# Car PICKING advice? (Trying to find a mid-size or larger AWD SUV, preferably a plug-in hybrid) **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 23, 2025, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-picking-advice-trying-to-find-a-mid-size-or-larger-awd-suv-preferably-a-plug-in-hybrid/1021208 "2025-07-23T00:56:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2025, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-picking-advice-trying-to-find-a-mid-size-or-larger-awd-suv-preferably-a-plug-in-hybrid/1021208/21 "2025-07-29T19:38:38Z")
> [@Mama\_Zappa](#): > > if you need an internal combustion vehicle for a long trip, that’s a hundred bucks a day. You’d have to do a LOT of traveling before that added up to 15K. Zactly. Buy for the fat part of your envelope, not the corner cases. I dealt with that regularly when buying houses or condos. Friends wanted to buy one with an extra guest room. I didn’t buy that wasted room, but put my guests up at the Ritz Carlton. I spent much _less_ per year than they did on accomodating friends. And my friends got a real treat. If you need it every day, buy it. If you need it 10 days a year, rent it. Period. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2025, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-picking-advice-trying-to-find-a-mid-size-or-larger-awd-suv-preferably-a-plug-in-hybrid/1021208/22 "2025-07-29T20:17:30Z")
Minor counter point, though I agree with you on the greater points, and admitted so in my prior PHEV/BV thread. A PHEV can (notice can, not is) be the best of all worlds, while _simultaneously_ being the worst of all worlds. A lot depends on where you live, the charging infrastructure, the sort of home you live in and lots of other real world factors. We bought a PHEV when our previous plans (getting a BEV while having the remaining ICE until we traded that on a PHEV) for the long trips we take of 10-15 days of the year fell victim of a separate issue not quite addressed in your comment. The at-home charging option. For us, we found out that our home (built 1982) had a quite out-of-date panel, and to get a level 2 charger, meant a cost of $8-$13k and a wait on inspections, code confirmation, etc. And my car was dying, so a PHEV is worthwhile choice IF you’re limited to level one charging. And, by that standard, the PHEV premium is lower than needed work. But of course, we’d have gotten a fully upgraded panel out of it, the level 2 charger by itself would have been around $2k. And of course, you can charge a BEV over level one as well, but a bit more planning is involved. A similar but slightly more severe issue applies to a friend who wanted a BEV. He (at the time twoish years ago) rented an enclosed garage from his apartment complex. And they had power outlets in the garage (only one) but of course, he couldn’t have put in a level 2 charger there. So a PHEV was one of his top options, though he ended up going with a conventional hybrid, since he was planning on moving to a place without a private garage. So, I said it was a -minor- counter. Because if the PHEV you’re looking at has very limited all-electric range, I agree, the Premium you pay for such features is absurd (looking at the PHEV Crosstrek with judging eyes!). Longer end of all electric (the 42+ of our Rav4) for example, and it makes _more_ sense, though I wouldn’t give it a strong preference. Combine it with any number of issues (our personal issues with charging at home, our medium terrible local and regional charging issues, and Trump’s nuking of incentives to create and maintain such infrastructure?) and it becomes, quite literally a YMMV situation! ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2025, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-picking-advice-trying-to-find-a-mid-size-or-larger-awd-suv-preferably-a-plug-in-hybrid/1021208/23 "2025-07-29T20:22:14Z")
> [@Reply](#): > > along with two bikes on a hitch rack Is that the tubular steel thingy behind the tailgate in the high-five pic? And high-five on the new household wheels! ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2025, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-picking-advice-trying-to-find-a-mid-size-or-larger-awd-suv-preferably-a-plug-in-hybrid/1021208/24 "2025-07-30T00:39:28Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > Thanks for the great write-up. the whole thread has been very informative. Welcome! A few other resources that were really helpful for us: - [Edmunds.com](http://Edmunds.com) (as @madmonk28 pointed out, thanks for that!) - The [Edmunds YouTube Channel](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCF8e8zKZ_yk7cL9DvvWGSEw) is also very good, with clear and to-the-point videos without the fluff and HEY GUYS of your average YouTuber. They’re much higher quality. - [Carsized.com](https://www.carsized.com/en/cars/compare/subaru-solterra-2022-suv-vs-kia-ev9-2023-suv/) was very helpful for visually