Posted at 11:45 a.m.
Big family
I am a convinced “electric motorist” with a 2016 Chevrolet Volt (90,000 km) and a 2013 Nissan Leaf (70,000 km). My spouse and I haven’t done a lot of mileage per year since the pandemic and we don’t plan to do a lot in the next few years due to telecommuting. We need to change one of our two cars since we have a 6 year old daughter and are expecting twins. Our current cars lack the space to accommodate the three child seats. So I’m looking for a plug-in hybrid minimum minivan-style electric car with seven seats. Unfortunately, I can’t find anything satisfying under $55,000 to be accessible for electric car credit. There is the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, but reliability at Chrysler scares me. I’m hesitating between waiting a year hoping for new seven-seater electric models to come out in Quebec or buying a Toyota Sienna right away while mourning the fact that I don’t pollute during my transportation. Do you have an idea of what is coming on the market in the next few years? With this information and knowing that I will want to migrate to a plug-in hybrid van as soon as an interesting option is available, what do you suggest?
Simon T.
You don’t have much choice right now. We cannot tell you about the intentions of the manufacturers, with the exception of Volkswagen, which is preparing to produce (2024) the Id.Buzz with eight seats. For now, the Canadian management has not much to say about this vehicle (availability, characteristics, nomenclature, etc.), but a well-informed source tells us that it will be very expensive to acquire. That said, it is unlikely that manufacturers will accelerate the electric transition of this segment, which is not very popular today. Currently, priority is given to utility vehicles and vans. In your situation and taking into account your concern for preserving the environment, the Sienna is undoubtedly your best choice with fuel consumption of less than 7 L/100 km (measured during our test bench).
Take a number
PHOTO PROVIDED BY SUBARU
Subaru Outback
My lease ends in a little over a year, and with delivery delays, I have to start shopping for an electric model to replace it. The Outback XT Premier meets our needs as an active retired couple perfectly and I particularly like the suspension balance. I don’t tow a trailer, but I hook two e-bikes on hitch (130 lbs) that the Outback carries very well. What electric vehicles (SUV or wagon) would you recommend I look at that would offer similar space, comfort, handling and performance (including four-wheel drive for winter)? At the moment, our list includes the GV60, Q4, Mach-E, and possibly a bit smaller vehicles like the Soltera, EV6 or Ioniq 5, XC-40, if they can handle the load. Do you have an order of preference for the trials? If it is better to wait a few years to see the market offer (or validate) new models, like the Vinfast, I have no hesitation in buying back my Outback at the end of the lease and delaying the transition.
Serge P.
You don’t mention the year, mileage or condition of your vehicle. If your current vehicle still meets your expectations and considering the current delivery times (some readers in the Eastern Townships, for example, tell us four or five years for certain models), it would probably be wiser to keep it and keep an eye on technological development and the arrival of new models. They will be many. This waiting time will also allow you to validate the performance of young shoots (VinFast, Lucid Air and others).
Another ?
PHOTO PROVIDED BY TOYOTA
Toyota Camry Hybrid
Since 2002, we have owned a Toyota Camry which is at the end of its useful life. This car has done us good service. We are looking for a vehicle that consumes little fuel and is reliable, comfortable and has a good reputation for the next 15 years. Do you have any suggestions for us?
Sylvain G.
If you were satisfied with your current vehicle, why not get its most recent version, but this time powered by a hybrid engine? This matches your criteria. You could also consider the Corolla Hybrid, whose interior dimensions hardly have to envy those of your current Camry.
Air quality
PHOTO PROVIDED BY SUBARU
PZEV technology is used at Subaru.
I would like to know if Subaru’s PZEV technology could be an effective and economical solution to reduce CO emissions2 in the air.
Peter L.
It is a solution, indeed, but this one is not exclusive to Subaru, it should be corrected. This technology indeed contributes to better air quality, but has no positive impact on fuel consumption and does not lead to a reduction in CO emissions.2.