All of those plusses are true, but there is a big tradeoff in ease of traveling and for me that tradeoff holds me back in a big way. Traveling is my only issue with going full EV. Thats what stood out to me about this review, longer range AND more power makes for a better EV driving experience in town and then a nice inline 6 gives a good driving experience on trips when the EV battery is exhausted. The full EV is a better driving experience but with a huge drawback for me.

A PHEV Range Rover might seriously be my next car. Likely not to replace the Pacifica because a 7 seater is too expensive, but a RRS or 2 row RR to replace the S580...

 

I've always said that if EV doesn't work for someone, than stick with what does. For me, I will never take my ICE vehicle (Sienna) unless I need more than 5 seats or have to haul stuff that doesn't fit in my Y or 3. Full EV works for me, therefore ICE, PHEV and HEV are irrelevant to my needs. Only speaking for myself here

 

Not trying to convince you or others otherwise, this video just really changed my whole thought process about adopting EVs for myself which is why I shared it. Its not a competition, the more options the merrier IMO. I think PHEVs are a much easier move for a lot of consumers than going from ICE straight to full EV, then from there maybe they will want to make the move to full EV. We've been super happy with the PHEV Pacifica and if it had 30 more miles of range and more EV power dare I say it would be perfect.

Sticking with what works IMO shouldn't be the goal. I think we should encourage people to make the move from an ICE car to some sort of EV, PHEVs are an easier sell and they still dramatically reduce emissions and the use of gasoline.

 

I'm glad you shared it 👍From my standpoint, I would never recommend PHEV or HEV over BEV because IMO those are inferior platforms. Only time I would steer someone away from BEV is if they absolutely have no way to charge. My daughters Fiance for example, he just sold his hybrid and bought a used Model 3. Had he not had the ability to charge, I may have advised him otherwise, but since he does have the ability to charge, I would never in my right mind steer him to anything other than a BEV

 

I think the travel thing is a big stumbling block. If somebody travels often especially to rural areas I think thats a huge downside to BEV adoption. Many, many people just don't want to sit and charge and have to worry about where they can charge when driving on a trip. Thats the most common issue I hear when talking about it to other people, and its the only thing that holds us back. The PHEV solves that problem, I don't see how its fair to say its an "inferior platform". Its a different platform that has positives and negatives vs BEV.

 

Options are always good. What works for me might not work for someone else. And yes that RRS does look like a good option.

 

Both the RRS and the RR come with the same powertrain, I would consider them both. Honestly the RRS is 90% of a RR, its very compelling vs springing for the full RR. Although, it would be hard for me not to get the best one.

 

I've never owned a Sport, only the full size, but from what I see of the new ones they are super nice and the differences are a lot less these days than they used to be, at one point they weren't on the same platform.

 

It's inferior because it drives inferior, is less efficient, has to visit a gas station (and charge if it's a PHEV) and needs maint. That's inferior in my book. Since I've moved to Tesla, I've had zero issues traveling long distances, so a HEV or PHEV makes Zero sense for my needs since I have the ability to charge at home and supercharge while traveling. It makes as much sense to me as downgrading from an S Class to a Corolla. In other words, they are downgrades to me. That said, I have no problems with HEV, PHEV's, or even Corollas being available and people buying them, I like options being available as SWAJAMES said. I'm just not one of those who will be buying them, nor am I someone who advocates for them

 

So you totally don't see my perspective?

 

No, I do see it and respect it

 

Its inferior in some ways but not having to stop to charge or worrying about charging when traveling is a huge benefit to me and a lot of other people that is potentially worth those tradeoffs. When traveling whats better about stopping to charge for 20 min vs stopping to refuel?

Have you travelled in your Tesla anywhere that charging is not readily available or where you would have to travel out of your way to charge? Thats a huge difference.

As for downgrading from an S Class to a Corolla...there is a huge benefit to doing that...saving $115,000.

 

I just read that Mercedes has cancelled the PHEV S580e for 2026...interesting...

 

Yes I did, to my aunts in Three Rivers, CA where the nearest supercharger was 50 miles away and they only had two Level 2 Tesla destination chargers in the whole town:



Totally worked out fine for me. But that's how dedicated to EV's I am, their superior drive ability is worth the once in awhile trip like this. I would do this same trip again and again with no hesitation. Not asking anyone else to do this, I'm just one that puts his money where his mouth is

 

How did you wind up handling the charging?