Which EV: 2 dogs and 2 child seats?

[bobsavage789]

ETA: ignore the title (I made a Horlicks of it). It should read “ WHICH EV: 2 DOGS AND 2 CHILD SEATS”

Help required please.

My mother’s 2014 Honda CRV is to be moved on, and replaced by an EV of some sort.

Criteria are:
1) large boot for two large dogs, which also needs to be low enough for them to jump into (one of the dogs is getting on a bit)
2) range of 250 miles or more (I know that the quotes figures aren’t overly reliable!)
3) budget of around £40k (PCP is also an option if a good deal can be had)
4) no more than 2 years old
5) the lower the mileage, the better
6) space for 2 child seats to fit comfortably in the back.

My ideas so far: Ford Mach-E and Jaguar iPace, though these were just off the top of my head.

Over to you, PH!

Thanks in advance!

Edited by bobsavage789 on Monday 15th April 12:46

[ChocolateFrog]

4 Adults and 2 child seats without trying to state the obvious will need an EV9 or similar.

[bobsavage789]

Oh figs: I ballsed up the title.

To clarify: it should say 2 dogs and 2 child seats…

[pti]

Enyaq or iD4 have the largest boots.

[RedWhiteMonkey]

Around 45K potentially gets you a VW ID Buzz.

[J1990]

I-Pace boot certainly not big enough for 2 large dogs, though you didn’t mention a breed.
Mache-E isn’t bad to be honest, our Labrador fit nicely in the boot and the ride was surprisingly comfortable for an EV.

I’m currently leaning towards an EV6, the driving experience and interior was vastly better than the Mache-E, the toys you get on the GT Line-S are brilliant and if you take the false floor out of the boot then it fits both of my dogs well.
I-Pace is still my favourite EV I’ve driven but the cramped boot and horrendous reliability are just too much of a sacrifice for me.

[bobsavage789]

J1990 said:

I-Pace boot certainly not big enough for 2 large dogs, though you didn’t mention a breed.
Mache-E isn’t bad to be honest, our Labrador fit nicely in the boot and the ride was surprisingly comfortable for an EV.

I’m currently leaning towards an EV6, the driving experience and interior was vastly better than the Mache-E, the toys you get on the GT Line-S are brilliant and if you take the false floor out of the boot then it fits both of my dogs well.
I-Pace is still my favourite EV I’ve driven but the cramped boot and horrendous reliability are just too much of a sacrifice for me.

Good point RE: breeds. It’s a golden retriever and a Labrador.

I shall look more closely at the Kia: I’ve always been a fan of their generosity in terms of standard equipment.

The ipace boot is one of the largest on paper: maybe the layout is unhelpful for dogs.

Current long list after some YT reviews:

iPace
XC40
Audi Q4 etron
BMW ix3
Ford Mustang Mach E

Kia EV6 to be investigated further.

Any shared experiences of the above would be most welcome!

[bobsavage789]

So the EV6 seems to have a boot with a similar issue to the iPace: sizeable, but has a slope to it in a bid to make it look “sporty”.

[JAMSXR]

Tesla Model Y. Nothing beats it in terms of space, range, efficiency, performance and charging network.

[J1990]

JAMSXR said:

Tesla Model Y. Nothing beats it in terms of space, range, efficiency, performance and charging network.

From a functional perspective this is accurate. Crazy amount of space.
Build quality, repair costs and driving experience are all fairly painful though.
Charging network feels less and less relevant, especially with Tesla opening up their network inn numerous locations but if you do moon mileage then it would maybe more important.

[ZX10R NIN]

Renault Scenic E Tech:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202401085...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403167...

Genesis GV70:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403157...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403137...

IX3:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402126...

IX:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403047...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403057...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403257...

E Tron:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202402287...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403308...

[Scrump]

bobsavage789 said:

Oh figs: I ballsed up the title.

To clarify: it should say 2 dogs and 2 child seats…

Seems correct to me!

[NNH]

Our Kia e-Niro fits our two German Shepherds in the boot, and there's definitely room for child seats on the back seat. It's actually a really useful size - big enough for people and dogs, small enough for easy parking. The range is marginal for your requirement (220ish miles), but reviewers say that Kia mileage claims are a lot more realistic than some other manufacturers.

Dog tax below:

[JAMSXR]

J1990 said:

JAMSXR said:

Tesla Model Y. Nothing beats it in terms of space, range, efficiency, performance and charging network.

From a functional perspective this is accurate. Crazy amount of space.
Build quality, repair costs and driving experience are all fairly painful though.
Charging network feels less and less relevant, especially with Tesla opening up their network inn numerous locations but if you do moon mileage then it would maybe more important.

I can’t agree based on my experience so far. Bought a used Model 3 SR for the mrs, it’s no Bentley but the build quality is perfectly acceptable - far less squeaks and rattles than my previous Mercedes or Honda.

Ours is still under warranty but so far so good. Seems to me owners with high repair bills are the exception. A mate is a Tesla tech, the upper control arms are the only red flag he raised. Motors can go but you’ve covered for 8 years and they’re always being improved.

The Model 3 SR is also a surprisingly good steer for what it is. I can’t quite remember how the Y felt, but surely these are purchased for the EV experience/practicality/cost rather than driving dynamics - it’s only really the Taycan that ticks that box.

The supercharger network meant I was happy to get the standard range with the more robust battery. The extra milage from the longe range is negligible for those longer drives thanks to the supercharger network. Not all sites are open to other cars and you have to pay to access.

Edited by JAMSXR on Tuesday 16th April 21:45

[Luke.]

Aren't you a bit old for a child seat?

[dmsims]

Nova Scotian retriever and a Lab in the back of an ID3 here

[PistonTim]

Skoda Enyaq, unlike a lot of the others it's pretty 'squared off' at the back if practicality is key, it's also not too high.

[blue_haddock]

MG5 ticks basically all your boxes and would be brand new too. A used example would be even cheaper.

[bobsavage789]

Thanks for all the responses thus far.

To address a few points:

1) I had already suggested a Tesla Model Y, but my increasingly elderly parents are thoroughly put off my having to do everything via the touchscreen.
2) VAG products are out because of the HVAC controls and allegedly problematic infotainment.

[MattyD803]

As touched on above, iX3. We have one and it's been a fantastic EV....without looking too obviously like an EV, nor being completely 'ipad' driven.

I think they are decent value as £40k will get you into a <2 year / <20k miles M Sport or even an M Sport Pro from a main dealer (£67k new) with all the toys you could want and really good size boot. The lip however, is fairly high. New generation is due later this year, so there might be some decent deals out there.

All controls for HVAC, Sat Nav, Media are via physical buttons and/or i-drive, or you can use touch screen or voice command. Having come from a 2021 VAG group car, your right to steer clear because comparatively that infotainment system (despite numerous updates) was an utter PITA and riddled with errors and faults - not had a single one on the BMW. Only 4 colours on the later IX3 cars (White, Black, Blue and Grey, but all with leather).

Real world (Worst case) range is c.220-230 miles around town in winter (with pre-heating used etc)....but on a recent steady journey in better weather with 2 up, at a steady 65mph I did 255 miles with 30 miles remaining, so bang on the book figure of 285miles.

Edited by MattyD803 on Wednesday 17th April 17:46

Edited by MattyD803 on Thursday 18th April 11:43