comparing different car sizes, like this Solterra vs EV9 comparison: [![](https://fightingignorance.org/5d9a53dc-3810-4083-8425-ad11d1acee42-dimensions-subaru-solterra-2022-present-vs-kia-ev9-2023-present-july-29-05-32-10-pm.jpg) ](https://fightingignorance.org/5d9a53dc-3810-4083-8425-ad11d1acee42-dimensions-subaru-solterra-2022-present-vs-kia-ev9-2023-present-july-29-05-32-10-pm.jpg) - [EVnavigation.com](http://EVnavigation.com) for auto-plotting charging stops from points A to B (with optional waypoints in the middle) > [@Mama\_Zappa](#): > > if you need an internal combustion vehicle for a long trip, that’s a hundred bucks a day. You’d have to do a LOT of traveling before that added up to 15K. > [@LSLGuy](#): > > Zactly. Buy for the fat part of your envelope, not the corner cases. Yeah, exactly! If the prices of the PHEVs and BEVs were closer (both upfront and over time, as in maintenance), we would’ve preferred the PHEV. I didn’t realize they were quite a bit more expensive, and harder to find. > [@jnglmassiv](#): > > Is that the tubular steel thingy behind the tailgate in the high-five pic? > > And high-five on the new household wheels! Thanks! And no, lol, that’s just a coincidentally positioned ski lift chair at the dealership. [![](https://fightingignorance.org/906d0621-5d63-4fb9-8de3-c0ba4258769e-2075-us-20-google-maps-july-29-05-37-36-pm.jpg) ](https://fightingignorance.org/906d0621-5d63-4fb9-8de3-c0ba4258769e-2075-us-20-google-maps-july-29-05-37-36-pm.jpg) [![](https://fightingignorance.org/3b438f8b-0c31-4daf-8898-1650fe565879-2075-us-20-google-maps-july-29-05-40-14-pm.jpg) ](https://fightingignorance.org/3b438f8b-0c31-4daf-8898-1650fe565879-2075-us-20-google-maps-july-29-05-40-14-pm.jpg) The actual bike rack we have is a [Kuat Piston Pro X](https://kuat.com/products/piston-pro-x?variant=47536709042474), which is _really_ good. But I need to get a hitch on the Solterra first. It has no towing capacity, unlike most Subarus, but can hold a tongue weight of up to 300 lbs or so. Good enough for a bike rack. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2025, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-picking-advice-trying-to-find-a-mid-size-or-larger-awd-suv-preferably-a-plug-in-hybrid/1021208/25 "2025-07-30T03:56:29Z")
> [@Reply](#): > > And no, lol, that’s just a coincidentally positioned ski lift chair at the dealership. Har! I wrote, deleted, wrote, edited, deleted, rewrote and posted the question since it looked like a shopping cart corral mounted to the tailgate and I wasn’t sure how to politely ask why you wanted that rusty POS bike rack put on her new car. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2025, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-picking-advice-trying-to-find-a-mid-size-or-larger-awd-suv-preferably-a-plug-in-hybrid/1021208/26 "2025-08-07T15:05:21Z")
> [@Reply](#): > > The [Hyundai Ioniq 5](https://www.hyundaiusa.com/us/en/vehicles/ioniq-5) was a very nice and futuristic car, full of creature comforts and a dramatically nicer interior compared to the Solterra. It was one of the only car UIs (user interfaces, as in the infotainment/dashboard electronics) that I’ve liked, but it was still a tad too touch-screeny for my partner. It also didn’t handle as well as the Solterra, with a lot of body roll on tight turns and a big turning radius. Coming from the low, tight Subarus, it was a hard adjustment, and made for some queasy high-speed turns. Like the EV6, seems like a really nice urban family car for occasional outdoor use, but also not quite right for us. The Solterra still had higher clearance, drove better, and was significantly more affordable. We didn’t really care about the in-cabin tradeoffs. Whereas Kia and Hyundai seems to prioritize creature comforts and a luxurious feel — it felt like captaining a starship — we just wanted something simple and rugged and cheap, which Subaru prioritizes more. Yesterday I came home with a 2022 Ioniq 5, and I _think_ I’m happy about it. The bad: - The car has a couple of damage spots: a detached panel in the trunk that could probably be reattached with some industrial-strength glue, and a star crack in the windshield that i need to research whether it’s been treated. I only noticed the crack on the drive home yesterday. - It has more miles on it than I’d like, somewhere around 54K. The previous owner must’ve had a long commute–which makes sense, since I bought it at a dealership in a distant suburb of Charlotte. - It currently takes _forever_ to recharge. Through a normal outlet, it’s charging at something like 1% an hour, about 4 miles an hour. That’ll work for in-town driving, but I gotta figure something out for distance driving. - It’s spendy. After the rebate, I got out the door at $17,500, which means I’ll be paying 4K a year for the next five years to pay it off. The good: - It’s electric! I’m very happy to be off the gas train (although my local power is natural-gas generated, so I’m only partly off that train). - It’s newer! I traded in a car with a casette player, the 2006 Camry I inherited from my mother-in-law. Having a car with built-in Bluetooth is already amazing. Lane change warnings? Holy crap! - It’s big! So much more storage than I’m used to. - My twelve-year-old, who never cared about cars before, spent hours researching the Ioniq 5, and more hours making an amazing Youtube-style review video of it and two other EVs. She’s over the moon. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2025, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-picking-advice-trying-to-find-a-mid-size-or-larger-awd-suv-preferably-a-plug-in-hybrid/1021208/27 "2025-08-07T15:28:03Z")
