Which EV for £14k
Author
Discussion

Normodog

Original Poster:

275 posts

63 months

Saturday 1st March 2025
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Hi all,

I'm looking to purchase an EV for commuting duties, it needs to be of family hatch size as a minimum due to two kids.

The commute is a 60 mile round trip, I can charge for free at work and also will have a charging point at home.

Budget is £14k, options I've looked at so far:

Citroen e c4
Nissan Leaf 64kwh
MG5 LR Pre Facelift
MG4 Standard Range
Tesla Model 3 (could just about sneak a standard range, would be higher miles/older, out of warranty)

I'm siding towards the MG5, keep things cheap as it's only a tool for getting to work. I have a motorcycle for fun.

Any help or pointers would be greatly appreciated. We do also have a petrol car to cover long journeys.

Edited by Normodog on Saturday 1st March 07:24

SuperNads

285 posts

182 months

Saturday 1st March 2025
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We really struggle to fault our 2020 Kia e Niro 4 as a family car. It's super efficient achieving 3-4 miles/kWh and can do 240-280 miles fairly easily. Ours is now on 56k miles and is still under warranty for another 2.5 years. They now fall into your price bracket.

We've only had one warranty claim replacing the rear camera which developed a cataract. Absolutely dull as dishwater as a car but perfect for darting around A to B without fuss. All EVs are dull to me though so may as well just go for the one that has the best spec and reliability for the money.


ZX10R NIN

30,021 posts

148 months

Saturday 1st March 2025
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The eC4 would get the nod from that list they're a decent car & well put together from what I've seen.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307250...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202502108...

If you don't mind one with a few miles they can come in under budget:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202501288...


CG2020UK

2,866 posts

63 months

Saturday 1st March 2025
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I’d always advise just buying the best Tesla Model 3 you can when it comes to used EVs.

255SNK

2,359 posts

216 months

Saturday 1st March 2025
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Spend less £ and get a Renault Zoe.

Cylon2007

594 posts

101 months

Saturday 1st March 2025
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I've just bought a 2021 Kia Soul First Edition for £14.5k. Have an 80 mile round trip commute (mainly Mway so not ideal EV) and will be having a charger fitted this week, so far I've managed on the granny charger. Car is comfy, smooth, quiet. good sound system, enough performance and toys so one of these ot the Niro I would suggest, I just prefer the look of the Soul.

Eddie Twadds

184 posts

122 months

Saturday 1st March 2025
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Just bought a 2021 Hyundai Kona 64kW Premium last week for £14.5k. Upto 300 miles range (more likely 260 miles). Balance of 5 year warranty left. It's an impressive bit of kit and comes with lots of standard features.

Jiebo

1,083 posts

119 months

Saturday 1st March 2025
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Tesla blows the rest of these out of the water in every way

Quattr04.

971 posts

14 months

Saturday 1st March 2025
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CG2020UK said:
I’d always advise just buying the best Tesla Model 3 you can when it comes to used EVs.
Yes, no matter if you like or lothe, they are the best EV as a EV bar none, the charging network alone is enough to nail it for me.

Others look better and are built better but Tesla’s are still the best Ev all round in terms of servicing and just working as a car.

Unless of course you never have to public charge.

chunkyjh

140 posts

191 months

Saturday 1st March 2025
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Id consider an approved used ID3 from a main dealer, will come with 2 years warranty, 2 years MOT cover and servicing. mine has been brilliant

samoht

6,986 posts

169 months

Saturday 1st March 2025
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How much do you want the cheapest EV that will reliably cover 60 miles, vs getting the best EV for £14k?

On the cheap front I'd consider an Ioniq, eg https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202502259...


I like my e-C4, it's very quiet and comfortable (even vs other EVs) which makes it a relaxing way to travel, the ACC is decent too. However in fairness there are other EVs with substantially better range and performance for the money (Model 3, Kia/Hyundai 64kWh cars) - so it depends what your priority is. I'd suggest a test drive to see what you think.

