Sometime in the next year I want my wife to get a new car. She insists on having a new car before I get one since I got one last and I want a Model 3. Her only requirements are that the car is a crossover and that it has a backup camera. She really likes my mother's Subaru Outback and is hoping for something around that size (and especially that price). I'm really hoping I can get her something electrified because even though she doesn't care about car looks or driving experience, I think the Model 3 is going to blow any car we get her out of the water and she's going to regret it.
The options for Hybrids and PHEVs are extremely limited in non-compliance states like Texas, especially in the CUV segment. I can't afford (and don't want) a Model X, and even the luxury brand PHEVs seem to be be way outside of my price range. It looks like the Outlander PHEV could be the only option, but I'd really like to have some backup options in case she doesn't like it (especially some cheaper ones since it's supposed to be around $40k+ starting).
What really sucks is that the carmakers always put the Hybrid and PHEV trims as a top tier trim, so they always come with leather seats (and a premium price). My wife doesn't enjoy leather seats in cars (something about shorts and hot Texas summers) and would prefer to have a car with cloth seats. This might honestly be the biggest struggle in finding her a new car that is electrified.
I don't think I can convince her to go full EV at this point. Hybrids would be an acceptable compromise, but I'd prefer to get her a PHEV if at all possible. Her commute is about 5 miles round-trip (and will stay easily within 20 miles over the next few years if she changes jobs) and we have my car (a Subaru Legacy) for long trips, but she occasionally needs to take longer trips around the Dallas area and wouldn't want to play the EV charging game.
Anyone have any suggestions for cars that meet this criteria (or come close) and will be available to purchase as new within the next year? Ideally not to far from $30k in price would be best.
The options for Hybrids and PHEVs are extremely limited in non-compliance states like Texas, especially in the CUV segment. I can't afford (and don't want) a Model X, and even the luxury brand PHEVs seem to be be way outside of my price range. It looks like the Outlander PHEV could be the only option, but I'd really like to have some backup options in case she doesn't like it (especially some cheaper ones since it's supposed to be around $40k+ starting).
What really sucks is that the carmakers always put the Hybrid and PHEV trims as a top tier trim, so they always come with leather seats (and a premium price). My wife doesn't enjoy leather seats in cars (something about shorts and hot Texas summers) and would prefer to have a car with cloth seats. This might honestly be the biggest struggle in finding her a new car that is electrified.
I don't think I can convince her to go full EV at this point. Hybrids would be an acceptable compromise, but I'd prefer to get her a PHEV if at all possible. Her commute is about 5 miles round-trip (and will stay easily within 20 miles over the next few years if she changes jobs) and we have my car (a Subaru Legacy) for long trips, but she occasionally needs to take longer trips around the Dallas area and wouldn't want to play the EV charging game.
Anyone have any suggestions for cars that meet this criteria (or come close) and will be available to purchase as new within the next year? Ideally not to far from $30k in price would be best.
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