PHEV or EV SUV under $50K

OziShopper on 15/06/2025 - 10:04
Last edited 15/06/2025 - 11:34

We’re in the market for a medium SUV and were considering an EV under novated lease (Atto 3) or a finance offer under 4% (Geely). We drive less than 20,000 km per year (mainly home to office).

Visited both dealerships yesterday, and with the current $4K cashback on the Sealion 6, it seems like better value for money than the Atto 3 or Geely EX5. I understand potentially the long-term EV resale may not be as great compare to ICE (edited based on comments), but wondering if a PHEV might hold more value better 7 years? (Especially if they discontinue Sealion 6)

Thoughts? Any other EV or PHEV under $50K we should consider?

Also, the dealership mentioned BYD never negotiates or throws in extras. Has anyone had luck negotiating with BYD in the past?

Automotive Car SUV Electric Vehicle

Comments

  • oscargamer on 15/06/2025 - 10:52
    +10

    "I understand long-term EV resale is next to nil"

    Which rock is that written under? or are you just repeating what is often spouted on the interwebs?

    An EV done through a NL is a very good option. Particularly if you can charge at home using the granny charger, with only the occasional commercial charge.

    Try the Geely EX5, Deepal S07, Leepmotor C10 or the Atto 3

    • OziShopper on 15/06/2025 - 11:37
      +1

      potentially lesser value compare to the ICE, not arguing but assuming. (updated above)

      I haven't tried Deepal S07 or Leepmotor C10, so I'll certainly look them up too. Thanks

      • Euphemistic on 15/06/2025 - 13:24
        +4

        potentially lesser value compare to the ICE, not arguing but assuming

        That is going to change as the masses slowly work out that EVs dont burn down at the end of warranty and the used EV market matures. By the tme you are ready to sell there will be a lot more buyers for used EVs. European used EV market is going quite strongly.

          • Euphemistic on 16/06/2025 - 14:47
            +4

            @Ade99: Sure bro.

            Batteries are lasting significantly longer than expected. Easily passing 200000km - similar expected lifespan to an engine in an ICE car. You don't see people whining about expecting a new engine after 10y.

            Fires are not a significant risk. ICE cars are far MORE likely to catch fire than EVs. Yes, and EV fire is serious but battery tech coming probably next year should all but eliminate that problem. BYD is already building sodium batteries.

            Software may be an issue, but can you get an ECU for a 15yo ICE car? From a wrecker maybe, but they arent supported except at great expense. Modern ICE cars have just as much software as EVs.

            Over their lifespan EVs will consume less respurces than an ICE. PLUS a battery can be recycled at end of life and electricity can come from the sun or wind. Petrol is gonenonce its burnt.

          • LFO on 16/06/2025 - 17:44
            +1

            @Ade99:

            People are working out that …

            Once again, EVs neither burn down at the end of warranty nor need a replacement battery. Less range than new is suitable for a large majority of users.

            Fire risk? Watch out for your phone in your pocket … happens alllllllllll the time …

            Disclaimer: gimme a very cheap used EV any time!!!. Leave the range "issue" for me.

          • klaw81 on 18/06/2025 - 08:45
            +2

            @Ade99: What an efficient way to demonstrate that you have absolutely no idea what you're talking about.

            On the subject of fire: if EVs are such an clear elevated fire risk, and while charging in particular, why is it that no home insurance company requires policy holders to specify if an EV will be garaged at a premises?

    • dollarone on 16/06/2025 - 11:15
      +2

      I've been keen to buy one of these 'next to nil' used EVs but can't find them anywhere!

      • Euphemistic on 16/06/2025 - 16:49

        True dat. They seem to be depreciating just like any other car. The discslimer to that is that they arent really old enough to determine their actual lifespan yet. The original EVs that are 'old enough' werent any where near as good as current offerings. The leaf and imiev are decent little cars, but battery degredation is very real and their range isnt much.

      • dasher86 on 16/06/2025 - 22:19

        Look for an older MG ZS EV $20-$22k from an original price of $40k+.

        Not next to nil but a sharp decline comparable to luxury vehicles, but it's far from luxury.

        • dkausa on 19/06/2025 - 18:40

          Contributing to that would be the rapid advancement of EV tech since that model was released as well as the dramatic drop in new prices (MG4 for $32K on the road at one stage).