Normodog

Original Poster:

275 posts

63 months

Sunday 2nd March 2025
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Thanks for the advice all, quite a few suggestions to look at. I'm going to visit a few dealers today to get an idea.

Normodog

Original Poster:

275 posts

63 months

Sunday 2nd March 2025
quotequote all
Looked at a few options today, one that stood out was a Hyundai Ioniq, seems to tick all the boxes and I can spend less on one. Efficient and seems to make the most of its smaller battery.

Did look at a Tesla Model 3, was a private sale and probably wasn't the best example, was pretty poorly finished. Unfortunately at my budget I'm scraping around the bottom of the Tesla barrel.

macron

12,769 posts

189 months

Sunday 2nd March 2025
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samoht said:
How much do you want the cheapest EV that will reliably cover 60 miles, vs getting the best EV for £14k?

On the cheap front I'd consider an Ioniq, eg https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202502259...


I like my e-C4, it's very quiet and comfortable (even vs other EVs) which makes it a relaxing way to travel, the ACC is decent too. However in fairness there are other EVs with substantially better range and performance for the money (Model 3, Kia/Hyundai 64kWh cars) - so it depends what your priority is. I'd suggest a test drive to see what you think.
How are the Citroen seats for long journeys? Many of the ICE/ petrol cars seem to have ones that lack support in almost every aspect- thin cushioning and a lack of adjustment, are they improved/ upgraded?

anonymous-user

77 months

Sunday 2nd March 2025
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I drive a leased MG4 and I love it but if I was to buy a used EV it would be the Tesla.

I've seen a few used examples locally for around £14k and they're an absolute bargain at that money.

samoht

6,986 posts

169 months

Sunday 2nd March 2025
quotequote all
Normodog said:
Looked at a few options today, one that stood out was a Hyundai Ioniq, seems to tick all the boxes and I can spend less on one. Efficient and seems to make the most of its smaller battery.
If you really want to save money, there are a handful of early Ioniqs registered before 1st April 2017 whose road tax will rise to £20 a year from next month, rather than £195.
https://www.cinch.co.uk/news/car-tax-april-2025

Do be aware that quite a few of them have been taxis, so work out if you're ok with that or want to avoid with a vcheck or similar.

But overall they seem like the closest thing to free motoring really.




samoht

6,986 posts

169 months

Sunday 2nd March 2025
quotequote all
macron said:
samoht said:
I like my e-C4, it's very quiet and comfortable (even vs other EVs) which makes it a relaxing way to travel, the ACC is decent too. However in fairness there are other EVs with substantially better range and performance for the money (Model 3, Kia/Hyundai 64kWh cars) - so it depends what your priority is. I'd suggest a test drive to see what you think.
How are the Citroen seats for long journeys? Many of the ICE/ petrol cars seem to have ones that lack support in almost every aspect- thin cushioning and a lack of adjustment, are they improved/ upgraded?
Citroen are proud of their 'Advanced Comfort' seats in their newer cars including the C4, basically using different densities of foam to better support the occupant. Personally I've found them comfortable, even spending 4-5 hours behind the wheel in a day they've been good for me.

On the owners' group the majority of people seem to like them, there are a handful who find the seat squab too short and not supportive enough under their thighs.

Adjustments are the usual, nothing special, but a decent range of movement. I think the fact you sit somewhat upright also tends to make it more comfortable. So I think most people find the seat comfort to be a strong point, including me, however there are a few who don't.

In terms of long journeys bear in mind that you're going to be taking a 30 minute coffee break every two hours whether you like it or not ;-) so that also tends to avoid discomfort.

jjdw33

165 posts

72 months

Monday 14th April 2025
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chunkyjh said:
Id consider an approved used ID3 from a main dealer, will come with 2 years warranty, 2 years MOT cover and servicing. mine has been brilliant
Will do exactly the same in few weeks.
Specially with your loading profile and range you need.
For me the Best Buy right now in this area. Plus lots of choice