Which EV would you get?

[cougie uk]

If I was to buy an EV it would be a Renault. As their early experience with the start up of EV cars they have the experience and also the best affordable model range.

But which one ? 4 or 5 or scenic or megane or the new Twingo ? Perhaps a Zoe ?

 

[dicko]

But which one ? 4 or 5 or scenic or megane or the new Twingo ? Perhaps a Zoe ?

Twingo

 

[gzoom]

Looked absolutely tiny as it was parked next to their EV9 in the showroom 🤣

Our current family EV is 9 years old now and done nearly 100k. The age and mileage is really starting to show. It's being off the road for 3 weeks with air suspension fault, has a leak in the divers side door, folding mirrors don't fold properly and the entire front suspension is going to need overhaul soon.

We don't need a 6 seater car but we have got use to the luxury of space, and have now ordered an Ioniq 9. A friend has an EV9 and loves it, the Ioniq is Hyundai's version. Slightly longer but the Ioniq is currently cheaper on Salary Sacrifice and has more space inside.

Have gone for the top spec 6 seater version, delivery is over 6 months away!! Plan is to buy it out once the Salary Sacrifice Lease ends for market value, it saves me about £20k compared to buying for cash new and it spreads the payment out over 5 years.

The aim is to keep this car now for another 9/10 years which should see me through to retirement. All the reviews of the 9 praise the smoothness and silence of the cabin, essentially a Korean Range Rover. I've got to the point in life where comfort now appeals to me far more than 'Handling' or speed, cannot wait for it arrive .

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Re the new ID. Polo

Very disappointed to to see that the funky exterior styling of even the very recent prototypes, has been drastically watered down.

Nowhere near as cool as the eg Renault 5.

Was looking at the VW for around 2 years time ie once the new model gremlins had been sorted. Apparently all the software architecture is very new.

Maybe we will keep our new, on order, ICE Polo for longer than 2 years or look at the Renault, etc.

 

[potsy]

Re the new ID. Polo

Very disappointed to to see that the funky exterior styling of even the very recent prototypes, has been drastically watered down.

Nowhere near as cool as the eg Renault 5.

Was looking at the VW for around 2 years time ie once the new model gremlins had been sorted. Apparently all the software architecture is very new.

Maybe we will keep our new, on order, ICE Polo for longer than 2 years or look at the Renault, etc.

Weirdly I'm the opposite, quite like the understated styling.
The software you would hope would be much better now they've had a few years to iron out the previous gremlins.

The Skoda version is my preferred one on looks alone, will definitely be waiting for that to be launched so I can take a good look at it.

 

[Mike_P]

Re the new ID. Polo

Very disappointed to to see that the funky exterior styling of even the very recent prototypes, has been drastically watered down.

Nowhere near as cool as the eg Renault 5.

Was looking at the VW for around 2 years time ie once the new model gremlins had been sorted. Apparently all the software architecture is very new.

Maybe we will keep our new, on order, ICE Polo for longer than 2 years or look at the Renault, etc.

https://www.electrifying.com/reviews/volkswagen-reviews/id-polo/review

 

[Buck]

The new Cupra Raval (same platform) also look a nice design - a bit more stylish and edgy.

Looks like you need to be mindful of the right spec as the smaller battery is only really good for city driving.

Will be interesting to see them in the flesh for when Mrs Buck replaces her Petrol Polo in a year or so. Certainly on the short list.

 

[Joey Shabadoo]

Went for a test drive in a Model Y today. Very strange and I'm not at all sure. Don't like having to use the screen so much, it's distracting. Tried the autopilot and it was fine until I changed lane - it snapped out of cruise control and the regenerative braking kicked in. A bit dramatic. I think it's possibly a good car but it would be a learning experience driving it. At my age I can't be bothered learning new stuff though and I quite like it to be me driving, not the car.

 

[nogoodnamesleft]

I don't have an EV but interesting report in Guardian a few days ago about getting insurance cover in UK for Chinese made EVs

UK drivers struggle to get insurance for Chinese EVs such as Jaecoo
It took four models – the hybrid Jaecoo 7, the XPeng G6, the BYD Seal U and the Skywell BE11 – and asked five insurers for quotes for a 27-year-old man living in Hampshire.

Axa declined to give quotes on any of the vehicles, while Hastings Direct only offered coverage on the BYD. Direct Line declined two vehicles and Admiral one, while only Aviva offered cover for all, according to Carwow.

 

[Buck]

Some of that refusal to cover would be irrespective of it being an EV or ICE car - the risk cost for a 27 year old would be high and many insurers now have a relatively tight cover book that excludes what they deem high risk based on car value, performance, driver age/experience and postcode.

EVs in and of themselves are expensive and relatively fast accelerating cars rather than an inherent risk just because they are an EV.

 

[nogoodnamesleft]

Some of that refusal to cover would be irrespective of it being an EV or ICE car - the risk cost for a 27 year old would be high and many insurers now have a relatively tight cover book that excludes what they deem high risk based on car value, performance, driver age/experience and postcode.

EVs in and of themselves are expensive and relatively fast accelerating cars rather than an inherent risk just because they are an EV.

Maybe many factors. Another mentioned in the quoted article

“Insurers are still building up repair data, parts supply chains and long-term claims histories for many of these newer models, which is making some providers cautious,” he adds.

I've no idea about UK insurance costing (other than my own ever longer no-claims period and ever increasing premiums but for eg Fords do insurers base repair estimates for a new model on established repair costs for other eg Ford models?

 

[DRM]

I'd seen a you tube video which was basically saying the refusal to insure some Chinese brands is down to a lack of parts support, with very long lead times, but worse was the shoddy build quality, which meant that expensive new cars were written off due to poor welds and construction upon inspection which rendered the cars unroadworthy & too expensive to rectify

 

[Buck]

@DRM that’s interesting. Do you have a link for that as it sounds worth a watch.

 

[fossyant]

I'd seen a you tube video which was basically saying the refusal to insure some Chinese brands is down to a lack of parts support, with very long lead times, but worse was the shoddy build quality, which meant that expensive new cars were written off due to poor welds and construction upon inspection which rendered the cars unroadworthy & too expensive to rectify

I've seen some of this too - parts are an issue - TBH they can take a while for any modern car, but a bit worse. Some worries about underbody protection levels, especially for salty European roads. TBH any car can get crusty under if you never clean it underneath (hose off regular in winter).

My son had a few week wait for a central locking actuator on his Superbe (fortunately under warranty).

Personally I'd rather stick with a more mainstream manufacturer, even if the Tech is still on catch up.

On lease, then fill your boots.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

I'd seen a you tube video which was basically saying the refusal to insure some Chinese brands is down to a lack of parts support, with very long lead times, but worse was the shoddy build quality, which meant that expensive new cars were written off due to poor welds and construction upon inspection which rendered the cars unroadworthy & too expensive to rectify

People are either brave, foolish or both, buying car brands that do not have comprehensive dealer networks supported by a good supply chain, here in the UK.