Kia Plug-In Hybrid Q&A With Torque News Readers Continued

Last time on Torque News’ Kia plug-in hybrid (PHEV) Q&A, I wrote up responses to a reader’s questions and provided several links to earlier articles I wrote that address similar questions. Now, I am completing my responses to the remainder of the questions. Will this sway their opinions or anyone else’s? That isn’t my point; I am simply trying to provide useful feedback people want to make good decisions. Some of my guidance may simply be circumstantial, but I always try to remain objective.

Continuing with the next question from this reader: What do I make of reports of Kia hybrids underperforming their EPA mileage ratings? In my experience, there are only one or two reasons that any manufacturer’s vehicles, not just Kia’s, might underperform their EPA ratings. Those reasons are: more often how the vehicle is being driven (i.e. not how the EPA does its testing) or, less likely and less impactfully due to the possible combination of mechanical issues or conditions (like underinflated tires, hard acceleration patterns from steep uphill climbs, blasting the heat/running the AC at max in especially hot/cold weather, etc.). People often drive much faster and harder than the EPA does during its testing, and that is the most likely explanation for the difference in observed fuel efficiency figures. They may also do a combination of things that draw power that the EPA doesn’t do while doing its testing (heat, AC, other accessories), and or do things like carry around more weight, decrease aerodynamic efficiency by putting racks and cargo boxes on their roof, or towing something. I drive more like the way the EPA tests and this is why I can meet, or exceed, the EPA figures on a regular basis. Since the reader also asked about my experience compared to the Rav4 Prime, and what results they might see with a 50/50 split of driving on electricity versus gas, I would humbly suggest that the Kia Sportage PHEV is likely a little more efficient than the Rav 4 Prime, since that is also my finding for the Sorento PHEV. Other readers have challenged my findings on this, and it is fair to question my findings as they are only circumstantially supported presently. However, because the Rav 4 Prime is geared more for performance (in terms of its electric powertrain and overall horsepower) and the Kia hybrid SUVs are designed more specifically for efficiency, I predict that a Kia Sportage PHEV would be about 5-10% more efficient than the Rav4 Prime (since I think the larger/heavier Sorento is about 1-5% more efficient than the Rav 4 Prime). By more efficient, I only mean in terms of how far its electric motor can propel the vehicle on a kWh; obviously the Rav 4 Prime, at 38 mpg combined in hybrid mode should be more efficient using gas than the 34 mpg combined for the Sorento, and 35 mpg combined for the Sportage. I would love to do some real world testing of the Rav 4 Prime vs Kia PHEVs running on gas only though, with me behind the wheel running the same course for each. If I can just convince my neighbor to let me borrow her Rav 4 Prime for a couple hours. :)

Last question: Any comments about EV's, PHEV or HEV options that you'd recommend? Since the reader shares one vehicle with his spouse, and had previously considered a Tesla Model Y (but ultimately declined to buy one due to ride quality) I suggest that a PHEV is perfect for a single car household. I mainly say this because the vehicle can make any trip given its ability to use two different forms of fuel (electricity and gas). As long as about 50% or more of the miles one drives are done on electricity alone, a PHEV can be more efficient and have a lower cost to operate than a standard hybrid (HEV) over a typical vehicle’s lifespan. In order to maximize any PHEVs all electric driving range, one has to drive gently and as long as one does that it is relatively easy to meet or beat the EPA range figures. Drive it like you stole it though, and your efficiency and range results are guaranteed to be less than the EPA figures. As far as other recommendations go: I would highly recommend the Kia Niro EV or PHEV if one actually wants a more compact crossover (and efficiency is of highest importance), and doesn’t mind front wheel drive only. The similar Hyundai Kona would also be a more compact EV. In terms of EVs that can take long road trips though, the EV6 and Ioniq 5 are probably the best non Tesla options out there, but Tesla still has a huge advantage over all competitors when it comes to density of chargers, ease of charging, and cost (in some cases of the vehicles themselves, but also charging costs) so I still recommend Teslas over most competition for these reasons specifically. Since the reader didn’t like the ride quality of the Tesla Model Y (too firm is my guess as to why), I also suggested that they consider putting taller tires and or softer suspension if they did end up buying that vehicle. Otherwise, I generally recommend HEVs for people who do a lot of highway miles and either don’t want to spend a little extra time charging up or can’t quite make the numbers work for an EV (though in many cases an EV can be lower cost than an HEV, long term, due to cost savings on fuel, as long as one doesn’t live in a place where gas is relatively cheap and electricity expensive… looking at you, Massachusetts). Kia and Hyundai hybrid SUVs are some of the most efficient out there, and so are Toyota, Ford and Honda, among other brands. For PHEVs, in my mind Kia, Hyundai and Toyota are the 3 brands to choose from, for non-luxury PHEV SUVs and currently no one offers as many options as Kia.

Have any more questions? Please leave them below.

Images courtesy of Justin Hart and Kia.

Justin Hart has owned and driven electric vehicles for over 15 years, including a first generation Nissan LEAF, second generation Chevy Volt, Tesla Model 3, an electric bicycle and most recently a Kia Sorento PHEV. He is also an avid SUP rider, poet, photographer and wine lover. He enjoys taking long EV and PHEV road trips to beautiful and serene places with the people he loves. Follow Justin on Twitter for daily KIA EV news coverage.