Looking for opinions/recs on an EV
Yes, another one of those posts 😂 I'm sorry!
Currently looking at possibly trading in my 2019 Ford Escape for an EV, and man, you'd think after buying a couple of vehicles it wouldn't be so overwhelming, but I feel like EVs are a whole other beast when looking at vehicles! My Escape is in great condition (I bought it new, sole owner), but with the cost of gas and everything, figured looking at options for an upgrade before I absolutely need a new vehicle was a good idea, so here we are!
Work commute is less than 10km round trip, and usual puttering around is also low distance (average maybe 100km a week at most when I'm doing a lot of driving around). I do travel to the US semi frequently as I am married to a US citizen (immigration/moving is a whole other story, we were married before things went sideways) and that's a solid 8hr drive one way, though it looks like EV charging along my usual route is pretty solid so not overly concerned about finding a place to charge. Even when I am in the US, my average daily driving is pretty low. I feel an EV is honestly perfect because then I never have to worry about having to go out to get gas (I'm lazy and the idea of just plugging it in at home or at work when I'm not going anywhere and having a "full tank" is insanely attractive). They've come a long way in the last few years that's for sure!
Currently don't have the option or ability to install a home charger, so will be relying mostly on Level 1 charging/public chargers when needed. But given my current driving habits, Level 1 should be more than sufficient.
Things I'm looking for in an EV:
- At minimum, same cargo capacity as my Escape, or at least extremely close to the same, particularly behind the rear passenger seats (34 cu. ft/963L)
- AWD (I know this means higher battery capacity/potentially less range/higher cost)
- Heated seats, side mirrors, and steering wheel
- Apple CarPlay/Android Auto (don't care if it's wireless or not, as long as the capability is there, though it looks like majority these days are wireless)
- Prefer an SUV as I like the height (I live in the prairies and it's easier to see around snowbanks in an SUV vs a sedan in winter), and with medium/large dogs the extra space is incredibly useful
- Comfortable/roomy front seats (husband is a bigger dude, and he finds my Escape a little uncomfortable to be in, especially on long drives, mostly due to the solid center console)
Vehicles I've looked at that have caught my interest:
- Hyundai IONIQ9 (great range even on the AWD, bonus of being able to figuratively toss more people in the rare time I'm driving more than 3 friends around, great towing capacity, awesome cargo space as I would most likely have the 3rd row down unless I absolutely need the seats, but lordy the cost makes me hesitate!)
- Kia EV9 (not a fan of the lesser range compared to the IONIQ9 though)
- Toyota bZ Woodland
- VW ID.4 (looks like maybe discontinued though???)
- Chevrolet Blazer (that towing capacity though sucks, especially when compared to the bZ Woodland that looks to be similar in size)
Absolutely not interested in Tesla; my boss funny enough just bought a Model Y and loves the thing, has been going on about it and how it's miles better tech wise than most other EVs. However, it feels too small for what I'm looking for. Cybertruck looks like something plucked out of the OG Halo games with its low poly graphics look. Plus, y'know, the whole debacle with who owns it.
As for why I'm looking in Canada specifically; honestly, even with import fees on some models, it still looks cheaper to buy in Canada vs the US. However, there are differences in available options and packages between Canada and the US (Toyota bZ Woodland for example doesn't offer a tow package in Canada, but does in the US), so that will be something to consider for sure when I'm ready to buy. I'm also looking for something that can handle Prairie winters, as regardless of how immigration and moving plays out I will be back and forth quite a bit as we visit family.
Let me know what you guys think and suggest, and thank you!