Most economical and reliable used EV for £20k

6422 Views 127 Replies 41 Participants Last post by Stinsy, 4 mo ago

BillTheButcher

Discussion Starter · 4 mo ago (Edited)

After a couple of very unpleasant months commuting in a Suzuki Swift, I've decided that I need to increase the budget and get back into an EV.

I've got an absolute maximum budget of £20k. The most important considerations are reliability, range, comfort and maintenance costs (in that order).

The two cars that seem to most closely fit the bill are:

1. Renault Zoe R135 52kWh (Rapid Charge)
Pros: range; infotainment; Renault dealership is closer to me
Cons: reliability; the dealership may be closer but the staff are ****

2. Nissan Leaf 40kWh
Pros: more comfortable at motorway speeds; reliability (although a few surveys I found online said otherwise)
Cons: range; infotainment; dealership is miles away; CHAdeMO

Edited to add: must have climate control, cruise control (normal or adaptive) and folding mirrors.

Any and all advice and suggestions welcome.

1 - 20 of 128 Posts

Todor

· #2 · 4 mo ago

Wait a couple of months and for that budget you will be able to get a used Tesla.

On a more serious note, how about the eGolf? As you did not specify range...
I'm not sure what could be found second hand though...

Reactions: 3

shikoku14

· #3 · 4 mo ago

Ioniq 38 (2020 onwards) can be had between 18-20K and still be carrying 2-2.5 years Hyundai warranty.

Reactions: 5

richtrash

· #4 · 4 mo ago

BillTheButcher said:
After a couple of very unpleasant months commuting in a Suzuki Swift, I've decided that I need to increase the budget and get back into an EV.

I've got an absolute maximum budget of £20k. The most important considerations are reliability, range, comfort and maintenance costs (in that order).

The two cars that seem to most closely fit the bill are:

1. Renault Zoe R135 52kWh (Rapid Charge)
Pros: range; infotainment; Renault dealership is closer to me
Cons: reliability; the dealership may be closer but the staff are ****

2. Nissan Leaf 40kWh
Pros: more comfortable at motorway speeds; reliability (although a few surveys I found online said otherwise)
Cons: range; infotainment; dealership is miles away

Any and all advice and suggestions welcome.

Does the Zoe have 22kW charging capability and does it have battery leasing.

The Leaf probably has CHAdeMO charging which is becoming rarer.

Reactions: 1

vaugi

· #5 · 4 mo ago

You went from Ioniq38 on lease didn't you? How about 2020 models with 20kish on the clock coming in now at 18.5k? Maybe wait a few months and they might drop more with more of these 2-3 year leases coming off.

You know where you are with one of those!

Reactions: 1

srichards

· #6 · 4 mo ago

Is app access and remote pre conditioning or lack thereof a deal breaker?? If not then first shape MG5 is worth a look. They're just under the £20k.

Reactions: 3

Anahata

· #7 · 4 mo ago

richtrash said:
The Leaf probably has CHAdeMO charging which is becoming rarer.

It's definitely CHAdeMO.
Not a problem if you plan routes sensibly. Most major charging networks support Chademo and are still installing ChaDEMO connectors on new chargers. I think Ionity may be the only one that doesn't.

Reactions: 2

BillTheButcher

Discussion Starter · #8 · 4 mo ago

Todor said:
Wait a couple of months and for that budget you will be able to get a used Tesla.

😄

I noticed that AU Model 3s have started dipping below £30k now...

Todor said:
On a more serious note, how about the eGolf? As you did not specify range...
I'm not sure what could be found second hand though...

Sorry, I forgot to give numbers: I'm looking for 150+ miles. I think the eGolf does about 100, doesn't it?

shikoku14 said:
Ioniq 38 (2020 onwards) can be had between 18-20K and still be carrying 2-2.5 years Hyundai warranty.

I had one of those on lease. Very good car but I'd prefer to get something I haven't had before.

richtrash said:
Does the Zoe have 22kW charging capability and does it have battery leasing.

The Leaf probably has CHAdeMO charging which is becoming rarer.

I'm only looking at Zoes that are battery-owned with Rapid Charge.

I forgot to put CHAdeMO in the Leaf's cons list. I won't need to public charge very often but it's definitely a consideration.

vaugi said:
You went from Ioniq38 on lease didn't you? How about 2020 models with 20kish on the clock coming in now at 18.5k? Maybe wait a few months and they might drop more with more of these 2-3 year leases coming off.

You know where you are with one of those!

Well remembered.

The Ioniq 38 is a very sensible suggestion but, if at all possible, I'd prefer to get something I haven't already had.

See less See more

BillTheButcher

Discussion Starter · #9 · 4 mo ago

srichards said:
Is app access and remote pre conditioning or lack thereof a deal breaker?? If not then first shape MG5 is worth a look. They're just under the £20k.

Not fussed about either of those. MG5's a good shout. I'll have a look at them.

