So I have always hated Tesla and don’t like that they’ve in a lot of way tarnished the name of electric cars. The second you say electric cars every person and their mom says OHH you’re getting a tesla! Quite annoying.
Anyways, I’d like to hear from some of you folks some models of electrics you like. I have always been a gearhead deep in the gas and oil, and I still enjoy my cars, but an electric would be fun and a cost savings for me, especially since I have a ton of roof space for solar panels if I wanted to.
It sounds superficial but a big reason I used to hate electric cars is they are for the most part, hideous. Then again, to me, most new cars are hidous, the designs are just not good. But I think i can look past that.
It would also be a huge bonus if there were any models out there with the least possible features. I prefer cars with manual locks/seats/doors and no screen, which is of course impossible with current cars (sadly). But the less digital garbage the better.
The Polestar 2 is great at being a (fun) car first and a electric car second, if that makes sense. The door handles are just regular door handles, the instrument cluster has an extremely clean and minimal design without visual noise, there’s physical buttons for the radio and defroster and the gear (direction) selector! Range isn’t as amazing as Tesla 3, but as a daily car I think it’s nicer. Also the optional tow hitch is rated for a 1t trailer load which is a bit more than the Tesla 3.
Skoda Enyaq is another good alternative, though slightly bigger, more of an SUV. The Honda E was really fun to drive, but a bit expensive given size and range. For smaller cars the Renault Zoë is a a top contender, and quite popular here Kia has a whole range of great EVs, as does VW.
If I was in the market for a new car, I’d be seriously looking at the new Mazda 6e right now. It looks slick as hell, and it’s one of the very few non-SUV non-5-door-hatchback EVs on the market. Another alternative is BMW i4 and i5. The i5 is even available as a stationwagon / estate , which as far as I know is a first for EVs.
The Lucid looks slick as well, for those with deeper pockets :D
You didn’t mention where you live or what size and budget you’re looking at, some of these models may not be available in all markets, and as you can tell wary greatly in size and cost
Seconded on the P2! I bought a 2021 launch edition in October and still get excited every time I get behind the wheel lol.
…
The 2024+ Long Range Single motor (rear wheel drive) is rated for 655km which is pretty decent. Compared to the 2021 first gen dual motor (long range) which was rated at 390km
No personal recommendation, but around where I am, I think that Hyundai Ioniq has been the most-increasing-in-prominence car in the same base price range as the Tesla Model 3.
It would also be a huge bonus if there were any models out there with the least possible features. I prefer cars with manual locks/seats/doors and no screen, which is of course impossible with current cars (sadly). But the less digital garbage the better.
The Hyundai Kona is less-expensive than the Ioniq. I know a few people that drive that and say that they like it.
If you’re determined to have less stuff, the Slate Truck isn’t out yet, but as sold, base, it doesn’t have automatic windows or a screen or or a radio or speakers. No car computer. No cell radio to phone home. You get airbags and climate control, and you can mount your cell phone or tablet or whatever on the dash if you want a car computer, and that’s pretty much it. Also considerably smaller than current trucks. Kind of a 1980s no-frills truck, but electric.
I would not get a Hyundai Kona. It was never meant to be a EV, they just fitted batteries under a regular ICE car, so a lot of it just doesn’t make sense.
I don’t have an electric car so I don’t have any first hand knowledge/advice to give. However, the guy who runs the YouTube channel Technology Connections has a Hyundai Ioniq that he really likes and I believe it is a genuine expression. I think the biggest thing he doesn’t like deals with how the car’s internal navigation system handles recharging stops.
There’s an ICCU issue with them he experienced and while he still likes the car I believe he doesn’t recommend it as much until that gets sorted.
I drive a Volkswagen ID.7 since soon 2 years now, had a Tesla Model 3 before that. Absolutely love the VW. It’s a “real car” with manual controls where you expect them yet all the modernities you can imagine. The AR HUD is absolutely awesome giving you all the relevant information incl. navigation where you’re looking without having to take your eyes off the road.
There’s a big screen as well though, but it’s not something you have to poke at to do regular stuff as in Teslas.
I have a 24 Aryia. I’ve got 13k miles on it and so far it’s been great.
I have over 40k kms on mine. No issues at all so far, aside from they really hobble that 400hp off the line so you don’t cook tires.
My wife has a Honda clarity PHEV that goes about 40 miles on a charge and for the most part she only needs the engine for highway driving day to day.
From an engineering and tech standpoint Honda makes an impressive hybrid system I just wish they had it on the Odyssey. You can get it on the Civic and Accord hybrids.
I’m personally looking at the Pollstar and Volvo wagons since I won’t get a Chrysler Pacifica PHEV. But I’m also taking a serious look at the Porsche Taycan as it’s essentially a wagon.
The mustang Mach E is actually a decent car, one of my best friends wanted an EV and had not even thought about Ford when I suggested it. He test drove one and took it home that day!
I have also tested the VW id BUZZ and it’s great but as a van it’s not as good as the Odyssey.
What I want more than anything is Honda to get it’s shit together but I’m at 200k and I won’t wait forever so one of the above vehicles is going to get my money if Honda won’t sell me what I want.
Toyota also makes some PHEVs as well. We’ve had a Toyota Prime for a few years and it’s been fine.
I just don’t like the Toyota hybrid. Prius prime was good when I test drove it but the rest are meh.
