So after arranging some warranty work on my 2013 2.4 Petrol VRX I managed to arrange a loan of a PHEV, 2016, Cherry Black VRX model.
Here are a few of my observations and comparisons.
1) The dealer was as good as useless. After specifically asking for them to pair my phone so I could try the remote app they didn’t! I got the opinion that they couldn’t care less. I had no handover, no instructions and was just given the keys. Just prior to leaving I did check to see if there was a charging cable… There wasn't so had to go back in and wait for them to find one.
2) First Impressions. The update has some subtle changes but generally the same as my older petrol version. Lost some of the upfront storage, lots of blanking switches (5 I think) and some nicer trim to the door cards, but generally the same on the inside. On the outside the refreshed face looks nice but have to question the high use of non-led bulbs all around the vehicle as question are the headlights FULL LED or is it just the DRL's as the light pattern is no different to my Xeon lights, plus why state LED then have halogen bulb for the dipper beam, this really is poor when the battery version is a $10k premium on my petrol version.
3) Driving, here is a big noticeable difference, I read a lot at how slow people think the PHEV is, well it is certainly quicker to 100kmph than my petrol and much quieter as well. So more responsive. Suspension feels harsher and a lot crashier, maybe weight of the vehicle. I'm running 19"s 245/45 on the petrol and certainly a better ride.
4) EV use, my purpose of the test was to start this morning on a full charge and see if I could get to work, which is 28km away and a mix of residential urban and motorway driving (max speed here is 100kph). Although only 28k's it can take upto an hour on some days. I preheated the car as I leave at 6.30am and it was a mild 17deg. Cost to charge overnight was $1.20 as my off rate is 20c/kwh.
The charger was also set through the complicated on board screen along with the heating and noticed some limitations like can only select either heat, cool, demist. This limits me as would need heating in the am and cooling when on charge before I leave work. Not sure if a work around on this other than using the app and keep changing it? (how far does the app work from the car?)
Driving to work, I managed to get 99% EV driving and an average of 0.3l/110km. I think I would have been 100% EV if I hadn't have put my foot down to get past a HGV before my exit off the motorway. Max I had the ACC was set to was 105km/hr (prob at this speed for a few minutes). So for an efficient commute to work on EV only works a treat.
My reverse journey is still yet to happen, but the cars on charge at work so theoretically speaking I could have a 100% EV commute each day to work.
What I did notice though was the lack of heat in the car, had the climate set to 23deg with aircon off and had little heat and hands were getting slightly chilly. Should they have put some form of heating element in on EV to warm passengers? Seams pointless starting the ICE to warm when I can do the whole commute on EV. Auckland is a temperate climate but still need some heat through winter!
Overall so far I know my commute costs would be marginal other than electric at home. Am I convinced to spend the money not yet. I think another few iterations of the model, the need for NZ model to have premium sounds and a rapid charger point installed to make it worthwhile. We have no tax breaks, congestion charges or EV lanes to make it standout. We do have 85% green energy through hydro, geo etc so far mo9re greener than a UK example with Coal/Gas powered charging.
I did manage to get a charge at the car park whilst at the gym though, if this was a rapid charge then I'd have got to 80% in the time I was there.
Charging in downtown Auckland whilst at the gym. Next to me was a Nissan Leaf and there is only two spaces available for EV charging. Rarely used.
Economy and reaming charge when arrived at work, although fairly cold journey with no engine heat!!
On charge at work. Charger needs work with nothing to hang it up with t prevent loading on the plug!
Here are a few of my observations and comparisons.
1) The dealer was as good as useless. After specifically asking for them to pair my phone so I could try the remote app they didn’t! I got the opinion that they couldn’t care less. I had no handover, no instructions and was just given the keys. Just prior to leaving I did check to see if there was a charging cable… There wasn't so had to go back in and wait for them to find one.
2) First Impressions. The update has some subtle changes but generally the same as my older petrol version. Lost some of the upfront storage, lots of blanking switches (5 I think) and some nicer trim to the door cards, but generally the same on the inside. On the outside the refreshed face looks nice but have to question the high use of non-led bulbs all around the vehicle as question are the headlights FULL LED or is it just the DRL's as the light pattern is no different to my Xeon lights, plus why state LED then have halogen bulb for the dipper beam, this really is poor when the battery version is a $10k premium on my petrol version.
3) Driving, here is a big noticeable difference, I read a lot at how slow people think the PHEV is, well it is certainly quicker to 100kmph than my petrol and much quieter as well. So more responsive. Suspension feels harsher and a lot crashier, maybe weight of the vehicle. I'm running 19"s 245/45 on the petrol and certainly a better ride.
4) EV use, my purpose of the test was to start this morning on a full charge and see if I could get to work, which is 28km away and a mix of residential urban and motorway driving (max speed here is 100kph). Although only 28k's it can take upto an hour on some days. I preheated the car as I leave at 6.30am and it was a mild 17deg. Cost to charge overnight was $1.20 as my off rate is 20c/kwh.
The charger was also set through the complicated on board screen along with the heating and noticed some limitations like can only select either heat, cool, demist. This limits me as would need heating in the am and cooling when on charge before I leave work. Not sure if a work around on this other than using the app and keep changing it? (how far does the app work from the car?)
Driving to work, I managed to get 99% EV driving and an average of 0.3l/110km. I think I would have been 100% EV if I hadn't have put my foot down to get past a HGV before my exit off the motorway. Max I had the ACC was set to was 105km/hr (prob at this speed for a few minutes). So for an efficient commute to work on EV only works a treat.
My reverse journey is still yet to happen, but the cars on charge at work so theoretically speaking I could have a 100% EV commute each day to work.
What I did notice though was the lack of heat in the car, had the climate set to 23deg with aircon off and had little heat and hands were getting slightly chilly. Should they have put some form of heating element in on EV to warm passengers? Seams pointless starting the ICE to warm when I can do the whole commute on EV. Auckland is a temperate climate but still need some heat through winter!
Overall so far I know my commute costs would be marginal other than electric at home. Am I convinced to spend the money not yet. I think another few iterations of the model, the need for NZ model to have premium sounds and a rapid charger point installed to make it worthwhile. We have no tax breaks, congestion charges or EV lanes to make it standout. We do have 85% green energy through hydro, geo etc so far mo9re greener than a UK example with Coal/Gas powered charging.
I did manage to get a charge at the car park whilst at the gym though, if this was a rapid charge then I'd have got to 80% in the time I was there.
Charging in downtown Auckland whilst at the gym. Next to me was a Nissan Leaf and there is only two spaces available for EV charging. Rarely used.
Economy and reaming charge when arrived at work, although fairly cold journey with no engine heat!!
On charge at work. Charger needs work with nothing to hang it up with t prevent loading on the plug!
