Wife wants an electric car. You know how that goes.

[AZjeff]

We have 2 vehicles, the '21 Sierra HD sits in the garage unless we're towing the trailer or going somewhere over 40 miles which is just about anywhere else not local. The other is the '02 Xterra with 155k and no known issues. The big truck gets 16-17 on the highway unloaded and the Xterra gets 17-19 so with two 50 lb dogs usually along the truck does road trips.

She'd like to give the X to daughter and get something plug-in for local trips. Not new and not a sedan. Local dealerships are big 3, Nissan, Toyota, Honda, Subaru, Mazda. Not interested in a brand I have to drive 100 miles to Phoenix to a dealer if needed. We could get along fine with a PEV as the 2nd car but I'm not sure about giving up the X and having 3 vehicles is out. It's inevitable to happen at some point unless she loses interest. What can we look at for $20k or less?

Maybe sell the truck and travel trailer, get a Hummer and keep the Xterra!

 

[Nick1994]

Why not a sedan?

My vote is for a Chevy Volt. Looks like you can get a 2018 for $20k

 

[SatinSilver]

Nissan Leaf which is a hatchback I believe. Well under your budget when purchased used.

 

[duck__dodgers]

That is a very narrow Venn diagram. Unless the Leaf counts as a non-sedan.

To spit into the wind....try to subtly educate your wife that the green payback for an electric car used for local trips is a long time.

practically speaking (which will get you sleeping on the sofa for a night), a hybrid sounds like a better fit.

(but 10 times out of 10, at under $20k, i'd always recommend the conventional version of a non-sedan hybrid, like the vanilla RAV4 over a hybrid Rav4....unless the car will be used 18,000+ miles a year)

 

[eljefino]

She should look at a Rav 4 Prime. They're way above 20 grand but a very good "First electric car."

Also look at the tax credits for various new ones-- they'll help you understand the depreciation curve if buying used.

 

[FZ1]

Different strokes. Get a gas/electric hybrid like a Rav 4. You don't wanna run out of electric on some ,unexpected, long Arizona drive.

 

[Passport1]

My wife wants one too. I of course said yes. She gets to pick the color;

 

[MParr]

Compromise and get a hybrid. They are a lot more practical.

 

[PimTac]

Check out the new Toyota Venza hybrid.

 

[AZjeff]

Sedans too low, seating position and visibility. Haven't owned one in almost 20 years. Had a perfectly good ICE RAV4 and sold it to get from 4 vehicles to the current 2. Not worried about running out of juice because we wouldn't try a long Arizona drive at the range limit. $20k is a hard limit. We may have to look at hybrids if there are no options in our parameters. No hurry what we have works but I know how our world works. Wife wanted a cat. I didn't. We compromised and got a cat. (Not really but a good example.) I'm curious but skeptical.

No. New. Cars. Just got a truck.

 

[AZjeff]

My vote is for a Chevy Volt. Looks like you can get a 2018 for $20k

Where are you seeing this?

 

[duck__dodgers]

buy the wifie this: https://www.carmax.com/car/21408881

Good news: she'll be thrilled like an 4-yo on Christmas morning after hearing, "sweetie, I bought you a BMW."

Bad news: the voices and trombones in her head will go, "womp, womp" when she sees the car....unless you have a non-materialistic diamond of a wife.

given the requirement for a higher seating position on top of everything else....your wife is literally out of choices. just being real.

hybrid is a better route...even then, without looking, I doubt a decent selection of quality used hybrid SUVs will exist even at $20k unless you are quick.

 

[AZjeff]

I never ever buy her a car. Just gently steer away from really bad choices. She couldn't care less about a BMW.

 

[JeffKeryk]

If you are not ready for an EV, I would take a real hard look at the Venza. I believe it is the new Lexus NX at a much lower price.

Go drive the Model Y... C'mon... Don't be chintzy...

 

[wpod]

I would test drive a lower end Tesla.

 

[duck__dodgers]

what part of <$20k are people not processing, lol

 

[Kiwi_ME]

Only the fact that nothing fits all the requirements!

That is a very narrow Venn diagram.

 

[Nick1994]

Where are you seeing this?

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for...eCode1=CHEV&modelCode1=VOLT&clickType=listing

 

[Rmay635703]

what part of

Chevy Bolt it is (only one that meets the criteria)

Unless a short range BMW i3 counts

Other EVs under that price point are very limited, so the op would need to be able to work with the very short ranges of the various 1st Gen BEVs

It also doesn’t help that literally every 1st Gen EV is some variation of a sedan.

 

[JeffKeryk]

what part of

Well, it's really easy to spend other people's money, right?