Company Car - EV is the sensible answer but which to go for?
Discussion
I'm in the position to choose a company car (no cash alternative & not salary sacrifice), which for all the usual reasons makes sense to be an EV, however I am a little stuck.
I'd like an estate / SUV / voluminous hatch. most of the time it's just 2 of us plus large dog, but I need to move an elderly mother or large things related to my wife's business regularly.
Daily commute is @40-50 miles between home & Woking depending on traffic (mix of solid town traffic & dual A road), I don't do many > 150 miles trips and will have home charging.
Budget stretches (@£980/month) to a BMW I5 touring, Audi Q6 Etron both of which I've driven and am more confused than when I started, so other options welcome (VW ID7 tourer, ID Buzz (wife loves the look), ????.
Audi was huge around town, but comfortable & the Mrs liked the high seating position, I'm not excited by it, didn't feel expensive inside (Edition 1 with all the gadgets) and we think getting the small inform mother in would be a challenge...
I5 Touring (Msport Pro) felt pretty normal, definitely sportier but given the size outside (30cm longer than the Audi), it was incredibly reverse tardis like, mostly thanks to the huge centre console which seems to be down to having a chassis that covers all propulsion types. The interior did feel premium & despite the giant screens felt normal compared to my ancient B3.
Over to you, owner's experiences particularly valued.
Thanks.
I'd like an estate / SUV / voluminous hatch. most of the time it's just 2 of us plus large dog, but I need to move an elderly mother or large things related to my wife's business regularly.
Daily commute is @40-50 miles between home & Woking depending on traffic (mix of solid town traffic & dual A road), I don't do many > 150 miles trips and will have home charging.
Budget stretches (@£980/month) to a BMW I5 touring, Audi Q6 Etron both of which I've driven and am more confused than when I started, so other options welcome (VW ID7 tourer, ID Buzz (wife loves the look), ????.
Audi was huge around town, but comfortable & the Mrs liked the high seating position, I'm not excited by it, didn't feel expensive inside (Edition 1 with all the gadgets) and we think getting the small inform mother in would be a challenge...
I5 Touring (Msport Pro) felt pretty normal, definitely sportier but given the size outside (30cm longer than the Audi), it was incredibly reverse tardis like, mostly thanks to the huge centre console which seems to be down to having a chassis that covers all propulsion types. The interior did feel premium & despite the giant screens felt normal compared to my ancient B3.
Over to you, owner's experiences particularly valued.
Thanks.
I have an i5 touring. I wasn't too keen when ordering, but it seemed the best out of limited options. I actually really like it. BMW just do everything really well.
I was similarly underwhelmed by Audi's electric offerings. I was nearly tempted by the Polestar 3, but the boot is really small in comparison to the rest of the car and it has lots of software gremlins, many of which have also been on my old Volvo for 3 years. If they haven't fixed them in 3 years on the Volvo, I didn't have faith they'd fix them on the Polestar.
I was similarly underwhelmed by Audi's electric offerings. I was nearly tempted by the Polestar 3, but the boot is really small in comparison to the rest of the car and it has lots of software gremlins, many of which have also been on my old Volvo for 3 years. If they haven't fixed them in 3 years on the Volvo, I didn't have faith they'd fix them on the Polestar.
If I was in that position I would be favouring the Hyundai Ioniq 5N or the Kia EV9.
Haven't driven a Model Y but been in them enough times to know its soulless and feels like being inside a washing machine. I have a personal grudge with budget Teslas anyway because I like air vents that can blow air at my face!
Haven't driven a Model Y but been in them enough times to know its soulless and feels like being inside a washing machine. I have a personal grudge with budget Teslas anyway because I like air vents that can blow air at my face!
bennno said:
PushedDover said:
As above - is a Tesla Y an option ?
Crash, rattly and cheap feeling based on our test drives.Build quality of a wheely bin, just look in the trunk of an model 3.
But a better / faster / more usable / faster charging / longer range EV....... packaged better with continual upgrades.
Ours suddenly now has matrix lights. Porsche would ask for how much for those?
The charging port also self defrosts with the car.
The Tesla Y does all the OP asks for. and Well.
