 9, depending on price? If only it qualified for the FED tax credit - the base, RWD model though might fit into your price range, and according to early reviews, it's going to be the biggest 3 row EV out there - with more leg room than even the Rivian R1S, for less money. Or maybe the VW Buzz, but I'm not certain it will fit in your budget. I think it really depends on if you just want more legroom for the kids -> but do or do not need a 3 row? It also depends on HOW "no rush" exactly you are - the EV 9 is suppose to be out late this year, and I'm not sure about the Buzz.

But if a 2 row is sufficient, then that really opens things up. The model Y with a tax credit is a good deal right now, or even a Rav4 prime if you can find one.