Discussion
Couldn't see a thread on these already. Mrs GW is likely to replace her current car with an EV early next year. Narrowed options down to BMW i3 or Kia E-Niro. Tesla M3 ruled out as we need a hatch/estate for the hound. It will be leased through our business. Numbers are very similar with E-niro being slightly more expensive but I suspect that difference might even itself out by the fact the Niro can go further and carry more so may well get used for more journeys instead of my petrol car vs the i3.
The Niro is basically unavailable for over 12 months which would be a show stopper for us but we do now have an option on a cancelled order first edition spec. Trouble is, unlike the i3, there is no chance of test drive as there basically aren't any.
We've watched a few youtube review videos so know some of the pros and cons but I always value the PH opinion so a few questions...
Do you like your e-niro? And highlights or pitfalls?
Is there a remote heating app available? Dealer didn't know.
What sort of range might you expect driving at 70mph on a motorway? One regular journey we do is 190 miles, I just want reassurance it could do that without having to plod along at 50mph. I know the BMW won't.
What are dealers like? Wasn't bowled over by phone call with our local place but maybe I just spoke to the wrong person.
The Niro is basically unavailable for over 12 months which would be a show stopper for us but we do now have an option on a cancelled order first edition spec. Trouble is, unlike the i3, there is no chance of test drive as there basically aren't any.
We've watched a few youtube review videos so know some of the pros and cons but I always value the PH opinion so a few questions...
Do you like your e-niro? And highlights or pitfalls?
Is there a remote heating app available? Dealer didn't know.
What sort of range might you expect driving at 70mph on a motorway? One regular journey we do is 190 miles, I just want reassurance it could do that without having to plod along at 50mph. I know the BMW won't.
What are dealers like? Wasn't bowled over by phone call with our local place but maybe I just spoke to the wrong person.
You'll find very few people with first hand experience - as you say the things are rare as hens teeth at the moment. The long-term road tests imply that Hyundai/Kia's EVs get very close to their WLTP range in real-world motorway driving though; I haven't seen any reviewers who failed to get well over 200 miles out of a 64kwh Kona or Niro in real-world driving, most were over 250.
If you're happy to set cruise to 70, you should see around 220 to 230 as the real world range.
I have done 350 miles in one trip and have regular access to the Kona 64kWh, which gets closer to 240 as it's a bit lower and less draggy.
No remote app on 2019 cars, but there is a 7 day departure timer that allows you to set the heater to warm up the car whilst plugged in, which protects your range. Also use the heated seats, so you don't have to blast the cabin on colder days.
if you're driving on slower roads and have some braking you'll get somewhere between 250 & 265 between charges.
I have done 350 miles in one trip and have regular access to the Kona 64kWh, which gets closer to 240 as it's a bit lower and less draggy.
No remote app on 2019 cars, but there is a 7 day departure timer that allows you to set the heater to warm up the car whilst plugged in, which protects your range. Also use the heated seats, so you don't have to blast the cabin on colder days.
if you're driving on slower roads and have some braking you'll get somewhere between 250 & 265 between charges.
I don't have the E-Niro but my father does; he was one of the lucky ones who ordered as soon as he could!
Range driving at around 70 was 250 on his last journey up to visit. It's a very well appointed car, I've sadly not driven it so can't talk about dynamics or similar, but it was certainly a strong step up from his Leaf.
I don't know if the interior is exactly the same as the regular Niro, but certainly it should be pretty close, so it might be worth going for a look around a regular Niro just to see if you like it in general.
Range driving at around 70 was 250 on his last journey up to visit. It's a very well appointed car, I've sadly not driven it so can't talk about dynamics or similar, but it was certainly a strong step up from his Leaf.
I don't know if the interior is exactly the same as the regular Niro, but certainly it should be pretty close, so it might be worth going for a look around a regular Niro just to see if you like it in general.
We test drove one a couple of months ago. It's very impressive. More than quick enough for the majority and range didn't get hammered when making good progress on a hilly dual carriageway.
Problem is lack of supply. Needed to put a £1k deposit down and delivery timescales and price will be confirmed later... prob next June!
Dealers best estimate was a 12 month lead time, but could be 3 months, could be 18. I think a ca. £2k price rise has been confirmed recently.
Problem is lack of supply. Needed to put a £1k deposit down and delivery timescales and price will be confirmed later... prob next June!
Dealers best estimate was a 12 month lead time, but could be 3 months, could be 18. I think a ca. £2k price rise has been confirmed recently.
