New EV choice (without home charging)

[Jimbo.]

For reasons that are far too long and boring to list here, it s possible I ll be getting a new EV for work. After looking @ costs, toys, (claimed) range, (claimed) charging rates etc, I ve narrowed it down (from a list over which I have no control, else it d be Renault Scenic all the way) to:

BYD Seal Excellence
Cupra Born VZ
Kia EV4 long range GT Line S
Peugeot 3008 GT Premium
Polestar 2 SM Long Range Prime
Renault 4 Iconic+
Renault 5 Iconic+ or Roland Garros
Skoda Elroq SE L 85 or Sportline 85
Tesla Model 3 RWD (if just for the ease of charging, else not a fan TBH!)

I m well aware the 4 and 5 are (comparatively) shorter on range, however the want is strong with these ones. I m also aware this is an oddball list: small hatch to big saloon, but that s just how things have fallen.

My usage is fairly typical: near daily 20 mile commutes, frequent (weekly?) c.100 mile days, and enough 200 mile round trips per year for them to be a consideration (12-15ish), and maybe a once or twice yearly long slog in the order of 500-600 miles+.

Can anyone offer any opinions on said cars, please?

One things to consider: I do not have - and cannot get - home charging. For what it s worth, I don t have a problem with this at all: it s either this or nothing at all. And I don t like busses!

I already have a good amount of (mostly positive) experience with the public charging network, so that doesn t put me off. That being said, the less time I spend at rapid chargers (even if on work time: I d be using charging stops for emails, Teams calls etc) the better. My thinking is that most EVs these days are c.30 mins +/- for a 10-20% charge. BUT, my concern is charge throttling and (big!) range drop in winter.

Edited by Jimbo. on Monday 24th August 21:09

Edited by Jimbo. on Monday 24th August 21:30

[quinny100]

I’d lose the Cupra and the Polestar (both old tech now) and the Renaults - fine city cars but if you can’t home charge you’ll benefit from a bigger battery to reduce charging frequency.

I’d make sure whatever you choose has a heat pump - you burn a relatively large amount of energy on heating in the winter months - so you’ll need to charge more frequently if you don’t have one and you’ll be less inclined to use preconditioning to defrost in winter or cool in summer, which is one of the biggest benefits of an EV

As for the rest, Tesla will be most efficient, especially if you drive fast and has the most intuitive tech, including the best and most reliable app and the manufacturer support is good - but there’s a good chance you won’t need to use it on a 3yr lease. The BYD will be fastest, my concern would be the service network and parts availability. The Elroq will be decent in terms of drive and range given it’s based on the same drivetrain as the Enyaq, but the infotainment makes me want to put my fist through the screen every time I drive it and no standard heat pump. Not familiar with the Kia - but their earlier EV’s were decent - no standard heat pump again, but Stellantis EV’s haven’t been great and no standard heat pump.

I’d probably go for the BYD as a company car if there was a dealer within 50 miles, if my own money was involved it would be the Tesla.

[samoht]

I recommend https://ev-database.org/uk to get a more realistic and comparable set of stats for EVs on your list, especially motorway ranges.

I wouldn't agree the Polestar 2 is 'old tech' since (like the Model 3) it's been updated under the skin since launch, with an all-new battery and drivetrain in 2024. For example it has a peak charge rate of just over 200kW, vs 165kW for the "new tech" Elroq. Also I think the Born being MEB based also has had updates since launch, so isn't necessarily outdated vs the Elroq (183kW peak charging rate).

The PS2 is also more 'premium' than most on the list, it's good value now as an all-new car is arriving next year. So I wouldn't rule it out.

Having said all that, I think the efficiency and charging speed of the Model 3 make it look the standout choice for your situation, assuming four doors is ok.

[dEViantTesla]

I would say for ease and cost of charging. The charge network is so easy. Plot your final destination, and it will tell you exactly where to stop, and for how long. No getting bent over by Ionity, BP, shell, etc. Telsa definitely one, if not the cheapest. I know looks could be better, but for a stress free life, and decent range, it really is one to take a serious look at.

[ashenfie]

I think this is the correct order of speed of public charging,

1,Polestar 2 SM Long Range Prime,205 kW
2,Skoda Elroq 85 (SE L or Sportline),175 kW
3,Tesla Model 3 RWD,170 kW
4,Cupra Born VZ,170 kW
5,Peugeot 3008 GT Premium,160 kW
6,BYD Seal Excellence,150 kW
7,Kia EV4 Long Range (GT Line S),130 kW ?
8,Renault 5 (Iconic+ / Roland Garros),100 kW
9,Renault 4 (Iconic+),100 kW

I think the Tesla 3 would be the best all rounder given those options.

[SWoll]

The BYD is a great overall package (especially kit and performance) but does fall down on charging speeds. The Tesla the best all rounder.

[WattEver]

Yeah, I agree with Ashenfie that the Polestar 2 Long Range Single Motor and Elroq 85 are probably the standouts here, at least on paper.

The Polestar is rated at 409 miles WLTP and 10 80% in about 28 minutes; the Elroq 85 is around 370 miles and roughly 29 minutes, with battery preconditioning either via the sat-nav or manually. Both give you enough winter margin that a 200-mile day should still feel routine rather than something you have to make an effort to plan around.

The Kia EV4 Long Range is the other one I d look at very seriously. It seems to hit a very good sweet spot on range, efficiency and long-distance comfort.

I d probably drop the Cupra and BYD for this particular job. The Born VZ is entertaining, but you re paying for performance with efficiency. The Seal Excellence is a lot of car, but again not the obvious choice when nearly all your charging will be public.

I totally get the R4/R5 temptation! I adore them, but I wouldn t pick either for regular cross-country work. They make far more sense around town and on shorter runs; once you re doing repeated 200-mile days and the odd 500 600-mile slog, the smaller battery and long-distance refinement start to tell.

With your usage, I suspect winter efficiency will matter more than headline peak charging speed.

I have no idea about your budgeting situation if it's a company car. Obviously a new Skoda will be far cheaper. But used, the Polestar 2 Long Range Single Motor is dramatically cheaper because it has been on sale much longer and has depreciated heavily.

Edited by WattEver on Thursday 27th August 19:49

[Jimbo.]

Thank you, all. I really appreciate it. If just to add a little more:

• The Kia EV4 has a heat pump
• The Cupra and the Skoda have the option of a heat pump, but the budget creep starts getting a bit too much at this point.
• I do currently have a Kia Sportage with all the bells and whistles: it s been OK, but not without its problems, so I m not defaulting to Kia out of blind loyalty. And a change is sometimes nice!
• RWD or 4WD is preferred, but not a must-have-at-all-costs.

I also realised I have the option of a mid-spec (225bhp RWD long-range) Ioniq 5. Had a look at one the other day and by Christ do they look good. There re levels of want on a par with the R4 and R5. Fast charging helps too. Just missing a few gadgets I really do enjoy in my current car. And I don t want the hassle of the ICCU going bang, if reports are to be believed.

Edited by Jimbo. on Saturday 29th August 07:07

Edited by Jimbo. on Saturday 29th August 07:07

Edited by Jimbo. on Saturday 29th August 07:13

[The Mad Monk]

Kia EV4 long range GT Line S
Skoda Elroq SE L 85