Hybrid cars, and which ones are available these days

Forums › Transport (cars, bikes and boats) › Hybrid cars, and which ones are available these days

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#2911660 8-May-2022 17:37

From what I can tell, the Kia Niro is about the smallest PHEV available here at the moment (random second hand imports excepted). And it’s really not that small.

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#2911667 8-May-2022 19:06

Actually the Kia Niro is no longer available as the current generation is sold out and the new generation is a few months away.

That would probably make the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross the smallest PHEV currently available.

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#2911693 8-May-2022 20:33

If I decide to get a Nissan eNote (the hybrid one) does anyone know a place in Auckland to get spare parts - preferably (if possible) on the Shore? I'd want to get those side window visors; a neighbour of mine used to call them "monsoon visors" as I've noticed a fair few of them don't have them. Would they be easy to apply?

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#2912077 9-May-2022 22:00

quickymart:
If I decide to get a Nissan eNote (the hybrid one) does anyone know a place in Auckland to get spare parts - preferably (if possible) on the Shore? I'd want to get those side window visors; a neighbour of mine used to call them "monsoon visors" as I've noticed a fair few of them don't have them. Would they be easy to apply?

One of the reasons not to buy that model is finding spare parts won't be cheap/easy.
Prius C/ Aqua beats Nissan Note e-power from many aspects, including access to spare parts.
Also - FYI: Note doesn't have spare wheel (Prius C does).
Note starts gasoline engine straight away, Aqua doesn't. Entering / exiting garage in Aqua is fume less.
P.S. As for the question about side window liners - Toyota sells what you ask as a spare parts, perhaps Nissan does too. Ask them.

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#2915054 17-May-2022 13:07

I have been looking at PHEV's lately (not ready to go all EV because of the cost) and have narrowed it down to either the Ford Escape PHEV

https://www.ford.co.nz/suv/escape/models/escape-st-line-x-phev-fwd/

or Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

https://www.mmnz.co.nz/spec/full/ds9xls45

The Ford is the top of the line model while the Mitsubishi is the second from the top

Liked the Ford when we drove it. Then drove the Outlander and it's very nice also but we do have a concern (to be tested out this weekend) that it might not quite fit nicely in the garage with our other car.

The Mitsubishi seems a bit more high-tech but then the Ford has the very cute assisted parking mode and the powered tail gate which is only available on the top of the line Mitsubishi

Just wondered if people had any personal experiences with either car that they can relate

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#2915056 17-May-2022 13:11

Not seen the ford, had a 2014 outlander for a couple years, it was ok

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#2915096 17-May-2022 14:01

lchiu7:

I have been looking at PHEV's lately (not ready to go all EV because of the cost) and have narrowed it down to either the Ford Escape PHEV……..or Outlander PHEV…….

Just wondered if people had any personal experiences with either car that they can relate

I went through looking at the Escape and Outlander PHEVs before getting my Model 3. I was lucky at the time because the rebate meant the final cost difference between the PHEVs and the M3 was negligible. Tesla has since increased the price by $6000.

We are now investigating ditching our other car (Ford Focus) in favour of a PHEV and have revisited the Escape (ST-Line). It is effectively a tall Focus albeit about 120mm longer. It is the higher ride height that attracts the principal driver. The only downside to it is front wheel drive, but then so is the Focus. It does have a spare wheel (bonus imo). Ford servicing is expensive. Electric/Petrol transition is smooth but perceptible. It has the same technology as Toyota hybrids which is a plus in my book.

Its interesting you mention the size of the Outlander. The new model is big! Possibly due to its squarer shape, it seems bigger than the old model (haven’t done any dimension comparisons). For that reason I took the Eclipse Cross for a extended test. It looked bigger in our garage despite being very similar dimensions to the Escape. Once again possibly because Mitsubishi’s current design language is very angular. I liked the way the hybrid system worked and it was extremely smooth. The only thing that really let it down was the dated infotainment. I don’t know if the new gen Outlander has better infotainment.

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#2915101 17-May-2022 14:11

Is there reasonable price Hybrid station wagons out there ? And I mean proper station wagons. Not these little "hatchback" style things or SUVs with curved boots which limit space.

We have a family dog who goes almost everywhere with us, so we would want something that he will be comfortable in, sitting in the boot space.

Do people just not want good old school style wagons like Mazda and Ford used to produce ?