          • dasher86 on 19/06/2025 - 19:51

            @dkausa: Indeed. And that will most likely continue with how many new EVs are being released.
            Call it by any other name but depreciation the results are still the same.

            • Euphemistic on 20/06/2025 - 09:03
              +1

              @dasher86: Its going to change. Deprectiation of a current model EV will be less than the depreciation seen with current used EVs.

              Combination of more people wanting EVs, more charge infrastucture and decent current technology will make todays EVs more desirable than ones that are a few years old now. You can also add in the potential for oil prices to spike if the middle east gets worse.

    • Dr Phil on 16/06/2025 - 15:01
      -3

      Furthermore this is OPs decision
      OP will own and drive the car.

      OP should apply thier own selection criteria and priorities.
      Not those of others that will definitely be different.

      This is why there is not one or two cars to choose from at any time but litterally dozens!

      • LFO on 16/06/2025 - 17:46
        +2

        OP is asking.
        Ozbargains are responding.

  • apple2016 on 15/06/2025 - 10:54
    +4

    PHEV does not make sence as they are about $15k - $20 more than their ICE counterpart.
    20K kms would translate to about $4k of petrol. Even if the difference is $15k, you would have to run your PHEV exclusively on electriv for 4 yrs before you break even. This is considering elecrticity is free. In ideal world, it would be about 8-10 yrs. So you could just go ICE instead of PHEV.

  • nedski on 15/06/2025 - 11:24
    +12

    Resale is next to nil.. WTF? Show me where all these free second hand EV's are.

    • OziShopper on 15/06/2025 - 11:35

      potentially lesser value compare to the ICE, not arguing but assuming. (updated above)

    • apple2016 on 15/06/2025 - 11:57
      -1

      Try selling a used EV around the 7-8 yr mark. You will understand what OP means!

      • qtr pounder on 15/06/2025 - 20:07
        +3

        So what, that'd currently be a used Model S or X. Yeah, they're so cheap 🙄

        • nedski on 15/06/2025 - 23:24
          +2

          You mean selling a car when it first came out that it didn't have a lot of competition and was priced high? And now there are newer cars with better tech and lower starting prices…

          Jeez, I wonder why a car that was 150k is now only worth 60k after 7 years.

          • LFO on 16/06/2025 - 17:50

            @nedski:

            Jeez, I wonder why a car that was 150k is now only worth 60k after 7 years.

            A bit off-topic but the first DJI Mavic drone to sell was about $3,000, now the Mavic Mini sells for about $290.

  • pegaxs on 15/06/2025 - 12:36
    +14

    EV resale is next to nil

    This is what happens kids, when you get all your news* from the Murdoch and such like aligned news sources.
    (* and I use the word "news" in place of the word "propaganda spewing machine")

    Dont bother with PHEV unless you are getting something like the Shark 6, where there are no BEV equivalents available. PHEV's tend to incorporate the worst of both technologies into a single vehicle (high running and servicing costs of a petrol coupled with the piss poor range on a tiny battery and extra weight carrying around one form of power train that isnt doing anything.)

    If a majority of your driving is to and from an office and that is under 100km round trip, go the EV. Easier to own and this is the kind of commuting that is an EV's bread and butter.

    Also, the dealership mentioned BYD never negotiates or throws in extras.

    They are a "fixed price" model of sales and the sales guys are not "sales" guys, they are like Telsa, they are just "order takers" and will literallly sit you down at a computer and open the BYD Aus site and sign you in and set up an account to buy a car.

    And if a set of $50 floor mats gets you over the line, then you are easily bought. Imagine spending $49,000+ on a car and knocking back a deal over not getting $50 in floor mats.

  • Euphemistic on 15/06/2025 - 13:29
    +5

    A PHEV is a waste unless you regulalry drive 2x the range of your vehicle in the outback where there is no electricity.

    A PHEV needs charging EVERY night. A straight EV will likely only need chatging every few nights around town. You'll liekly end up not having sufficient charge more than you think and be running on petrol. PHEV also needs extra servicing.

    We should have had more PHEVs in thw market 5y ago and be phasing them out now.

