I think 75% of the folks here meet that requirement...Doesn't an Avalon have a minimum age requirement?
The RAV4 hybrid with e-AWD is actually a very nice vehicle. The hybrid system drives the front wheels, and the rear wheels are driven on demand by a rear electric motor. If I was in the market for a small SUV/CUV, it would definitely be at the top of the list, just below a very rare Rav4 EV. The Lexus is NX200h is also very nice, but at a higher price point.
Nice, I was wondering what you bought after I saw another post of yours. That is probably about the closest match you can get vs the Passat TDI. More power (1 second faster to 60), plenty of space and great mpgs. No hate from me as I am looking into hybrids as well.
I went on to a high end dealerships lot this past Sunday in DFW. They were closed of course. Used Cars from loaded BMW 7 series, Escalades, 911's and down. 90% of the cars were open. It was nice to be able to just sit in a bunch of cars. Avalon was nice and had plenty of room. I am still hoping to be happy in a mid sized car.
Yea...I tried to go back and add the "on" that I missed. It didn't work.
On the NX200h, coming from a Passat, you are going to hate the backseat space. Tiny! If the front Grille didn't get you, minimal space in backseat would.
Go try the Accord. Slightly less room in backseat than Passat but the Accord seems to have a lot more space in the backseat than Malibu, Fusion or Mazda 6. Impala would do the trick as in space for you. I drove one of those as well.
I have driven a 2015 Accord Hybrid touring so I know the size well. The funny thing with the Accord was that I felt like I could not get the seat into a comfortable position. I agree with the rear space, it is pretty good and would be acceptable whereas the Fusion, 6 and even 2016 Malibu are a lot tighter, probably by at least 3 inches. Those 3 would be fine for the vast majority of people and trying to see if they will work for me given I generally am the only one in the car.
They did update the interior in the 2016 models. Maybe the seat is more comfortable? It was fine for me but, unfortunately for me, I don't have your height.
Yes, valid point on recouping the higher cost vs hybrid equivalent, it is very much part of my search. Same can be said for when I bought the Passat, when you add in maintenance and specific things that went wrong on the diesel side of things, it was a wash vs a 2.5. The only saving grace is scandal giving me the money back that I expected (but wasn't guaranteed) on resale.
Why didn't you look at 4 cylinder accord? I think trunk is 15.0. Plus you can buy one for the same as a civic right now. Should be able to buy a very nicely equipped 2016 closeout for 2k to 3k behind invoice. Like I said earlier, going to take a long time recoup the difference in gas savings on a hybrid vs a 4 cylinder accord. Plus, I would be concerned about long term reliability on Malibu... Also much smaller backseat in Malibu vs accord. Oh and seats fold down on ex and above non hybrid accords.
Sage advice.
...and conversely, what many here have refused to accept, is that their $33k Passat TDISELs are $20k cars with options!
I've looked at the CMax as well, but the trunk space is rather sparse, especially the Energi. Drives nice, but I can't give up that much cargo space.
I think it would be folly to spend 33K on a Passat. Just like it's crazy to spend over $30K on a Golf or Beetle.
That was my point. Many were lulled into thinking they were buying an inexpensive Audi, only to learn that the basic structure was an entry-level mid-size sedan.
