[Dimitrij]

The RAV4.4 is one of my favorite cars. When it became available as a hybrid (2016 I think) I wasn't actively looking for a new car, and by the time I started looking again in 2019 the RAV4.4 had been replaced with 4.5 - whose design I didn't like then and still don't like now.

To self-contradict myself: Looks-wise, I prefer the BZ4X to any other BEV that currently is on-, or coming to the US market in 2022, even though it's intended to mimic the RAV4.5 - which, as you'd recall, I don't like. The mysteries of the mind

To answer the original question: we love our very dear Mr. Sparkollz, which is by far the most practical, versatile and broadly competent vehicle I have ever driven.

 

[PaulZooms]

Hey folks! I was thinking it be good as an icebreaker to get to know everyone by sharing what car(s) we're currently driving.

For my family we have a 2014 RAV4 and a 2017 Camry. The RAV4 will likely be traded in for the bZ4X.

I’m driving a 16.5 Mazda CX-5 GT and my wife drives an 08 RAV4 Limited V6. When we get something new, she’ll get the CX-5 and the RAV4.3 will go to a grandkid.

Current models under consideration are a RAV4 XSE Prime (if I can order one at MSRP) or a Hyundai Santa Fe Limited PHEV ( If one comes in before CO State incentives expire 12/31.)

Future models on my radar include the BZ4X/Solterra, Ioniq 5 and Model Y (if US incentives return.) Have dismissed the Ariya (too expensive for a Nissan product), the Mustang Mach E (no shade for the sunroof) and the Q4 (too many bad experiences with electrical gremlins on a previous VW product.)

I’m in no hurry, as we have two great cars and the market sucks. Torn between a PHEV and an EV.

 

[Dimitrij]

I’m driving a 16.5 Mazda CX-5 GT and my wife drives an 08 RAV4 Limited V6. When we get something new, she’ll get the CX-5 and the RAV4.3 will go to a grandkid.

Current models under consideration are a RAV4 XSE Prime (if I can order one at MSRP) or a Hyundai Santa Fe Limited PHEV ( If one comes in before CO State incentives expire 12/31.)

Future models on my radar include the BZ4X/Solterra, Ioniq 5 and Model Y (if US incentives return.) Have dismissed the Ariya (too expensive for a Nissan product), the Mustang Mach E (no shade for the sunroof) and the Q4 (too many bad experiences with electrical gremlins on a previous VW product.)

I’m in no hurry, as we have two great cars and the market sucks. Torn between a PHEV and an EV.

I would mention that the Santa Fe will probably not offer 150K mi warranty on the traction battery, and its electric range is probably going to be a lot less than that of the RAV4 Prime. Also, based on my personal experience and other sources in my environment, I believe Uncle Hyundai implements planned obsolescence with more gusto than Mother Toyota.

However, the Santa Fe will probably have a flashier tech.

If you are torn between a PHEV and an EV, this probably means that an EV will not fulfill 100% of your driving needs. I know I want a BEV, but there isn't one [yet] that can be my only car.

 

[PaulZooms]

I would mention that the Santa Fe will probably not offer 150K mi warranty on the traction battery, and its electric range is probably going to be a lot less than that of the RAV4 Prime. Also, based on my personal experience and other sources in my environment, I believe Uncle Hyundai implements planned obsolescence with more gusto than Mother Toyota.

However, the Santa Fe will probably have a flashier tech.

If you are torn between a PHEV and an EV, this probably means that an EV will not fulfill 100% of your driving needs. I know I want a BEV, but there isn't one [yet] that can be my only car.

The Hyundai & Kia PHEV’s offer 8-year unlimited mileage battery warranties IIRC. I would hope to be replacing it before then with a BEV, as soon as 5 years when it will be a whole new world as far as automotive propulsion goes. It’s all-electric range is indeed less, 30 compared to 42 for the Prime.

Also note that it isn’t a traction battery. It connects the electric motor directly to a six speed automatic transmission that drives all 4 wheels. It’s a relatively standard, well-rated AWD, with a tunnel and all. That is one of the attractions of this vehicle. (I hate CVT’s.). The Prime’s traction motor is relatively wimpy, putting out 50 (?) hp IIRC. I prefer a more robust system to handle Colorado’s snow

The Korean brands have greatly improved initial quality recently. We’ll see if that extends to long term reliability. Their 10-year drive train warranties certainly would incentivize them.

Flashier, more capable tech is certainly an incentive for me, which is why I want to upgrade from the CX-5. I wish I could afford a Genesis GV-70e, that has even better tech! (Likely $70k lol.). Not ready to take longer road trips in any current BEV. PHEV is a nice compromise as most of our local trips are 25 miles or less.

 

[Dimitrij]

The Hyundai & Kia PHEV’s offer 8-year unlimited mileage battery warranties IIRC. I would hope to be replacing it before then with a BEV, as soon as 5 years when it will be a whole new world as far as automotive propulsion goes. It’s all-electric range is indeed less, 30 compared to 42 for the Prime.

