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Family EV recommendations

16K views 46 replies 21 participants last post by  triotol  
#1 ·
My family (5 of us) are about to plunge into EV ownership following the write-off of our Ford S-Max.

We will mostly be doing school run type journeys, with monthly family visits of about 100 miles. One annual long drive for holiday.

Initially liked the Skoda Enyaq, but it doesn't have 3 full seat belts in the back.

Then settled on the Kia EV6, but when we went to the dealers, my husband was concerned at the lack of boot space.

So now thinking about the Tesla model Y or the Hyundai Ioniq 5.

Any thoughts gratefully received, thanks :)
 
#3 ·
You probably know already, but the ID.4 and Enyaq have the same underpinnings: they are siblings. The Audi Q4 E-tron is also related.

There's a similar relationship between the EV6 and the Hyundai Ioniq 5. (They aren't related to the other three.)

There are still differences in look, boot space, & interior though.

These cars, and the Tesla Model Y, are the obvious options for a large-ish, family EV to comfortably seat 5.

When looking at boot space, consider whether you really need such a large boot all the time, or if a car with a more modest boot, plus a roof box for those rare occasions when needed, would be sufficient. In which case, you might consider some slightly smaller cars, provided they will still give sufficient comfort for the 3 kids in the back.
 
#4 ·
When looking at boot space, consider whether you really need such a large boot all the time, or if a car with a more modest boot, plus a roof box for those rare occasions when needed, would be sufficient. In which case, you might consider some slightly smaller cars, provided they will still give sufficient comfort for the 3 kids in the back.
Although to add to this - it seems that most smaller EVs won't take roofbars/don't have a roof rating so you can't put a roofbox on them. If you are going to use a roofrack then the ID.4 has an integrated rail you can attach on to.

Also check out the MG5. I'm driving one currently and although I wouldn't say it's blowing me away, it's practical and much more budget friendly.
 
#6 ·
What about driving characteristics? Model Y and Ioniq 5 are wholly different cars. The MY is a family car, loads of room but also with a stiffer suspension and a sporty feel overall in the way it is tuned. The Ioniq 5 is more geared towards comfort. From what I understand the Ioniq 5 is also a lot quiter than the MY.

There's loads of options now. Niro EV, new Hyundai Kona (which is roomier). Both with a not so large boot. Model 3 has a pretty large boot although with awkward access. Ioniq 6 could be an option. There's a new Peugeot 308 coming out, the Citroen e-C4 might do (smallish boot). Even an ID3 could be a very valid option. Depends on what you're going to use the car for.

Oh, I last saw an ID Buzz and fell immediately in love with it. Very expensive but dang, what a pretty little van it is. For a family, all you could wish for.
 
#7 ·
Even an ID3 could be a very valid option. Depends on what you're going to use the car for.
I considered suggesting an ID.3 to OP but it's got a smaller boot than the EV6 - also won't take a roof rack/roof box.

Oh, I last saw an ID Buzz and fell immediately in love with it. Very expensive but dang, what a pretty little van it is. For a family, all you could wish for.
If I had the money then I'd be all over one of these.
 
#8 ·
The PSA medium sized people carriers (Vauxhall combo e-life for example) have three seats in the back (and two more in the boot if you go long) and masses of boot length with a range over 100 miles


Not the most inspiring things I have to admit but excellent family transporters
 
#11 ·
Another vote for the ID.4. We bought one of the first ten on UK roads and haven't looked back. We're already setting aside cash to cover the balloon payment when the PCP ends in ~22 months. Comfortable, huge boot, fits everything we need without needing a roof box (but can easily fit one if you need to!). Longer trips are a breeze too - we've driven ours to Paris, Skye, Cornwall/Yorkshire multiple times.
 
#12 ·
Well if the EV6 boot is too small (I managed 4 passengers, 4 helmets, 4 sets of ski boots and 4 sets of skis plus sundry luggage recently with the split rear seat) then the Ioniq 5 boot is likely slightly shorter as the car is but, possibly roof line is slightly taller. It won't be much different in volume though. I find my EV6 has been great for occasional dive trips with my son as we put the ear seats down and have a huge load area plus space on the flat floor behind front seats. Boot also fits a dog crate. If you are 5 people and lots of luggage sometimes I can see you might need a bigger car but I guess the question is do you buy a car for the 1% use case or 99% use case? If you really need the space then Model Y is probably the way forward.
 
