Thoughts on these models?

Go for a German made car.

VW, Opel………

The Germans know how to make a good quality interior and exterior and the necessary moving parts. Just my opinion.

I thought the Mokka-e was made in France in the same plant as DS3 (citroen/peugeot PSA) https://www.electrive.com/2020/12/06/opel-mokka-e-selling-out-rapidly/

https://www.reliabilityindex.com/ will tell you how well "German" cars do statistically, instead of hunches

I would say wait it out if you can and get the new Renault Megane E-Tech if you can. It will cost a bit more than 35k but its much better than any of them cars.

The Megane is getting great reviews for sure....

But....

1) Specs are unclear at the moment - its possible that charging as standard on entry level is 22 kw charging only. With DC charging extra

Hopefully Renault Ireland will opt to make DC charging standard.

2) is it over hyped in the reviews - is it really that much better then everything else.

3) in my experience of test drives the Stellantis cars are surprisingly nice to drive and be in. I nearly bought a Corsa myself last year.

4) if we want to play the *wait for a better EV* game of roulette then the Peugeot 308 and Opel Astra are getting BEV versions next year.

5) remember that at entry level the Megane is a 40 kwh car. Which is fine - just remember that if you get the Megane at 35 to 40 k - it's not the full spec 60 kwh car as seen in all the reviews.

I just wish Renault would crack on and make Irish spec and pricing available and get cars out for test drives.

So that we don't need to speculate

More height = better car?

There is a few annoying things about it that are also not very family friendly. The back in them is very hard to see out of with small windows also the rear windows do not wind down or open at all and the rear suicide doors for instance are not very good as you can not get out from the rear unless the front door is open first which a rear passenger can not do. The rear doors are also very heavy and there is the catch at the top on the car fir the door that you could potentially hit your head off A pity as it does look great on the outside and has a very classy dash. Fifth gear did a good piece on it. Here it is,

https://youtu.be/WPJrgrz2xGw

If you can live with it faults however then sure try one out and buy it if you like it.

Another good review of it and he goes on about the rear doors and what I said uo there about them being heavy and danger of hitting your head of the catch,

No problem. It is a pity that Mazda did not think about them issues more. Its does have a classy dash buy that is not enough. It could have been a very unique successfully model with its own niche but they struggle to sell it now. They sold around 100 of them last year maybe a few more not sure of the exact figures.

The KIA E-Soul is worth checking out,

The new KIA E-Niro is out next year too.