And from when I test drove the Audi, I fel the storage space / boot was a joke for the size of car.
bennno said:
The bmw is light years ahead in terms of comfort, performance, refinement, build quality, ease and speed of charging.
The BMW I5 is vert refined and comfortable, however:- There's plenty of cost cutting evidence, just 1 phone charger (the other is a dummy), no door pocket mats, cost for electric boot, etc. All dissapointing
on a £70k car
- No front boot
- Charging, not as easy as a Tesla
- My I5e40 is no where as near as quick as the previous Tesla LR
Thanks all,
A Tesla always seems the logical answer to these sorts of questions, I just don't think I want one.
I'm going to test drive a Buzz (the stupid option in so many ways) and hopefully an ID7 estate, but I think an Enyaq is a good option too.
IX just huge for me even compared to the Q6. Noted on the I5 specs, always hard to tell what "my" choice would be like as the test car had both option packs.
I'll see where I land.
A Tesla always seems the logical answer to these sorts of questions, I just don't think I want one.
I'm going to test drive a Buzz (the stupid option in so many ways) and hopefully an ID7 estate, but I think an Enyaq is a good option too.
IX just huge for me even compared to the Q6. Noted on the I5 specs, always hard to tell what "my" choice would be like as the test car had both option packs.
I'll see where I land.
bennno said:
PushedDover said:
As above - is a Tesla Y an option ?
Crash, rattly and cheap feeling based on our test drives.Build quality of a wheely bin, just look in the trunk of an model 3.
Its worth a visit to the nearest Tesla showroom anyway.
For ease, I would buy the Tesla.... for 'style' I'd look at something else. 
I have a Tesla as it happens - and have also owned a long list of Bentley's, Astons, Jaguars etc. The Tesla is perfectly well put together, it's quiet, fast, comically cheap to run (assuming you can charge at home). But it's not really much of a looker - although the Highland 3 looks better. If the Y is being facelifted, I would definitely look at that.
Tesla's, in my 5 year experience with them, are extremely easy to live with - no servicing, 100% reliable in my case in over 50,000 miles. But.... they're not 'fun' like a 911 might be - other than being quicker.
I have a Tesla as it happens - and have also owned a long list of Bentley's, Astons, Jaguars etc. The Tesla is perfectly well put together, it's quiet, fast, comically cheap to run (assuming you can charge at home). But it's not really much of a looker - although the Highland 3 looks better. If the Y is being facelifted, I would definitely look at that.
Tesla's, in my 5 year experience with them, are extremely easy to live with - no servicing, 100% reliable in my case in over 50,000 miles. But.... they're not 'fun' like a 911 might be - other than being quicker.
thegrouch said:
Thanks all,
A Tesla always seems the logical answer to these sorts of questions, I just don't think I want one.
I'm going to test drive a Buzz (the stupid option in so many ways) and hopefully an ID7 estate, but I think an Enyaq is a good option too.
IX just huge for me even compared to the Q6. Noted on the I5 specs, always hard to tell what "my" choice would be like as the test car had both option packs.
I'll see where I land.
Perhaps try an iX3, genuinely drive a iX if you are considering a Buzz, its narrower and within about 12cm length wise. refinement is superb.A Tesla always seems the logical answer to these sorts of questions, I just don't think I want one.
I'm going to test drive a Buzz (the stupid option in so many ways) and hopefully an ID7 estate, but I think an Enyaq is a good option too.
IX just huge for me even compared to the Q6. Noted on the I5 specs, always hard to tell what "my" choice would be like as the test car had both option packs.
I'll see where I land.
thegrouch said:
Thanks all,
A Tesla always seems the logical answer to these sorts of questions, I just don't think I want one.
I'm going to test drive a Buzz (the stupid option in so many ways) and hopefully an ID7 estate, but I think an Enyaq is a good option too.
IX just huge for me even compared to the Q6. Noted on the I5 specs, always hard to tell what "my" choice would be like as the test car had both option packs.
I'll see where I land.
TBH, I dont think anyone "wants" a Tesla, but by 'eck do they work and fit around ones life with the mininimal of "Grrrr Electric car" about it.A Tesla always seems the logical answer to these sorts of questions, I just don't think I want one.
