Best ev for boot space and comfort

blacklilly

We are on the look out for a new car (newborn twins means we are tight on space).

We had been thinking along the lines of an x5 or a Skoda kodiaq but I’m thinking we need to consider an electric car at this stage.

Our main requirements is space, particularly boot space and comfort, we currently have an e-class. I’d also like to know rough estimate for maintenance costs, tyres etc.

We have PV on our house so will primarily be charging from it. Our budget is quite flexible up to c65-70k but obviously more than happy to spend less than that too.

I’m also interested to hear people’s views of the 2nd hand ev market, what is putting me off buying an ev is that the 2nd hand market for them doesn’t seem to be thriving so when it comes to trading in, I’ve concerns about what we’d get for it.

Any advice, recommendations welcome

MightyMunster

It's a big budget and would get any of the following in order of boot size (with 10-25k to spare)

Model Y

Ioniq 5

Id4/Enyaq/Q4 Etron

Ev6

Higher price bracket would be, don't know much about these:

BMW iX, they have some new ones coming out too.

Etron (very inefficient)

Merc EQ range

A lot of these will be on long waiting lists, second hand you'd also have the Model X as an option,.comes.in 5,6 or 7 seater. They're rare enough though.

Check out evdatabase.org for real world ranges etc..

This is a handy link for comparing car sizes once you have a shortlist.

https://www.carsized.com/

Solar PV won't run a car unless you're doing tiny mileage, or have car parked at home during the day a lot. These big SUVs use 20-25kwh/100km, for 15,000km a year that's 10kwh per day just for the car (approximately). Fine in summer but not winter.

celtic_oz

then theres the frunk..

the_amazing_raisin

So in terms of space, I can confirm the ID.4 can fit a big double buggy flat in the boot (Out n about Nipper double) and still have a bit of spare space

You can also fit an adult between two car seats in the back, although my wife was complaining it wasn't comfortable. I certainly wouldn't have much chance of getting my ample arse in the middle seat

Maintenance costs are usually quite low, there's nothing really to service so you're often only paying the basic inspection price plus some pollen filters. Branded garages do like to make money however it can be good to shop around

Tyres can be a bit dependant on your driving style. If you've got a lead foot then you can go through them as fast as any car. If you can be conservative then the tyres should last longer because the regen braking is easier on them

However it's worth remembering that with big SUVs with big fat tyres comes big prices for replacement. You could be looking at €300 per tyres for premium brand tyres

I'd say there's two main issues with the second hand market for EVs right now. One is general lack of supply, there's examples of people selling 1-2 year old EVs for as much as they bought them for. For some context, my version of the ID.4 costs around €15k more than what I paid in 2021. So I could probably sell mine with almost zero depreciation without any problems

However, the second issue is that Tesla has recently significantly lowered prices on their cars. We're still waiting to see how other brands respond but there's likely to be some price cuts coming up

With new cars getting cheaper then it'll probably push down the value of second hand cars. Now tbh, you're probably still looking at much lower depreciation than you'd see with other cars

In terms of buying one, I'd recommend trying to be flexible about exactly what car and trim level you get. There's long waiting lists, but there's also order cancellations all the time so if you're in the right place and are willing to put money down straight away then you could have a new EV within a few weeks

crisco10

with that budget you’ll have a good selection, but the Ioniq 5 is worth considering, below our experience with young kids..

Have a 2 and 4 year old, and an Ioniq 5. Car is huge inside, we keep 3 buggies in boot ( out and about double with wheels on, out and about sport single with wheels off, umbrella buggy) on a day to day basis and there’s still a little space to stack a few bits on either side.

back seat, the 2 rear facing car seats fit behind passenger and in middle seat. So behind driver is available for adult passenger. My mother in law sat there for 2 hours straight and claims it was fine, but she was besotted with the kids at the time so who knows. Lol

then up front, the big flat floor gives great feeling of space.

