Next EV for around £20k?

monkey_boy · 26 Jul 2026 at 20:41

Hi All,

For a bit of context I’ve had a few EVs as there have been varying degrees of good deals, particularly for work/business over the years and even though they’ve not been premium cars by any stretch of the imagination, I’ve grown to really like them and now want something more premium.

My EV history is:

2015-17 Renault Zoe Dynamic Intens 22KWh
2017-20 Nissan Leaf Tekna 30KWh
2020-24 Renault Zoe GT Line 50KWh
2024-present Renault Zoe GT Line + 50KWh
(Main car replacement) 2025-present Jaguar I Pace 80KWh

I want to spend £18-22k to replace the current Zoe. I don’t want two I paces. I love the one we already have but would like something different and they’re peanuts these Jag is very inefficient on energy/charge.

The shortlist I have so far is:
Post 2021 Tesla Model 3 - lack of hatch boot and lower driving position make me unsure.

2022+ Tesla Model Y - pushing the budget, seeing a lot of negativity around ride quality.

2023+ Kia e Niro 4+ - still in manufacturers warranty but think this might be the sensible/boring option

BMW i4 - Really pushing the top of the budget and would likely have to compromise on spec or packages but my favourite in terms of looks by a long way. Unsure on running costs, efficiency and reliability. Don’t know much about them.

What have a missed?

What would you all go for?

Thanks,

MrRongCar · 26 Jul 2026 at 20:53

Not sure if anyone should really listen to my opinion on a car but…

i4 is a much nicer car to drive than any other EV I’ve driven except a Model S/Taycan/Ioniq 6.

I would also have an iX3 on the list.

I got an i4 today and it’s very very nice

ICDP · 26 Jul 2026 at 20:56

If you buy anything other than the one you actually want to drive, you will forever regret buying a “give up on life car”.

Get the i4 and don’t worry about the spec that fits your budget even the eDrive 40 will be more than good enough for performance.

If the i4 is anything like my wife’s basic spec M Sport iX2 xDrive 30 to drive, you will not be disappointed.

I know it will disappoint some of the posters on here, but nothing about Tesla is premium. Nor is the Kia.

Calpol · 26 Jul 2026 at 21:01

It's a bit of a vague brief.

Polestar 2
Mustang Mach-E
Genesis GV60

If you want something a bit less sensible than the Kia and a bit lest fascist than a Tesla

ICDP · 26 Jul 2026 at 21:06

Good shout on the Polestar 2 but I think an i4 will be a better choice in terms of overall premium feel. This is based on my experience of a Volvo C40 and an iX2 (Polestar are Volvo) The BMW just feels a touch more solid and better materials.

But the OP needs to check them out and test drive them.

ICDP · 26 Jul 2026 at 21:09

MrRockliffe said:
Not sure if anyone should really listen to my opinion on a car but…

i4 is a much nicer car to drive than any other EV I’ve driven except a Model S/Taycan/Ioniq 6.

I would also have an iX3 on the list.

I got an i4 today and it’s very very nice

As my mum used to say… just pick one and shut up already

Journey · 26 Jul 2026 at 21:14

monkey_boy said:
What would you all go for?

Given you already have an Ipace and aren't giving it up, then I'd buy on what you find fits your needs, the list you have given is quite a variation. Have you considered Renault 5 or a Mini, or too small coming from a Zoe still?

ver01@ · 27 Jul 2026 at 06:53

Calpol said:
It's a bit of a vague brief.

Polestar 2
Mustang Mach-E
Genesis GV60

If you want something a bit less sensible than the Kia and a bit lest fascist than a Tesla

GV60 - more than enough tech and much more interesting looks and interior compared to the German competition.

jpaul · 27 Jul 2026 at 10:56

monkey_boy said:
I don’t want two I paces. I love the one we already have but would like something different and they’re peanuts these Jag is very inefficient on energy/charge.

what is the equation for the value in the I-pace (& how is it's insurance, comparatively) such that exchanging it to be able to put more money into a similarly sized i4 wouldn't be a economic solution.

given your eu car history (I find cheaper insurance too), another similar price saloon is a looker stellantis lightweight e-408 hatch;
or cupra taviscan down SUV route.

e: nice i4 £26K https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202603170760615 packs, nice light interior

champ222 · 27 Jul 2026 at 13:22

i currently have a 2026 polestar 2 as a company car. I'm on a few groups and owners of earlier cars seem quite happy. Its ok, not too annoying (much less so that the Polestar 3s that my colleagues have). Of the Polestars, they are the least problematic.
i never even looked at the BMW i4, as i cant get past that grill. The polestar 2 is quite a handsome car, although it drives like a sporty saloon but it has a needlessly high ride height. If they "had" to make it that high, they should have made it more comfortable. The higher ride sounds like it will work for you, but be sure to test the ride. Smaller wheels will help i'm sure. I refused to have the standard wheels because they are hub caps (yes really) on the new cars, so the alloys are 21" I'm glad i dont have to buy the tyres.