I have just taken delivery of a press car for an article I am doing for my publication/channel (which I am banned form mentioning on here!) and we are heading off for a 5 day family holiday to the South West next week. The idea is to test the car in the real world and does it fit with a "normal" family to do the things that an ICE car can without limiting us. My brother in law has the hybrid and love sit, so I am looking forward to driving the all electric one. I've been driving Hyundai Ioniq's over the past couple of weeks, so will be looking at the comparison.
It has literally just arrived, so first impression are limited to putting it onto the driveway, but would be happy to share my thoughts in a week or so when I am back. Probably best to PM me in case I step over the line about discussing it on here!
It has literally just arrived, so first impression are limited to putting it onto the driveway, but would be happy to share my thoughts in a week or so when I am back. Probably best to PM me in case I step over the line about discussing it on here!
Gad-Westy said:
The Niro is basically unavailable for over 12 months which would be a show stopper for us but we do now have an option on a cancelled order first edition spec. Trouble is, unlike the i3, there is no chance of test drive as there basically aren't any.
A few dealers have them on demo. I test drive one in September. I've ordered one. Due in june/July 20.Remote heating not on the first edition but is rumored to be on next year's model. Few other changes including bigger nav screen so I've gone for one of those rather than trying to find a first edition.
Dealers are great in my experience. Eniro slightly different sales game in that there are no discounts. The price is the price. As my dealer said to me with refreshing honesty, either buy it or don't, as I'll have no trouble selling every car I get allocated.
MrB. said:
I have just taken delivery of a press car for an article I am doing for my publication/channel (which I am banned form mentioning on here!) and we are heading off for a 5 day family holiday to the South West next week. The idea is to test the car in the real world and does it fit with a "normal" family to do the things that an ICE car can without limiting us. My brother in law has the hybrid and love sit, so I am looking forward to driving the all electric one. I've been driving Hyundai Ioniq's over the past couple of weeks, so will be looking at the comparison.
It has literally just arrived, so first impression are limited to putting it onto the driveway, but would be happy to share my thoughts in a week or so when I am back. Probably best to PM me in case I step over the line about discussing it on here!
Brill. PM inbound!It has literally just arrived, so first impression are limited to putting it onto the driveway, but would be happy to share my thoughts in a week or so when I am back. Probably best to PM me in case I step over the line about discussing it on here!
ncjones said:
We test drove one a couple of months ago. It's very impressive. More than quick enough for the majority and range didn't get hammered when making good progress on a hilly dual carriageway.
Problem is lack of supply. Needed to put a £1k deposit down and delivery timescales and price will be confirmed later... prob next June!
Dealers best estimate was a 12 month lead time, but could be 3 months, could be 18. I think a ca. £2k price rise has been confirmed recently.
We have an option on a cancelled order. Trouble is, it could arrive in as little as 6 weeks if we ordered it. Which is about 3 months too early. Still tempted though...Problem is lack of supply. Needed to put a £1k deposit down and delivery timescales and price will be confirmed later... prob next June!
Dealers best estimate was a 12 month lead time, but could be 3 months, could be 18. I think a ca. £2k price rise has been confirmed recently.
We’ve had one since April (we were lucky enough to get one of the first cars). Absolutely love it, replaced a 2011 Nissan Leaf and its a massive leap forwards.
App - not on the current one, tho you can set a timer for the heating to come on at a specific time each day.
Range - our longest single journey was North Yorkshire to Essex, 235 miles and we still had 39 left on the range meter. That was mainly motorway with cruise set to 70 tho on average that means averaging a true 65 when you allow for speedo inaccuracy and some slowing down for trucks etc before overtaking.
The lane following / radar cruise is fantastic - after a 4.5 hour drive I didn’t feel remotely tired, whereas driving my C32 the same distance a couple of days later I was a lot more tired at the end of the journey,
Build quality is very good, the limited contact I’ve had with our dealer has been excellent, and 5 years servicing and MOTs is about £500 if you prepay it at the time of purchase.
App - not on the current one, tho you can set a timer for the heating to come on at a specific time each day.
Range - our longest single journey was North Yorkshire to Essex, 235 miles and we still had 39 left on the range meter. That was mainly motorway with cruise set to 70 tho on average that means averaging a true 65 when you allow for speedo inaccuracy and some slowing down for trucks etc before overtaking.
