Discussion
I’ve kind of had my heart set on one of these as my next car for when the lease on my Ioniq 5 ends this year. They’re very well equipped for the price and for me it seems like a great choice.
So we test drove a GT-Line S yesterday. I thought it was an excellent car, really nice to drive with fantastic range, but the wife did nothing but pick faults with it the whole time, which kind of annoyed me.
She doesn’t have a driving licence so is only ever a passenger, so I’m not sure how much her opinion even matters.
Before we even got in - “it’s ugly”
After we got in - “it’s ugly inside too. There’s light coloured bits of trim, dark bits, fabric bits. It’s just not nice to look at”. It seems fine to me.
“I hate the centre console”. Sure the little sliding table thing is a bit pointless but it’s not a deal breaker for me.
“There’s not enough leg room for sitting with a bag at my feet” So put your bag in the back seat or the boot then?
“The glove box is too low down so I can’t sit with my legs crossed”. Is this really necessary?
“Can’t we just get another Ioniq 5? It’s ugly but at least it’s got loads of room inside”. No because it is out of our price range. I got this one on a really good lease deal.
“Can’t we just get a Kona EV? It’s got a shelf at the passenger side where I can sit my phone”. Maybe it does, but overall it’s got a smaller battery and is basically a similar size and price.
She did concede that the seat was comfortable and the boot was a decent size.
It ended with “get it if you want, you’re the driver after all, but I’ll probably complain about it every time I get in”
This car ticks all the boxes for me, and there’s not much else in that price range which comes so well equipped. We don’t have an unlimited budget.
Other considerations were Renault Megane E-tech but I’ve discounted this as all of the trim levels have cloth seats (which inevitably end up filthy) and only one cup holder. Also the Skoda Elroq looks good, but to get basics like heated seats, you have to start adding optional packages which really bumps the price up.
Maybe I should just get a divorce and get the EV3 anyway…
So we test drove a GT-Line S yesterday. I thought it was an excellent car, really nice to drive with fantastic range, but the wife did nothing but pick faults with it the whole time, which kind of annoyed me.
She doesn’t have a driving licence so is only ever a passenger, so I’m not sure how much her opinion even matters.
Before we even got in - “it’s ugly”
After we got in - “it’s ugly inside too. There’s light coloured bits of trim, dark bits, fabric bits. It’s just not nice to look at”. It seems fine to me.
“I hate the centre console”. Sure the little sliding table thing is a bit pointless but it’s not a deal breaker for me.
“There’s not enough leg room for sitting with a bag at my feet” So put your bag in the back seat or the boot then?
“The glove box is too low down so I can’t sit with my legs crossed”. Is this really necessary?
“Can’t we just get another Ioniq 5? It’s ugly but at least it’s got loads of room inside”. No because it is out of our price range. I got this one on a really good lease deal.
“Can’t we just get a Kona EV? It’s got a shelf at the passenger side where I can sit my phone”. Maybe it does, but overall it’s got a smaller battery and is basically a similar size and price.
She did concede that the seat was comfortable and the boot was a decent size.
It ended with “get it if you want, you’re the driver after all, but I’ll probably complain about it every time I get in”
This car ticks all the boxes for me, and there’s not much else in that price range which comes so well equipped. We don’t have an unlimited budget.
Other considerations were Renault Megane E-tech but I’ve discounted this as all of the trim levels have cloth seats (which inevitably end up filthy) and only one cup holder. Also the Skoda Elroq looks good, but to get basics like heated seats, you have to start adding optional packages which really bumps the price up.
Maybe I should just get a divorce and get the EV3 anyway…
Edited by Blockbuster on Monday 17th February 07:55
Blockbuster said:
Other considerations were Renault Megane E-tech but I’ve discounted this as all of the trim levels have cloth seats (which inevitably end up filthy) and only one cup holder.…
Mégane has 1 static cupholder there is a second one just ahead of this which is adjustable in size using a kind of slot me hsn8sm, hard to describe but it's there.Also a revised version, kind of trim re jig is coming from April, give the Mégane trims are nothing like the rest of the Renault range I'm assuming it'll bring it up in line with them, there won't be full leather as this is no longer Renault's thing (in the UK at least) but I'd hope darker cloth with perhaps faux leather bolsters or similar.
SWoll said:
Is leasing a new EV the only option OP?
With the level of depreciation there's a lot of value in the used market for lightly used EVs, and a lot of choice.
No I won’t be leasing again. I was looking to buy something.With the level of depreciation there's a lot of value in the used market for lightly used EVs, and a lot of choice.
Maybe brand new isn’t the best choice but I’ve never bought a new car before and since I’m approaching 50 I thought I would treat myself.
Maybe a lightly used more expensive car would be better, but I’m not sure what.
Blockbuster said:
SWoll said:
Is leasing a new EV the only option OP?
With the level of depreciation there's a lot of value in the used market for lightly used EVs, and a lot of choice.