    • kiitos on 16/06/2025 - 07:42
      -1

      Why does a phev need charging every night? If the battery is empty doesn't it just start up with petrol which then charges the battery? Or am I making incorrect assumptions?

      • p1 ama on 16/06/2025 - 20:55
        +1

        If the battery is empty doesn't it just start up with petrol which then charges the battery?

        Which then negates the benefit of driving a PHEV, you might as well just drive a hybrid if you want this sort of system.

      • Euphemistic on 17/06/2025 - 08:01

        If you want to run your PHEV on the cheapest energy, you charge at off peak rates or off your own solar. If youre running it on petrol to charge the battery, youve bought a regular hybrid with an extra big battery to haul around unnecessarily.

        Sure, you may not NEED to charge every night, but the range of PHEVs is usually small enough that you wont get 2 days without running the ICE. Then, the more you run the ICE, the more it will need servicing too.

      • buckster on 17/06/2025 - 22:43

        You're thinking more of mild hybrids and Toyota hybrids rather than PHEV (plug-in hybrid ev)

  • urahara on 15/06/2025 - 13:40
    +3

    People dont understand this but EVs are only lacking on size aspect atm.
    Owning even an older EV is better and cheaper than PHEV

  • SYLTB on 15/06/2025 - 14:17
    -4

    Whatever (PHEV, EV or ICE) you are going to buy: buying a brand new car is just waste of money. It is not an investment.
    Just buy a few years old car out of warranty and save the remaining for home, super etc.

  • justgooddeals on 15/06/2025 - 20:14
    -1

    Sealion 6 is great car at great price.

    PHEV is great compromise between EV and ICE. Don’t let all the EVangelists dissuade if you think it is the right car for you.

    • Euphemistic on 17/06/2025 - 08:02
      +1

      But also be aware of the limitations of PHEV before you decide.

  • p1 ama on 15/06/2025 - 20:17
    +3

    I understand potentially the long-term EV resale may not be as great compare to ICE (edited based on comments), but wondering if a PHEV might hold more value better 7 years?

    What research informed this?

    As an example, a Tesla Model 3 2019 model (so ~6 years old) goes for ~$30,000 (e.g. see: https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/2019-tesla-model-3-…) with around 70,000km, and was ~$66,000 new.

    You can compare this to a similarly priced "premium-ish" ICE car like the Mercedes-Benz C200 (which is around $63,000 new), also a 2019 model (e.g. see https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/2019-mercedes-benz-…), with around 80,000km, which is also ~$30,000.

    So where did you get this idea that EVs lose a lot of value?

    FWIW, I'd say just get an EV, the problem with PHEV is that it basically is the worst of both worlds - they have all of the servicing and maintenance costs of an ICE vehicle, but have tiny batteries that barely last you anywhere longer than a short return trip, and weak engines that are a complete drag to drive. If you want EV, get an EV, if you want ICE, get ICE.

    BYD Atto 3 is a decent car, you'll be happy with it.

  • Chewy2221 on 16/06/2025 - 08:40
    +2

    V2G ( vehicle to grid) may change the economics of EV ownership . The large EV battery is used to power the home during peak (expensive) electrical demand & is recharged after midnight, when power is cheaper. Might be worth considering if it is available in your area.

  • Thinkscape on 16/06/2025 - 09:51
    +3

    If I were you I'd stretch to new Model Y, which is $58k before orc, but amazing bang for buck.
    Great deals also pop up for inventory and certified pre-owned, but they fly out fast: https://www.tesla.com/en_AU/inventory/used/my

    Get a test drive, judge for yourself… or grab one for weekend from https://evee.com.au and see how it fits your lifestyle.
    From my experience buying and selling them, depreciation is virtually the same as with fossils - expect around 40-50% drop around 3-4 year mark, depending on model. The more premium/expensive it was to buy, the steeper usually the depreciation curve. The LFP batteries have lowest degradation, which plays a role, as more buyers get educated about that.

