Which £35k EV?

[C70R]

The Volvo is nearing the end of its lease, and the time has come to figure out what's replacing it.

I want to go full EV this time (there are plenty of petrol alternatives on the driveway), and either new or nearly new.

I'd ideally like something I can own for 3 years with manufacturer warranty. It needs to do a realistic 200+ miles on a charge, and be comfortable to cruise on the motorway where it will spend a lot of its time (which rules out smaller cars for me). 4 decent seats and a boot at least as big as the average hatch (450L) are a must too.

Stuff I've looked at:
- New id3
- Tesla M3
- Kia Niro EV (outgoing model)
- Skoda Enyaq

Before I start booking test drives, am I missing anything obvious? Any curve balls worth considering, for example I know Johnny Smith rates the funky MG highly?

[Shiv_P]

You could get one of the entryier level (still decently specced) Ioniq 5's for that. 5 year manufacturer warranty

[ChocolateFrog]

The Cupra version of the ID3 looks a bit better IMO. Although I don't think either would be my choice having owned the former.

[C70R]

Shiv_P said:

You could get one of the entryier level (still decently specced) Ioniq 5's for that. 5 year manufacturer warranty

I'm struggling to find any under 35k and nearly new. Can you link an example?

[C70R]

ChocolateFrog said:

The Cupra version of the ID3 looks a bit better IMO. Although I don't think either would be my choice having owned the former.

Hard disagree on that one, sadly. It's very "AMG-line", and a car that small doesn't need 20in rims. It will be the id3 if the choice of either arises.

[GreatGranny]

Polestar

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302144...

Cupra

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302184...

Ioniq 5

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303074...

[C70R]

GreatGranny said:

Polestar

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302144...

Cupra

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302184...

Ioniq 5

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303074...

I've now realised why the Hyundai wasn't coming up in my searches, and that's because of the mileage.

Should have probably stipulated that buying "nearly new" I don't expect huge mileages (i.e. lease cars that have been mega-miled and returned after a year).

Edited by C70R on Wednesday 8th March 16:01

[Axionknight]

C70R said:

ChocolateFrog said:

The Cupra version of the ID3 looks a bit better IMO. Although I don't think either would be my choice having owned the former.

Hard disagree on that one, sadly. It's very "AMG-line", and a car that small doesn't need 20in rims. It will be the id3 if the choice of either arises.

I test drove a Born that was on 19's due to its trim level, a ridiculous wheel size for a car so small IMO and given the state of Aberdeen's roads it'd be a bone shaking ride along the way, too.

[TheDrownedApe]

After 20k and 2 years in our iD3 i must warn you that 200 miles on one charge is a stretch in the winter. Motorways are a killer for EVs and we just about manage 170 safely.

The car states 201 miles range on a full charge but never reaches that and the most we've had in winter is about 170 and that's sticking to less than 65mph and drafting with AC off.

To get an estimation of range, multiply the battery size by 4 (iD3 58x4 = 232). I average about 3.3m/kwh mostly local driving with heavy foot

Honestly i would go for a used Model 3 LR.

Edited by TheDrownedApe on Wednesday 8th March 16:15

[The-Wanderer]

You’ll be able to get a new BYD (Build Your Dream) for about £35k soon.

They’re about to hit the UK and want a serious slice of the market, signing up various dealer groups.

[C70R]

Axionknight said:

C70R said:

ChocolateFrog said:

The Cupra version of the ID3 looks a bit better IMO. Although I don't think either would be my choice having owned the former.

Hard disagree on that one, sadly. It's very "AMG-line", and a car that small doesn't need 20in rims. It will be the id3 if the choice of either arises.

I test drove a Born that was on 19's due to its trim level, a ridiculous wheel size for a car so small IMO and given the state of Aberdeen's roads it'd be a bone shaking ride along the way, too.

This car needs to deal with both crappy potholed London roads and rural lanes. Ride comfort will be one of the main things I'll be looking for on the test.

[C70R]

The-Wanderer said:

You’ll be able to get a new BYD (Build Your Dream) for about £35k soon.

They’re about to hit the UK and want a serious slice of the market, signing up various dealer groups.

I'm probably not quite ready to be an early adopter, to be honest.

I'm leaning towards the Tesla at the moment, but it seems like too obvious a choice. Almost like I'm missing something.

[ZX10R NIN]

Ioniq5 Premium 75kwh with 4 years of warranty left:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303014...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212222...

Mach e these are good cars & well worth a look:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303085...

The above are a bit older than you'd maybe like BUT you can get the new Megane EV60 under budget:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211131...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301133...

[Fastlane]

C70R said:

I'm probably not quite ready to be an early adopter, to be honest.

I'm leaning towards the Tesla at the moment, but it seems like too obvious a choice. Almost like I'm missing something.

You"ll get a nice Model 3 Performance or Long Range for that. They are a fantastic EV and a damn good car, so you are right it is an obvious choice.

I loved my Model 3 so much, when the lease was up after 3 years, I got another.

[C70R]

ZX10R NIN said:

Ioniq5 Premium 75kwh with 4 years of warranty left:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303014...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202212222...

Mach e these are good cars & well worth a look:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202303085...

