QUESTION, COFFEE AND CARS. EPISODE #4

EV Channels Review

This episode of Motormouth's 'Questions, Coffee and Cars' tackles a wide array of automotive queries, from financial advice on car ownership duration to the persistent chip shortage impacting vehicle features. The hosts emphasize keeping a car for optimal financial benefit, cautioning against buying new solely for fuel savings. They discuss the ongoing chip shortage, noting its effect on features like heated seats and touchscreens, and advise checking dealership inventory for availability. Regarding vehicle comparisons, the hosts confirm noticeable second-row legroom differences in newer SUVs like the CR-V, Tucson, and Sportage compared to smaller models, while also highlighting the space efficiency of EVs. They delve into Canadian vs. US pricing disparities, attributing them to currency exchange rates and differing market demands for features and vehicle size. When asked about purchasing an EV under $60,000 CAD, neither host expresses strong personal desire for any current model, though they acknowledge liking the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, VW ID.4, and Audi Q4 e-tron, with a preference for the BMW i4 if AWD wasn't restricted by price. The discussion also touches on the potential comeback of sedans, the reliability concerns surrounding Hyundai and Kia engines (which they largely attribute to heavy cab usage and poor maintenance), and the merits of manual transmission ICE cars like the Mustang GT and Nissan Z. Finally, they recommend the Toyota Highlander Hybrid over the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV for families prioritizing space, despite the PHEV's better initial efficiency, due to the Highlander's overall practicality and consistent hybrid performance.