    I'd skip PHEVs… mostly carbon-credit greenwashing that old OEMs do:

    • More expensive to buy and much more to service (all the usual fossil engine fluids, belts, sparks and other crap + all the extra electronics, special transmission etc., requires special training, more labour and parts)
    • Very fragile, expensive to repair, small, over-burdened battery inside - heaps of horror stories online about what happens when it dies. Typical BEV battery has 10+ years of warranty for i.e. 70%+ capacity retained, with real degradation tapering off at around 10% after 6 years for NMC, or closer to 2% for LFP.
    • Vast majority of the drivetrains are coupled in a way, that if either fossil engine, or the electric motor/battery give out, then it can't be driven anymore and need to be towed.
    • The actual "electric range" is miniscule - if it's rated at 50km, expect around 20-25 in real world (source: owner reviews on youtube, owner forums, 3rd party tests). Typical BEV in Aussie metro setting with (avg. 50km daily commute) is either plugged in overnight or charged once a week (I charge once every 1.5wk)
    • Most PHEVs can't use fast chargers - i.e. cheapest Model 3 charges at peak 170kW, Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is capped at 3.7kW.
    • Hybrids are orders of magnitude more likely to catch fire: several studies from insurers online, i.e. study by US insurer, AutoinsuranceEZ found that hybrid cars had the worst fire record, while EVs were the least likely type of car to catch fire. Hybrid cars had 3474.5 fires per 100,000 sale; petrol cars had 1,529.9 fires per 100,000 sales and EVs had just 25.1 fires per 100,000 sales.. Stats often conflate or group PHEV/Hybrids so no good data to compare PHEV vs BEV head-to-head.
  • Morven on 16/06/2025 - 09:59
    +7

    Consider buying a used EV.

    Two months ago I bought a second-hand BYD Atto 3 Extended for $30k. It's two years old. The battery has lost a few percentage points of health, but it's otherwise as new.

    How do I know? I got a Bluetooth OBD2 (on board diagnostics) dongle from Amazon for $35. Plug it in (there's a port under the dash), connect to free Car Scanner app on your phone, and you've got a full report on the car, error codes, battery state of health, etc. All modern cars have an OBD2 port.

    Someone else took the $20k depreciation hit. BYD recently backdated the warranty on all vehicles sold since 2022 to 6 years/150,000km bumper-to-bumper (and 8 years on the battery). So I have a two-year-old vehicle with a 4-year warranty, 6 years on the battery, BYD has just taken control of its own operations in Australia, and I'm the registered owner in their system and on the app.

    P.S. I charge from rooftop solar, which is basically free fuel. Having an EV is like having a phone. If you remembered to put it on the charger, you leave home with a full battery. If you forget, you'll still be fine unless you have to use it a lot, and if needed you can use a public charger. I wouldn't go PHEV knowing what I know now. PHEV looks like where the depreciation will be in the near future - it's much nicer to have a big battery.

    P.P.S Novated lease can also be done on used cars.

  • Darayus on 16/06/2025 - 10:53
    +3

    Consider the Deepal for an excellent electric car under $50,000—it comes fully loaded with advanced features and modern technology. The Geely 5 is also a good option within budget, though it may lack some of the appeal and refinement of its competitors. For those interested in a Tesla, a two-year-old Model Y can be found for under $42,000, offering strong performance and reliability.

    Electric vehicles are a smart investment, as they typically last well over 10 years, providing long-term value and lower running costs.

  • Seksistefan on 16/06/2025 - 14:44
    +2

    Since there's no more FBT discount on Novated Lease PHEV, wouldn't bother. Not worth it. Buy outright or at lowest interest rate possible.
    I got Outlander, love it, but this is a bit higher than your budget. Chinese PHEVs and EVs are, despite some criticism a very viable option.

  • Optimist Prime on 17/06/2025 - 20:33

    Check out this quiz and see what results you get. Some good EOFY deals listed also.

    www.motoru.com.au

    • oscargamer on 18/06/2025 - 13:40

      Actually not bad.

      I put in my requirements and it came back with a BYD Seal. I ordered that very car 2 months ago !! :)

      • Optimist Prime on 18/06/2025 - 19:26

        Excellent! Glad it matched what you purchased! (Note: I built Motoru)

        How's the BYD going? They seem really solid.

        • oscargamer on 19/06/2025 - 08:40
          +1

          Collect next week. Fingers crossed

          • Optimist Prime on 19/06/2025 - 12:38

            @oscargamer: It'll be fine I'm sure. Only ever see minor gripes about em online, or standard car stuff that gets sorted quickly. It will be even better when BYD takes back their dealerships in July.

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