2017 Ioniq or Leaf?

[runboy]

What would be a better buy, a 2017 Hyundai Ioniq Premium 28kwh at £18k or a 2017 Nissan Leaf Tekna 30kwh at £15.5k, both at main dealers and both c37k miles on the clock?

The Ioniq I understand will do more miles to a charge but £2.5k difference isn't to be sniffed at. We don't really do trips longer than say 80 miles round trip.

[TooLateForAName]

The ioniq.

leaf batteries are poor - no thermal management - and the 30s seem worse than other versions

[Europa Jon]

No contest: Ioniq for same reason as above. The Leaf is more plush inside, but isn't the smarter choice.

[chuenmanc]

We owned both at the same time. The Ioniq was leagues ahead for me. I think only the slightly larger boot, bit more vertical height in cabin, and the around view camera were wins for the Leaf. I preferred the Ioniq interior too.

[spaceship]

Does the Ioniq have a way of preheating the cabin?

[codenamecueball]

spaceship said:

Does the Ioniq have a way of preheating the cabin?

The 38kWh ones lets you do it via the app whether it's plugged in or not. You can also set departure time for charging, heating etc. Not sure about the 28kWh as I never sat in one.

[Bannock]

TooLateForAName said:

The ioniq.

leaf batteries are poor - no thermal management - and the 30s seem worse than other versions

Given the OP only does 80 mile trips at most, that probably won't be a problem. This is from an owner of a 2017 Leaf 30kwh, it's my second Leaf after having had a 24kwh version. My use seems similar to the OP's and it's not caused me any problem or concerns in 5 years of Leaf ownership.

I do agree the Ioniq is the better car technically/mechanically though, and should be the pick if the extra £2.5k isn't needed by the OP for anything else. It will likely hold its value better too, to compensate for the extra outlay. However, as others have said the Leaf is probably a better laid out and spacious car internally and a more comfortable place to be in general. Slightly higher driving position too, if that matters to the OP.

But I don't think you'd be disappointed with the Leaf, OP, if you go for the cheaper option. Mine have been 100% reliable, very cheap to run and maintain, and an absolute pleasure to drive. I occasionally do a longer trip to visit my Mum who lives 180 miles, only needs one 45-min charge each way in the summer, but I'm a bit more cautious in the winter and plan for two stops. I think that would probably be that case in an Ioniq too, so from that point of view I wouldn't necessarily see it as worth the extra money.

[JonnyVTEC]

TooLateForAName said:

The ioniq.

leaf batteries are poor - no thermal management - and the 30s seem worse than other versions

Isn't the Ioniq air cooled battery too?...

[McAndy]

Ioniq 28 kWh is excellent. (From an owner (or husband of one!))