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Hybrid cars with big boots

89 replies

Myneedycat · 18/10/2023 12:47

Advice needed in the best hybrid car with a big boot which is economical in fuel for long motorway journeys.
I have thought about
Ford Kuga
Honda CRV
Kia Sportage
Skoda Superb

Not all of these are available in hybrid though. Currently we have a petrol car which drinks fuel.

OP posts:
Caspianberg · 20/10/2023 06:40

Electric would be ideal though, you say most of your travel is just around town. So day to day it will be no problem, and for the three longer motorway trips a year just look on trip route for chargers. When we just potter around town, we only charge it once a month on average, which you could do with normal plug at home if space ( just takes longer but rarely matters), or pop in somewhere locally like supermarkets which you shop.

The Id4 has a really good range. It’s up to 550km, and this summer it was always at 510-520km so pretty much does the max. We did two long journeys which were both 1000km+ trips (600 ish each way), and only charged it once each way which was where we stayed overnight. But we also stopped off a few times at motorway services (toilet and toddler run around), and there was always plenty of chargers with at least half empty.

Both trips were around 3 weeks long, so boot had everything needed for 2 adults and a 3 year old for that time. Nothing was packed onto back seats as I wanted that clear incase one of us had to sit with toddler if fussy. Had large and small suitcase, large hold-all, pram, kids toilet seat!, 12’’ bike, swim floats and life vest, beach toys, coats, and other crap I’m sure.

The new Peugeot 3008 electric is out next year. A much more reasonable price than many, and looks really good space wise. And does up to 700km.

AnotherEmma · 20/10/2023 07:26

Myneedycat · 19/10/2023 22:43

Yes I do but worried
about motorway driving or driving in places where there are few or no chargers. Also having to get one installed.

But that's exactly why you get a hybrid! It runs on petrol when it runs out of charge!

ReturnOfTheRainMac · 20/10/2023 07:39

Just get a diesel. They are built for motorway miles and EU6 are as clean as petrols with massive efficiency increases.

For a mild hybrid, Volvo, Toyota and Lexus.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Myneedycat · 20/10/2023 09:09

ReturnOfTheRainMac · 20/10/2023 07:39

Just get a diesel. They are built for motorway miles and EU6 are as clean as petrols with massive efficiency increases.

For a mild hybrid, Volvo, Toyota and Lexus.

I had one before my current car. It kept getting blocked particulate filters as most of my driving is around town. Also there are diesel fines coming in soon where I live. The environment is a big concern obviously too.

OP posts:
Myneedycat · 20/10/2023 09:11

Caspianberg · 20/10/2023 06:40

Electric would be ideal though, you say most of your travel is just around town. So day to day it will be no problem, and for the three longer motorway trips a year just look on trip route for chargers. When we just potter around town, we only charge it once a month on average, which you could do with normal plug at home if space ( just takes longer but rarely matters), or pop in somewhere locally like supermarkets which you shop.

The Id4 has a really good range. It’s up to 550km, and this summer it was always at 510-520km so pretty much does the max. We did two long journeys which were both 1000km+ trips (600 ish each way), and only charged it once each way which was where we stayed overnight. But we also stopped off a few times at motorway services (toilet and toddler run around), and there was always plenty of chargers with at least half empty.

Both trips were around 3 weeks long, so boot had everything needed for 2 adults and a 3 year old for that time. Nothing was packed onto back seats as I wanted that clear incase one of us had to sit with toddler if fussy. Had large and small suitcase, large hold-all, pram, kids toilet seat!, 12’’ bike, swim floats and life vest, beach toys, coats, and other crap I’m sure.

The new Peugeot 3008 electric is out next year. A much more reasonable price than many, and looks really good space wise. And does up to 700km.

Thanks I will look wt the Peugeot . If you’re in the Highlands though, it’s a nightmare to find chargers!

OP posts:
Myneedycat · 20/10/2023 09:13

Someone mentioned a Toyota Corolla upthread. I’ve been reading about them and they sound great. Can anyone comment on boot size and the back seat space for passengers? They do a hatchback.

OP posts:
ErrolTheDragon · 20/10/2023 09:33

Myneedycat · 20/10/2023 09:13

Someone mentioned a Toyota Corolla upthread. I’ve been reading about them and they sound great. Can anyone comment on boot size and the back seat space for passengers? They do a hatchback.

I commented upthread ... I'd say it's well worth you taking a look and assessing it yourself.
Our DD is grown up so mostly it's just me and DH, it's certainly plenty big enough for us on holiday with 2 suitcases, walking gear, backpacks etc.
We've not had more than 2 adults in the back, which is fine, so I can't comment on how it'd be for 3 people.
We do a mix of town driving inc CAZ zones, quite a lot of motorway driving, but also lanes and narrow roads in the West Country, cumbria and Scotland where we wouldn't want to be driving a huge wider vehicle. (And those inevitably have poorer fuel efficiency, that's physics).

Myneedycat · 20/10/2023 10:23

ErrolTheDragon · 20/10/2023 09:33

I commented upthread ... I'd say it's well worth you taking a look and assessing it yourself.
Our DD is grown up so mostly it's just me and DH, it's certainly plenty big enough for us on holiday with 2 suitcases, walking gear, backpacks etc.
We've not had more than 2 adults in the back, which is fine, so I can't comment on how it'd be for 3 people.
We do a mix of town driving inc CAZ zones, quite a lot of motorway driving, but also lanes and narrow roads in the West Country, cumbria and Scotland where we wouldn't want to be driving a huge wider vehicle. (And those inevitably have poorer fuel efficiency, that's physics).

Sounds ideal. Do you have the hatchback?