> [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > Mazda CX-70 or CX-90, depending on if you want 3 rows or not. You’ll have to check the storage space, but better engine than its competitors, and good interiors. I was also going to recommend Mazda. My CX-5 (gas only) is now nine years old and I’ve had zero problems with it. Great engine with excellent acceleration when needed. It looks like the newer hybrids get good reviews, also. ---
**Author:** ![bobsmom101](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobsmom101/32/2867_2.png) [@bobsmom101](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobsmom101)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2025, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-picking-advice-trying-to-find-a-mid-size-or-larger-awd-suv-preferably-a-plug-in-hybrid/1021208/28 "2025-08-07T15:40:58Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > It currently takes _forever_ to recharge. Through a normal outlet, it’s charging at something like 1% an hour, about 4 miles an hour. That’ll work for in-town driving, but I gotta figure something out for distance driving. I’m not sure about EVs, but my KIA Niro PHEV’s charger was regularly shutting itself off unexpectedly. It turns out that there is a secret button on the back that allows you to change the amperage draw from the outlet. My charger was set at the highest (12 amp) setting. I reduced it to 8 amps & no more problems, but it takes all night to charge. Maybe your charger was set at the lowest current by the previous user? If Hyundai’s manuals are as woefully inadequate as Kia’s (despite being roughly the size of the King James bible) you will probably have to Google the model of charger you have to find the secret button. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2025, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-picking-advice-trying-to-find-a-mid-size-or-larger-awd-suv-preferably-a-plug-in-hybrid/1021208/29 "2025-08-07T15:46:48Z")
4 miles per hour seems about right from a normal outlet. While it’s possible for many to make that work, it would be frustrating for me, even though I don’t put on a lot of miles. It was fine for our PHEVs, but once we switched to pure EV, I was very glad we have Level 2. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2025, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-picking-advice-trying-to-find-a-mid-size-or-larger-awd-suv-preferably-a-plug-in-hybrid/1021208/30 "2025-08-07T16:19:28Z")
Hey congrats all on the new stuff — myself also in this process. Having moved back to PR, if you’ve read news about us lately, I am not going for EV nor PHEV just out of the unreliability of the grid especially in hurricane season. > [@Chefguy](#): > > > [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > > > Mazda CX-70 or CX-90, depending on if you want 3 rows or not. You’ll have to check the storage space, but better engine than its competitors, and good interiors. > > It looks like the newer hybrids get good reviews Though their first-year in-house plug-ins apparently had teething problems, but I am also looking there. I always assume we should stay away from first-year-new models anyway because something always comes up. ---
**Author:** ![crazyjoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f14d63/32.png) [@crazyjoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crazyjoe)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2025, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-picking-advice-trying-to-find-a-mid-size-or-larger-awd-suv-preferably-a-plug-in-hybrid/1021208/31 "2025-08-07T16:29:55Z")
As someone who bought a Polestar 2 last December (I have a local dealer and got a crackin deal – 20k after rebate for a 2 year old car with 36k miles) I can assure you that you made the right decision about avoiding Polestar (I assume you looked at the Polestar 3, currently available with a 399/month lease with 5k cash down for a RWD model). While the driving experience is very good, the reliability is poor, with a number of infotainment related issues that years of work can’t seem to resolve. People have issues with the heat/AC not working, rear camera not working, and I can attest on the PS2 that random shit works one way today and will work the opposite tomorrow. Are they slowly resolving issues? Sure, but it’s 2025 (3 years after release of my car) and I still can’t depend on the rear camera, the radio is sometimes on when you start the car, sometimes not, the interface is super-laggy….it’s tolerable if you are a tolerant person who wants a cheap EV AND you have a local service area. If not, I’d advise to stay away. ---
