Your questions answered: Will the new Toyota Prado get a double fuel tank?

The all-new 2024 Toyota Prado unveiled this week has sparked a massive surge of interest among carsales readers, one of whom is keen to know whether the 250 Series will get a long-range fuel tank.

We’ve also got fresh interest in Hyundai electric cars, the new Honda ZR-V hybrid, EV home charging and, just to bring things back to good old-fashioned twin-turbo V8 firepower in a boxy utilitarian 4x4 off-roader, why the Mercedes-AMG G 63 is so damn expensive.

Plus, we look at the Toyota LandCruiser that drove underwater in recent days and what that means for electric cars going off-road.

Question: Will the new Toyota Prado get a double fuel tank? I notice there weren’t any pictures of cars with the spare tyre on the tailgate? I was looking at the current Prado but reckon I’ll wait for the new one now that I’ve seen it. Love the look of it! – Ryan P

Answer: Good question, and it’s one we’re wondering as well. While the images shown of the new 250 Series Toyota Prado were officially of a prototype, they’re clearly very close to what we’ll see in dealerships.

And it looks as though the tailgate will open up rather than out, which would be a first for the Prado. That being the case, it’s difficult to see a version ever having the spare wheel mounted on the tailgate.

But keep in mind the Prado is now sitting on the same architecture as the LandCruiser 300 Series. So it’s bigger than ever and also has more room between the front and rear wheels.

We’re guessing Toyota may use the same 110-litre tank from the 300 Series (it consists of an 80-litre main tank and 30-litre sub-tank). Who knows, given the four-cylinder engine there may even be more space that would allow for a slightly larger tank, although it’s difficult to see it matching the 150-litre capacity of the current Prado.

Plus there’s a more economical diesel drivetrain coming courtesy of a 48V electrical system that can add mild assistance.

Either way, the new Prado may not quite stretch to the 1500km-ish cruising range of the current car, but we’d expect it to be well north of 1000km.

Don’t forget, though, that there’s a healthy family of aftermarket suppliers who will be quick to offer a longer-range fuel tank if the factory one doesn’t do the trick.

Question: I saw some blokes went and drove an electric LandCruiser underwater in Darwin. Wow! I thought the electronics would have caused issues driving underwater? Maybe there’s hope yet for electric off-roaders. – Andy N

Answer: There’s definitely hope for electric off-roaders. In many ways an EV is better suited to driving underwater than a petrol or diesel car. That’s because you don’t have to feed it fresh air via a snorkel.

Of course, there are other challenges and key among those is ensuring all electrical components are shielded from water to save short-circuiting the system.

The LandCruiser that drove seven kilometres under Darwin Harbour was no normal Toyota. It had been heavily modified specifically for that job. But, yes, it does show that it can be done.

Electric four-wheel drives could have other benefits, too. Having a heavy battery pack in the floor of the car could lower the centre of gravity, for example. And regulating traction control via electricity is a lot easier than doing it with fuel, which means smarter, smoother traction control.

We can’t wait to see some of the electric off-roaders that will inevitably arrive in dealerships over the next few years.

Question: I have been contacted by Hyundai people stating that they have an IONIQ 6 available for me to purchase. I had put in an expression of interest some time back. Please let me know if you have any comments about this car – particularly the two models above the basic one. In particular, the unique side mirrors replaced by cameras. I will really appreciate your advice and/or comments about this car and how do you compare this with Tesla 3 long range. – Narinder G

Answer: The Hyundai IONIQ 6 is an impressively efficient EV that also delivers on driving excitement. Even in single-motor/rear-drive guise, performance is more than acceptable. The dual-motor model is a further step up, with brisk acceleration. It’s a great car, albeit one that has been shaped (literally) by the desire to get a sleek aerodynamic profile.

The challenge for the IONIQ 6 is pricing when compared with its most obvious rival, the Tesla Model 3. The Tesla is way more affordable and allows you to access the state rebates that exist in most parts of the country.

The Hyundai fights back with more range and a snazzier cabin, albeit one that doesn’t have the space of the Tesla.

So short story is if it’s the head leading your decision-making then the Tesla wins out, but if your heart is tugging you towards the Hyundai then you’ll be driving away in a fine EV.

As for those digital side mirrors, there’s an adjustment period in using them. You need to get used to adjusting the focal length of your eyes from near to far, whereas when you’re using a mirror you’re constantly looking off into the distance. You also can’t adjust the field of vision by moving your head.