I'm going to test drive a Buzz (the stupid option in so many ways) and hopefully an ID7 estate, but I think an Enyaq is a good option too.
IX just huge for me even compared to the Q6. Noted on the I5 specs, always hard to tell what "my" choice would be like as the test car had both option packs.
I'll see where I land.
I also do accept its a lot of money to spend on something that you don't 'Love', but they 'just work'...
especially wrt charging on the way
Fellow i5 Touring owner here. Chucked pics in the i5 thread in this forum.
Really love the car, but I do like BMW. It is my first EV and I think I love it because it is a big, luxurious rapid BMW, not because it is an EV specifically, although I definitely love the EV powertrain - if you offered me this car in M5 touring I'd bite your hand off for example.
I nearly went for the Q6 but at the time of ordering I was ordering based on images and specs of the Q6 and reviews of the i5 (and I knew the A6 was coming).
After seeing the Q6/A6 reviews I could have still cancelled and changed etc, but nothing in the Audi's made me want to. If anything I would have gone A6 probably.
BMW get a lot of stick for it not being a ground up EV, but the Q6 is tighter in the back and that, and the Macan are just as inefficient based on the latest UK driving reviews. Circa 250 miles range in depths of winter, aiming for 300 in summer (Note UK reviews not being driven in Spain and Italy etc).
I don't really care about the transmission tunnel in the back and actually the outer rear passengers don't have their knees in their chins which reviewers of the Audi remark on - and I don't care about a frunk which you need to slam closed just like a bonnet.
The boot is cavernous and took the family and golden retriever plus luggage all over during Christmas in supreme comfort.
Regarding the BMW supposed cost cutting, People are comparing fully loaded G30 5 series with base spec G60's. Yes the dashboard isn't optionally covered in merino extended leather but what it is covered in as standard is lovely. Yes there aren't OPTIONAL soft close doors available.
The interior is truly stellar and iDrive remains the pinnacle.
The only cost cut that does wind me up is the removal of sill plates. My wife's Tiguan has illuminated sills, and so do the comparable Audi's and Mercs.
The reason why it winds me up is because BMW are selling stick on sill stickers for like £80 a go. Even dealer parts departments can believe they exist...
Really love the car, but I do like BMW. It is my first EV and I think I love it because it is a big, luxurious rapid BMW, not because it is an EV specifically, although I definitely love the EV powertrain - if you offered me this car in M5 touring I'd bite your hand off for example.
I nearly went for the Q6 but at the time of ordering I was ordering based on images and specs of the Q6 and reviews of the i5 (and I knew the A6 was coming).
After seeing the Q6/A6 reviews I could have still cancelled and changed etc, but nothing in the Audi's made me want to. If anything I would have gone A6 probably.
BMW get a lot of stick for it not being a ground up EV, but the Q6 is tighter in the back and that, and the Macan are just as inefficient based on the latest UK driving reviews. Circa 250 miles range in depths of winter, aiming for 300 in summer (Note UK reviews not being driven in Spain and Italy etc).
I don't really care about the transmission tunnel in the back and actually the outer rear passengers don't have their knees in their chins which reviewers of the Audi remark on - and I don't care about a frunk which you need to slam closed just like a bonnet.
The boot is cavernous and took the family and golden retriever plus luggage all over during Christmas in supreme comfort.
Regarding the BMW supposed cost cutting, People are comparing fully loaded G30 5 series with base spec G60's. Yes the dashboard isn't optionally covered in merino extended leather but what it is covered in as standard is lovely. Yes there aren't OPTIONAL soft close doors available.
The interior is truly stellar and iDrive remains the pinnacle.
The only cost cut that does wind me up is the removal of sill plates. My wife's Tiguan has illuminated sills, and so do the comparable Audi's and Mercs.
The reason why it winds me up is because BMW are selling stick on sill stickers for like £80 a go. Even dealer parts departments can believe they exist...
Edited by patch5674 on Friday 3rd January 21:54
patch5674 said:
Fellow i5 Touring owner here. Chucked pics in the i5 thread in this forum.
