hybrid

Reading your review of the BMW X1 plug-in hybrid, can you advise if the engine can charge the drive battery as that battery is the only source of power for the four-wheel drive?

Need to replace a very reliable 12-year-old Toyota Corolla Verso that was bought to accommodate three child seats. Mostly city driving, only 100k on said Verso. Now looking at a hybrid SUV, which would need to fit three teens. Any tips on best SUVs with space in rear seats?

Hi,

Do you know what the zero emission mileage would be for a BMW 3 Series 330e M Sport four-door saloon petrol/electric automatic?

Many thanks if you can find this information

Just reading an article about the ongoing theft of catalytic converters in hybrid cars. The article didn't specify the type of hybrid cars involved. Are there similar catalytic converters robbable in plug-in hybrid cars?

Thanks

Philip

Hi lads,

I'm trying to decide between a 2016 BMW 320d or a 330e... I do about 40,000km a year, my work commute is three days local (about a 50km round trip) and two days to Dublin (350km round trip). I live in the countryside as well, so not an urban driver as such. I'd like to move away from diesel, but I'm concerned that I won't at least match my current mpg on my existing diesel Audi A5.

Any thoughts would be most welcome!

Thanks, Brian

Hey there, I love your site, the content is great and I have been reading it for a while now. I have a question you might be able to help me with.

I am looking to buy a used Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and have two options as per below and would love your opinion on which one to go for - basically the highest spec version of the second generation model for €17.5k or the second highest spec version of the third-generation version for €19.5k...

Option 1 -  2015(1) Second Generation PHEV 5hs
- This is the top of the line spec with red leather interior, all heated seats, Alpine stereo system
- This one has 23k miles on the clock
- Price - €17,500 (with a trade-in for my banged up Opel Meriva)

Option 2 - 2015 (2) Third Generation PHEV 4hs
- This is the newer model of the PHEV
- It is high spec but not quite as many bells and whistles as the above
- This one has 30k miles on the clock
- Price - €19,500 (with the trade-in)

Thank you

Hi,

Looking at your review of the T8 Volvo V60, I have a couple of questions. It has, according to the stats, great 0-100km/h acceleration. I presume this is based on the electric and petrol motors combined. Would it not be the case that in any longish journey the battery will have been "used up" earlier or does it also recharge the battery from the engine? I'm assuming not, but I don't know.

Do you have any idea of the likely cost of a 7.5kW wall charger? Finally, can I ask, am I correct that there isn't a great deal of difference in the boot space between the V60 and V90?

Thanks

Philip

I am a disabled driver and use hand controls for the brake and accelerator. For the last 12 years I have driven a Honda Accord 2.0 petrol automatic. It has been a fantastic car and now has 260k km on the clock. I am looking for a higher vehicle, an SUV, and am looking at the Honda CR-V Hybrid, Toyota RAV4 Hybrid and the Volkswagen Tiguan (I could wait for the hybrid later in the year). I live in rural Ireland and handling on twisty roads is important and accelerating to pass slower moving cars on those all too few straight stretches of road. Is this a good shortlist, and if so, which would you recommend?

Do you have a list of hybrids?

Thanks

Hi,

Hybrid cars, like the ones that Toyota uses rather than plug-ins, have been around for quite some time now. Have you any information on the long term costs of owning a hybrid compared with petrol or diesel, eg, battery life span and replacement costs, longevity of electric motor, servicing costs, CVT transmission, etc?

Thanks

Philip