Anahata said:
It's definitely CHAdeMO.
Not a problem if you plan routes sensibly. Most major charging networks support Chademo and are still installing ChaDEMO connectors on new chargers. I think Ionity may be the only one that doesn't.

simon-g

· #10 · 4 mo ago

BillTheButcher said:
reliability, range, comfort and maintenance costs (in that order)

Ioniq 38 is probably best for those, Leaf not far behind and probably the best understood and supported car once you're out of warranty.

I found the Zoe had a really unpleasant crashy ride. MG ZS or MG5 might be worth a look too, they're holding up well.

Reactions: 2

BurningNaturalGas

· #11 · 4 mo ago

richtrash said:
The Leaf probably has CHAdeMO charging which is becoming rarer.

The CHAdeMO plugs seems to be becoming more common now. I'm seeing quite a few at supermarkets and petrol stations (although getting the chargers to work is another matter).

Reactions: 2

vaugi

· #12 · 4 mo ago

BillTheButcher said:
Sorry, I forgot to give numbers: I'm looking for 150+ miles. I think the eGolf does about 100, doesn't it?

My car before Ioniq was an eGolf, 100-110 in winter and 140-150 in summer. Preferred it as a car to the Ioniq...

BillTheButcher said:
Well remembered. The Ioniq 38 is a very sensible suggestion but, if at all possible, I'd prefer to get something I haven't already had.

You can't beat that efficiency though, it does make you smile knowing you get 200 range out of it in summer

Reactions: 1

Ski Tron

· #13 · 4 mo ago

I saw your title and immediately thought Zoe, Leaf, MG or Ioniq.

Wouldnt worry about Chademo Vs CCS for rapid charging, all the rapid chargers I stop at have one or more Chademo and often they are the only one available.

Reactions: 1

BillTheButcher

Discussion Starter · #14 · 4 mo ago

simon-g said:
Ioniq 38 is probably best for those, Leaf not far behind and probably the best understood and supported car once you're out of warranty.

I found the Zoe had a really unpleasant crashy ride. MG ZS or MG5 might be worth a look too, they're holding up well.

My initial preference was definitely the Leaf, purely because of the (perceived?) reliability.

BurningNaturalGas said:
The CHAdeMO plugs seems to be becoming more common now. I'm seeing quite a few at supermarkets and petrol stations (although getting the chargers to work is another matter).

Interesting. I thought it was going the way of Betamax.

vaugi said:
My car before Ioniq was an eGolf, 100-110 in winter and 140-150 in summer. Preferred it as a car to the Ioniq...

You can't beat that efficiency though, it does make you smile knowing you get 200 range out of it in summer

You're right. The Ioniq has a lot to recommend it.

Ski Tron said:
I saw your title and immediately thought Zoe, Leaf, MG or Ioniq.

Wouldnt worry about Chademo Vs CCS for rapid charging, all the rapid chargers I stop at have one or more Chademo and often they are the only one available.

John RB

· #15 · 4 mo ago

We really like our Zoe - but our driving is nearly all pootling around town. Be warned, our 20 plate 52kWh gives only about 160 miles when temps are low like now.

Renault should be sued for calling the charger 50kW. The most I have ever seen is 42kW and most often it seems to be around the mid 30s. I see a time when Zoe are put to the back of the queue begind all the newer 150kW capable vehicles

Reactions: 1

Jimlad

· #16 · 4 mo ago

Im bias but eGolf? Fantastic car but maybe a bit short in the range department (140 summer 110 winter)

Reactions: 1

Buzzie

· #17 · 4 mo ago

VW e-Up? For £20k it will be pretty much a new car.

Reactions: 1

srichards

· #18 · 4 mo ago

Leaf 40 is 110 mile car in winter. Reliability is questionable with the battery failures on them. It's nicely built but the charging speed is pants as well. The MG5 will last a lot longer I suspect.

Reactions: 4

Creationblue

· #19 · 4 mo ago

Surely the eGolf is undoubtedly the most economical, we have just sold ours and its sitting for sale in the Isle of White. 150miles summer easily, it left our house last week and completed 98miles to the I-O-W and still had 50miles remaining, so even in the depths of winter it has a decent range!

Reactions: 1

Talaipwros

· #20 · 4 mo ago

BillTheButcher said:
After a couple of very unpleasant months commuting in a Suzuki Swift, I've decided that I need to increase the budget and get back into an EV.

I've got an absolute maximum budget of £20k. The most important considerations are reliability, range, comfort and maintenance costs (in that order).

The two cars that seem to most closely fit the bill are:

1. Renault Zoe R135 52kWh (Rapid Charge)
Pros: range; infotainment; Renault dealership is closer to me
Cons: reliability; the dealership may be closer but the staff are ****

2. Nissan Leaf 40kWh
Pros: more comfortable at motorway speeds; reliability (although a few surveys I found online said otherwise)
Cons: range; infotainment; dealership is miles away; CHAdeMO

Any and all advice and suggestions welcome.

Auto Trader UK - New and Used Cars For Sale

Find your next car with Auto Trader UK, the official #1 site to buy and sell new and used cars. Over 400,000 cars online. Simple, easy, quick!

www.autotrader.co.uk

there you go

Reactions: 3

1 - 20 of 128 Posts