The Energon Pub

Sat Sep 19, 2026 4:46 am

I'm in the market for a new car. Previous owned sedans. But won't exclude SUV or electrc or hybrid.

Looking to avoid gas guzzlers like the plague. Gas / petrol price is going vertical (UP for those living under a rock).

Suggestions welcome.

News Credits: 22 · Sat Sep 19, 2026 5:49 pm

Don't go full electric! A hybrid is your best bet, depending on your financial circumstances. I'm not sure about specific models, but I've extensively driven 2 Toyota Priuses before and neither gave me issues. ICE vehicles are still affordable if you know where to look. Do some research according to your price limits and preferences.

Sun Sep 20, 2026 1:14 am

I'd consider an EV over a gas guzzler any day. My brother own an EV. Hardly any running cost. He has rooftop solar & battery to store the excess energy.

What's your reservation on going full electric?

News Credits: 226 · Sun Sep 20, 2026 3:42 pm

You need to remember that Australia doesn't have extensive EV infrastructure if you want to take a long road trip.

Go with a Toyota hybrid. I got a 2025 Corolla Cross in February, 35l tank, I get around 600km's, which is a big step up from an 07 Corolla that was a 45l tank that gave me barely 400km.

-edit-
The other thing you need to factor in as well is accessibility to spare parts. A lot of the newer modern cars are short on spare parts as the industry is still manufacturing. Plus if you go with the likes of BYD or GWM, you could be waiting a while as dealerships are only now starting to take them on.

News Credits: 22 · Sun Sep 20, 2026 8:37 pm

megatran wrote:What's your reservation on going full electric?

In the United States the system is still figuring itself out. Or rather, those in charge are figuring it out. Charging stations aren't as available as you would think, and the vehicles themselves still have issues. Plus, here it's not really competitive. You have Tesla and Toyota basically. And it's also my preference to have options between types of fuel. The Priuses I drove before were great on long flat roads, but couldn't really go fast in the mountains. For me hybrids are the way to go.

Mon Sep 21, 2026 4:35 am

Burn wrote:You need to remember that Australia doesn't have extensive EV infrastructure if you want to take a long road trip.

Go with a Toyota hybrid. I got a 2025 Corolla Cross in February, 35l tank, I get around 600km's, which is a big step up from an 07 Corolla that was a 45l tank that gave me barely 400km.

-edit-
The other thing you need to factor in as well is accessibility to spare parts. A lot of the newer modern cars are short on spare parts as the industry is still manufacturing. Plus if you go with the likes of BYD or GWM, you could be waiting a while as dealerships are only now starting to take them on.

Range anxiety is over played. Not saying it isn't real. Just need to plan the trip. My brother has travelled with his family from Melbourne to:
Sydney
Brisbane
Adelaide

And besides, how often do we take long road trips beyond, say 1,000km? I'd say probably once a year, for me.
To Sydney & that's 900km each way.

Have lunch while charging up.
The only issue he faced was a vandalised charging station where asshat(s) stripped copper.

Mon Sep 21, 2026 4:49 am

Rodimus Prime wrote:
megatran wrote:What's your reservation on going full electric?
In the United States the system is still figuring itself out. Or rather, those in charge are figuring it out. Charging stations aren't as available as you would think, and the vehicles themselves still have issues. Plus, here it's not really competitive. You have Tesla and Toyota basically. And it's also my preference to have options between types of fuel. The Priuses I drove before were great on long flat roads, but couldn't really go fast in the mountains. For me hybrids are the way to go.

'Murica policy on EV is based on ideology by those currently in Office. Oz isn't as restrictive as we no longer have a car manufacturing industry to protect. We have EVs from all over the globe including affordable wheels from China. Yes, China. Tesla EV for Oz are made in China. The legacy brands like Toyota, Ford are stupendously expensive EV offering.

The other "issue" raised by China detractors is the fear of privacy infringements (that is, spying). Other brands no doubt do the same. Yet they are willing to give those brands a free pass. Lol.