Also note that it isn’t a traction battery. It connects the electric motor directly to a six speed automatic transmission that drives all 4 wheels. It’s a relatively standard, well-rated AWD, with a tunnel and all. That is one of the attractions of this vehicle. (I hate CVT’s.). The Prime’s traction motor is relatively wimpy, putting out 50 (?) hp IIRC. I prefer a more robust system to handle Colorado’s snow

The Korean brands have greatly improved initial quality recently. We’ll see if that extends to long term reliability. Their 10-year drive train warranties certainly would incentivize them.

Flashier, more capable tech is certainly an incentive for me, which is why I want to upgrade from the CX-5. I wish I could afford a Genesis GV-70e, that has even better tech! (Likely $70k lol.). Not ready to take longer road trips in any current BEV. PHEV is a nice compromise as most of our local trips are 25 miles or less.

Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive, or Power Splitting Device, is often called e-CVT. However, mechanically it is not related to the traditional, belt-and-pulleys CVT. Rather, it's a variety of the planetary gearbox, only with two power inputs (from the ICE and MG2) instead of just the ICE. Its reliability exceeds that of any other gearbox design I can think of. Here is a simple explanation of how this works.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFVd_fCiO88&t=2s

The RAV4 Prime traction motor on the rear axle indeed has only 50-something HP, but the MG2 that drives the front wheels together with the ICE is a lot more powerful, 120-130HP I think. I remember test-driving the RAV4 Prime and did feel like 180 HP in the EV mode.

I agree about long trips, especially in cold weather, when the range can drop by 40%, and it also takes longer to charge the battery.

 

[thenoblesea]

2015 Nissan Leaf SL
24kWh Battery
70% SoC
60mi range

 

[seapickle63]

2015 Ford Escape Titanium. Only 50k miles and has been a great vehicle. Hope to take advantage of the good resale value and get my first EV.

 

[rfrancis073]

Currently driving 2019 Lexus ES300h Luxury edition in Atomic Silver. Wife has a 2021 RAV4 Prime SE in Magnetic Gray. Love both vehicles but the Prime has opened my eyes to EV’s (not that the Lexus isn’t efficient as it’s averaged 45.5 mpg over the 23,000 miles driven). Will use Prime for longer road trips and BZ for everything else, at least everything not requiring more than 2 to 3 charging stops for now.

 

[ElectricAvenue]

Currently driving 2019 Lexus ES300h Luxury edition in Atomic Silver. Wife has a 2021 RAV4 Prime SE in Magnetic Gray. Love both vehicles but the Prime has opened my eyes to EV’s (not that the Lexus isn’t efficient as it’s averaged 45.5 mpg over the 23,000 miles driven). Will use Prime for longer road trips and BZ for everything else, at least everything not requiring more than 2 to 3 charging stops for now. View attachment 660 View attachment 662

What kind of fuel economy are you getting in the RAV4 Prime in relation to the Lexus? With the ES, given the prices of used cars you should get a good chunk of change to offset the bZ's price.

 

[ElectricAvenue]

2015 Ford Escape Titanium. Only 50k miles and has been a great vehicle. Hope to take advantage of the good resale value and get my first EV.
View attachment 659

Welcome to the forum @seapickle63! Looks like a clean Escape, have you had it since new? What sold you on the bZ as your first EV?

 

[rfrancis073]

What kind of fuel economy are you getting in the RAV4 Prime in relation to the Lexus? With the ES, given the prices of used cars you should get a good chunk of change to offset the bZ's price.

The RAV4 Prime is giving me (from the display) a combined 62.5 MPG with Hybrid/EV combination. That's calculated on how much energy is provided by a gallon of gas converted to electricity. In reality, KY has very cheap electric rates so if going by the price of gas is used, it's more near a 100MPG range in equivalent dollars in gas vs electric.

If my wife didn't go to her dad's house several times a month, it would be much higher but can't complain as it's averaging at least 40 MPG on gas alone.

 

[Toyota Kei Car]

I have nothing special😞...

Dodge Durango and Ford Fusion

 

[seapickle63]

Welcome to the forum @seapickle63! Looks like a clean Escape, have you had it since new? What sold you on the bZ as your first EV?

Thanks, yes I bought it new and have taken good care of it. I’ve always liked and trusted Toyota so I decided to join the green revolution. However my local dealer told me they would be marking the price up another 10k at least. I’m out of the market now.

 

[fdtoader]

Currently driving a 2019 RAV 4 XSE Hybrid, Blue Print and I really love it. Prior to this I had a 2017 RAV 4 Limited Hybrid, another RAV4 Limited (gas), two Prius cars, a Matrix XR, a 4 Runner and started with a Camry way back in late 90's. I've been a Toyota guy for quite sometime.

 

[Auryride4]

I'm driving my 13th Toyota, a 2017 CHR, now with a 65.000 KM on te clock.
Would like the get as my 14th model the Small Crossover the EV version of the New 2023? Model of the CHR, I think would be the bZ3X? Of mayby part smaller the bZ2X.

 

[kingrikk]

Currently have a RAV4 2021 Dynamic FWD Hybrid.

That's my third Toyota, and that's being traded in for a bZ4x because used RAV4's are selling for as much as new ones, so I might as well use the extra money while I can, cause it's not going to be there in three years time.

 

[osiris11]

Pruis 2015 V and Prius 2010 with tech package.