The lane following / radar cruise is fantastic - after a 4.5 hour drive I didn’t feel remotely tired, whereas driving my C32 the same distance a couple of days later I was a lot more tired at the end of the journey,
Build quality is very good, the limited contact I’ve had with our dealer has been excellent, and 5 years servicing and MOTs is about £500 if you prepay it at the time of purchase.
c32dave said:
We’ve had one since April (we were lucky enough to get one of the first cars). Absolutely love it, replaced a 2011 Nissan Leaf and its a massive leap forwards.
App - not on the current one, tho you can set a timer for the heating to come on at a specific time each day.
Range - our longest single journey was North Yorkshire to Essex, 235 miles and we still had 39 left on the range meter. That was mainly motorway with cruise set to 70 tho on average that means averaging a true 65 when you allow for speedo inaccuracy and some slowing down for trucks etc before overtaking.
The lane following / radar cruise is fantastic - after a 4.5 hour drive I didn’t feel remotely tired, whereas driving my C32 the same distance a couple of days later I was a lot more tired at the end of the journey,
Build quality is very good, the limited contact I’ve had with our dealer has been excellent, and 5 years servicing and MOTs is about £500 if you prepay it at the time of purchase.
What are the service requirements?App - not on the current one, tho you can set a timer for the heating to come on at a specific time each day.
Range - our longest single journey was North Yorkshire to Essex, 235 miles and we still had 39 left on the range meter. That was mainly motorway with cruise set to 70 tho on average that means averaging a true 65 when you allow for speedo inaccuracy and some slowing down for trucks etc before overtaking.
The lane following / radar cruise is fantastic - after a 4.5 hour drive I didn’t feel remotely tired, whereas driving my C32 the same distance a couple of days later I was a lot more tired at the end of the journey,
Build quality is very good, the limited contact I’ve had with our dealer has been excellent, and 5 years servicing and MOTs is about £500 if you prepay it at the time of purchase.
Also, do you know if many dealers have demo cars? We’re hoping to go and look at one later this week with a view to replacing my wife’s SLK.
She’s decided she’d like a smallish SUV next and I’ve suggested an EV; it’s come down to the E Niro or the XC40 and whilst I expect the Volvo will have the edge in quality, I’m not sure it’s worth the extra £17/20k+ for what’s basically a second car.
Service interval is 10k miles - personally I think this is an attempt by manufacturers to try and keep the dealers happy. EVs shouldn’t need shorter service intervals than ICE cars, but when they are serviced there’s a lot less to do, so I think to try and keep the servicing revenue flowing they’ve set absurdly low intervals.
I think every dealer is supposed to have a demo vehicle available.
I think every dealer is supposed to have a demo vehicle available.
c32dave said:
Service interval is 10k miles - personally I think this is an attempt by manufacturers to try and keep the dealers happy. EVs shouldn’t need shorter service intervals than ICE cars, but when they are serviced there’s a lot less to do, so I think to try and keep the servicing revenue flowing they’ve set absurdly low intervals.
I think every dealer is supposed to have a demo vehicle available.
Thanks for that. I think every dealer is supposed to have a demo vehicle available.
Went for a test drive today, quite impressed. I think would suit us well as a local use utility.
Car rides fine and handles well for that sort of car IMO.
Nice interior, very well specced and when we would get one the interior would be upgraded with a nicer dash and bigger screen, phone app and possibly wireless CarPlay.
General build quality, panel gaps, paint etc seems very good. No rattles or undue noises.
Not much choice of colour but not too bothered about that.
Will probably place order on Thursday and then book a longer test drive.
Won’t be tied in till three months before build, handy in case something else comes out.
Car rides fine and handles well for that sort of car IMO.
Nice interior, very well specced and when we would get one the interior would be upgraded with a nicer dash and bigger screen, phone app and possibly wireless CarPlay.
General build quality, panel gaps, paint etc seems very good. No rattles or undue noises.
Not much choice of colour but not too bothered about that.
Will probably place order on Thursday and then book a longer test drive.
Won’t be tied in till three months before build, handy in case something else comes out.
REALIST123 said:
9-12 months.
Not really a problem for us, I don’t get particularly excited about new cars these days and our SLK has only done 27K. It’ll be about 6 if it takes 12 months for the Niro, so a reasonable age at which to change it.
It's a Korean crossover SUV costing best part of £35k. Your lack of excitement does you credit sir. Not really a problem for us, I don’t get particularly excited about new cars these days and our SLK has only done 27K. It’ll be about 6 if it takes 12 months for the Niro, so a reasonable age at which to change it.
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