The advantages are better low-light and wet-weather performance (the lenses do a great job of repelling water droplets). Plus no need to adjust the mirrors for different drivers.

Question: We’re taking delivery of a Tesla next month and we’re wondering what sort of charger we should put in our garage. We currently have a regular power point but I’m assuming we’ll need to get an electrician in to fit some sort of box. Any advice would be appreciated! – Danny E

Answer: Congrats on taking the EV plunge. Be warned there will be an adjustment for the first few weeks, especially when it comes to public charging. Make sure you have accounts and apps for the different chargers on your phone.

A shortlist should include Chargefox, Evie, Jolt, AmpCharge and BP Pulse. Also make sure you’ve got PlugShare, which is handy for checking charging options on your route.

As for home charging, if you’re doing less than 100km a day you can easily use the power point that’s already in your garage. Tesla no longer supplies that mobile charger with the car, so you’ll have to order one in advance.

The other option is a wallbox charger. Prices start at around $700 plus installation, which depends on your house but could be as little as a few hundred dollars.

Those wallbox chargers can add around 40km of charge per hour. So if you’ve been on a big drive they’ll easily charge the car to full overnight, whereas the regular power point would take more like 30 hours.

Question: I currently have a 2015 Honda HR-V and am looking to buy a new car, something similar to what I have now. I know the current HR-V has a hybrid version but am leaning towards the new ZR-V hybrid, the e:HEX LX. Do you have a view on the ZR-V, and is it a significant step up from the HR-V? – Karin M

Answer: The Honda ZR-V is certainly a step up size-wise over the HR-V. It slots between the HR-V and CR-V with its exterior dimensions.

Compared with the HR-V you’ll notice a more spacious cabin, especially in the back seats and boot. It’s a well-rounded compact SUV, albeit one with a premium price.

That premium price is amplified once you get to the hybrid model because it’s only available in top-whack LX trim. Thankfully, it’s a decent hybrid system that is relatively efficient and has decent around-town pull.

It’s a shame, though, that the ZR-V isn’t at least available as an all-wheel drive (all models drive only the front wheels). Still, yes, it’s definitely worth a look. But don’t ignore alternatives. We’re tempted to steer you towards some of the Toyota hybrid SUVs, but there are ridiculous wait times on them.

So have a look at the Nissan X-TRAIL e-POWER instead. It’s bigger than the ZR-V, has all-wheel drive and is nicer to drive.

Question: I'm wondering if there has been information as yet about the new Hyundai Kona Electric as far as performance, etc. – Warren S

Answer: Hyundai has released some basic details globally, although we’re still awaiting confirmation on Australian pricing. The one known is that it will be Hyundai’s most affordable electric car, but we still wouldn’t expect much change from $65,000.

As with its sister car, the Kia Niro, the new Kona EV will go backwards on torque, dropping from a maximum of 395Nm with the previous model to 255Nm with the current car. It’s a substantial drop, but one that in the Niro doesn’t affect everyday performance too much.

The reduction in torque been done to focus more on efficiency and range but also to help ensure every Newton-metre makes it to the bitumen; the previous model often had to work hard to reduce wheelspin out of tight corners.

We haven’t driven it yet but will hopefully get behind the wheel in the next couple of months.

Question: I see the new Mercedes-Benz G 63 is back on sale. While I’m no chance of ever being able to afford one, I absolutely love it. But why is it so expensive?? Surely Merc can make it for less than that? – John T

Answer: How much a car costs to make doesn’t always translate to the price you see in the dealership. Car-makers will usually charge whatever they can for a car. If the demand is there and people are prepared to pay, then you’ll see the price head north. That’s particularly true at the top end of the market, where buyers often have plenty of spare cash to play with.

That’s what’s happened with the G-Wagen, in particular the G 63 AMG. What is essentially the same car was only a few years ago about $100K less. But it turns out people love the idea of a utilitarian-looking off-roader with a beefy V8 engine with side exit exhausts.

The queues were so long that Mercedes-Benz had to temporarily suspend orders – while also taking the liberty of upping the price.

To be fair, Mercedes-Benz as a brand has been on a big repositioning move over the past couple of years. Most models have jumped significantly in price, often accompanied by a new model and/or more equipment.

Think of it as the three-pointed star trying to head further upmarket to the territory it once occupied, in turn separating itself from traditional rivals.

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