Fair
Taycan 4S Cross Turismo (wagon). Absolutely incredible car all around. Competent on a racetrack, comfy on long roadtrips, tons of cargo room, easy installation of a roof box for even more cargo, very fast DC charging.
Ain’t perfect and I could rant about software/infotainment but I’m not paying for the now-expired internet connectivity and it’s been totally fine not having that, especially with Android Auto working with GrapheneOS.
I have been seriously looking at one of these, what’s your experience with maintenance costs?
Did my own cabin air filter replacement, fairly straightforward. I run separate sets of summer and winters on their own sets of wheels so I swap those out twice a year myself.
Only big ticket item so far was replacing brakes at 20k miles since I wore through them with five full track days. and I mean FULL, like every lap HARD braking from 140mph down to 65-75mph, and going as long each day as possible while leaving to recharge after 20-35 minutes of pushing it each session.
No real other maintenance so far and I’ve had it 3.5 years and its a tad over 30k miles. There have been a few scary error messages that all went away after the car was shut down and left for a few minutes, mostly camera/ADAS stuff but one time it was an error about the chassis leveling or something. AC stopped wotking once during a road trip but came back after the next charging stop.
One warranty repair done for a proximity sensor that stopped working well. And a few recalls. But the brakes have been the only spendy bit, that and it’s the last season for this set of winter tires so tires and brakes basically!
Nice thanks for the info!
sure thing! Happy to answer any questions or review builds or listings, or give advice on options!
This car really is a treat to drive. Especially with four wheel steer and all the other performance goodies. But even the base Taycan sedan on springs with zero options is amazing to drive, honestly. Had one for a loaner and it was honestly great.
Love my kia Niro ev. Looks like any other normal car. Fun to drive.
We’ve had our Niro EV for over 6 years now and it remains an excellent vehicle. The only failure so far was in the AC. Other than that, it had required almost no maintenance.
We did a proactive reduction gear oil change and had the brakes cleaned once due to lack of use (regen and driving style mean the brakes are not used frequently).
Love that it just looks normal.
Also had our AC die, leaked and needed a piece replacement. Was fixed under warranty though so not really a problem.
We’ve got the Kia Niro Wind and I agree they’re fun to drive. Wish it’d charge faster (capped at 75kW I think?) for long trips, but it’s been more than fine for what we need
Kia ev6 has been going strong. The only downside for me is the first gen doesn’t have wireless carplay.
We got a relatively cheap adapter that works great. It’s from Ottocast. I don’t know what the current/new model is like but ours works pretty well with two phones of the primary drivers.
You can always go the route of converting an older car. https://www.fellten.com/system/mini
Not a real option. Expensive and no one can fix it.
I have a Citroen E-Berlingo and I love it.
I wanted something with the best indoor space / outdoor footprint ratio I could get and also a car with a small battery, because imo big batteries on EVs defeat the purpose (too heavy, wears out tires and roads faster) and 99.9% of the time I travel less than 100km a day.
The same electric platform is on all Stellantis cars if I’m not wrong (eg. E-208, E-C3).
Also what I like about it is that I could opt out of all the “connected” junk and now it looks like a normal car (I don’t use navigation, apps or anything, I just want my car to transport me).
We have an Audi e-tron GT. Wife wanted a 4-door car with a trunk and I wanted a low-slung sporty drive.
Not manual by any means, but it has Apple Car Play and buttons for almost everything else - aircon, media, driving controls etc.
We charge with excess solar so driving it is basically free.
How do you like it? Have you taken it to a racetrack? If not I highly recommend doing so if you have one close enough that also has DC charging nearby
any that have the option of not being tracked?
No, but that’s not EV specific.
if it has license plates or even just any number of bumper stickers, it’s already been being tracked.
true enough, but there are degrees of tracking
sure, and I agree that constantly connected cars can consume crap
Pretty sure tracked vehicles generally aren’t allowed on roads or I’d be driving a tank to work :>
The new Leaf is supposed to be pretty good, as far as appliance oriented transportation is concerned. VW has been putting out decent cars too for a while. Both these manufacturers fundamentally understand how to put a car together which puts them ahead of Tesla. I’m wary of Toyota and Honda offerings as they’ve spent a fair bit of time avoiding them. USA big 3 make some compliance cars, which are appliance grade but I’d only consider them if they’re dirt cheap.
Up-market, Volvo and Polestar are putting out some interesting cars, and if I had USD200k I could only use on a car, it would be a Lucid - politics aside, I think they’re doing some great engineering. BMW and Mercedes’s offerings are not inspiring, but Audi has some interesting stuff they share to some extent with VW.
The up front costs of car + solar are not negligible, but the operating costs are dirt cheap. I spend less on my payment than I used to spend on gas.
Leaf from Gen2 with battery temp control is good.
I have a Chevy Blazer which is nice except it lacks android auto. If I drove professionally their OnStar is enough better than Android Auto (and I assume Car Play) as to be worth the price, but I don’t drive much and so it isn’t worth the cost.
My wife has a Pacifica PHEV which is a decent compromise - we probably save $200/month by driving electric, but can make long trips through desolate areas without worrying about finding a charge (some of them are desolate enough that we have to worry about finding gas - though if you plan either will work: gas just needs planning the next 20 miles while electric is plan the next null.
