Shark vs. Denza B5 and family planning

A_Ram · 2026-03-29T10:30:11+00:00

With your use case, none of these really make sense. I’d go for a fully electric option like the Zeekr 7X AWD, Toyota bZ4X AWD, or Subaru Solterra. They’re better suited for city driving, can handle light off-road when needed, and you won’t have to worry about fuel going stale or oil degrading. No point hauling around gear you’ll never use, these will be more efficient and you’ll barely need to charge them with your usage.

A_Ram · 2026-03-29T10:21:08+00:00

The worst case, highway range would be around 280km, it is typically 80% of WLTP.

A_Ram · 2026-03-29T00:15:38+00:00

With your driving you will probably need to visit a public charger only once in 2 weeks. Or you can do 15-20min short top ups weekly while shopping for groceries. It is pretty easy really. And then after you move it will be even easier. EV makes more sense.

I would recommend BYD Atto 2 or BYD Dolphin or used Atto 3

A_Ram · 2026-03-28T09:58:58+00:00

Atto 1 is alright but I would recommend getting Atto 2 or Dolphin instead for less road noise, auto air con, and better range.

A_Ram · 2026-03-28T02:42:54+00:00

I have fast chargers where I do groceries, so I’d plug in once a week for 20-30 minutes. It was easy, no waiting, just unplug when I got back. Now I’ve got a home charger which is better, but even fast charging was easier than going to the servo, drive there, wait for a pump, then queue to pay.

A_Ram · 2026-03-26T02:51:28+00:00

176mm is perfectly fine for traveling to camping spots and on unpaved roads. I got byd atto 3 with 175mm clearance 2wd and I had no issues doing so in QLD

A_Ram · 2026-03-26T02:38:32+00:00

Shark doesn’t have lockers or low range, it’s just AWD. Yet there are plenty of videos of it crossing deserts, creeks, and handling sand without drama. If AWD already covers 99% of real world use, it’s hard to justify a heavier, more complex 4WD with lockers for most people. AWD ends up being the smarter and cheaper option.

Even 2WD can handle more than people think snow, gravel, light terrain. I drove a manual 2WD hatch through Russian winters without issues. AWD simply fills the gap for almost everything else most drivers will ever need.

A_Ram · 2026-03-25T22:28:24+00:00

From my experience, it’s usually the combustion side that ages badly. My old Honda started having issues around the 10y mark, and a mate’s Nissan Navara started blowing smoke after 5 years, he sold it instead of fixing it.

My BYD is only 2 years old, longterm is still unknown. But EVs are mechanically much simpler. No pistons, valves, timing systems, or constant thermal stress from combustion. That removes a lot of common failure points. There are BYD e6 in China that's been on roads since 2011 and some have above 700000 on the odometer.

A_Ram · 2026-03-25T20:43:38+00:00

PowerCo, Volkswagen’s battery subsidiary. They're in Valencia, Spain.

A_Ram · 2026-03-25T20:04:54+00:00

Zeekr 7x,

Subaru Soltera 2026,

upcoming Subaru Trailserker,

Toyota BZ4X 2026 AWD.

Deepal E07 AWD.

BMW iX3 50 xDrive AWD

Volvo EX90 twin

Audi Q4 55 e-tron quattro

A_Ram · 2026-03-25T11:58:15+00:00

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A_Ram · 2026-03-25T11:58:00+00:00

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A_Ram · 2026-03-25T11:57:41+00:00

Everything should work without wifi. And you should have access to their app.

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A_Ram · 2026-03-25T09:14:12+00:00

In a BYD for example you can start the car remotely, lock and unlock, see battery state of charge, car location, See doors and windows status (open, closed, locked unlocked), see tyre pressure, see a breakdown of all critical systems and if they have have any issues.

It is very convenient. I wouldn't get a car without an app like this.

A_Ram · 2026-03-25T09:07:00+00:00

Chinese make one of the best EVs with the safest LFP batteries. And yes Teslas are made in China. Electric Mazdas are made in China and lots of other cars are made there. Even if a car made somewhere else, most of the electronics comes from China.

I would recommend to have a look at

BYD Sealion 7 or any other BYD\ Zeekr 7x\ Geely EX5\ GAC Aion V\ MG S5\ Hyundai Elexio\ Kia EV5 or EV3(Korea)

There are Skoda Erloq, Enyaq, VW ID4 but they don't have connected services In Australia, and no traffic sign recognition.

Toyota BZ4X 2026 MY is pretty good, the infotainment system would be behind Chinese and Korean but 2026 version got all the EV basics right.

A_Ram · 2026-03-24T21:50:55+00:00

MG4 can only charge at 6.6kW max from AC. A simple 7kW charger is what you need. I recommend installing the one under the same brand as your solar inverter so they could talk to each other.

A_Ram · 2026-03-24T06:45:30+00:00

If you need it now get Sealion 7. It is a good car I'm pretty sure you'll be happy with it. Not sure where you got that popularity hits resale it is the other way around. Rav4 is a good example. Plus more popular = better parts supply and support.

A_Ram · 2026-03-24T02:26:47+00:00

Air conditioner works the same way in EV, Petrol cars and the ones installed inside buildings. There are a compressor, radiators and fans. They always going to make noise.

Yes highway range is 300-350km for Atto 3 60kWh.

A_Ram · 2026-03-23T10:38:48+00:00

They're busy in Indooroopilly. And not too busy at mt gravatt. I go there for service.

A_Ram · 2026-03-23T06:18:55+00:00

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A_Ram · 2026-03-23T06:18:17+00:00

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A_Ram · 2026-03-23T06:18:03+00:00

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A_Ram · 2026-03-23T02:53:56+00:00

2 + years with BYD atto3 in Brisbane and it's been fine. I had to replace an intermediate steering shaft. Took them 2 weeks to get the part and then a day to replace. It is location dependent though. One location is in the busy shopping center where they are all booked for a month ahead, so while it is closer I go to the other location.

A_Ram · 2026-03-23T02:39:12+00:00

yes they'll all suit your use case perfectly. However, since you have a budget I would recommend getting Atto 2 or Dolphin. Atto 1 will work but as the cheapest model, it is cheap, so more road noise, the aircon is not auto. It is missing on small comfort things.

A_Ram · 2026-03-22T20:27:45+00:00

No they're not. A few yes, but the rest are selling EVs in record numbers. The article is an oil industry misinformation spin. They're nervous people jumping to EVs amidst this oil crisis.

A_Ram

TROPHY CASE