New Small Family Car Suggestions?

Goudy · 12 May at 6:55AM

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81994556#Comment_81994556

The original Toyota hybrid batteries were NiMH and were good for 150,000 to 180,000 miles and you are correct, the CVT/electric motor gearbox arrangement didn't produce a very satisfying drive, but most owners didn't care much about that, they knew they weren't buying a track car.

The new model hybrids come with Li ion batteries and they last much longer and store and deliver far more power, so much so they can cover much further distances and speeds on battery alone.

They never utilise the full battery capacity, they will only charge to around 80% and start to recharge at 40% to help with longevity. Unlike an EV, it isn't cycling between high and low charge as much. In effect it's battery is in a constant state of charge, never overly charging or discharging which massively helps it's life.

As for the CVT gearboxes, yes the earlier ones weren't a great drive but were pretty robust and handled all drive as all speeds except reverse.

Later ones employ a direct drive system. As the battery and electric motor are more capable, the gearbox is far smaller and lighter as it only handles the higher gear ratios (like 4th and 5th) as all the lower ratios (like what you'd think of as 1st, 2nd and 3rd) are replaced by direct electric drive just like a full EV.

This means they actually run more like an EV on an electric motor more of the time, though the engine may chime in to top the battery up from time to time. This means they have improved the torque at lower speeds and improved efficiency at higher speeds.

They will only use both power sources to actually drive the cars wheels in very high load situations at higher speeds but can still run fully EV at higher speeds through the smaller CVT gearbox, but as it only has a smaller set of ratios, you lose most of that CVT "mooing" associated with CVT's that handle all the gear ratios.

Over the last couple of years I've jumped in and out of both the older and later types for work and they are chalk and cheese.

The later type are far more efficient, smoother and much more pleasant to drive. All those gripes of the earlier models have been removed.

Goudy · 12 May at 7:10AM

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81994566#Comment_81994566

Have you looked at the fourth year service for the MG3 hybrids gearbox?

It's 3 speed TC requires a service at four year at a cost of over a £1000.

Alanp · 12 May at 7:24AM

I drive a Toyota with the “ awful” cvt gearbox, it’s so awful I’m considering buying another one…

Bigwheels1111 · 13 May at 3:26PM

My friend 2105 Prius has 265,000 miles hes a cab driver.

In the life of the vehicle, 9 years for him.

Apart from servicing items & brake pads, the only 2 thing that went wrong were the battery and Electric water pump, Water pump at 1400,000 Miles and cost £200 plus £20 antifreeze, we changed it to 60 mins.

The battery went at 180,000 miles ( cabbing miles )

£1400 denuine replacment + £80 for a relay.

No cv boots, ball joint etc.

A service kit was £40 for cab drives, just servicing it himself saved the cost of battery and water pump two or three times over.

He is gutted that he needs to replace it next mont as is 10 years old and cant work it anymore.

Goudy · 14 May at 7:31AM

One of my colleagues stuck 20k+ a year for nine years on her 2016 Yaris Hybrid and that had the older NiMH battery in it.

The traction battery did start to get a bit flaky from around 170,000 but I set her up with a Bluetooth dongle to reset the dreaded P0A80 and we nursed it along for a while longer.

Water pumps usually need replacement around the 120k to 150k mark, but you'd do that on a straight ICE car before that anyway. You also get a good warning on the dash it's on it's way out, something you won't necessarily get with a straight ICE.

There are companies that will refurbish a traction battery and once upon a time it wasn't a bad idea. But the batteries are all about balance of the separate modules inside. You can't just put a new one in with 13 older modules, so good used modules were the answer. Trouble is there aren't many good used modules anymore.

The later cars with Li-on batteries are far better and the difference is very noticeable. Most of the time they'll operate as an EV just with the engine chiming in to charge the battery so you lose most of that fuss from the CVT gearbox.

We have a few pool cars I get to use at work. Corolla Touring's, Yaris Cross's and plain old Yaris hatchbacks and I really rate the Yaris and the Yaris Cross.

They have something about them, it sort of does all this hybrid stuff without any fuss and with no special input from the driver. You just get in, stick it in D and away you go. Within 3 minutes, whatever it's doing, it just feels kind of right.