No I won’t be leasing again. I was looking to buy something.With the level of depreciation there's a lot of value in the used market for lightly used EVs, and a lot of choice.
Maybe brand new isn’t the best choice but I’ve never bought a new car before and since I’m approaching 50 I thought I would treat myself.
Maybe a lightly used more expensive car would be better, but I’m not sure what.
SWoll said:
What is your budget and usage?
Budget around 40k. I was going to get the GT-Line SUsage is mostly local and charging at home. But we do also seem to do a lot of road trips eg Scotland to Cornwall, or to the Lake District.
I thought we did around 8k miles a year but it seems to be much more than this as I am about to bust the lease mileage with around 6 months to go.
Blockbuster said:
No I won’t be leasing again. I was looking to buy something.
Maybe brand new isn’t the best choice but I’ve never bought a new car before and since I’m approaching 50 I thought I would treat myself.
Maybe a lightly used more expensive car would be better, but I’m not sure what.
I'd opt for a lightly used EV6 - Much more space, IMO it's better looking and it does feel like somewhat of a treat as a sensible car. Depreciation hit them hard and so they can be picked up for a good price.Maybe brand new isn’t the best choice but I’ve never bought a new car before and since I’m approaching 50 I thought I would treat myself.
Maybe a lightly used more expensive car would be better, but I’m not sure what.
Cracking car IMO and looks great but a mate thinks it looks hideous.
I looked at one over the weekend and it's impressive for the money. I'm thinking of the long range Air and they only had the GT Line S, which was tidy. My only gripes were the sliding table, which loses any storage, slightly lower charge
rate and the fact it's not RWD but these are really minor.
My issue now is discounts and which one to go for as the GT Line S would be ok provided I bought one before 1st April.
I looked at one over the weekend and it's impressive for the money. I'm thinking of the long range Air and they only had the GT Line S, which was tidy. My only gripes were the sliding table, which loses any storage, slightly lower charge
rate and the fact it's not RWD but these are really minor.
My issue now is discounts and which one to go for as the GT Line S would be ok provided I bought one before 1st April.
Blockbuster said:
I’ve kind of had my heart set on one of these as my next car for when the lease on my Ioniq 5 ends this year. They’re very well equipped for the price and for me it seems like a great choice.
So we test drove a GT-Line S yesterday. I thought it was an excellent car, really nice to drive with fantastic range, but the wife did nothing but pick faults with it the whole time, which kind of annoyed me.
....
What did she think of the Ioniq? It's quite a step down to EV3.So we test drove a GT-Line S yesterday. I thought it was an excellent car, really nice to drive with fantastic range, but the wife did nothing but pick faults with it the whole time, which kind of annoyed me.
....
We usually drive "main stream" brands, and did just recently get a Kona EV in the family. But we also looked at EX40 and iX1 and my wife, who normally takes no interest in cars at all, was very taken with those. Especially the Volvo, which did surprise me in how it felt a cut above the others. If it had been her choice, she'd have bought the Volvo. I probably would have bought it if the warranty was same as the Hyundai.
Sheepshanks said:
What did she think of the Ioniq? It's quite a step down to EV3.
We usually drive "main stream" brands, and did just recently get a Kona EV in the family. But we also looked at EX40 and iX1 and my wife, who normally takes no interest in cars at all, was very taken with those. Especially the Volvo, which did surprise me in how it felt a cut above the others. If it had been her choice, she'd have bought the Volvo. I probably would have bought it if the warranty was same as the Hyundai.
Having changed from an XC40 to an EV3, I don't really see much of a quality difference. Maybe the trims inside the boot show signs of cost control, that's it.We usually drive "main stream" brands, and did just recently get a Kona EV in the family. But we also looked at EX40 and iX1 and my wife, who normally takes no interest in cars at all, was very taken with those. Especially the Volvo, which did surprise me in how it felt a cut above the others. If it had been her choice, she'd have bought the Volvo. I probably would have bought it if the warranty was same as the Hyundai.
Spec for spec, the Volvo is around £12k more at list price, but they'll probably be similarly priced at 2 or 3 years old.
Is the Volvo expensive, or the EV3 a bit of a bargain?
Cupramax said:
Don’t forget anything over £40k is getting battered for tax by Rachel from accounts, with the changes starting April if you’re ordering new.
It's applied when the car is registered rather than ordered also, so anything over £40k with more than a 6 week lead time is going to get caught at this point I believe.clockworks said:
Having changed from an XC40 to an EV3, I don't really see much of a quality difference. Maybe the trims inside the boot show signs of cost control, that's it.
Spec for spec, the Volvo is around £12k more at list price, but they'll probably be similarly priced at 2 or 3 years old.
Is the Volvo expensive, or the EV3 a bit of a bargain?