If you have a penchant for small cars... id be all over a renault 5.
Link

The wheels are hideous, but arent they all these days? (dunno why this is a thing)

throwaway4372 · 27 Jul 2026 at 13:31

champ222 said:
If you have a penchant for small cars... id be all over a renault 5.
Link

Exterior is cool, but interior is super cheap looking. Dunno why anyone tolerates fabric in cars. Plastic dash and leatherette seats would be a million times better than what they've chosen.

Firegod · 27 Jul 2026 at 13:42

New Skoda Epiq perhaps? Starting from less than £25k apparently.

champ222 · 27 Jul 2026 at 13:42

throwaway4372 said:
Exterior is cool, but interior is super cheap looking. Dunno why anyone tolerates fabric in cars. Plastic dash and leatherette seats would be a million times better than what they've chosen.

I couldnt disagree more. i really liked it when i sat in one. Also sat in the Alpine A290, which has a "better" leather interior (though no cup holders, which is stupid), and i still prefered the interior in the 5. i REALLY like the the Alpine, but its not fast enough for how cool it looks.... if i could get one with the 280bhp+TorsenLSD from the Alfa Junior veloce, that would be much more like it.

whitecrook · 27 Jul 2026 at 13:44

What about a model S . Plenty about

RetiredGreyFox · 27 Jul 2026 at 17:25

The MG4 is the best car I've ever owned since 1975 so I'm biased.
Mandatory for us was a high driving seat and 360 degree cameras.
To me and the wife it's like driving a very expensive car

sigma · 27 Jul 2026 at 17:32

throwaway4372 said:
Exterior is cool, but interior is super cheap looking. Dunno why anyone tolerates fabric in cars. Plastic dash and leatherette seats would be a million times better than what they've chosen.

Fabric seats are better than leather

throwaway4372 · 27 Jul 2026 at 17:35

sigma said:
Fabric seats are better than leather

only if you're a cow
and definitely not if you have dust mite allergy (as 10% of the population do)

ICDP · 27 Jul 2026 at 19:52

throwaway4372 said:
only if you're a cow
and definitely not if you have dust mite allergy (as 10% of the population do)

So basically you want the other 90% to feel the same about leather. I have to be honest, I always think leather looked premium but I hate how hot it gets in summer and how cold it gets in winter.

So I always preferred the feel of fabric and the dynamica fake suede in my Born is excellent, looks nice and never feels too warm or cold.

RetiredGreyFox · 27 Jul 2026 at 20:41

ICDP said:
So basically you want the other 90% to feel the same about leather. I have to be honest, I always think leather looked premium but I hate how hot it gets in summer and how cold it gets in winter.

So I always preferred the feel of fabric and the dynamica fake suede in my Born is excellent, looks nice and never feels too warm or cold.

Every time I go in somebody's house or in a hotel and there is leather chairs I always look for something else to sit on.
I can't do with the stuff.

monkey_boy · 27 Jul 2026 at 20:45

MrRockliffe said:
Not sure if anyone should really listen to my opinion on a car but…

i4 is a much nicer car to drive than any other EV I’ve driven except a Model S/Taycan/Ioniq 6.

I would also have an iX3 on the list.

I got an i4 today and it’s very very nice

IX3 is an interesting one I hadn’t considered. The premier edition pro seems to tick a lot of my boxes.

ICDP said:
If you buy anything other than the one you actually want to drive, you will forever regret buying a “give up on life car”.

Get the i4 and don’t worry about the spec that fits your budget even the eDrive 40 will be more than good enough for performance.

If the i4 is anything like my wife’s basic spec M Sport iX2 xDrive 30 to drive, you will not be disappointed.

I know it will disappoint some of the posters on here, but nothing about Tesla is premium. Nor is the Kia.

Our second car has been a ‘gave up on life’ car for a long while now. Needs must and it’s a hard habit to break.

Calpol said:
It's a bit of a vague brief.

Polestar 2
Mustang Mach-E
Genesis GV60

If you want something a bit less sensible than the Kia and a bit lest fascist than a Tesla

It is vague, partly because it’s the first time in ages that I’ve looked at something other than the logical pragmatic choice and partly because the options for used EVs have multiplied exponentially recently.

Journey said:
Given you already have an Ipace and aren't giving it up, then I'd buy on what you find fits your needs, the list you have given is quite a variation. Have you considered Renault 5 or a Mini, or too small coming from a Zoe still?

The mini doesn’t give good value in terms of range and spec for me.

ver01@ said:
GV60 - more than enough tech and much more interesting looks and interior compared to the German competition.

These look interesting but given that they share a lot with Hyundai and Kia and that there aren’t many of them about i feel like it would be a ballache to get any work done on them?

jpaul said:
what is the equation for the value in the I-pace (& how is it's insurance, comparatively) such that exchanging it to be able to put more money into a similarly sized i4 wouldn't be a economic solution.

given your eu car history (I find cheaper insurance too), another similar price saloon is a looker stellantis lightweight e-408 hatch;
or cupra taviscan down SUV route.

e: nice i4 £26K https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202603170760615 packs, nice light interior

Not sure I understand your question re value? Apart from that, my wife wouldn’t want to lose the I Pace and this is for a second car (third really as the Zoe will go to my daughter).

whitecrook said:
What about a model S . Plenty about

The reliability stories had put me off and the repair bills, but if that’s a misconception on my part, I think it would be ann ideal option.