The above are a bit older than you'd maybe like BUT you can get the new Megane EV60 under budget:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211131...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202301133...

The Megane wasn't on my radar at all. Thank you.

I do like the Ioniq5 too.

[C70R]

TheDrownedApe said:

After 20k and 2 years in our iD3 i must warn you that 200 miles on one charge is a stretch in the winter. Motorways are a killer for EVs and we just about manage 170 safely.

The car states 201 miles range on a full charge but never reaches that and the most we've had in winter is about 170 and that's sticking to less than 65mph and drafting with AC off.

To get an estimation of range, multiply the battery size by 4 (iD3 58x4 = 232). I average about 3.3m/kwh mostly local driving with heavy foot

Honestly i would go for a used Model 3 LR.

Edited by TheDrownedApe on Wednesday 8th March 16:15

Presume this is the version with the stated range of 265 miles?

[Whataguy]

TheDrownedApe said:

After 20k and 2 years in our iD3 i must warn you that 200 miles on one charge is a stretch in the winter. Motorways are a killer for EVs and we just about manage 170 safely.

The car states 201 miles range on a full charge but never reaches that and the most we've had in winter is about 170 and that's sticking to less than 65mph and drafting with AC off.

To get an estimation of range, multiply the battery size by 4 (iD3 58x4 = 232). I average about 3.3m/kwh mostly local driving with heavy foot

Honestly i would go for a used Model 3 LR.

Edited by TheDrownedApe on Wednesday 8th March 16:15

I second this, having spent 3 days now driving an ID3 on longer motorway distances and in the cold snap as well.

Indicated range from a nearly 90% charge with the heating on was only 118 miles when it was minus 7. Standard 58kW battery.

Another day, I had to do 50 miles at 50mph in lane 1 being passed by lorries just to make it home

The killer feature with Teslas is the supercharger network - one of the 200 mile daily trips I do regularly only has a handful of ordinary chargers, but a Tesla station right where I would need it.

[C70R]

Whataguy said:

TheDrownedApe said:

After 20k and 2 years in our iD3 i must warn you that 200 miles on one charge is a stretch in the winter. Motorways are a killer for EVs and we just about manage 170 safely.

The car states 201 miles range on a full charge but never reaches that and the most we've had in winter is about 170 and that's sticking to less than 65mph and drafting with AC off.

To get an estimation of range, multiply the battery size by 4 (iD3 58x4 = 232). I average about 3.3m/kwh mostly local driving with heavy foot

Honestly i would go for a used Model 3 LR.

Edited by TheDrownedApe on Wednesday 8th March 16:15

I second this, having spent 3 days now driving an ID3 on longer motorway distances and in the cold snap as well.

Indicated range from a nearly 90% charge with the heating on was only 118 miles when it was minus 7. Standard 58kW battery.

Another day, I had to do 50 miles at 50mph in lane 1 being passed by lorries just to make it home

The killer feature with Teslas is the supercharger network - one of the 200 mile daily trips I do regularly only has a handful of ordinary chargers, but a Tesla station right where I would need it.

Have to say that the id3 doesn't sound like the right car for your use case. I'd have probably gone for the longest range available, and maybe prioritised a Tesla for the chargers.

200 miles will be more than adequate for 99% of journeys this car does, and in those rare instances of -7 temps I'd probably take one of the others instead.

[ChocolateFrog]

C70R said:

Axionknight said:

C70R said:

ChocolateFrog said:

The Cupra version of the ID3 looks a bit better IMO. Although I don't think either would be my choice having owned the former.

Hard disagree on that one, sadly. It's very "AMG-line", and a car that small doesn't need 20in rims. It will be the id3 if the choice of either arises.

I test drove a Born that was on 19's due to its trim level, a ridiculous wheel size for a car so small IMO and given the state of Aberdeen's roads it'd be a bone shaking ride along the way, too.

This car needs to deal with both crappy potholed London roads and rural lanes. Ride comfort will be one of the main things I'll be looking for on the test.

The ID3 is firm but well controlled. You feel the bumps but it doesn't crash over them.

It's a lot better than the suspension on something like an A3 S line but it's no magic carpet ride.

[bennno]

C70R said:

The Volvo is nearing the end of its lease, and the time has come to figure out what's replacing it.

I want to go full EV this time (there are plenty of petrol alternatives on the driveway), and either new or nearly new.

I'd ideally like something I can own for 3 years with manufacturer warranty. It needs to do a realistic 200+ miles on a charge, and be comfortable to cruise on the motorway where it will spend a lot of its time (which rules out smaller cars for me). 4 decent seats and a boot at least as big as the average hatch (450L) are a must too.

Stuff I've looked at:
- New id3
- Tesla M3
- Kia Niro EV (outgoing model)
- Skoda Enyaq

Before I start booking test drives, am I missing anything obvious? Any curve balls worth considering, for example I know Johnny Smith rates the funky MG highly?

We swapped our v90 for a new 58kwh ionic 5 - some available for 36k new on autotrader.

Better built than Tesla, low rate finance, faster charging, cheap servicing and huge. Stuffed full of autonomous tech. Great to drive.