Hybrid/Electric Hatchback or Small SUV

[Anonymous]

I appreciate any car people putting models to look at on my list.

- Looking for a small SUV or hatchback. Nothing with a trunk.
- Interior luxury isn't important, but we're very tall and have a baby so front seat leg room (including with car seat installed) is crucial and so is headspace. Would like to have reasonable cargo space with the carseat installed (a bunch of groceries, or a few suitcases).
- Range not a big deal as long as there's an option to charge or whatever on the east coast, and happy to install whatever we need for the driveway.
- Couldn't care less about performance as long as it goes when I hit the gas and stops when I hit the brake. I drive slow anyway. Safety is good.
- Planning to lease and would like to spend as little as possible to get these things, so kind of whatever this costs. $30k? $35?

My favorite car I've had was a Scion xB, if that helps. Thank you!

[Anonymous]

I have looked at the Kia Niro plug in hybrid. I don't own one (planning to buy hopefully new in a few years and am researching) but it seems to meet your specs, which are similar to mine.

[Anonymous]

We are tall and love our Leaf.

[Anonymous]

I love my Kia Niro. It's a great size and very comfortable.

[Anonymous]

Live our hybrid RAV4

[Anonymous]

Volkswagen Golf if you want something fun to drive. Subaru Legacy if not.

[Anonymous]

We considered the Highlander Hybrid but that may be too big for you?

[Anonymous]

I’m tall with long legs & love my Kia Niro.

[Anonymous]

I bought a used 2015 i3 and love it. Great city car. The range extender has allowed us to do several long road trips without issue. Uppababy Mesa Infant bucket seat fit well. Can fit the stroller in the back with one wheel removed. As our little guy got bigger, we bought one of the cool swiveling Cybex seats that can do rear or forward facing.

Buying used with CPO was a significantly better deal for us than leasing a new one. Also, note DC doesn’t charge sales tax, which further makes a used EV attractive.

[Anonymous]

If you want good mileage, go with the Niro. It beats Honda hybrids and the Highlander by a significant margin.

[Anonymous]

ford cmax energi hybrid plugin

I had a 2013 cmax, that went 95K before getting hit by a stoplight runner with no trips to the dealer for warranty work or anything other than oil changes lifetime MPG was 42

ended up replacing it with a 2015 cmax energi for the electric range for commuting t/f work. Still not ready to drop the ICE completely so thats why I still stuck with a hybrid model.

you'll only find them used.

[Anonymous]

Kia Niro, especially if you loved the Scion xB.

Subaru Crosstrek comes in a plug-in hybrid. It's really cool and I like the Subaru styling & AWD. Perfect AWD car for city driving & parking.

[Anonymous]

I have the new CR-V hybrid and I love it. Given your stated requirements, I wouldn't get anything smaller for tall adults with a child seat(s?) in the back seat (particularly if any child seats are rear-facing).

When the weather is nice, I get about 40 mpg overall. When it's cold, about 35/36.

The hybrid version only costs about $1700 more than the conventional.

The RAV4 is another good option.