I keep all the ‘car stuff’ in the frunk, e.g. charging cables, puncture kit. Means it’s easier to access and out of the way.

average consumption is 17.5kwh/km for last 12 months with mostly suburban driving then summer holidays. 800v fast charge was handy for road trips on the continent with lots of high speed chargers to avail of. And there was frequently a McDonald’s co located which has reliable food, and playgrounds too.

re depreciation, was only looking today and in the current market, I could sell it for about e3k more than we bought it for last February. But as others have said, that could be a temporary thing.

eltoastero

I'm having a good experience with 3 kids (5, 3, 7 months) in an EV6. At any one time it can fit a bugaboo cameleon + balance bike + littleBigBike (for the 5 yo), or say a babyzen yoyo + enough bags and gear for a weeks holiday in Ireland. That's with the false floor in the boot removed (it's in the attic, essentially forever).

There seemed to be more room in an Ioniq 5 when I test it (it took the 3 child seat a little bit more easily) and the boot might have been a tad bigger in practical terms.

I previously rented a Model 3 for a weeks holiday (when there were only 2 kids) and it took the bugaboo and the weeks luggage + gear no hassle, so it's worth considering too (especially after the most recent price drop). I would have been happy with the bootspace for 3 kids, but it wouldn't have been wide enough to take the 3 child seats. The Model Y might solve that issue (but I haven't tested it)

slave1

Are you in Dublin or Cork, if so make an online appointment to test drive the Tesla Model Y, you're mind will be made up as they are currently ridiculously priced and have oceans of space, order now and you'll get by March

Rowley Birkin QC

I've rented a Polestar 2 for the weekend in Spain, heading to a friends birthday. Am I delusional to think it might take 4-5 carry on size bags and 5 people comfortably?

GreeBo

While they can be great, I would avoid a Tesla due to problems with build quality.

Polestar might be worth a look.

slave1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120124475#Comment_120124475

Please elaborate, OP is looking for a new car, what build qualities are coming from Tesla Shanghai?

the_amazing_raisin

I'll admit that I don't like the looks of the Model Y, but with the price drop it's the best value of all the vehicles in its class now

AndyBoBandy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120125346#Comment_120125346

Yeah, much prefer the look of the 3 to the Y, but mother of god they are extremely well priced for what they are…..

Software & tech is still years ahead of the competition, and most/all of it comes as standard!!

eagerv

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120125369#Comment_120125369

Also prefer the look and dynamics of the 3, but the Y will be a hard one to beat. Hard to explain to people unfamiliar with Tesla, but they are the nearest EV to an ICE for convenience and simplicity. Doesn't matter where you are going, almost no planning needed.

MightyMunster

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120124475#Comment_120124475

He said a big car, is the polestar not a bit pokey. It's considerably smaller than the Model 3 for example

blacklilly

Thanks for all the replies and advice.

Aesthetically, I’m not a big fan of teslas but willing to take a look at them and look beyond that if they deliver on other fronts.

The Ioniq 5 is of interest, it certainly looks to have plenty of space.

I still have reservations regarding the 2nd hand market for EV’s. I guess the ownership of EV isn’t established enough yet to show what the 2nd hand demand will be.

joe1303l

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120136566#Comment_120136566

Considering you are not a fan of the Tesla look and you were considering a Kodiaq, an Enyaq 80 might be a good option. Lots of space and residuals likely to hold up better than the ID4. Expensive compared to a Model Y but if you’re trading something, you’re likely to do better with a Skoda dealer than the Tesla trade in valuation.

bricky06

I recently got an Ioniq 5 and have the little man in a rear facing car seat and there's load of space. We have an Uppababy Vista buggy which is a big wide yoke and the seat part (detached) side-by-side in the boot and they just about fit width ways. There's plenty of room left then for a few shopping bags, etc.. I haven't packed it up for a trip yet so not sure how that will go yet, I'd say it will be fine though.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120122608#Comment_120122608

I know the car is spacious but I'm blown away by having 3 buggies in there :) I don't suppose you have a photo to show me how to upgrade my baby Tetris skills?

fits

If I were you I’d be looking at the skoda enyaq first. Skoda are always generous with their boots.

and congrats on the twins. Mine are 6 now and going around in an ID.3. EVs are great.

crisco10

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120145428#Comment_120145428

It's not that hard, obviously we don't have the parcel shelf in. I suppose the other helpful fact is that we took the false floor out. (Given all the car stuff is in the frunk).

