What £15k EV?

[AndyJWB]

Following on from my last thread, I'm now seriously looking at used EVs. My hybrid CR-V is going up for auction on Carwow tomorrow so I can spend the weekend car shopping.

Requirements:

- As big a battery as possible. Twice a week I cover a round trip of 150 miles. I'd like to be able to do this on a charge even over winter.

- Space. I'm going to have to compromise here compared to the CR-V. I'd like a hatchback with seats that can be dropped to accommodate my mountain bike with a wheel removed.

- Heated seats, Android Auto and adaptive cruise control are all required.

- Age: 2020 or newer. My CR-V is a 2021 model and I don't really want to go much older.

- Mileage: As low as possible. The CR-V has done 22k. I'm probably looking around that.

- Budget: £15-18k

Current shortlist:

- Volkswagen ID.3. I've tried a few of these and I really like how they drive, but I'm a little concerned about reports of electrical gremlins. Also not sure about the range - I've read that 150 miles might only just be achievable in winter.

- Cupra Born. If I could increase the budget, this is what I'd be buying. I really like them but unfortunately I'd be looking at an entry-level model without heated seats. That'd be a disaster for me.

- Kia Soul EV. Probably top of the shortlist at the moment. I love their quirky looks (despite the Motability image) and they have an impressive real-world range. My dad has a Niro EV which he rates highly and says returns 220 miles over winter. Long warranty is a bonus, too. Unfortunately none at local dealers but I think i might travel to look at one on Saturday.

- MG 4. Not sure about these but think they represent good value for money. I should probably investigate further.

- Another MG. I was in a crash in an MG 5 so don't like them. An MG ZS ticks a lot of boxes but I don't think I could cope with the image.

Any comments? What am I missing?

[M4cruiser]

I guess you've already dismissed the Leaf62 tekna?
May not have all the tools you want.
And it's a bit old now.
But good value.

[AndyJWB]

M4cruiser said:

I guess you've already dismissed the Leaf62 tekna?
May not have all the tools you want.
And it's a bit old now.
But good value.

A sensible choice but they're just a bit meh...

I should probably look at one. Trying to make this a rational decision and I'm struggling a bit

[Skodillac]

Hyundai Kona / KIA Niro 64kwh.

[AndyJWB]

Skodillac said:

Hyundai Kona / KIA Niro 64kwh.

I can't have a Niro - my dad has one and I can't afford one as nice as his

Not sure how I overlooked the Kona. There are a few good ones locally. Thanks.

[Skodillac]

Most welcome. Skoda Enyaq is in budget now too:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202501148...

[AndyJWB]

Skodillac said:

Most welcome. Skoda Enyaq is in budget now too:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202501148...

I like the size of the Enyaq but they seem a bit basic in budget. Also I share my driveway with a neighbour who has one and, again, it's nicer than I could afford

Interestingly, the dealer group I bought my CR-V from has a Kona which ticks all the boxes. And they're offering a very good price in part exchange (presumably because they'll retail it). I wonder if I'd get bored of bright red

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202501258...

[Chris Peacock]

AndyJWB said:

Skodillac said:

Most welcome. Skoda Enyaq is in budget now too:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202501148...

I like the size of the Enyaq but they seem a bit basic in budget. Also I share my driveway with a neighbour who has one and, again, it's nicer than I could afford

Interestingly, the dealer group I bought my CR-V from has a Kona which ticks all the boxes. And they're offering a very good price in part exchange (presumably because they'll retail it). I wonder if I'd get bored of bright red

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202501258...

That's a great little EV for the money. I've got a leased MG4 but I think if I was spending my own money it would be on a Kona.

[Skodillac]

How about treating yourself to a Polestar 2 Long Range?

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202412047...

[66HFM]

AndyJWB said:

Skodillac said:

Most welcome. Skoda Enyaq is in budget now too:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202501148...

I like the size of the Enyaq but they seem a bit basic in budget. Also I share my driveway with a neighbour who has one and, again, it's nicer than I could afford

Interestingly, the dealer group I bought my CR-V from has a Kona which ticks all the boxes. And they're offering a very good price in part exchange (presumably because they'll retail it). I wonder if I'd get bored of bright red

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202501258...

Nice to have something different from the black / silver / grey / white that 95% of cars are.
As long as it doesn't fade in the sun as per a lot of red cars...

We have an e:Ny1 from one of last years cheap PCP deals, however, if I was spending my own money that Kona would take my interest...

[VeeReihenmotor6]

Ticks the boxes - seats can be dropped and a mountain bike will fit without taking any wheels off.

Tesla Model 3. 150 miles will be a doddle. This one is the bottom of your budget at 15k:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202503079...

This one is top end budget £18k

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202503170...

[samoht]

VeeReihenmotor6 said:

Ticks the boxes - seats can be dropped and a mountain bike will fit without taking any wheels off.

Tesla Model 3. 150 miles will be a doddle. This one is the bottom of your budget at 15k:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202503079...

This one is top end budget £18k

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202503170...

Any photos?

This vid conversely suggests what I'd expect, that the front wheel and handlebars at right angles won't go in, so it's necessary to remove one wheel

[ZX10R NIN]

Ioniq5 Premium 75kwh:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202503180...

UX300e:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202406291...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202503110...

etron:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202502219...

Megane e tech:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202501097...

Polestar2:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411186...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202503069...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202503039...

[Ankh87]

Just to make you aware you can buy a bike rack for Tesla model 3. There's plenty of early model 3 long range for around £15k.

[AndyJWB]

Thanks for all the suggestions.

I’ve looked at e-trons before and concluded I’d only buy one from a main dealer with an approved warranty… but they’re considerably more expensive.

I’ve been speaking to a salesman with a Polestar today. I like the look of them but they’re a bit leggy in my budget. I’ll be doing about 20k a year so I’d very quickly end up with a high-mileage car outside of warranty and that makes me a bit nervous.

I’m intrigued by the idea of the Megane E-Tech. They seem to be particularly good value for money: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2025011781...

I don’t think I could cope with the Tesla image, I’m afraid. A shame because I think the Model 3 is objectively a decent car.

[Evanivitch]

AndyJWB said:

Skodillac said:

Hyundai Kona / KIA Niro 64kwh.

I can't have a Niro - my dad has one and I can't afford one as nice as his

Not sure how I overlooked the Kona. There are a few good ones locally. Thanks.

Kona is the better looking car but a little smaller. Otherwise only difference is the shorter warranty (5 years instead of 7).

[AndyJWB]

Anyone have any experience with the Mercedes EQA?

Reviews are lukewarm but they look like a relatively pleasant car for sub-£20k: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2025021992...

I like the idea of a brown Mercedes, too

[Skodillac]

Megane E-Tech is a good shout, it's on my shortlist as a replacement for my Leaf in a few years. I recently had a (petrol) Megane saloon on rental and it reminded me how refined, comfortable and composed Renaults are even on the worst of road surfaces - I was driving it in Bosnia, which is marginally less potholed and rutted than the UK these days it seems. I bet an electric Renault would be a really nice place to ride.

[Pickle_Rick]

The tesla is the best at that price, they're 5 years ahead of likes of mercedes and vw.

Jag ipace an option and probably one I'd choose. , or the ioniq 5 if you can live with the looks.

[Skodillac]

For everyone talking about Tesla Model 3s, please refer to the OP:

"I'd like a hatchback with seats that can be dropped to accommodate my mountain bike with a wheel removed."

Model 3s look like a hatch but are saloons, which is a ridiculous design decision IMHO and excludes a whole swathe of buyers, e.g. the OP here.