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Which PHEV / EV is good? Speculate a car

  • 26-05-2026 02:21PM
    #1
    Maxxey
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 26 ✭


    newish 2020+

    budget 30-60k

    Fuel type:

    Would prefer PHEV and import from NI for good discount if present / makes sense

    Open to EV as I have solar, but I can also expense fuel for now (not mileage)

    I don't drive that much - maybe 20k km max a year.
    60% city, 20% country roads 20% motorway, f.ex. driving to Dublin Airport (2hrs)

    Currently use and would be keeping for partner to learn on:

    Yaris Hybrid 2014

    Would enjoy:

    Similarly reliable car hence (2022/2023 Takumi NX450+ // new RAV4 2026 also enticing) - I don't want to break down on the side of the
    road please or otherwise have giant service expenses - hence Lexus/Toyota leaning over MB/german other high end ones.

    Safety improvements - current car shows driver right leg side can be damaged in crashes.

    Air quality improvements - nice to filter out smoke, PM etc

    Noise improvements - current car noisy as hell on motorways, microphone for BT also not good. Audio speaker improvements would be
    great too. Surely noticable in a 10 year newer car though.

    Cameras to record hit and runs, attempted thefts

    Wireless phone charging / usb ports on car.

    More comfortable seats - for taller people 6ft+ - not heavy people.

    Cars that could work for me but any advice appreciated -

    NX450 (Takumi level trim from NI - 2022/23 models for best value)

    C300e mercedes (2022+ model)

    E300e mercedes (kinda pushing the budget though as 2024 model had improvements/facelift)

    Was considering Tesla - but the whole news articles about emergency door handles not working / being impossible to find in emergency put
    me off. 

    What do ya'll think? I'm not in a rush to buy one, so could even wait until next year.



Comments

  • #2
    MojoMaker
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,062 ✭✭✭MojoMaker


    Manual door release mechanism on a Tesla is barely a couple of centimetres from the door open buttons for driver and passenger doors, and in the floor of the door pockets for rear seat passengers. None difficult to know about or reach.

    What you are reading is called FUD - the same kind of "information" that suggests Trump is the greatest world leader that ever lived etc.

    What kind of Mad Max vista are you contemplating with thefts, hit & runs and emergency door releases? 😅

    Lexus Phev would be ideal I think - smart looking cars, loaded with cool tech and very reliable.



  • #3
    ...Ghost...
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 6,106 ✭✭✭...Ghost...


    You’re describing a Model Y.

    manual door release is just above the button release and is often mistaken as the opener. The rear releases are a bit odd being in the door storage under a pull flap. You can attach pull cords to them if you want.

    Every car will have some compromise. Personally I wouldn’t bother with PHEV if your budget is over 20k, but I’m sure it suits some.

    Stay Free



  • #4
    pah
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 644 ✭✭✭pah


    You say you're open to EV as "you have solar" Almost nobody charges their EV or PHEV from solar and that's the way it will stay until exporting solar to the grid no longer makes financial sense.

    EV beats PHEV in almost all use cases IMO



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