Which EV would you get?

[icowden]

Has anyone taken a look at any of the new Chinese models? XPeng, Omodo, BYD etc?

 

[cougie uk]

Has anyone taken a look at any of the new Chinese models? XPeng, Omodo, BYD etc?

I see a lot of BYD and Jaecoo around. I'd perhaps consider them on a lease rather than just buy outright but maybe that's just me.

BYD outsold Tesla last year I believe.

 

[Dan Lotus]

I've heard back from someone who has test driven the Kia PV5, and measured from the middle of the seats to the roof, so not even at the shortest point, and that measurement is ~35".
Measuring one of my road bikes, the height at the front from floor to the top of the bars is 38", and it will be even more saddle end, so unless I am happy to remove the seat post (Which I am not), and only put the bikes in back wheel first, this sadly won't be an option for me.

The van version could be a potential, but they sadly do not make one with 3 seats across the front.
There is a crew cab one coming apparently, but I'm not sure exactly how that would differ load space wise.

Luckily I do not need a new vehicle, and would hope not to for at least 5 years, but I do like to keep an eye on what is coming out now, so I can have a decent idea of what to look for 2nd hand in the future.
Hopefully something else suitable will appear in the next few years, I definitely won't be looking for a newer version of what I have currently, they are now based off a VW platform, and there are a ton of ridiculous issues with the 'infotainment' system which Ford are unable to resolve for a lot of people, apparently as it's VW tech.

 

[Jameshow]

View attachment 797241
I've heard back from someone who has test driven the Kia PV5, and measured from the middle of the seats to the roof, so not even at the shortest point, and that measurement is ~35".
Measuring one of my road bikes, the height at the front from floor to the top of the bars is 38", and it will be even more saddle end, so unless I am happy to remove the seat post (Which I am not), and only put the bikes in back wheel first, this sadly won't be an option for me.

The van version could be a potential, but they sadly do not make one with 3 seats across the front.
There is a crew cab one coming apparently, but I'm not sure exactly how that would differ load space wise.

Luckily I do not need a new vehicle, and would hope not to for at least 5 years, but I do like to keep an eye on what is coming out now, so I can have a decent idea of what to look for 2nd hand in the future.
Hopefully something else suitable will appear in the next few years, I definitely won't be looking for a newer version of what I have currently, they are now based off a VW platform, and there are a ton of ridiculous issues with the 'infotainment' system which Ford are unable to resolve for a lot of people, apparently as it's VW tech.

Could you not take your front wheel off and slide in onto a front wheel hub holder?

 

[Legs]

Has anyone taken a look at any of the new Chinese models? XPeng, Omodo, BYD etc?

I test-drove a BYD Atto when I was deciding what company EV to get in September '24. The dealership was very restrictive; the salesman insisted accompanying me in the passenger seat and would only allow me to do a half-mile loop around the block, to keep the car's mileage down. The styling is incredibly weird, and it just didn't feel as good as the MG4 which I plumped for.

 

[mikeIow]

I test-drove a BYD Atto when I was deciding what company EV to get in September '24. The dealership was very restrictive; the salesman insisted accompanying me in the passenger seat and would only allow me to do a half-mile loop around the block, to keep the car's mileage down. The styling is incredibly weird, and it just didn't feel as good as the MG4 which I plumped for.

We test drove an Atto when looking to replace our Gen1 Kona.
The Atto lane control was very ‘grabby’. The finish felt cheap (guitar string door ‘pocket’ was odd!).

Stepped into a latest gen (ex demo) Kona which felt much more polished. A year in, we still love it.

Also: I HATE the EVs that only have a screen. It’s a cheap and convenient way for manufacturers to cut costs, but doesn’t add value to the driver. I was amazed to see Volvo have gone down that route: there is no way it is safer to be stabbing at a screen to adjust something on the move 🤷‍♂️

Finally, despite Tesla clearly having the charging infrastructure nailed, the antics of Herr Müskler Stateside will stop me ever owning one whilst he is still the lord and master of the place. Gotta nail some principles down somewhere…

 

[icowden]

Also: I HATE the EVs that only have a screen. It’s a cheap and convenient way for manufacturers to cut costs, but doesn’t add value to the driver. I was amazed to see Volvo have gone down that route: there is no way it is safer to be stabbing at a screen to adjust something on the move 🤷‍♂️

I'm in two minds. I like having a touch screen, but it is inescapable that trying to reach out and touch it when the car is moving, is much harder than finding a physical switch. Also, since youngest daughter got her Mini I have fallen back in love with quirky switches. I love that the Mini feels a bit like a mini cockpit. It has such lovely switches.

Finally, despite Tesla clearly having the charging infrastructure nailed, the antics of Herr Müskler Stateside will stop me ever owning one whilst he is still the lord and master of the place. Gotta nail some principles down somewhere…

Yes. It's a bit like going "Well, I don't really approve of Darth Vader and the Death Star but they *do* make excellent Tie Fighters. The tech is far better than the X-Wing and B-Wing..." "yeah but - we can't really justify buying our ships from the evil empire..."

