QUALITY SCORES, EV DEPRECIATION, NEW SUBARU HYBRID & MORE // QCC #148

EV Channels Review

This episode of Motormouth's QCC tackles a diverse range of automotive topics, from the future of the Mazda CX-5 and EV depreciation to the practicality of winter driving a Mazda MX-5 and the nuances of plug-in hybrid engine usage. The hosts discuss the potential for a new Mazda CX-5 hybrid, possibly adopting the CX-60 nameplate, and anticipate updates across the automotive market in response to the upcoming RAV4 hybrid. They delve into the reasons behind EV depreciation, drawing parallels with luxury car depreciation, and explore the uncertainty surrounding government EV mandates and their impact on the market. The Subaru Crosstrek hybrid is previewed with cautious optimism, while the Kia K4 hatchback's Canadian arrival remains unconfirmed. The discussion on winter Miata driving highlights the need for proper tires and driving technique, though the hosts personally prefer not to use it year-round in snow. A significant portion is dedicated to clarifying whether a plug-in hybrid's gasoline engine can remain essentially new if only driven in EV mode, with the consensus leaning towards intermittent engine use for lubrication and maintenance, even in theoretically EV-only driving scenarios. Finally, the hosts question the over-reliance on quality scores, suggesting that real-world owner experiences can sometimes differ from reported data, and touch upon Acura's potential hybrid offerings amidst a shifting EV landscape.