Help me choose our next car?

[AMandM]

Our current car (2007 Hyundai Entourage minivan) failed its last emissions test. We spent several hundred dollars trying to solve the problem without success, which got us a waiver that expires next summer (2025). After that we will not be able to register it. So we have a while to choose and shop for a new car. We don't really need the passenger capacity of a minivan anymore, but I don't know what's out there.

Our top criterion is that the rear seating has to be comfortable for an adult. Our household will consist of 3-5 adults (depending on when the two youngest move out), so we'll be using the rear seating on a regular basis.
After that, reliability and operating cost matter most.
We go on a few long trips each year, including camping, so cargo space is also a consideration.
Apart from those, the vast majority of our trips are under 15 miles.  I have read a bit about the used PHEV rebate and it's very attractive.

I'd love to hear your suggestions and explanations, either for a general type of car to look at or for specific models. Thanks!

[Dave1442397]

If you can find a used Toyota RAV4 Prime (PHEV), that might fit your needs. It only has 42 miles of range in EV mode.

If you need more room, a Toyota Highlander hybrid might work, but it's not a PHEV.

[clarkfan1979]

Our current car (2007 Hyundai Entourage minivan) failed its last emissions test. We spent several hundred dollars trying to solve the problem without success, which got us a waiver that expires next summer (2025). After that we will not be able to register it. So we have a while to choose and shop for a new car. We don't really need the passenger capacity of a minivan anymore, but I don't know what's out there.

Our top criterion is that the rear seating has to be comfortable for an adult. Our household will consist of 3-5 adults (depending on when the two youngest move out), so we'll be using the rear seating on a regular basis.
After that, reliability and operating cost matter most.
We go on a few long trips each year, including camping, so cargo space is also a consideration.
Apart from those, the vast majority of our trips are under 15 miles.  I have read a bit about the used PHEV rebate and it's very attractive.

I'd love to hear your suggestions and explanations, either for a general type of car to look at or for specific models. Thanks!

I really like my 2007 Pontiac Vibe. It's the same car as the Toyota Matrix, with a Toyota engine and cost 40% less. I think they stopped making it in 2010, which will be my next purchase. It's a hatchback with plenty of room for my needs and averages 31 mpg per tank.

[AccidentialMustache]

When we originally went looking for a second car, the mazda 5 was on our list. Spiritual successor to the MPV. Small minivan-like vehicle. It has a third row that is really only child appropriate, but you could fold it flat and have a lot of storage. They quit making them quite a while ago but I'm not sure when. Can't speak to broad reliability, but anecdata the MPV we had for a while was reliable for us?

You might also want to price out a rental for those long trips and see if that lets you get a smaller/more efficient around town vehicle.

[GilesMM]

Toyota Sienna would be at the top of my list for efficiently hauling people and cargo.

[sonofsven]

Do you want a sedan or an SUV, since you don't want another minivan.
Toyota Avalon has a really comfortable rear seat and they are not in high demand (hence more affordable), but maybe not great for camping.
I was recently in a new Highlander, it was very spacious and comfortable.

[RWD]

The IONIQ 5 has a ton of space for rear passengers and a fairly spacious trunk. The rear bench also moves so you can adjust for more rear leg room vs more cargo space.

[roomtempmayo]

Toyota Sienna would be at the top of my list for efficiently hauling people and cargo.

Five adults plus cargo seems to call for a Sienna.

[AMandM]

Thank you for the suggestions! I'll start trying out the RAV4, Highlander, Avalon, and Ioniq 5. It's interesting that almost all the recommendations are Toyotas.

The Vibe and Mazda 5 are out because DH wants a newer car. My daughter has a Sienna and loves it, but we're thinking that the few times a year we want that much space is not worth the higher purchase cost and lower gas mileage of a minivan compared to a smaller vehicle.

Maybe the ideal is to get a smaller vehicle, install a hitch, and either tow a small trailer or carry a cargo shelf on camping and road trips.

[AccidentialMustache]

If you'll go used you may also want to consider if you can stomach a tesla. There's a ... lot of reasons to approach with caution, but my feeds popped up that the model 3 has cratered in the used market. Like... 17k for a clean title 2018. Maybe not so great for 5 adults but at that price point you used to get a bolt and could now get a model 3, with supercharger access... that's wild!

[AMandM]

Toyota Sienna would be at the top of my list for efficiently hauling people and cargo.

Five adults plus cargo seems to call for a Sienna.

Update:
As things have turned out, @roomtempmayo  and @GilesMM almost called it. This week, we bought a 2021 Kia Sedona. In the months since I first posted, we realized that although we don't strictly need minivan space for ourselves, we drive enough grandchildren places often enough that the extra seats are needed. The 2021 Sedona has 8 seats, which is very, very helpful for installing a rotating set of car seats, it's new enough to make DH happy, it's much cheaper than a Sienna or Odyssey, and after watching the market for a few weeks we were able to get a good deal.

[GilesMM]

Toyota Sienna would be at the top of my list for efficiently hauling people and cargo.

Five adults plus cargo seems to call for a Sienna.

Update:
As things have turned out, @roomtempmayo  and @GilesMM almost called it. This week, we bought a 2021 Kia Sedona. In the months since I first posted, we realized that although we don't strictly need minivan space for ourselves, we drive enough grandchildren places often enough that the extra seats are needed. The 2021 Sedona has 8 seats, which is very, very helpful for installing a rotating set of car seats, it's new enough to make DH happy, it's much cheaper than a Sienna or Odyssey, and after watching the market for a few weeks we were able to get a good deal.

The Sedona is a terrific choice!  Many happy miles ahead I am sure.  What color?

[AMandM]

It's a dark grey, almost black. Colour was the only box that didn't get ticked. We'd been hoping for a light colour, to absorb less heat in the summer, but the price and mileage and condition were exactly what we'd been hoping for, so we went with it.