Paul Gover answers your car questions: from the best hybrid to buy, to wheelchair-friendly SUVs and Tesla versus BYD

Ask the Expert with Paul Gover

Paul Gover is one of the most respected motoring writers in Australia. Ask him questions via email at [email protected]

Q:  I am planning to buy a Mazda CX-3 G20 (pictured above) and I would like to know your opinion about this car please. I am 80 years old.
Sam Athukorale

A: Reward yourself. If that’s the car you want then go right ahead. Mazda is a great brand and the CX-3 is a lovely little compact SUV that should work very well for you.

Q: What do you think is currently the best hybrid? Also, I think you said that Ford Transit vans are great and drive like a car. Correct or not?
Lester Pearce

A: There is no such thing as a ‘best hybrid’ – it’s the best hybrid for you and your needs and your budget. That’s the same as every car and every buyer. The easiest way to get a handle on hybrids is to go to a Toyota showroom, as everything they sell now in Australia is a hybrid. But don’t dismiss plug-in hybrids, which can now have a pure electric driving range of more than 100 kilometres for day-to-day chores and commuting, and the Chinese brands BYD and GWM. The Transit is a van that drives like a car. Definitely. But not cheap.

Q: We are looking for a new small SUV to replace our 2017 Kia Cerato, which we purchased new, nine years ago. My wife and I are retired and in our mid-seventies, we travel approximately 10,000 kilometres a year, with mostly short local trips and one or two interstate trips. We have looked at the Mazda CX-5, Kia Seltos, Mitsubishi ASX, MG ZS and Honda HR-V. Our budget is $45,000 max and all have their pros and cons. We are looking at both petrol and hybrid models, with our concern on hybrid that our local trips may not charge the battery sufficiently and PHEV is out of our price range. While an EV might solve that issue, due to home charging, we are concerned about the limited roll-out of EV charging stations, particularly in the country areas. The other concern is the likely depreciation down the track due to the cost of battery replacement.
Geoff & Sue McCowan

A: There is lots to consider at the moment, but hybrid is still the best solution for most people. Better economy, better resale, nice to drive and no worries about the lack of EV infrastructure in Australia. Toyota is the only brand currently suffering from the low-charge problem with its hybrids so best to consider something from Kia-Hyundai or the impressive Nissan e-Power system that drives fully electric and only uses the combustion engine to charge the battery. Best idea for you is to do some back-to-back test driving. From your list the HR-V and Seltos should be your finalists.

Q: I am a manual wheelchair user and my current car is a 2013 Holden Commodore wagon SV6, which provides excellent rear cargo space to store my wheelchair and other equipment when I travel. I have a rear hoist that lifts my wheelchair into the car, I walk around to the driver’s door and drive with hand controls. I am in the market for a Hybrid SUV or wagon that offers similar cargo space to the Commodore wagon, which is not easy to find. I have looked at the BYD Sealion 6 and Subaru and I’m am impressed with the quality and features of the BYD. I retired last year so a vehicle that offers maximum fuel usage efficiency is important, as we make regular longish trips, but I enjoy the power of the Commodore when overtaking. Also, with retirement we have plans to travel interstate (not off road). The budget is up to $45,000.
Brian Fitzpatrick

A: The BYD is better value than a Subaru, and has plenty of standard equipment, but you should also cross-shop against Hyundai and Kia. Most of the other hybrid SUVs in your price range will be limited in rear-end space or cheapie Chinese brands that are not recommended.

Q: I currently drive a 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT and I’m looking at updating.  It will be to either a BMW X3 M50 or a Genesis GV70 3.5L Which would you recommend?
Leanne Hodolic

A: My choice would be the Genesis. A lovely drive, great quality, and excellent customer service. It’s not as proven as a brand, compared with BMW, but the upscale version of Hyundai – it’s like Lexus and Toyota – is doing a great job.

Q: I’m looking at the Tesla Model 6 and BYD Sealion 7. Your thoughts please.
Eugene Spanti

A: I never thought I would be typing this, but Tesla is doing very good cars. Resale values are also up. I’ve just driven the BYD and it’s solid, but not a match for the Tesla.