Wife/family, small SUV - £16k, petrol, EV?
Discussion
Hi all,
My wife needs a new car, her needs are:
- Ultra reliable/cheap to run
- Buy outright, keep for 5-10 years
- 3-4k miles a year
She wants something small, she has a Mazda 2 now, I'd like her to get something a bit bigger as we always have to use my car for family duties as its a larger (W205 C63S) but she won't drive it so means I have to do all the driving, and naturally it's quite thirsty so not always ideal for longer trips.
She has 15-16k to spend, I've tried to make a shortlist:
- Hyundai Kona 2024 model, seems better than the older models interior, would be the 1.0 or the EV maybe
- Kia Seed / Kia Xseed, long warranty is appealing
- Cupra Born, looks cool IMO, interior seems nice but EV
- Mazda CX-30/ MX-30, need to further research these
- Hyundai i30, her sister has one, seems ok in terms of interior space
Ruled out:
- Toyota corrolla, looks very bland and interior a bit meh?
- Stonic, unsure about these, same for Niro
- VW t-cross, probably more expensive to run
- Mini, probably not cheap to run
Anyone got any of these cars and any thoughts on them? Anything I've missed out? Was ideally looking 2022 cars onwards with sub 40k miles.
EV is an interesting debate, we'd need a home charger (£1k?) and given her low miles the fuel saving would take 2-3 years to cover that. I guess once we have a charger we have it, but I plan to keep my C63 a while as I'm addicated to v8's now.
I guess they have less parts to replace, but feels like they could depreciate more and possibly have large bills if something does go wrong. I'm not bashing EV's and if was leasing and doing high miles I'd certainly go ther - but the main focus is the overall cost of ownership (running costs + depreciation over the 5-10 year period). Plus I believe EV's can be expensive to insure.
I'd actually be tempted by a Q4 etron if I was her, but thats too brave for her (understandable as she wants cheap motoring as doesnt car much for cars).
I'd welcome thoughts and oppinions
My wife needs a new car, her needs are:
- Ultra reliable/cheap to run
- Buy outright, keep for 5-10 years
- 3-4k miles a year
She wants something small, she has a Mazda 2 now, I'd like her to get something a bit bigger as we always have to use my car for family duties as its a larger (W205 C63S) but she won't drive it so means I have to do all the driving, and naturally it's quite thirsty so not always ideal for longer trips.
She has 15-16k to spend, I've tried to make a shortlist:
- Hyundai Kona 2024 model, seems better than the older models interior, would be the 1.0 or the EV maybe
- Kia Seed / Kia Xseed, long warranty is appealing
- Cupra Born, looks cool IMO, interior seems nice but EV
- Mazda CX-30/ MX-30, need to further research these
- Hyundai i30, her sister has one, seems ok in terms of interior space
Ruled out:
- Toyota corrolla, looks very bland and interior a bit meh?
- Stonic, unsure about these, same for Niro
- VW t-cross, probably more expensive to run
- Mini, probably not cheap to run
Anyone got any of these cars and any thoughts on them? Anything I've missed out? Was ideally looking 2022 cars onwards with sub 40k miles.
EV is an interesting debate, we'd need a home charger (£1k?) and given her low miles the fuel saving would take 2-3 years to cover that. I guess once we have a charger we have it, but I plan to keep my C63 a while as I'm addicated to v8's now.
I guess they have less parts to replace, but feels like they could depreciate more and possibly have large bills if something does go wrong. I'm not bashing EV's and if was leasing and doing high miles I'd certainly go ther - but the main focus is the overall cost of ownership (running costs + depreciation over the 5-10 year period). Plus I believe EV's can be expensive to insure.
I'd actually be tempted by a Q4 etron if I was her, but thats too brave for her (understandable as she wants cheap motoring as doesnt car much for cars).
I'd welcome thoughts and oppinions
Edited by mrdanbartlett on Monday 18th May 10:40
Peugeot E2008 (offering free home charger)
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202604161...
Lexus UX
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202602200...
Fiat 600
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202605072...
Seat Arona
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202512058...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202604161...
Lexus UX
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202602200...
Fiat 600
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202605072...
Seat Arona
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202512058...
Ultra reliable EV = Nissan Leaf. Well within budget. Home charger install can be done for under £500, I've just done one myself for £480 including a professional electrician install with certification.
I have a Leaf 40kwh, 23 reg, it's my third Leaf and I love them. Not a single problem with any of them, they just work.
I have a Leaf 40kwh, 23 reg, it's my third Leaf and I love them. Not a single problem with any of them, they just work.
ilikejam said:
Peugeot E2008 (offering free home charger)
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202604161...
Lexus UX
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202602200...
Fiat 600
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202605072...
Seat Arona
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202512058...
Thank youhttps://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202604161...
Lexus UX
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202602200...
Fiat 600
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202605072...
Seat Arona
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202512058...
Pug Im unusre on, I just don't trust french cars any more, same for Fiat - I don't trust italian cars, had a 20vt coupe once and loved it but was constant agro.
