Yes, we’re pleased. One of the reasons we picked the Prime was the advertised 42 mile EV only range. Based on the changing estimates (the computer tries to account for weather, driving patterns, etc) my wife’s use is almost entirely within the car’s “Economy” setting, so we’ll be expecting an actual all-EV range of nearly 50 in perfect weather (like now) dropping to 30-36ish based on the usual winter weather.
At this rate we’ll need to buy a bottle of Sta-Bil, if not for the winter where the ICE will very likely be needed more, but for next spring through summer. A good problem to have!
I heard the updated performance models were much better than the old ones, and those were supposed to be fun, but not really up to track use.
I’d like to see a good, unbiased, head to head comparison between the Model 3 performance, Ioniq 5 N, Mach E GT, and any other appropriate cars, which looks at both performance and real world usability.
The Ioniq 5 N is getting rave reviews, but I saw they rate it at 221 miles, which seems really low for an 84kWh battery. The 3 is rated at 303, and in the real world that is probably still 260-280 miles.
Electric motors (at least those used in EVs) tend to linearly ramp up in power within the “constant torque” region up to base speed at which point the power peaks - power generally starts to gradually decay after motor speed exceeds the base speed. In a Tesla Model 3 - this is somewhere around 40-50 Mph.
This is in contrast to an ICE, where power tends to keep climbing until redline.
I’m guessing the 510 hp Tesla number above is from where the power ends up at max vehicle speed, as opposed to the actual peak hp (more relevant for 0-60mph acceleration).
One additional update on the Rav4 Prime that I forgot to do -last- weekend.
So we used gasoline in it for the first time.
Deliberately though.
So we wanted a chance to take it out, burn some gas and see how it handled when the battery was exhausted. Our plans was to do a short road trip to Pueblo, from here in Colorado Springs CO. It was the Pueblo chili festival weekend, so I figured I’d stock up on the best local roasted chili I can get and do a car test at the same time!
From our garage to the free parking was almost exactly 50 miles, so about 3-5 on each side was city driving, the rest on the interstate doing 70 most of the time. Result? STILL had approximately 5 miles of all EV range when we got to Pueblo. Our total miles on gas was just over 45, even with low A/C use each way. We didn’t use the ‘charge’ mode though, where some of the ICE energy is diverted to recharging the battery pack.
Overall, the vehicle was slightly less responsive in terms of acceleration at the low end, but remained quite quiet and smooth with gas, and the changeover was all but unnoticeable. In fact, I’m sure I wouldn’t have noticed at highway speeds if I hadn’t been watching.
Rav4 Prime was our first choice until my wife said she wanted to go EV only. I’m most happy when I turn the car off “chill” mode for passing and it rivals my motorcycles (at least the two-up motos). I had to plan the Subaru passes with a calendar. What is passing like with the Rav4 in both EV and gas mode?
Well, it’s not my turn to drive yet, but as my wife explains, it’s noticeably faster than her old 2007 Rav 4, which was one of the last of the 6 cylinder models. Very smooth, and if she doesn’t pay attention she ends up about 5-10 MpH faster than she intends. That said, she’s a very conservative driver who passes infrequently and normally strictly sticks to the speed limit. Here in Colorado, where speeding seems to be our state-wide driving sin, that means she’s often being passed like she’s standing still.
The 0-60 is reported to be 5.9, and I believe it. Even in full gas, the 2.5L ICE engine is quite peppy, so it’s more the moment of lag as it gathers itself that’s missing when the EV is also engaged.
All that said though, between the weight and everything else, the acceleration is not as shocking as my brother’s Tesla Model 3 (bought before Musk went full Eloon). That was shocking when my sister-in-law floored it at a green light when we visited them last.
And yeah, we were leaning towards getting a BEV first and then getting a PHEV to replace the last ICE car in 3-5 years, but the electrician said putting in a level 2 charger at our home was a No-Go unless we replaced the entire panel first, as it’s original to our 1982-built home.
We split time between Hawaii, Augusta GA, and now northern VA (and more side trips for other greatgrand kids). Family in Augusta area got hit with the major power outage. Dammit, could have powered the freezer and fridge for most days with our Ioniq if there; the local fast charger is out but I could have done round trips to a charger 50 miles away. Son was grilling outside for most of two days giving away lots of the cooked food to keep from throwing it away.
Probably my last Rav4 Prime update until we get (if we get?! ) some cold weather driving in to evaluate how much range is lost / how the AWD does, link to the AWD thread rather than cutting and pasting.
I think my 2024 Mach E Rally (which replaced my 2021 Mach E E4X) may very well be my last EV, because there’s a good possibility I may kill myself in it. Not intentionally, mind you, but just because of its unbelievably stupid torque and speed off the line.
At our local Costco, the wife would previously get hers around 6:30 am. By 7 it’s getting busy, by 7:30 it’s backed up to the street, by 8 it’s backed up to the point it blocks access on multiple roads!
BTW, I’ve been Googling on the question of stale gas in a RAV4 Prime. Supposedly the car will automatically turn on the engine from time to even if there is plenty of battery capacity, just to burn off some gas. Some people suggested running the car in HV mode (both electric and gas) from time to time.
Road trip in our Ioniq 5 coming Tuesday. Just under 600 miles from northern Virginia to the Atlanta area. I break it up into 2-1/2 hour chunks. Short walks, snacks, quick snoozes while charging. Passing through Greenville, SC. Greenville had a lot of outages and damage but seems to be back up on line somewhat. I’m not doing any sightseeing.
We’re about to jump into the EV train, probably a Chevy Equinox EV. Right now with the incentives available in MA it’s by far the best bang for your buck. I wish it was a little better at fast charging but as this will be my daily commuter and not our long trip vehicle it’s not a big issue.
It is likely because it’s less than 2 miles off of I-25, which means anyone wanting cheap gas can get off the interstate at one exit, take a straight road to the Costco, exit the lot back to street and continue to the next intersection, which leads right back to the interstate.
I’ve read that as well - you can use some of the gas to drive and recharge the battery. Strangely, this came up in an EU PHEV forum - suggesting you recharge the battery on the road so you can switch to all electric while going through areas with congestion / noise restrictions. Still think it’s easier to just not charge for a week or so as the fuel gets older and burn it off, and after that we plan to (outside planned longer distance driving) to never keep the tank more than 1/2 full. That still leaves us 300 miles of range which can always be fixed at any gas station in an emergency. And less gas to go stale as we go everywhere in EV mode.
Seriously to all - I know we have a lot of long trip lovers here, and plenty that have edge cases and range anxiety, but for those lurking the thread, a lot of people really over-estimate their daily driving distance. My wife’s is pretty long by the national average, and yet it’s been all EV, and all recharging on LEVEL ONE.
Not preaching, not dismissing those who do love to drive for fun, or work, but the thread is full of success stories, so honestly evaluate your needs and consider an EV option, especially if you’re in a multi-car household where one can remain an ICE or PHEV.
) some cold weather driving in to evaluate how much range is lost / how the AWD does, link to the AWD thread rather than cutting and pasting.
