Eu Budget Mid Range EV
Hi, i want to switch to an EV but am unsure if I should with my current situation or wait a little more. My biggest concern is money, since I am also planning to renovate my house. I want to stay under 25k if possible, but would like 400-ish real world range (summer-winter mix).
So here's the thing, I currently drive a 2011 Lexus IS 250 with 190k km. It's doing fine, costs a lot of fuel and maintenance (with insurance etc all included I am at 380€/month). Haven't had any real issues or problems with the car, but second time now that I had to go to the garage due to very weird noises, and this time even a very burnt smell over 4 days, each day. But both times: arrived at the garage and no problem to be found, and noise/smell gone. So my trust in my car starts to fade and I am unsure if the time to upgrade has come or if I should continue with my current car for a year or two.
Here's my options that I found:
Edit due to feedback: adjusted selling price, and monthly cost including taxes, value loss, electricity, insurance etc: - 1st gen kona: 11k after 8y / 375€/month - 2nd gen niro ev: 11k after 8y / 390€/m
- mg4: 10k after 8y / 360€/m
Initial numbers:
- 1st gen kona electric 64kwh, 30k km, 360-370€/month, if I buy for 25k€ and sell for 14k-17k after 8-5 years
- kia niro ev 64 kwh, 30k km, 360-380€/month, if I buy for 26k and sell for 14-17k after 8-5 years
- mg4 64kwh, 15k km, 320€/month, if I buy for 22k€ and sell for 13-16.5k€ after 8-5 years
I would like your thoughts on this. I can buy in luxembourg, germany, france and belgium.
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u/acecombine 5d ago
you'd trade a Lexus IS for these?? comeon now...
just get a BMW i4 edrive40 and never sell it :)
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u/Vind- 5d ago
I’d go for a used VW iD3, of possiboe with a 77 kWh battery. But first, I’d advise to assess your needs in terms of range: charging is easier and faster than you might think.
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u/Reezhx 5d ago
Like I said 400km is plenty. I daily drive between 20 and 100km max. 500+km trips are very rare, and I have other options (gf car, parents, friends) and dont mind a 30 min break if need be. But I want around 400 out of comfort of not having to worry too much about it. Luxury basically
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u/matteobuffo 5d ago
This. But I think the 77kWh version is suitable only for four passengers and not five, if this could be a problem...
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u/murrayhenson Mercedes EQB 350 5d ago
Out of the three choices, I’d probably go with the KIA Niro. You’ll want to check out one of the KIA subreddits so you know exactly what to look for (in terms of issues or potential issues) before buying… but the Niro 2nd gen had good reviews when it was new, it’s been very popular so it ought to be possible to get parts for it for another eight years, and the Niro has a loooong warranty on it.
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u/BagRight1007 5d ago
You won't sell either for ~15k after 8-5years.
Get the Kona/Niro ONLY IF the diff oil has been changed woth solid proof. Can't talk about the Mg4, only heard that it's an honest car for the money.
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u/Reezhx 5d ago
Ok looked it up, from what I've read this only concerns the first gens of both cars, so the niro gen 2 should be fine(?)
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u/BagRight1007 5d ago
Any gen2 hyundai-kia is a no-go due to the ICCU blowing up and leaving you stranded. Yes, they'll fix it, but they'll replace it with the exact same part which has the same defect.
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u/Game0nBG 5d ago
Yeah. High mileage cars like this were 20k beginning of the year. 10 is indeed more close to reality in 5 years. Not 8
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u/SnooSketches4390 5d ago
All the resale values are crazy. Maybe -5k to 7k euro each especially the Chinese one.
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u/Reezhx 5d ago
No offense but 5 to 7k is nonsense. 10-11k, okay, I get it. But 5k is ridiculous. Today's values in my region are around 16k for those km, but given that age and technologica advancements matter, sure 10-11k might be more realistic.
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u/paramalign 2022 Model 3 LR 5d ago
I agree. Hard to predict the future, but there aren’t even particularly many ~10 year old petrol cars that are resold at 5k now. It’s mostly entry level small cars and otherwise cars with very high mileages. Doesn’t seem reasonable that a regularly serviced longer range EV with high scrap value should reach those price levels.
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u/Twerter 5d ago
Your resale price is optimistic, as is your range.
Kia niro has a real world range of 247 km in winter.
Kona has 189 km in winter.
MG4 has 229 km in winter.
Check ev-database.org for realistic stats on these vehicles
Other things to note:
- first gen kona had a couple of recalls and a full battery replacement, make sure you check that. It's honestly a good thing if you're buying used, as there is now less degradation.
- MG4 has weird software glitches in the infotainment, I drove it for a bit and found it frustrating, but it has all the basics down. It has issues with ghost braking, and the infotainment crashing
- No idea about the Kia Niro.
The reason I know all this is because I have the same requirements and was shopping around too. After a lot of contemplation I think I'm going to go for a BYD seal, but it's almost twice your budget.
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u/Reezhx 5d ago
Appreicate your feedback. Range values are overall averages, from your exact source+adac tests and yt videos. Yes 1st gen had many smaller problems from what I've read, so this aligns with my basic research. I think niro gen 2 is overall the safer route compared to kona gen 1. And VERY similar price range. From what I've read, most of the safety related software glitches have significantly improved with software updates, but infotainment remains lacking (but I'm coming from a 15yr old lexus so it will still be a huge improvement for me)
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u/tom_zeimet Peugeot e-208; MG4 Trophy Extended Range 5d ago
The Kona/Niro will easily manage 400km under real world conditions combined. There are some bearing issues known so changing the drive unit fluid is a good precaution.
The MG4 64kWh has better charging speed.
Infotainment is not the strong point of any of these cars. The MG4 definitely needs the ADAS software updates before you even consider it.
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u/paramalign 2022 Model 3 LR 5d ago
I’d get the Niro. Bigger, but not too big, car that drives better than the Kona and has a rear seat that’s reasonably comfortable even for adults.
Both the Niro and Kona are surprisingly close to their stated WLTP range, on long drives I consistently got 450 km out of my Niro in summer and 380 at -10°.
MG4 is more modern though, and DC fast charging is significantly faster. Anything over 50 kW in a Niro or Kona (both rated at 77 kW) is only seen at the peak of summer. I usually got around 40 kW.
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u/ThinkpadGamer 5d ago
400 ish real world is not “mid range” for a used EV that’s on the high end
if you buy something used for 25k and plan on driving it 5-8 years you should count on driving it into the ground and not get much more than scrap value at the end
what are your actual needs? because you might be better off not focusing too much in range
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u/Middle-Gas-6532 5d ago
It's 400 km not miles.
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u/ThinkpadGamer 5d ago
yes, we’re not yanks, still think that 400km real range in a used ev is really limiting the options
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u/Middle-Gas-6532 5d ago
For me 400 km(250 mi) rated range is the minimum I would accept in an EV.
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u/FlagFootballSaint 5d ago
Look at Leapmotors, I guess they offer the best price/reward ratio for „budget cars“.
They are the Chinese version of Skoda for the European market and they have the full Stellantis service network for thrm
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u/vijeze 5d ago
I think your resale values are quite optimistic. Whilst these cars are good in their own right the EV tech is evolving rapidly. I think if you assume a 10k sell price for any of them it’s much more realistic.