@kezo and @Rene Thank you both for sharing such detailed explanations and filling in some of my knowledge gaps. Much appreciated. Clearly driving a PHEV is a different experience and mindset to driving an ICE car, but one that I am sure I would adapt to, as you both have. One thing that crossed my mind is driving in the winter when it’s really cold. In order to warm up the interior of the car, does the petrol engine have to start, meaning that you couldn’t do complete journeys in EV only mode unless you were happy just having the heated seats and steering wheel on? During the coldest months I’d prefer (and my wife certainly would prefer) to have some warm air circulating as well.
It is a bit different, both in mindset and “skillset”. It’s not that you consciously adapt either, it’s something that happens over time and “just makes sense”, if that makes sense. I personally do indeed enjoy it.
The engine does not need to be running to run the heating, although that said, we (as you mentioned) get away with turning the seats and steering wheel on for short journeys, longer journeys require heating due to the windows fogging up. Generally speaking, heating in the GTE takes around 20%ish off the range, if that helps. I assume it’s somewhat similar in the Tiguan that has a very similar drivetrain, i can’t speak to the Tucson but i don’t see why it would be any different. Kezo might be able to input more there.
edit: that’s in a car without heatpump. With heatpump, the impact is less, albeit not by as much as manufacturers would argue it does. It helps, but it very much would depend for me whether or not the heatpump is included as standard – if it’s £1000 extra, you won’t make that money back over the time of ownership in terms of fuel/energy saved.
Prior: SEAT Ateca Xcellence Lux 1.5 TSI DSG MY19, VW Golf GTE PHEV DSG MY23
Current: Hyundai Ioniq 6 Ultimate
Next: we'll see what's available in 2028.