Mid sized EV suggestions

Hodders · 2026-03-23T14:25:06+0000

Out current car (Hyundai i40 estate) is 12 years old and has done 135,000 miles. It's starting to fall apart and neither of us really trust it that much any more.

We want to replace it with something of a similar/slightly smaller size. Looking at:

Kia EV6 - how much smaller would the boot size actually be?
Hyundai Ioniq 5 - looks are a bit marmite, similar (slightly larger) boot size to EV6
VW ID7 - Although MrRockliffe's story puts me right of both the car and the dealer network.
Skoda Enyaq - I like Skoda's but the much longer warranties on the Kia/Hyundai is attractive.

We have the space at home to home charge and an EV makes sense for us.

Not interested in buying new, would probably go for something about 18 months to 2 years old, budget up to about £35k, ideally under £30k.

So what other options should we be looking at.

DanTheMan · 2026-03-23T17:13:29+0000

You could consider the BMW I4 or IX3 if you fancy something with a more premium badge. I haven't looked at the warranty side of things but BMW are usually pretty good with extended warranties.

Tesla Model Y is marmite car but it's popular for a reason and access to the supercharger network is very useful.

radderfire · 2026-03-23T17:21:09+0000

The Ioniq 5 is a good car. It's also a big car.

tamzzy · 2026-03-23T17:23:36+0000

DanTheMan said:
Tesla Model Y is marmite car but it's popular for a reason and access to the supercharger network is very useful.

^ this

(model 3 owner)

Hodders · 2026-03-23T20:00:53+0000

Sorry - not interested in Tesla. I want stuff like an indicator stalk and can't stomach Elon Musk. It's a shame as there is so much that Tesla get right - charging network and charging/routing integration is just so much better than other brands.

Whilst I'm sceptical of Chinese cars - what are people's thoughts about BYD?

tamzzy · 2026-03-23T20:04:05+0000

Hodders said:
I want stuff like an indicator stalk and can't stomach Elon Musk.

18-24 month old car would put you in a non-juniper model Y with stalks anyway

Hodders said:
It's a shame as there is so much that Tesla get right - charging network and charging/routing integration is just so much better than other brands.

musk is an acquired smell. it is your money so up to you to decide whether binning a whole brand just for one person is worth it or not

radderfire · 2026-03-23T20:11:16+0000

Hodders said:
Whilst I'm sceptical of Chinese cars - what are people's thoughts about BYD?

The Chinese have been catching up big time. It won't be long before they are leading.

m4rmite · 2026-03-23T20:30:31+0000

radderfire said:
The Chinese have been catching up big time. It won't be long before they are leading.

I think they're already leading because the west let it slip at the same time.

tamzzy · 2026-03-23T21:37:10+0000

m4rmite said:
I think they're already leading because the west let it slip at the same time.

i blame musk and tesla. they really took their eyes off the ball with all this AI shizzle

radderfire · 2026-03-23T21:46:13+0000

There's the new Renault 4 electric.

The Jaguar iPace is a well thought of electric car, although older, and I guess servicing might be more difficult. Could be a bargain though.

Hodders · 2026-03-24T02:07:55+0000

radderfire said:
There's the new Renault 4 electric.

The Jaguar iPace is a well thought of electric car, although older, and I guess servicing might be more difficult. Could be a bargain though.

If you google them, you get a lot of "poor reliability" in the results. Do you feel that is unfair or a fair compromise given how good they are (apparently) to drive?

chanjy · 2026-03-24T06:33:04+0000

Hodders said:
If you google them, you get a lot of "poor reliability" in the results. Do you feel that is unfair or a fair compromise given how good they are (apparently) to drive?

Absolutely awful reliability (former owner here)

Ioniq 5 and EV6 have great charging speeds if you think you would need that

If range isn't an issue though consider the Audi eTron big, luxurious and cheap

Dis86 · 2026-03-24T07:09:50+0000

Im confused, wont buy a tesla cos Musk but will buy Chinese? Wut.

Firegod · 2026-03-24T07:11:53+0000

Hodders said:
Out current car (Hyundai i40 estate) is 12 years old and has done 135,000 miles. It's starting to fall apart and neither of us really trust it that much any more.

We want to replace it with something of a similar/slightly smaller size. Looking at:

Kia EV6 - how much smaller would the boot size actually be?
Hyundai Ioniq 5 - looks are a bit marmite, similar (slightly larger) boot size to EV6
VW ID7 - Although MrRockliffe's story puts me right of both the car and the dealer network.
Skoda Enyaq - I like Skoda's but the much longer warranties on the Kia/Hyundai is attractive.

We have the space at home to home charge and an EV makes sense for us.

Not interested in buying new, would probably go for something about 18 months to 2 years old, budget up to about £35k, ideally under £30k.

So what other options should we be looking at.

Would the Renault Scenic E-Tech be worth considering? Quick example:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202602270282306?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android-app

john andersen · 2026-03-24T08:34:12+0000

Have you looked at the MG4 ? both xpower and normal versions ?

Penfold101 · 2026-03-24T08:36:32+0000

Could I interest you in a 2021 Mercedes EQC… :km:

radderfire · 2026-03-24T09:45:14+0000

Hodders said:
If you google them, you get a lot of "poor reliability" in the results. Do you feel that is unfair or a fair compromise given how good they are (apparently) to drive?

Unfair. Just a suggestion in case they are bargains.

Also:
BMW i5 Touring, but probably over budget.

BYD Seal, probably good value, but I haven't read any reviews.

bigmike20vt · 2026-03-24T09:49:52+0000

tamzzy said:
i blame musk and tesla. they really took their eyes off the ball with all this AI shizzle

there is a lot I blame Musk for.... but the other Western and Japanese car manufacturers being tardy moving over to EVs is one thing I don't think you can lay at his door.
Tesla are a very recent manufacturer of vehicles. Really it shouldn't be on them to be the leaders of EVification. the companies who have been making cars for over 100 years should have done more to prepare imo.
The fact that Tesla still have the amazing charging infrastructure they have , undercutting everyone as well as a line of cars comparable to most other out there is a credit to the company imo. (and I don't even own one ... yet!)

tamzzy · 2026-03-24T09:57:11+0000

true, though tesla was designed right from the get go as an EV maker, so in a sense they are comparable to the likes of BYD et al
the legacy companies, as legacy companies do, have loads of breauracracy and move at galacial pace for major changes in technology
basically boils down to...the king is dead, long live the king :cry:

bigmike20vt · 2026-03-24T09:57:55+0000

Hodders said:
If you google them, you get a lot of "poor reliability" in the results. Do you feel that is unfair or a fair compromise given how good they are (apparently) to drive?

damn you for making me hex my car

But my late 2020 MY21 ipace has done over 60,000 miles now(not all by me). in the 3 years I have owned mine it hasn't missed a beat other than a new set of rubbers and still gets within spitting distance of its battery range when new as well. No advisories at my MOT or end of warranty inspections either.

that said.... I have kept it on the jaguar extended warranty. my understanding is generally it is the most reliable jaguar ever made.... the issue isn't that it will break down, it's just IF it breaks down the costs can be horrendous.