what PHEV(s) would you recommend for my situation?

[evmegee]

I'm looking to buy a new or used car which will primarily be used for around town daily driving but also needs to do a 300+ mile trip with >5000 ft elevation gain without stopping to recharge several times a year. Seems like I need a PHEV for this use case, so looking into PHEVs. Currently on my list of possibilities are the Toyota RAV4 Prime and Hyundai Tucson plug-in. Budget is $50k or so. What would you recommend? My main concern is having enough power for the long streches of elevation gain. My 2014 Chevy Volt struggles with this and even overheated last time I attempted it so I think I need something with a stronger ICE.

 

[bwilson4web]

I recommend a used 2017-2021 BMW i3-REx:

• 2017 BMW i3-REx bought in August 2023
• Found on eBay at a Florida Toyota Dealer 830 miles away
• Paid $15,000 for 55,000 mile EV with new tires
• Benchmarked 106 mi EV and 88 mi gas (2.3 gal tank, motorcycle sized tank)
  • Gets 36 MPG at 70 mph using mid-grade or higher octane gas
• Seats up to 4 comfortably with rear and frunk storage

I found this one coming up on eBay:



I previously owned a 2014 BMW i3-REx:

• 72 mi EV range, 90 mi gas
• latent engine mount defect in motor mount fixed when broke under warranty
• Paid $30,000 and drove it 700 miles home

The 2017 BMW i3-REx compliments my 2019 Tesla Model 3. By handling the 'goin' for groceries' trips, it extends the battery life of my 2019 Tesla Model 3, my 'out of town' car.

Bob Wilson

 

[Raylo]

RAV4 prime would be a great pick and certainly would work in that scenario. But IMO, if you have significant road tripping to do an EV of any sort doesn't make the most sense economically or logistically. At least not yet. The RAV4 Prime is significantly more expensive than the RAV 4 hybrid or Honda CR-V hybrid for a given trim level and both of those get great mpg. That extra cost for the RAV 4 Prime would be mitigated by somewhat lower fueling costs for local driving if you plugged in at home every night and that may or may not eventually pay off depending on the ratio of highway to local miles.

 

[insightman]

Check out the Clarity forum. Many forum members have high praise for this car--and it's a CAR (I'm not a fan of SUVs, and you did specify "car"). The Clarity Plug-In Hybrid is not really quick like a RAV4 Prime, but it's very comfortable (the seats are more comfortable in the Touring trim). Unfortunately, you can't buy a new Clarity PHEV; they were made only from 2018 to 2021, but you can find a good used one.

If you need parts (my 2018 Clarity hasn't yet), they're more affordable than parts for German vehicles. Also the Clarity forum has @MrFixit, and other knowlegeable members who are invaluable resources when you have questions about the Clarity PHEV.