Lexus is a good shout, range is a little low so I'd be worried after 5 years more + winter + battery degredation it might be 100-120 miles?
Arona on paper is great, but my soul dies a little every time I look at it, feels like an old persons car (maybe its becuase both our parents have a Seat).
Would be interested to hear from Lexus UX owners.
I've had my Megane E-Tech for a year now, so far no problems, it's used mainly for local runabouts but I've done a few trips from Dorset to Yorkshire and back. Range is about 200-240 miles. We have a charger at home, but I imagine granny charging would be fine if it was mainly short journeys.
MG4? Mine has been completely reliable for the last 2 years and is a great little car to drive with RWD and 200bhp. You'd get a nearly new one for that budget.
I only charged it using a 3 pin granny charger for the first year without any problem, no need for a proper charger at that mileage.
I only charged it using a 3 pin granny charger for the first year without any problem, no need for a proper charger at that mileage.
The Lexus UX is also available as a self charging hybrid with Toyota's very reliable hybrid drive system, but the eCVT isn't to everyone's taste so get a decent length test drive if you go for one. Generally Toyota/Lexus are very good on hybrids but their EV's haven't been all that efficient compared to the competition.
The XC40 is a mild hybrid, so a slightly uprated start/stop system on a conventional petrol engine. It felt rather sluggish compare to a PHEV when I looked at them.
EV wise the Kona is well worth a look.
The XC40 is a mild hybrid, so a slightly uprated start/stop system on a conventional petrol engine. It felt rather sluggish compare to a PHEV when I looked at them.
EV wise the Kona is well worth a look.
The Mazda CX-3 is the pick, it's N/A conventional auto & not overly tech laden.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202604221...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202605092...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202601319...
The Megane E Tech is a very good option & the battery will still be in warranty until 2030:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202604211...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202603261...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202604221...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202605092...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202601319...
The Megane E Tech is a very good option & the battery will still be in warranty until 2030:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202604211...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202603261...
mrdanbartlett said:
I see the appeal but I really worry about 5-10 years on with those cars? Are they well built enough to last?
Totally fine if not planning to keep, but we usually buy our cars outright and keep them for long periods.
It's a fair point. I think if I was planning on keeping a car that long I'd need to go for a Toyota.Totally fine if not planning to keep, but we usually buy our cars outright and keep them for long periods.
Honda HRV - Honda's tend to have much nicer interiors than Toyotas.
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/19590796
Subaru XV - a bit leftfield and nicer interior that you'd expect.
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/16580257
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/19590796
Subaru XV - a bit leftfield and nicer interior that you'd expect.
https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/16580257
Edited by Matt_T on Monday 18th May 17:31
If she likes her Mazda I'd say the CX30 is definitely worth a look.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202603311...
They're not too big but a bit more room than the Mazda2. Good looks, nice interior and apparently quite good fun to drive. Should be reliable and cheap to run.
Forget the MX30 EV. The range is terrible and the rear doors limit practically.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202603311...
They're not too big but a bit more room than the Mazda2. Good looks, nice interior and apparently quite good fun to drive. Should be reliable and cheap to run.
Forget the MX30 EV. The range is terrible and the rear doors limit practically.
Family duties you say, and keeping for 5-10 years
Avoid the Mazda's, they have f
k all rear seats space, the CX30 is embarrassing on that front. Boot also useless.
Appreciate you have more of a family oriented car, but I would think you would want both to work.
If so assuming there are kids, you really should think about what you might need over that timeframe.
If you don't then buy a Boxster or similar, but I suspect you actually need some practicality.
Avoid the Mazda's, they have f
k all rear seats space, the CX30 is embarrassing on that front. Boot also useless. Appreciate you have more of a family oriented car, but I would think you would want both to work.
If so assuming there are kids, you really should think about what you might need over that timeframe.
If you don't then buy a Boxster or similar, but I suspect you actually need some practicality.
RizzoTheRat said:
The Lexus UX is also available as a self charging hybrid with Toyota's very reliable hybrid drive system, but the eCVT isn't to everyone's taste so get a decent length test drive if you go for one. Generally Toyota/Lexus are very good on hybrids but their EV's haven't been all that efficient compared to the competition.
The XC40 is a mild hybrid, so a slightly uprated start/stop system on a conventional petrol engine. It felt rather sluggish compare to a PHEV when I looked at them.
EV wise the Kona is well worth a look.
Not if you go for the EV version The XC40 is a mild hybrid, so a slightly uprated start/stop system on a conventional petrol engine. It felt rather sluggish compare to a PHEV when I looked at them.
EV wise the Kona is well worth a look.
The twin motor one is over 400hp so definitely wouldn’t be sluggish!Agree the XC40 EV is decent but only just starting to get in to the OPs price bracket I think. They did used to do a PHEV version though, with i think around 30 miles electric range, which has been around longer so more of them in budget.
Edited by RizzoTheRat on Tuesday 19th May 06:47
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