HEVs, yes. PHEVs no. The RAV4 Prime is still supply-constraint, even after all this time. It would be easier to take Toyota seriously about their support for PHEVs if they actual built them at scale in vehicles we Americans can’t get enough of. Looks like Jeep and Ram will beat them with a pair of PHEV pickup to…

That’s encouraging. We actually need off-road capability (ground clearance, water fording, etc.) 5% of the time for a large family going off-grid, and want a PHEV for the rest of the time back in town, 300 miles away. And I’m unwilling to pay more for a Lexus. That’s for others.

How does the plug-in hybrid version of this compare with the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk PHEV?

Roger that. We live in the City and trickle charge using the 120V cordset. The late start time of the statewide off-peak rates don’t make it easy, that’s for sure.

1950.5 to early 1956 Willys Wagon and Truck gauges:

True that. Or used public Level 2 stations.

Yup. And for all of Toyota’s talk of PHEVs, they certainly aren’t building many. They will sell you a regular hybrid, though.

I don’t understand your friend’s math. Was gas so much cheaper than the electricity (equivalent)?

PHEVs were a non-starter in Europe. In hindsight, the rules were laughable. The early European PHEVs had single digit electric range and since so many folks (like my German buddies) get a company car with a gas card as a perk, why plug them in if you have to pay for electrcity?

We actually will see more PHEVs in a year or two. The regulators updated the rules in August 2022 to allow more “strong” PHEVs. What’s that? It’s a PHEV with a 50 mile range and a big burley electric motor such that the electric motor moves the vehicle in nearly any “punch it!” type situation. Looks for more PHEVs…

Yeah, Ford made a PHEV Ranger for Australia. Bring it here!

Arcata, yes. Fortuna, very much no.

Thank you. Much appreciated.

How is the outward visibility from each of the three rows? Low beltline? Thin or thick pillars? 

We would love a PHEV Grand Highlander.

1. How is the outward visibility? Low dash? Thin A pillars?

Sign us up for a VF3. Work out the bugs, VinFast. And bring this to the U.S.!

We’ve had a FIAT 500e, an i3REx, and now have a hybrid station wagon (three kids and big dog). The VF3 would be a perfect second car for us. Where do I sign up? By the time it gets here (fingers crossed), hopefully VinFast will learn from its early struggles.

Or the Central Valley. Bros gotta bro.

I was out-of-the-house by then, but late in 1993, my folks bought a red metallic 1993 Accord EX sedan with a moonroof and the five speed stick. That just may have been peak car.