Really love the car, but I do like BMW. It is my first EV and I think I love it because it is a big, luxurious rapid BMW, not because it is an EV specifically, although I definitely love the EV powertrain - if you offered me this car in M5 touring I'd bite your hand off for example.
I nearly went for the Q6 but at the time of ordering I was ordering based on images and specs of the Q6 and reviews of the i5 (and I knew the A6 was coming).
After seeing the Q6/A6 reviews I could have still cancelled and changed etc, but nothing in the Audi's made me want to. If anything I would have gone A6 probably.
BMW get a lot of stick for it not being a ground up EV, but the Q6 is tighter in the back and that, and the Macan are just as inefficient based on the latest UK driving reviews. Circa 250 miles range in depths of winter, aiming for 300 in summer (Note UK reviews not being driven in Spain and Italy etc).
I don't really care about the transmission tunnel in the back and actually the outer rear passengers don't have their knees in their chins which reviewers of the Audi remark on - and I don't care about a frunk which you need to slam closed just like a bonnet.
The boot is cavernous and took the family and golden retriever plus luggage all over during Christmas in supreme comfort.
Regarding the BMW supposed cost cutting, People are comparing fully loaded G30 5 series with base spec G60's. Yes the dashboard isn't optionally covered in merino extended leather but what it is covered in as standard is lovely. Yes there aren't OPTIONAL soft close doors available.
The interior is truly stellar and iDrive remains the pinnacle.
The only cost cut that does wind me up is the removal of sill plates. My wife's Tiguan has illuminated sills, and so do the comparable Audi's and Mercs.
The reason why it winds me up is because BMW are selling stick on sill stickers for like £80 a go. Even dealer parts departments can believe they exist...
That sounds a huge case of Brand over Substance I am afraid.Really love the car, but I do like BMW. It is my first EV and I think I love it because it is a big, luxurious rapid BMW, not because it is an EV specifically, although I definitely love the EV powertrain - if you offered me this car in M5 touring I'd bite your hand off for example.
I nearly went for the Q6 but at the time of ordering I was ordering based on images and specs of the Q6 and reviews of the i5 (and I knew the A6 was coming).
After seeing the Q6/A6 reviews I could have still cancelled and changed etc, but nothing in the Audi's made me want to. If anything I would have gone A6 probably.
BMW get a lot of stick for it not being a ground up EV, but the Q6 is tighter in the back and that, and the Macan are just as inefficient based on the latest UK driving reviews. Circa 250 miles range in depths of winter, aiming for 300 in summer (Note UK reviews not being driven in Spain and Italy etc).
I don't really care about the transmission tunnel in the back and actually the outer rear passengers don't have their knees in their chins which reviewers of the Audi remark on - and I don't care about a frunk which you need to slam closed just like a bonnet.
The boot is cavernous and took the family and golden retriever plus luggage all over during Christmas in supreme comfort.
Regarding the BMW supposed cost cutting, People are comparing fully loaded G30 5 series with base spec G60's. Yes the dashboard isn't optionally covered in merino extended leather but what it is covered in as standard is lovely. Yes there aren't OPTIONAL soft close doors available.
The interior is truly stellar and iDrive remains the pinnacle.
The only cost cut that does wind me up is the removal of sill plates. My wife's Tiguan has illuminated sills, and so do the comparable Audi's and Mercs.
The reason why it winds me up is because BMW are selling stick on sill stickers for like £80 a go. Even dealer parts departments can believe they exist...
Edited by patch5674 on Friday 3rd January 21:54
A BMW that has been electrocuted.
Bonkers.
PushedDover said:
TBH, I dont think anyone "wants" a Tesla, but by 'eck do they work and fit around ones life with the mininimal of "Grrrr Electric car" about it.
I also do accept its a lot of money to spend on something that you don't 'Love', but they 'just work'...
especially wrt charging on the way
Any Ev can use a lot of the Tesla charging stations.I also do accept its a lot of money to spend on something that you don't 'Love', but they 'just work'...
especially wrt charging on the way
A good satnav (ABRP on carplay) makes life easy on the move, shows the charger availability in real time etc..
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