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Comment by jitl | Hacker News Reader

The electric offerings from most companies just don’t seem “there” yet. I don’t want a Tesla because AirPlay and adjustable aircon grates are non-negotiable for me, but the alternatives just don’t seem like a good bet yet. Hyundai is compelling, but most brands are offering electrified versions of non-EV platforms. An EV platform with low drag is much better, but outside of Tesla and Hyundai no one seems to be shipping an EV platform car in the $40k price range.

Then when it comes to plug in hybrids, Toyota RAV4 Prime looks great, but options from other makes look kinda like a joke with 20-30mi range and the ICE engine kicks in whenever you accelerate, or are similarly super expensive to the BEVs.

My plan is to just buy an ICE car now, and then sell it in a couple years once brands start fielding their second generation electric platforms with better economics, NACS (Tesla) plugs, and the infra catches up a bit.

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> I don’t want a Tesla because AirPlay and adjustable aircon grates are non-negotiable for me, but the alternatives just don’t seem like a good bet yet.

Teslas have adjustable aircon vents, but only through the touch screen (at least on newer models). You can definitely aim/split them.

Yeah I know but like… it’s so bad. It’s the only car I’ve ever driven where it feels unsafe to point the aircon at my hands. Completely unnecessary and probably expensive digital mis-feature.

You mean CarPlay? I worried about that before getting a model y, and it was really unfounded. If anything Tesla’s is better (at worst equal). I love not plugging in my phone every time (no maps on Bluetooth with CarPlay). Maybe turo a Tesla for a few days before making up your mind

I drive my parents’ Model S and Model Y whenever I visit them. I’m very familiar with the cars. I love everything about the drive, can’t stand the UX.

> I love not plugging in my phone every time (no maps on Bluetooth with CarPlay)

So far, I test drove an Toyota RAV4 Prime 2023, a Audi Q3 2020, and a Mercedes GLC 300 2024, all have wireless CarPlay that starts with 1 tap after I sit down in the car. The Toyota and Mercedes have an inductive charging spot for the phone.

I canceled an order for a Model 3 and went with a Kia EV6. (sibling to the Hyundai Ioniq 5) Best car I've ever owned.

I should check it out - thanks for the pointer. I don’t like the body on the Ioniq 5, so I’m interested in an option with a different body, although I’d prefer real leather seats.

This is where I am.

It's great that we're getting more competition, but since it's more expensive R&D it's all geared for top of market. I had looked at a plugin hybrid but the actual range of the electric engine was underwhelming.

I'm also curious how the EV situation will play out in Canada, it gets damn cold here. How much does that reduce the advertised range on top of running a heater?

Car can warm itself in the morning on schedule while charging. Needs to do it anyway for the batteries.

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