ᐅ BEV – Battery Electric Vehicle Experiences and Recommendations
Created on: 23 Jan 2025 15:14
T
Tolentino
Dear forum members,
I know this is a homebuilding forum, but relevant car forums tend to be either very brand-loyal or strongly critical of battery electric vehicles (BEVs). Since I assume there is a significant overlap between homeowners and BEV owners, I’m posting my question here. I chose this subforum because it seemed somewhat related—discussing household technology felt off topic.
I’ll soon be returning my ZOE and am currently exploring options for a replacement. It should again be a small to compact car, with 80-90% urban driving and average daily distances of about 25 km (15.5 miles). Occasionally, I drive 40-50 km (25-31 miles) in the city (about once a month) and very rarely 180 km (112 miles) on highways and country roads.
Absolute exclusions:
Tesla, for ethical reasons
Vehicles with a new price over 50,000 EUR (approx. $53,000), because the financing rate would be too high
Less preferred:
VW Group cars
Obvious SUVs
Another ZOE
Models I am interested in:
Renault 5 (possibly too new and expensive)
Hyundai Kona Electric (this is my upper limit for SUV styling)
MG4
Opel Corsa-e (though it didn’t perform well in ADAC tests)
Mainly looking for personal experience reports.
So, please share your thoughts—thanks in advance!
I know this is a homebuilding forum, but relevant car forums tend to be either very brand-loyal or strongly critical of battery electric vehicles (BEVs). Since I assume there is a significant overlap between homeowners and BEV owners, I’m posting my question here. I chose this subforum because it seemed somewhat related—discussing household technology felt off topic.
I’ll soon be returning my ZOE and am currently exploring options for a replacement. It should again be a small to compact car, with 80-90% urban driving and average daily distances of about 25 km (15.5 miles). Occasionally, I drive 40-50 km (25-31 miles) in the city (about once a month) and very rarely 180 km (112 miles) on highways and country roads.
Absolute exclusions:
Tesla, for ethical reasons
Vehicles with a new price over 50,000 EUR (approx. $53,000), because the financing rate would be too high
Less preferred:
VW Group cars
Obvious SUVs
Another ZOE
Models I am interested in:
Renault 5 (possibly too new and expensive)
Hyundai Kona Electric (this is my upper limit for SUV styling)
MG4
Opel Corsa-e (though it didn’t perform well in ADAC tests)
Mainly looking for personal experience reports.
So, please share your thoughts—thanks in advance!
A
Allthewayup24 Jan 2025 22:27I know it doesn’t fit your search criteria, but my wife was very satisfied with her Q4 45 e-tron. It didn’t cause any issues, neither software nor hardware related. In city traffic, consumption of just over 17kWh per 100km for a car of that size was really acceptable. There are occasionally lease offers for nearly new cars at €199/month, and considering the list price of about €65,000, that’s quite a deal. I personally tested the Hyundai Ioniq 5N over a weekend, but it also didn’t meet your criteria, and back then I chose my current E63s Final Edition instead of the 5N. Soon we’ll be giving up the winter car (RS3) and the Q6 e-tron is lined up as its replacement. I’m curious to see how it compares to our former Q4.
In summer, we always drive a BEV (large photovoltaic system) plus my Benz, and then switch to two winter cars (internal combustion engines) in winter, since the electricity goes to the heat pump.
In summer, we always drive a BEV (large photovoltaic system) plus my Benz, and then switch to two winter cars (internal combustion engines) in winter, since the electricity goes to the heat pump.
N
nordanney25 Jan 2025 08:18Tolentino schrieb:
Ok, MG is out, there was an ARD Marktcheck about a month ago, where a MG4 customer has been waiting 8 months for a repair...Then every model should be excluded, as such individual cases occur with all manufacturers.W
wiltshire25 Jan 2025 08:30nordanney schrieb:
Then every model would be ruled out, since there are such individual cases with all manufacturers. For me, it makes a difference who I would have to deal with in the event of an accident.
As far as I understand, you would lease, so my question is how high the current lease payment is or what the new maximum could be. Several examples have already been mentioned here, maybe you could share your thoughts on each?
I have read a lot about different models and have also test driven some. People complain about Mercedes just as much as about Tesla, and similarly about MG or Hyundai. The Ioniq is/was highly praised, and we leased one for just over €220 (about $240) per month, but honestly, I prefer driving my Marbel, even if it charges slower or has fewer features—maybe even because of that. It’s currently available for around €25,000 (about $27,000), model year 2023, with low mileage and 6 years of remaining warranty. I’m not recommending this car to you, but it shows that some models can be had quite cheaply at the moment, including in leasing. This tends to be better reflected by the lease factor rather than the list price, and if I can get a higher-quality car for less money, why wouldn’t I choose that?
At what point is a car actually considered an SUV, and specifically, what would be the problem with choosing such a vehicle with a higher seating position if the price is right, if I may ask?
I was satisfied with MG and especially with my dealer but also know owners who had issues from the related info group. Meanwhile, others rave about Tesla, Hyundai, or Kia as solutions. I currently still have a Hyundai, and in that group, it’s the same: constant posts showing problems along with people who are completely enthusiastic. The internet tends to be dominated by dissatisfied people. For example, in Ireland, countless MG5s are used as taxis, and drivers are very satisfied with them. This station wagon can be bought starting at €17,000 (about $18,300) with a long remaining warranty.
Apparently, you have leased directly from the dealer, which I would also prefer, but my dealer couldn’t even come close to the rates offered on dedicated platforms. With such significant differences, I simply put my wallet before any preferences.
I’m not a car enthusiast and approach this quite objectively. I’m looking for a safe means of transportation for a reasonable price; if I get more comfort for the same money, I’m happy to take it. However, I can understand car enthusiasts or people with different priorities—it all depends on your individual criteria. Currently, there is the Citroën C3 or also the Leapmotor coming onto the market.
I have read a lot about different models and have also test driven some. People complain about Mercedes just as much as about Tesla, and similarly about MG or Hyundai. The Ioniq is/was highly praised, and we leased one for just over €220 (about $240) per month, but honestly, I prefer driving my Marbel, even if it charges slower or has fewer features—maybe even because of that. It’s currently available for around €25,000 (about $27,000), model year 2023, with low mileage and 6 years of remaining warranty. I’m not recommending this car to you, but it shows that some models can be had quite cheaply at the moment, including in leasing. This tends to be better reflected by the lease factor rather than the list price, and if I can get a higher-quality car for less money, why wouldn’t I choose that?
At what point is a car actually considered an SUV, and specifically, what would be the problem with choosing such a vehicle with a higher seating position if the price is right, if I may ask?
I was satisfied with MG and especially with my dealer but also know owners who had issues from the related info group. Meanwhile, others rave about Tesla, Hyundai, or Kia as solutions. I currently still have a Hyundai, and in that group, it’s the same: constant posts showing problems along with people who are completely enthusiastic. The internet tends to be dominated by dissatisfied people. For example, in Ireland, countless MG5s are used as taxis, and drivers are very satisfied with them. This station wagon can be bought starting at €17,000 (about $18,300) with a long remaining warranty.
Apparently, you have leased directly from the dealer, which I would also prefer, but my dealer couldn’t even come close to the rates offered on dedicated platforms. With such significant differences, I simply put my wallet before any preferences.
I’m not a car enthusiast and approach this quite objectively. I’m looking for a safe means of transportation for a reasonable price; if I get more comfort for the same money, I’m happy to take it. However, I can understand car enthusiasts or people with different priorities—it all depends on your individual criteria. Currently, there is the Citroën C3 or also the Leapmotor coming onto the market.
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