OP posts:
ReturnOfTheRainMac · 20/10/2023 10:29

@Myneedycat oh sorry - missed that part. I thought it was motorway miles 🤦🏼‍♀️ I don't think Diesel fines are for new models are they? My 2015 model is ulez compliant.

The environment is of course a concern but they aren't the devil we've recently been told they are - more so than any other at least.

MrsElijahMikaelson1 · 20/10/2023 11:28

I have a hybrid Kia sorrento. It’s great. Really efficient and those extra 2 fully safety rated seats are often in use.

ErrolTheDragon · 20/10/2023 14:56

Sounds ideal. Do you have the hatchback?

Yeah, they call it 'touring sport' though iirc. Not a saloon, anyhow.

MetaMette · 21/10/2023 15:31

Touring sport is the estate version, the hatchback has a much smaller boot space. When we looked the Corolla Touring Sport looked like it had slightly less boot space than the Auris Touring Sport which is what we had previously, which is why we ended up with a Rav4

Butteredtoast55 · 21/10/2023 16:48

I adore my RAV4 hybrid. It is a bit petrol-thirsty, mainly because most of my driving tends to be off-battery. I'd wholeheartedly recommend it.

ErrolTheDragon · 21/10/2023 17:23

Oh, I didn't know there was a smaller hatchback Corolla. Tbh I'm only aware of seeing the type we've got.

Re the petrol engine (not sure if this applies to all hybrids) - because it is augmented by the electric motor they can use a different design (Atkinson cycle)that would be lower power alone but is more efficient than the usual type.

DNAexpert · 21/10/2023 18:11

I have a Kia Sportage. Love it. But don't like the new shape. Have just ordered a Hyundai Tucson. Boot space is same size as Sportage and drives very similarly to this. They're owned by the same people so much of the interior is the same.

I was very anti electric. However the Tucson do a plug in hybrid. I was also anti plug in anything. Then I test drove the Tucson 1.6 plug in hybrid. It's fantastic. Gives me 35 miles to tootle around town and recharges as I do so. So I won't have to plug it in 95% of the time.

If I drive further or more aggressively so it runs out of the electric miles, then it'll automatically change from electric to petrol when the 35 miles is up. It has a 45 litre petrol tank which is about 500 miles.

The fuel economy therefore means it'll cost me 10p per mile if I have to plug it in to recharge it compared to my current very economic diesel which costs 17p per mile. If I drive smoothly, it will be free.

Also has 20% of the emissions compared to diesel.

I loved it.

Myneedycat · 26/10/2023 05:32

Currently almost sold on a Honda CRV hybrid self charging. The rear seat space is pretty cramped but other than that it’s great.

OP posts:
Myneedycat · 26/10/2023 05:33

DNAexpert · 21/10/2023 18:11

I have a Kia Sportage. Love it. But don't like the new shape. Have just ordered a Hyundai Tucson. Boot space is same size as Sportage and drives very similarly to this. They're owned by the same people so much of the interior is the same.

I was very anti electric. However the Tucson do a plug in hybrid. I was also anti plug in anything. Then I test drove the Tucson 1.6 plug in hybrid. It's fantastic. Gives me 35 miles to tootle around town and recharges as I do so. So I won't have to plug it in 95% of the time.

If I drive further or more aggressively so it runs out of the electric miles, then it'll automatically change from electric to petrol when the 35 miles is up. It has a 45 litre petrol tank which is about 500 miles.

The fuel economy therefore means it'll cost me 10p per mile if I have to plug it in to recharge it compared to my current very economic diesel which costs 17p per mile. If I drive smoothly, it will be free.

Also has 20% of the emissions compared to diesel.

I loved it.

I don’t understand. If it self charges and then switches to petrol, why would you need to plug it in at all?

OP posts:
Myneedycat · 26/10/2023 05:34

MrsElijahMikaelson1 · 20/10/2023 11:28

I have a hybrid Kia sorrento. It’s great. Really efficient and those extra 2 fully safety rated seats are often in use.

Is it self charging ?

OP posts:
MamaToABeautifulBoy · 26/10/2023 06:50

Volvo XC60. Boot fits my baby’s huge off road pushchair and weekly shopping. Really good size boot and gorgeous car.

Myneedycat · 26/10/2023 07:02

I had a Volvo years ago. The parts are expensive and so is servicing. They are good cars though.

OP posts:
TravellingSpoon · 26/10/2023 07:13

Emma543 · 18/10/2023 12:58

Hyundai Tucson

This.

I really like mine, if you don't mind all the beeping it seems to make all the time.

I can fir a wheelchair and a weeks shopping in my boot.

reluctantbrit · 26/10/2023 07:16

We have a Skoda Superb and it does come as a plug-in hybrid. The hatchback boot is small, the battery is underneath it but we opted for the estate and it's really spacious.

We bought the hybrid as we mainly drive short-distance and depending on the season we cover 25-35 miles (less in winter, it makes a huge difference). We have it a year now and only filled up twice as we had longer day trips.

I would happily chose the car again.

ErrolTheDragon · 26/10/2023 08:29

I don’t understand. If it self charges and then switches to petrol, why would you need to plug it in at all?

I think the idea is that if most of what you do is short urban trips, you can recharge it and

ErrolTheDragon · 26/10/2023 08:31

..whoops... you recharge it and can do all your driving on the battery so zero emissions at point of use. The petrol would only be needed for longer journeys.

MrsElijahMikaelson1 · 26/10/2023 09:45

@Myneedycat my Kia sorrento is a plug in hybrid. There is a self charging version though. The great thing is the 7 year warranty and the number of extras that are normally charged for in other makes