They 3 buggies are literally just tossed in, most recently used one on top. The only constraint is the double needs to go in with its lumpy front wheel facing the sky.

Don't have pic, and wife has car today...

TitianGerm

What about an ID Buzz? I don't think you'll get more space in any other EV and should be under budget?

I've an Ioniq 5 and it's perfect for our needs. Plenty of space in the back and boot but seems current orders have been delayed again so you could be in for a long wait.

GreeBo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120126387#Comment_120126387

I read the OP as more about the boot space due to buggiest etc.

2023 Polestar 3 is bigger than the Model Y (193in vs 187in long, 83.5in vs 75.6in wide, 64in vs 63.9 in tall)

The model Y quoted boot space is without a parcel shelf and loaded to the roof, so not really a fair comparison imo.

In any case, it has 383L rear and 32K frunk.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120124570#Comment_120124570

Do you have reports of poor build quality on the Polestar?

If you are not aware of Tesla build quality issues with new vehicles (when they finally arrive) I'd suggest some googling and you-tubing.

slave1

Sure your post said Tesla quality build issues, not mine, up to you to support your own post.

It's well accepted now that MIC build quality is excellent so if you have data to refute please share so we can all see how wrong we've been.

staples7

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120146851#Comment_120146851

If its bigger than the Y but with half the storage space that's some pretty poor design. Also very lazy argument regards build quality when quiet the opposite is now true.

quokula

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120147719#Comment_120147719

It doesn’t have half the storage space. Tesla define their storage space all the way to the roof of the car unlike everyone else who measure to the parcel shelf, which means the numbers aren’t comparing like for like.

GreeBo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120147719#Comment_120147719

As I said

"The model Y quoted boot space is without a parcel shelf and loaded to the roof, so not really a fair comparison imo."

Only vary occasionally would I be comfortable with all my goods on display in the back, and thats when I'm actively driving.

Its also a bit of an issue if you want to see out the back :)

GreeBo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120147557#Comment_120147557

Consumer Reports 2022 reliability survey has then 19th out of 24, which I wouldn't consider "excellent", would you?

If you want this to be a Tesla fanboi party then fire ahead chief.

staples7

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120148206#Comment_120148206

This thread is clearly referencing the model Y that will be available in Ireland as appose to all teslas, that model being produced in china. By all accounts it’s one best built cars around. One of many reports:

https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-model-y-china-reliability-quality-survey/amp/

MightyMunster

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120148206#Comment_120148206

Did you actually read the report? Gives Tesla a good write up 👍

Hurrache

On the whole Tesla build quality, over the last couple of years there's been lots of people getting them as company cars because of tax reasons and so on and as a result you tend to know many with them.

Out of those I know none are particularly happy with them. A colleague ended up giving his back he was so fed up, build quality his main complaint. A couple of others are seeing out the end of their finance terms and moving away.

Nothing to do with EVs not suitable for them or reliabilty, just at the moment it's generally a feeling of poor quality in comparison to what they came from.

MightyMunster

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120149389#Comment_120149389

I have the opposite experience, 4 in my work with them and all either buying another one or buying their existing one out of their companies. Also the Owners Facebook group is full of happy owners without all the issues plaguing other makes on the IEVOA page like daily 12V issues in all Kia and Hyundai, terrible software on VAG, faulty heaters on Taycans etc ..Leaf seems to have less issues than most.

Your anecdotal evidence doesn't tie in with actual real world data from the UK or the US. As you can see below a world of difference in build quality between older Model S and new Y and 3.

Hurrache

It's from conversations with people who own and drive them daily, not pub talk, who have no vested interested in complaining about the cars they own.

And like I said, they're not talking about the reliability relative to other EVs, they're talking about the build quality and general feel of the car.