List on the Volvo is high (and iX1 even worse) but nearly new Volvo Plus spec and Kona Ultimate were ball-park the same. iX1 was tricky nearly new as the spec is poor and needs the right options to have been added. Ended up buying a new Kona as got £10K off through a broker which made same price as dealers were selling nearly-new for.Spec for spec, the Volvo is around £12k more at list price, but they'll probably be similarly priced at 2 or 3 years old.
Is the Volvo expensive, or the EV3 a bit of a bargain?
It's not easy to compare as the middle Plus spec was fine on the Volvo but Kona has a big step from pretty basic Advance that doesn't even have heated seats, to bonkers Ultimate. I haven't seriously looked at EV3 but think a similar thing happens?
Blockbuster said:
SWoll said:
What is your budget and usage?
Budget around 40k. I was going to get the GT-Line SUsage is mostly local and charging at home. But we do also seem to do a lot of road trips eg Scotland to Cornwall, or to the Lake District.
I thought we did around 8k miles a year but it seems to be much more than this as I am about to bust the lease mileage with around 6 months to go.
You could get a 23 plate EV6 GT for £35k with low mileage and it will still have near 5 years of warranty left...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202411186...
At the £40k mark you could be in a Taycan 4S and just extend the warranty each year for £1,200 or so as well..
Edited by greggy50 on Monday 17th February 15:01
Sheepshanks said:
List on the Volvo is high (and iX1 even worse) but nearly new Volvo Plus spec and Kona Ultimate were ball-park the same. iX1 was tricky nearly new as the spec is poor and needs the right options to have been added. Ended up buying a new Kona as got £10K off through a broker which made same price as dealers were selling nearly-new for.
It's not easy to compare as the middle Plus spec was fine on the Volvo but Kona has a big step from pretty basic Advance that doesn't even have heated seats, to bonkers Ultimate. I haven't seriously looked at EV3 but think a similar thing happens?
From what I remember, the base "Air" trim for the EV3 has all the things you really need, including heated seats and steering wheel. The GT adds the things that are on most other manufacturer's top trims, and the GT S adds the things that are optional with other makes.It's not easy to compare as the middle Plus spec was fine on the Volvo but Kona has a big step from pretty basic Advance that doesn't even have heated seats, to bonkers Ultimate. I haven't seriously looked at EV3 but think a similar thing happens?
I went for the GT S, as I wanted the HUD, upgraded stereo, and 360 cameras.
Looking at posts on owners' groups, the GT S is outselling both the other trims. That will probably change when the luxury car tax kicks in, and a GT in standard paint will be the best one that comes in at under £40k.
Downside of the Kona and Niro is they will likely be dropped soon, as the EV3 is pretty much the same size, but cheaper. I'm guessing it will happen when Hyundai release their version of the EV3.
It's a shame that Volvo never got the EX30 properly finished before putting it on sale. Too many niggles still. I would've bought one if it worked properly
greggy50 said:
Personal view but if you are buying with cash and have a budget of £40k then going brand new seems like madness to me.
So much value in the £25-35k used portion of the market at the moment. < 2 year old AUC EQC, eTron, iPace, can be had for around £30k with long/extendable warranties as part of the deal. You'd have to be crazy to pay £40k+ for a brand new EV3 in comparison IMHO.
SWoll said:
greggy50 said:
Personal view but if you are buying with cash and have a budget of £40k then going brand new seems like madness to me.
So much value in the £25-35k used portion of the market at the moment. < 2 year old AUC EQC, eTron, iPace, can be had for around £30k with long/extendable warranties as part of the deal. You'd have to be crazy to pay £40k+ for a brand new EV3 in comparison IMHO.
No comparison, no chance I'd buy the EX30.
I wanted a relatively small EV with decent range and all the toys. EV3 was pretty much the only option then. Fortunately, it's a very good car. Elroq might be an option in the future.
If a bigger, older, EV suits, then yes, it would make more sense financially.
Told you wireless Apple car play and wireless charging is better than a usb stick. 
@OP, did you try the Renault Scenic? Some pretty decent lease deals on those at the moment.
My Mrs would argue the EV3 was too small. She likes the feeling of space. She stops moaning at C Segment cross overs, so maybe a Scenic might appease her? Its interior design is also a fair bit more conservative than the EV3.
There are some ok deals on the Nissan Ariya as well. D segment so even more spacious.
If you are going to divorce over a car, wouldn’t you want a nicer car than an EV3 to make that worthwhile? A single seater like a BAC mono? No space for the Mrs at all
@OP, did you try the Renault Scenic? Some pretty decent lease deals on those at the moment.
My Mrs would argue the EV3 was too small. She likes the feeling of space. She stops moaning at C Segment cross overs, so maybe a Scenic might appease her? Its interior design is also a fair bit more conservative than the EV3.
There are some ok deals on the Nissan Ariya as well. D segment so even more spacious.
If you are going to divorce over a car, wouldn’t you want a nicer car than an EV3 to make that worthwhile? A single seater like a BAC mono? No space for the Mrs at all
Edited by wyson on Monday 17th February 19:47
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