**Author:** ![echoreply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/echoreply/32/3641_2.png) [@echoreply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/echoreply)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2025, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-picking-advice-trying-to-find-a-mid-size-or-larger-awd-suv-preferably-a-plug-in-hybrid/1021208/32 "2025-08-07T17:02:59Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > It currently takes _forever_ to recharge. Through a normal outlet, it’s charging at something like 1% an hour, about 4 miles an hour. That’ll work for in-town driving, but I gotta figure something out for distance driving. That sounds about right for charging off a regular 110 outlet. As you probably know, the only option is to find a way to provide a 220 outlet near the car. Check your electric utilities web page and see if they have any incentives or discounts related to installing a level 2 charger. Before looking at any outside the box options, get a couple of quotes from electricians for installing a 220 outlet or level 2 charger. It may be within your budget, and if so is going to be the easiest option. 30 amps (really, even 20) is plenty if you are limited by the available power or budget. If your electrical panel can support it, and the price difference is small, then go for 50 or 60 amps. Next, there are some outside the box options available if there are reasons not to install a 220 line. These are things like devices that will let your car share with an existing 220 outlet, like a dryer. If multiple 110 circuits are available, and they are on different legs of your power you can get setups to combine them into a 220 circuit. You should also familiarize yourself with local level 2 chargers. Apps like Plugshare, or just Google Maps can help. Free ones aren’t as common anymore, but still exist. Usually, they’re going to be much cheaper than level 3 chargers (but not always, check the price!), so might occasionally be useful when you can do things like leave the car there for 8 hours to get a full charge. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2025, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-picking-advice-trying-to-find-a-mid-size-or-larger-awd-suv-preferably-a-plug-in-hybrid/1021208/33 "2025-08-07T17:03:14Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > I was also going to recommend Mazda. I’m on my second Mazda3, they’ve been remarkably reliable. The Big Two enjoy the better reputation in the segment but I enjoy the lower cost. It’s comforting to know that, when I need to shop for a car again (not too soon), it’s just a matter of finding a Mazda3 deal. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2025, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-picking-advice-trying-to-find-a-mid-size-or-larger-awd-suv-preferably-a-plug-in-hybrid/1021208/34 "2025-08-07T17:04:56Z")
> [@echoreply](#): > > Usually, they’re going to be much cheaper than level 3 chargers (but not always, check the price!), so might occasionally be useful when you can do things like leave the car there for 8 hours to get a full charge. You might even find a free one. There are several in our area. (one at a grocery store, one at a restaurant.) ---
**Author:** ![Baal\_Houtham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baal_houtham/32/13604_2.png) [@Baal\_Houtham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baal_Houtham)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2025, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-picking-advice-trying-to-find-a-mid-size-or-larger-awd-suv-preferably-a-plug-in-hybrid/1021208/35 "2025-08-07T17:11:28Z")
> [@bobsmom101](#): > > It turns out that there is a secret button on the back that allows you to change the amperage draw from the outlet. My charger was set at the highest (12 amp) setting. I reduced it to 8 amps & no more problems, but it takes all night to charge. Apparently the Ionic 5 has a [similar control, as discussed here.](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Xkuq1-nacYs&t=5m19s) ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2025, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-picking-advice-trying-to-find-a-mid-size-or-larger-awd-suv-preferably-a-plug-in-hybrid/1021208/36 "2025-08-07T19:44:53Z")
