Matt is a high school teacher in Oklahoma. He is looking for an enjoyable commuter car that is also comfortable for the family. Ideally, it would be some kind of EV or plug-in. With a firm budget of up to $50,000, what car should he buy?
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Here is the scenario.
I’m a teacher and a father of twins who start Pre-K next year. My daily commute is roughly 50-60 miles both ways. I’m targeting an EV or a plug-in. I really like wagons and hot hatchbacks, but I also need something reasonable for the family. This car must seat 5, but if it can seat 6-7 that is better as we do day trips with my in-laws. I have an absolute firm budget of $50,000.
Quick Facts:
Budget: up to $50,000
Location: Oklahoma
Daily Driver: Yes
Wants: EV/PHEV, seating for 5, fun to drive
Doesn’t want: Anything over that $50k mark
Expert 1: Tom McParland – Get That Hot Hatch With Some Extra Zap
Matt, a $50,000 budget offers a lot of really solid options in the EV space thanks to the serious depreciation on those vehicles. Most electrified cars are pretty zippy to drive with their instant power delivery. But if you are looking for something extra sporty with a bit of style and speed for the money, you need a Kia EV6 GT.
The GT trim is the top spec of the already excellent Kia EV6 “crossover,” despite the marketing terminology, this is very much a hatchback. While a bit bigger than a Golf R it’s got the right proportions and space for the family, but with amplified performance. The GT version has 576 hp and will sprint to 60 in about 3.5 seconds, a level of acceleration typically found in high-end sports cars costing well into the six figures. While you will only get about 200 miles of range, it seems you have a reasonable commute to make that work. Here is a barely used example with only 4,000 miles for $40,000.
Expert 2: Collin Woodard – Zoom, Zoom, Y’all
You know, Matt, I wanted to recommend an EV. I really did. You have a super long commute and would definitely benefit from never buying gas again. If you’re looking for an EV that seats six, though, your options are pretty limited. The Kia EV9 is out of your price range and too new to be picked up used for less than $50,000, at least in Oklahoma. And while you could probably find a used Tesla Model X, you’ve really got to ask yourself if you can stomach rolling around in an Elon-mobile.
Instead, I say go the hybrid route. You’ve got a lot more three-row PHEV options than you do with EVs, and since this is Jalopnik, I can’t help but recommend the Mazda CX-90. It looks great, offers a well-appointed interior, gives you plenty of space for both the kids and the in-laws and also happens to be a plug-in hybrid. Its 26-mile range won’t be enough to get you to work and back without using any gas, but it still gets good gas mileage. Also, while three-row crossovers can only be so fun, it’s still a Mazda, so you won’t risk dying of boredom.
A base CX-90 would technically be in your price range, but throw in the destination charge, and you’re already over that $50,000 price point. Instead, I say go used. Here’s a 2024 CX-90 in Tulsa with only 3,600 miles on it for only $41,000. Sure, somebody else’s butt has already been in that seat, but if it saves you $10,000, who cares? I’d be willing to put up with far worse if it put an extra $10,000 in my pocket. It’s not the fanciest CX-90 you could buy, it looks like a great deal, so I say go for it.
Expert 3: Lawrence Hodge – The Only EV On The Market That’s Actually Family Sized
To be honest Matt, the vehicle you’re looking for doesn’t quiet exist yet, especially when you throw in the fun to drive equation. There are EVs that can sit five or seven, but they’re pricey offerings like the Rivian R1S and Mercedes-Benz EQS. Or they can, but their third rows are so small they’re almost useless, like the Mercedes-Benz EQB and Tesla Model X (which also happens to be pricey).
Luckily Kia went and created the EV9, a proper family SUV that’s also an EV. And with proper seating for seven, it’ll have no problem carrying you and your family. And you’ll look pretty cool while doing it. You can go two ways with the EV9 and your budget. You can go new, but you can only get the EV9 Light. You can get it under $50,000 with the tax credit, but you’ll only have 230 miles of range, which could be a little less in real world driving.
My suggestion would be to go used. EV9s are starting to show up used. And with depreciation being what they are with EVs, you can find one in your budget if you look hard enough. And I found the compromise. A Kia dealer in Litha Springs, Georgia has a used ’24 EV9 Light Long Range that’ll get you 304 miles of range. And the dealer is asking just $46,918. And with just over 1,700 miles on it, it’s practically new. While it may not be the fun car you’re looking for, it’s probably the best option for you and your family
Expert 4 – Bradley Brownell: Forget The Inlaws, Have Some Fun
Don’t be boring, go get yourself a Porsche. The Panamera is a perfectly usable everyday driver, and the E-Hybrid plug-in models even more so. With a 2.9-liter twin-turbocharged V6 and an electric motor combining for 462 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque, this big beast has some real shove. You’ll get about 20 miles of electric range from the 14.1 kWh battery onboard, and it’s good for a 4.4-second 0-60 sprint, looking cool as hell either way. It’ll also be a much nicer place to spend two hours a day or more than anything my colleagues suggested.
This particular model, which is kitted out with bells, whistles and cymbals for good measure, will run you just $41,496. It even has soft-close doors for goodness sake! It has fewer than 70,000 miles on the odometer and should be good for tens of thousands more. You might be able to find a lower-mileage or newer example that still fits in your budget. This is a big baller car for middle-manager money. There’s no way you could go wrong.