Spec me a BEV

[R.C.Anderson]

Currently have a Skoda Karoq 1.5 DSG. which is nearing 3 years old, so I feel it's time to look at a new car, and really fancy a BEV.

I've been doing a bit of research into vehicles that are a similar size, with similar tech, but I wanted the opinions of other people who might have done similar/know the market better to suggest vehicles to look at/to avoid.

The main features that I want that don't seem as common are:

• Heated front seats
• Heated Sseering wheel
• Adaptive cruise control
• Reversing camera
• Matrix LED headlights
• Powered tailgate
• A similar size luggage space as the Karoq
• 0-60 in ~ 8s or less - similar to my Karoq, but it does feel a little slow at times.

The top 2 are less important if preconditioning work well, but would still be nice.

A few options I've found in a similar price bracket are:

• Skoda Elroq
• Skoda Enyaq
• Hyundai Kona Electric (my parents in law have a mild hybrid version that's much smaller than the karoq, but it seems the never BEV is considerably larger?)
• Hyundai Ioniq 5
• Ford Explorer
• MGS5 (I drove a ZS when I was buying my current car and was not keen, as it felt like it was just unable to put the power down & felt unstable)
• BYD Atto 3 (I've been able to find very little information on what feature this actually has)

So, what have you got? What can you suggest?

 

[R.C.Anderson]

Thanks both

I didn't realise I didn't put a budget in... I generally buy cars new with PCP, on a 4-year contact, but look to swap out at about 3 (equity dependant). All inclusive (inc VED, fuel etc inc), I want to be looking at ~£7k/year at the most, but could stretch a bit if it's particularly nice. I know that doesn't make it particularly easy to find what is/isn't applicable, as from my calcs a Elroq Edition 60 has a OTR of ~£34.5k, with a per year cost of ~£6.4k, but a BYD Atto 3 design has a OTR of £37.7k, but with a per year cost of ~£5.4k.

I have briefly consiered an ID4 & Q4 eTron, but generally discounted them, as when I was looking at my Karoq, I looked at the VW & Audi equivalents & decided it wasn't worth paying the extra for the badge, for what was an otherwise very similar car. I'll definitely take a closer look at them though, in case they work out similarly (e.g. can get away with a lower trim on the Audi than the Skoda, which makes the prices similar.

Tesla, I've discounted straight away, I have no interest in supporting the brand, and when I've sat in a couple (admitadly model S, rather than Y), they just look & feel like tat imo.

Maybe worth a consideration 2nd hand, but the last few cars I've looked at, it actually worked out more expensive to buy a <2 year old 2nd hand car, than to buy new, mainly due to the deposit contributions & much lower interest rates available.

 

[R.C.Anderson]

TBH I hadn't compared like for like depreciation rates, just PCP deals for a new karoq vs BEVs & there didn't seem to be a massive difference in total cost over ~3 years (although this is including fuel costs, so does benefit the BEVs).

In terms of PCH vs PCP, I have considered PCH previously, but the last couple of cars I've had, I've ended up better off with PCP due to much higher residual values compared to the GFV. E.g. I had a Karoq before this one & ended up selling at 3 years (of a 4 year term), with ~£5k equity in it, which took over 1/3rd from the actual cost of ownership, and that's even with doing more miles than on the PCP deal.
Looks like I could do with exploring PCH options though with a BEV, as it seems like it might be more beneficial, although I'm less familiar with the terms etc, and do like the added flexibility of PCP in terms of when I can change, how many miles I've done etc.

 

[R.C.Anderson]

From your description, it sounds like you'd really like Q8 Etron. They're not available new anymore, but there will be plenty of 2 year old ones coming up for sale shortly. It's a class above the cars you've listed. That did reflect in the new price, however used models are really good value.

There are also the standard Etron's about. However the Q8 has a bigger battery across the range, slightly better efficiency, and IMO looks a lot better.

I love mine. Been a brilliant car.

For example.... https://quotes.carwow.co.uk/deals/bfaddd4a6be2ded1c73ddf1fd98b2594

I'll take a look at a used Q8 Etron, wasn't something I'd considered, but might work out good VFM

 

[R.C.Anderson]

Thanks all for the help & recomendation for PCH instead.

I'm off to test drive the Skoda Enyaq 85x tomorrow, as the PCH prices for this are pretty much too good to pass up & will most likely be the vehicle I go for (assuming all goes well tomorrow!). As tempted as I've been with a polestar, I'm not sure I can convince myself it's worth spending extra (although this might change!)

 

[R.C.Anderson]

Did you test drive the Enyaq? I actually prefer it over the sister car, the ID.4, it’s got a nicer cabin design and material finish by a country mile..

I did, yea, and I really liked the car. Good space, nicely composed on the road, but not too firm, handled well & was resppnsive.

Although it's ended up being the only BEV I actually test drove, I found a good deal on it (12+23PCH @£316/month), I had decided that the test drive was more of a confirmation that I liked it & would be happy with it, rather than a comparison.

As I was happy with it, I've placed the order & should be recieving it in 2-4 weeks!

 

[R.C.Anderson]

Why did you go with a 12 upfront, was there a significant saving vs. a 3+23 or similar? Nearly £4k upfront a is decent chunk of cash that could be sat in a bank earning interest and drawing down the payments against for the first 8+ months?

Nice that you enjoyed the car though.

Yea, it was a bit over £400 more to do a 3+23, and I should have that sort of amount of equity in my current vehicle, so the upfront cost isn't too much of a problem for me to save that cash.