> [@jnglmassiv](#): > > I’m on my second Mazda3, they’ve been remarkably reliable. My only beef with my car is that the suspension is too stiff; I feel every bump in the road. But on the plus side, it has the best AWD control of any car I’ve owned. Better than Jeep, better than my Chrysler, better than Honda. It’s really hard to make the car spin out in snow, and I’ve tried. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2025, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-picking-advice-trying-to-find-a-mid-size-or-larger-awd-suv-preferably-a-plug-in-hybrid/1021208/37 "2025-08-07T19:54:22Z")
> [@jnglmassiv](#): > > I’m on my second Mazda3, they’ve been remarkably reliable. My son is on his 2nd Mazda and he loves them. First one was a CX-5 and it is surprising it lasted as long as it did given the lack of maintenance from the previous owner. He bought a new CX-30 last year and it is great. I think they are sneaky reliable meaning no one talks about their reliability like they do about Toyota & Honda but I think Mazdas rank right up with them. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2025, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-picking-advice-trying-to-find-a-mid-size-or-larger-awd-suv-preferably-a-plug-in-hybrid/1021208/38 "2025-08-07T20:18:23Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > about Toyota & Honda but I think Mazdas rank right up with them Absolutely and especially at the low-mid compact tier my 3 is in. I think the CX-30 & 50 are probably excellent in their class and would reflexively start looking there if I was shopping for more of a trucky thing. I know a CX-50 and Mazda2 owners and they seem happy. > [@Chefguy](#): > > My only beef with my car is that the suspension is too stiff; I feel every bump in the road. That’s the Zoom-Zoom, another little secret among us Mazdapeeps. Great value, A+ dependabliliy, a little more pep in the step than a Tercel. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2025, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-picking-advice-trying-to-find-a-mid-size-or-larger-awd-suv-preferably-a-plug-in-hybrid/1021208/39 "2025-08-07T21:00:51Z")
> [@echoreply](#): > > That sounds about right for charging off a regular 110 outlet. As you probably know, the only option is to find a way to provide a 220 outlet near the car. > > Check your electric utilities web page and see if they have any incentives or discounts related to installing a level 2 charger. > > Before looking at any outside the box options, get a couple of quotes from electricians for installing a 220 outlet or level 2 charger. It may be within your budget, and if so is going to be the easiest option. 30 amps (really, even 20) is plenty if you are limited by the available power or budget. If your electrical panel can support it, and the price difference is small, then go for 50 or 60 amps. Yeah–this is where I’m at now. I just had an electrician out to do some work, including updating our ancient fuse box, with an eye toward a level 2 charger. We’re prepped, but he didn’t want to install a charger until I knew what kind of EV I would get. I was literally at the bank finalizing the loan when he called to say he’d finished all the other work and was leaving, so I’ll need to call the estimator back out and get it installed. Meanwhile there are two free L2 chargers a five-minute walk from where I work, at the Chamber of Commerce; I may see if I can park there once a week while I work so it can charge back up. > [@bobsmom101](#): > > I’m not sure about EVs, but my KIA Niro PHEV’s charger was regularly shutting itself off unexpectedly. It turns out that there is a secret button on the back that allows you to change the amperage draw from the outlet. My charger was set at the highest (12 amp) setting. I reduced it to 8 amps & no more problems, but it takes all night to charge. I already checked this, and it’s at the 12 amp charge now. Which is good, because I’m not seeing any response to my clicking the hidden button. Maybe it needs to be unplugged when I click it? In any case, since it’s working, just slowly, I’ll leave it be. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2025, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-picking-advice-trying-to-find-a-mid-size-or-larger-awd-suv-preferably-a-plug-in-hybrid/1021208/40 "2025-08-07T21:01:09Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > I think they are sneaky reliable meaning no one talks about their reliability like they do about Toyota & Honda but I think Mazdas rank right up with them. Consumer Reports and other car rankers love Mazda. The only one that’s been somewhat problematic was the original CX-9, I don’t think that’s continued to the 90. Their stock tires are pretty mediocre though, upgrade those at some point. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-picking-advice-trying-to-find-a-mid-size-or-larger-awd-suv-preferably-a-plug-in-hybrid/1021208.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/car-picking-advice-trying-to-find-a-mid-size-or-larger-awd-suv-preferably-a-plug-in-hybrid/1021208.md?page=3)