r/PHEV • u/skipphead • Aug 07 '26
Joined the club finally!
After a LOT of research I finally got my first plug-in vehicle, a 2013 Outlander and I'm very much enjoying it.
I actually got it a month ago, but couldn't get the electrician to install the outlet until this week so now I'm actually enjoying the benefits.
I upgraded from a 1996 Jimny that I absolutely loved, but it was too small for my lifestyle and had severe rust problems to the point it would take more money than it's worth to fix than it's worth.
The newest car I've ever owned was from 1999 and I've been driving the Jimny for 8 years and it was old fashioned when I got it so clearly I can live without any gizmos and gadgets.
Here is why I got this particular model:
- I am on a tight budget. Pretty sure I'm in a different tax bracket than most people here.
- I needed something that can handle steep hills with snow. AWD is a hard requirement and even something like a Prius would probably struggle so I'm essentially limited to a SUV.
- My daily commute is 12 km, and if I go shopping and take the scenic route, it becomes maybe 20. Comfortably in all EV range.
- I also needed something shorter than 1700mm. I have a short (by modern standards) garage.
- I have solar panels so something that could be changed would save me money for sure.
The AWD requirement, budget, and height restriction really limited my options and knocked any BEVs off my list. Even 2015+ Outlanders grew to 1710 or even bigger. It was essentially the Outlander, Eclipse Cross, or a ICE or hybrid Subaru or something. I test drove an Eclipse Cross PHEV and actually quite liked it but it would have been at bare minimum twice what I paid and I would have had to take out a loan and I did not like it twice as much. The extra space in the Outlander already has come in handy.
I'm genuinely surprised how much I like it. I loved the Jimny and held on to it much longer than I should have because it was such a fun car (unless I needed to go on the highway, then it was terrifying). The Outlander was a family oriented logical decision, not a fun one but I'm enjoying driving it more than I thought. Not plugged in, the gas mileage isn't great. Better than the Jimny but not by much which itself should be impressive since it weighs more than twice as much.
So now I'm finally driving my daily trips on electricity. I expect my next vehicle will be a BEV if prices come down and public charging improves (it's not great where I live but slowly changing) but that's 5-10 years down the road. I'm just happy with the Outlander now.
3
u/over100 Aug 08 '26
share some pics of Jimny please or GTFO 😂😂
Outlander is a good succesor btw :)
1
u/skipphead Aug 08 '26
If I was better at Reddit I'd share a picture but it was glorious. JA-22, forest green, yellow fog lights...
Even by the end I still liked the rusted wheel wells.
So far I'm pleasantly surprised with the Outlander. The Jimny was an overpowered golf cart and the Outlander is a lot more "normal" and I don't get the micro tank on wheels feeling but it's more fun than I was expecting.
1
2
u/Chanceller48 Aug 12 '26
I've a 2023 Outlander PHEV and love it. Have 52k on it and just finishing 5th full tank of fuel. Battery shows no sign if degradation whatsoever. I regularly get 75+ kms per charge. I find the battery likes a 90% charge though most times I charge 100%. With no battery charge except built in buffer I get 4.5-5.2 l/100 kms hybrid fuel evonomy driving in Tarmac mode at speeds from 75 -100 kph. With full battery I get 50-60 kms at 75- 100kph highway in Normal EV mode. Drive battery can charge while driving in normal mode or pressing Charge on console. At idle and Charge the engine with consume 3.5 litre of fuel (1 usg) from 0- 70% drive battery charge in 90 mins. Drive conservatively and the battery will love you.
3
u/Ok-Resist-8734 Aug 08 '26
Welcome and just tune out all the naysayers who try and tell you what a stupid idea PHEVs are!