 

[Legs]

We test drove an Atto when looking to replace our Gen1 Kona.
The Atto lane control was very ‘grabby’. The finish felt cheap (guitar string door ‘pocket’ was odd!).

Stepped into a latest gen (ex demo) Kona which felt much more polished. A year in, we still love it.

Also: I HATE the EVs that only have a screen. It’s a cheap and convenient way for manufacturers to cut costs, but doesn’t add value to the driver. I was amazed to see Volvo have gone down that route: there is no way it is safer to be stabbing at a screen to adjust something on the move 🤷‍♂️

Finally, despite Tesla clearly having the charging infrastructure nailed, the antics of Herr Müskler Stateside will stop me ever owning one whilst he is still the lord and master of the place. Gotta nail some principles down somewhere…

TBF, the MG4's lane control (Lane Kill Assist) used to be very overzealous and snatchy. LKA could always be turned off, but it was infuriating to have to turn it off before every journey. However, it had a new patch uploaded yesterday at its service and the first indications are that the algorithm is much-improved.

We also test-drove a Hyundai Kona, and there was an audible speed limit warning, which, again, could probably have been turned off, but seemed to default to 'on', which would have driven me bonkers.

 

[CXRAndy]

Don't worry about Chinese human rights abuses of it's citizens.

Just about every part on almost any item you buy comes from China .

You gotta choose your poison.

 

[vickster]

I'm more than happy with my previous gen Kona.
My brother finally got his top of the range ID7 touring, it's enormous!

 

[mikeIow]

TBF, the MG4's lane control (Lane Kill Assist) used to be very overzealous and snatchy. LKA could always be turned off, but it was infuriating to have to turn it off before every journey. However, it had a new patch uploaded yesterday at its service and the first indications are that the algorithm is much-improved.

We also test-drove a Hyundai Kona, and there was an audible speed limit warning, which, again, could probably have been turned off, but seemed to default to 'on', which would have driven me bonkers.

You can turn off all annoying bings in the newest Konas by pressing the volume scroll button in for a few seconds 💪
No eyes need to leave the road: very easy 😎

 

[mikeIow]

I'm more than happy with my previous gen Kona.
My brother finally got his top of the range ID7 touring, it's enormous!

First Gen was more economical, for sure, albeit a bit smaller inside & esp the boot. Rear passengers struggled, but we did love ours: 5 years and over 50k miles: a marvellous first EV 🙏

 

[vickster]

First Gen was more economical, for sure, albeit a bit smaller inside & esp the boot. Rear passengers struggled, but we did love ours: 5 years and over 50k miles: a marvellous first EV 🙏

Yes I also didn't like the look of the new one!
I got one just under 3 years old with under 2k on the clock! Ex motability! Now just under 5k miles about 9 months on. It'll take me 10+'years to get it to 50k 🤣
It's very tight in the back but the same was the case for everything similar I looked at, ok behind the front seat. Only issue is I need to remove the front wheel to get a bike in even with the seats down which I didn't in my Fabia estate but I didn't want anything bigger

 

[Dan Lotus]

Could you not take your front wheel off and slide in onto a front wheel hub holder?

Yes I definitely could, but I did that for years with a couple of estate cars, and whilst it is a minor inconvenience, but now with 3 people in the vehicle instead of 2, and rotors to consider, it's quite a bit more messy with two or even three loose wheels to accommodate and avoid things getting damaged/brake levers getting pulled etc.

That was the whole rationale for switching to the Ford - I'm 99% sure it is the smallest vehicle that has both the height inside the cabin, and the length to take fully assembled adult bikes, I don't really want to go back to having to remove parts from bikes to get them in, it will just make me less likely to actually want to take them anywhere, and then I'd probably feel I may as well go back to an estate car.

I'll keep an eye out and see what the crew cab version is like, but I'm guessing it will be a lot more spartan than this, so would probably get vetoed by my partner and daughter.
Maybe they will revise the model in a few years and make the seats actually drop down into the footwell - that is all that is needed.

 

[fossyant]

Yes I definitely could, but I did that for years with a couple of estate cars, and whilst it is a minor inconvenience, but now with 3 people in the vehicle instead of 2, and rotors to consider, it's quite a bit more messy with two or even three loose wheels to accommodate and avoid things getting damaged/brake levers getting pulled etc.

That was the whole rationale for switching to the Ford - I'm 99% sure it is the smallest vehicle that has both the height inside the cabin, and the length to take fully assembled adult bikes, I don't really want to go back to having to remove parts from bikes to get them in, it will just make me less likely to actually want to take them anywhere, and then I'd probably feel I may as well go back to an estate car.

I'll keep an eye out and see what the crew cab version is like, but I'm guessing it will be a lot more spartan than this, so would probably get vetoed by my partner and daughter.
Maybe they will revise the model in a few years and make the seats actually drop down into the footwell - that is all that is needed.

It's inexcusable for a van not to have a flat floor. Is there a version with removeable seats ? My 7 seater dino juice van (and it's electric cousin) all have fully moveable and removeable seats, and I can quickly turn it into a van.

That said, the PV5 is about the only leccy van with a decent range. That floor would be a no for me.