Someone on Twitter (and they're a GZ user ;) ), asked why I was putting my dog before my kids future........ because the dog is part of our family too, does he not deserve some thought ?

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lchiu7

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#2915108 17-May-2022 14:18

Dingbatt:

lchiu7:

I have been looking at PHEV's lately (not ready to go all EV because of the cost) and have narrowed it down to either the Ford Escape PHEV……..or Outlander PHEV…….

Just wondered if people had any personal experiences with either car that they can relate

I went through looking at the Escape and Outlander PHEVs before getting my Model 3. I was lucky at the time because the rebate meant the final cost difference between the PHEVs and the M3 was negligible. Tesla has since increased the price by $6000.

We are now investigating ditching our other car (Ford Focus) in favour of a PHEV and have revisited the Escape (ST-Line). It is effectively a tall Focus albeit about 120mm longer. It is the higher ride height that attracts the principal driver. The only downside to it is front wheel drive, but then so is the Focus. It does have a spare wheel (bonus imo). Ford servicing is expensive. Electric/Petrol transition is smooth but perceptible. It has the same technology as Toyota hybrids which is a plus in my book.

Its interesting you mention the size of the Outlander. The new model is big! Possibly due to its squarer shape, it seems bigger than the old model (haven’t done any dimension comparisons). For that reason I took the Eclipse Cross for a extended test. It looked bigger in our garage despite being very similar dimensions to the Escape. Once again possibly because Mitsubishi’s current design language is very angular. I liked the way the hybrid system worked and it was extremely smooth. The only thing that really let it down was the dated infotainment. I don’t know if the new gen Outlander has better infotainment.

The Outlander looks big but then I compared the specs with my 540i (E34) which it will be replacing ( :-( ) and it's 4710mm long versus the 4720mm of the BMW so it's actually shorter! It's wider though, 1862 versus 1750 but that should still allow our two cars to fit in the garage. Really didn't check the Infotainment system but it seemed okay and anyway, most of the time would be using Apple Car Play or Android Auto depending who is driving the car. The dealer said the tech in the new Outlander is way better than the Eclipse cross since it's much newer. The only points I would consider is the top of the range Outlander is $74K and the Ford is $67K with about the same features. These include the LED headlights, Head Up Display (though the Mitsubishi HUD is much better than the Fords), smart assisted parking, powered rear deck etc.

So I am now leaning back toward the Ford.

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#2915111 17-May-2022 14:24

@ichiu7
You are lucky to have garage that long.
If mine were long enough, I'd go for Camry Hybrid - very comfortable to drive (hence Taxi' best choice).
Long base plus excellent suspension, better than in Corolla, for example...

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#2915126 17-May-2022 14:46

RUKI: @ichiu7
You are lucky to have garage that long.
If mine were long enough, I'd go for Camry Hybrid - very comfortable to drive (hence Taxi' best choice).
Long base plus excellent suspension, better than in Corolla, for example...

It's actually longer than that but the previous owner (and first owner/builder) installed a wine cabinet/storage area at the back which is 1m deep. Also my wife wants to sit high so that rules out the Camry plus I want a PHEV, not a Hybrid

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#2915149 17-May-2022 15:05

xpd:

Do people just not want good old school style wagons like Mazda and Ford used to produce ?

No. SUVs have almost entirely displace the station wagon. Station wagons are now a niche segment.

quickymart

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#2940565 10-Jul-2022 21:45

Had a look inside a (hybrid) Nissan eNote today, I quite like the layout and size, it seems like it just might be suitable for my needs. The dealer mentioned he had sold 3 today, I suspect I was looking at the last one he had on the yard.

Not a fan of Toyota, I'm sure they're good cars but I prefer the layout etc in a Nissan.

How much fuel would a hybrid Note typically use on a lengthy drive, say, Auckland to Wellington? Or a day trip, Auckland-Coromandel return?

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#2940834 11-Jul-2022 21:27

Also, found this - a pretty good (NZ) review. 37.2kms a litre is quite appealing right now - Auckland to Wellington and back for around $100 driving? I'm sold! 😃

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#2940843 11-Jul-2022 21:44

Nissan Singapore says 4.6l per 100km:

https://www.nissan.com.sg/vehicles/new/noteepower/Performance.html#:~:text=Experience%20a%20fun%20and%20improved,L%2F100km%20on%20your%20drives!

Different model? I could not see a figure on Nissan NZ epower note.

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