#20 ·
The EV6 boot is pretty small for the size of the car - it's too low. It's significantly smaller in practice than an ID4 (or Enyaq). I tested putting the same large items in them when we were thinking about upsizing from the ID3 so that I could get rid of our Octavia estate. The Ioniq 5 has a higher plate boot capacity so should be better? But I've never looked.
I'm a bit unsure what exactly the OP is looking for, given that she says the Enyaq was ruled out because of back seat seatbelts. These cars all have roughly the same width in the back. If she needs to fit three child seats across the back, none of them are even close. I sat between two car seats in an EV6 on a 30 minute test drive, it was just about bearable but would have been painful for any longer and I'm quite slim. So I would say they are no good for a family with two child seats and a third larger child either. One child seat and two others might fit but might be awkward. Three kids who are all bigger than child seat size should be fine though. I'm surprised the Enyaq didn't have a proper seat belt in the middle. I thought my ID3 had that :unsure:
 
#17 ·
We bought Kia Niro EV as our family car (2 adults, 2 children + dog). Inside car is specious and boot has decent size. There is frunk - for cables etc. You can fit 8 banana boxes in the boot (Kia Niro EV banana box test) :).
As a bonus you could expand storage space by adding roof box (roof load is up to 100kg). There is tow option too, up to 750kg - I bet there are some storage solutions for that.

See if EV-Database can help you to search for the car you want.
 
#27 ·
Welcome to SpeakEV, Victoria. When I read posts like yours, I can only be honest and realistic. Let's go through a few things to whittle the list down:
We don't know your budget, true needs, likes and dislikes (amongst prospective purchases). Are you leasing through your company, leasing personally or buying outright?
Do you intend to keep it for a long time?
Are you prepared to wait 6-18 months for a new car?
Are you looking for a secondhand car?
And the list goes on...
You have access to Google just like us to see what's available now and in the near-future.
Basically, give us your shortlist and those with experience can offer their advice & opinions on them. That way, you won't have to trawl through people waffling about cars you can't stand. Happy hunting!
 
#30 ·
What kind of stuff do you need to haul?

We went from one extreme - a tesla model 3 which was brilliant but required lots of compromises - to a Vivaro e 75kWh crew cab LWB.

As a family vehicle I think it's only beaten by the ID buzz, but I picked mine up lightly used for about 20k less than a Buzz.

The Vivaro is comfortable to cruise in, and can carry our dog in her crate plus three bikes in the back. I don't regret getting it.
 
#31 ·
Apart from not being able to afford one, the thing that would put me off the Buzz is the lack of ability to open the rear windows combined with lack of controllable rear air vents. It seems like a big misstep for a family car - I don't think my kids would let me get away with it. It's obviously also fairly "thirsty" at motorway speeds. In all other respects it looks brilliant.
 
#32 ·
+1 for iD4. I’ve had 3x full-size adults in the back and they commented on the space, particularly for the middle seat occupant. So I’m surprised you’ve discounted the Enyaq seeing as it is built on the same platform. I’d be very surprised indeed if the Enyaq didn’t have 3x full seatbelts in the back. I haven’t seen a car without for 20 years!
 
#37 ·
Thanks everyone for such helpful suggestions. And for pointing out that the Skoda Enyaq doesn't have a lapbelt. I think I'm befuddled by all the car hunting - I thought I'd read it in a spec somewhere.
In that case I think we will go with the Skoda Enyaq. We'll almost certainly be going for second-hand as we need one ASAP - so whatever is available.
Planning to buy outright and keep long-term.

Now need to sort out a home charger....
 
#40 ·
I have tried several EVs, met many EV drivers of various makes and spoken to an EV test driver who has tested over 20 different EVs throughout Europe. The Ioniq 5 wins by miles! Owned mine for 18 months long range battery and very happy with it. It carries 5 no problem and have recently done a 1600 mile journey to Southern Spain and back with a fully loaded car, Excellent EV. Its a personal choice though.
 
#44 ·
We've ended up with a one year old Kia EV6 GT Line. Looks great, and hubby likes driving it. I've yet to take it for a spin. Thanks for all your advice - this is a great site :)

Now to get a charger installed - still waiting to hear back from local installers....
Hopefully the driving experience overcomes concerns about boot space, brilliant cars congrats!

as a point to think about you can get a towbar for an EV6 and towbar storage is a good way to add more storage without impacting range as much as a roof box would