Late Arrivals
Off road capable and affordable EVs are still a long way off. What is on the horizon?
Off Road capable EVs are expensive and thin on the ground.
My son recently took me for a ride in his Forester. He purchased it for $500 because it was having some difficult-to-diagnose issues. Working in his spare time and with the help of some experts, he restored it to health.
Subaru's have always had a good reputation around here. Reliable, off-road capable, pretty rugged, and comfortable on the highway. Before Covid I was looking seriously at the Crosstrek. Currently it is MSR after taxes, $35,515.20. about $3k cheaper than the Forester (MSR after taxes, $38,875.20) with a little less power but better turning radius. Little less cargo space too and very slightly better gas milage.
The Solterra, Suberu's only electric vehicle is over $20K more expensive than the Forrester ($58,621.60 after taxes). Yikes. And here in lies a tale of, well, of sadness. Japanese automobiles, incredibly capable and reliable as they are, are loosing the electrification game.
Are there other electric off road capable alternatives? Not really. My brother just bought the Toyota Rav 4 Prime. A hybrid with a fairly good round-town batter life. Depending on the features the Rav 4 runs in the mid $40K range, again pushing it $10K or higher over the Crosstrek.
The only other alternatives, currently in Canada, are trucks. The Rivian, Ford Lightening, and soon Cybertruck. All over $60K and most over $70.
Ah, how I miss my little Tracker.
Will my dream of owning an electric vehicle succumb to practicality? It might.
The Cybertruck will come down in price for sure, but into my price range? Not any time soon.
The Canoo truck is supposed to release this year. We shall see.
Toyota Stout or EPU? Looks cool.
Toyota FJ Cruisier, if it ever materializes will be expensive. https://topelectricsuv.com/news/toyota/toyota-fj-cruiser-style-ev/
As likely will the VW Scout offerings: https://topelectricsuv.com/category/news/scout/
Maverick EV? It is seeming less likely.
Geely Radar. No news since announced in 2022.
Model Y with Lift Kit Strangely attractive, and with the Y coming down in price, maybe someday this will make sense.
Nothing to compete with the Crosstrek yet.