[Naturetech]

I'll be starting another job soon, so we need another car. I was looking at spending £10K - £13K of cash on it: no PCP, renting batteries, loans, kneecap finance etc. It's primary use will be commuting, but it'd also need to do an occasional 70-mile trip without charging, even on a winter's night. The car must be able to carry 2 adults in the back for short journeys (15 minutes max). My shortlist consists of the cars in the title, plus something far cheaper and less compromised like an older Prius. I even found myself getting drawn to Smart ForFour EVs but they'd fail the winter 70 mile journey criteria. If only they hadn't given up on the brand and put a decent-range battery in them by now...

The EVs would be 2017 or newer, as around then EVs saw a few useful improvements in range. As far as I'm aware, the Zoe is most efficient, but hopelessly unreliable. Is the heater really that bad? Next is the 30 kWh Leaf: bigger, more comfy, more reliable. Seems good all-rounder. Soul EV: I'd consider a 30 kWh version, so 2017 for my budget. No known common faults seem to exist. Kia's record reliability and long warranty are very reassuring; it'd really push by budget though. I wouldn't touch a white car, don't love Smurf blue but the rarer grey looks good at hiding dirt. They didn't sell in leaf-like numbers so very few come up for sale.

I'd be very grateful to read any experience of these 4-year olds, and which way you'd go. Thanks in advance, Jon.

 

[srichards]

Unless you have charging at the 70 mile return trip destination the Leaf 30 and Soul could also fail the winter trip without charging of some kind being needed. It will be squeaky bum too often I suspect. As time goes on battery capacity does fall a bit and Leaf is more prone to it unfortunately. The Soul 27 in mixed use would often start with 75 miles showing during winter months. I think the 30 will be 10 miles more so it's a tight margin. It's better if you pre heat before every journey so no destination charging at the other end if the car has cooled will knacker the return trip.

Battery owned ZE40 will walk it and could probably do it twice in summer! Zoe headlights are absolute pish though.

ZE40 110 version heater is noticeably better than the earlier ZE40 90 bhp car. If you get the annual warranty you should be ok with either.

If you can get some destination charging sorted it increases the possibilities no end. The Smarts are quite cheap even new.

There's also the Seat Mii etc which might be too small but it does have a range closer to the Zoe but without the foibles of the Zoe.

 

[GOSPORT DAVE]

There are examples of Hyundai IONIQ's on Autotrader under £13K - they will have have average 50K miles on the clock, but I wouldn't be put off by that, they will run to doomsday.

They come with 5 years unlimited miles warranty (8 years on the battery) so a 2017 year model will still have 12 to 18 months standard warranty left. The 28KWh battery capacity doesn't sound much but the IONIQ uses witch craft and is amazingly energy efficient and will easily do 90 to 100 miles range in winter.

That would be may choice to meet your criteria, good hunting.

 

[i-s]

Ask Jonathan porterfield of eco-cars.net to get you a 30kWh soul. He has put a few into customers hands under £12k.

The soul is very efficient, similarly to the ioniq, but the aerodynamics are poor so it drops away quickly at speeds above 60mph.

It would be my choice (former leaf 24 owner).

 

[James Watson]

Cannot speak for the Zoe as not owned one, but we have a leaf and a Soul. I’d highly recommend the Soul 30kWh. I’ve never seen the GOM below 120, and the GOM can be trusted. Would think 100 would be doable at 60 in winter on faster roads. As mentioned above Ioniq would be great too, thanks to the long warranties and reliability, Soul and Ioniq are great buys. I tipped for the Soul for the slightly cheaper price, extra 2 years warranty and to sit a little higher on the road.

 

[Naturetech]

ZE40 110 version heater is noticeably better than the earlier ZE40 90 bhp car. If you get the annual warranty you should be ok with either.

If you can get some destination charging sorted it increases the possibilities no end. The Smarts are quite cheap even new.

There's also the Seat Mii etc which might be too small but it does have a range closer to the Zoe but without the foibles of the Zoe.

Thanks for your input. Where do I find a Zoe R110 or Mii ev under £13k?

 

[DrEskimo]

You're going to struggle to get a battery owned R110 Zoe for under £13k, but may be able to find a R90. I've seen a few examples around the £14-14,500 mark.
R110 are around 2018 onwards and R90 are late 2016 (66-plate) onwards.

I have owned my R90 Zoe for over 2 years now, which I also bought used, and been very happy. Will easily fit your requirements, and the warranty extension is reasonable if you are concerned about reliability.

If you find one from a main dealer, it may be worth asking about finance contributions. Like you I avoid finance and leasing, but I did take finance out on mine initially just to get a £1,000 deposit contribution and 2-yrs free servicing. I was able to settle the finance the next day (paying minimal interest) and still kept the perks, so something to consider. All in it was pretty painless and easy to set up and settle.

 

[srichards]

R110 start at £9k on autotrader now so you could take battery lease for a bit until it's dropped the next level down then you should be closer to the £13k.

 

[cah197]

This one on here is £9k, and by the time you buy the battery out should still come in under £13k.

SOLD - 2017 (17) Renault Zoe ZE40 R90 Dynamique Nav...

Click here to view this vehicle on our website ** DEPOSIT TAKEN ** 2017 (17) 41kWh Renault Zoe ZE40 R90 Dynamique Nav BATTERY LEASED vehicle, (from £59 a month inc. LIFETIME BATTERY WARRANTY – Battery can also be bought outright. Please contact us for a quote). Maximum range estimate...

www.speakev.com

 

[DrEskimo]

This one on here is £9k, and by the time you buy the battery out should still come in under £13k.

SOLD - 2017 (17) Renault Zoe ZE40 R90 Dynamique Nav...

Click here to view this vehicle on our website ** DEPOSIT TAKEN ** 2017 (17) 41kWh Renault Zoe ZE40 R90 Dynamique Nav BATTERY LEASED vehicle, (from £59 a month inc. LIFETIME BATTERY WARRANTY – Battery can also be bought outright. Please contact us for a quote). Maximum range estimate...

www.speakev.com

How much is a battery on 2017 model? I thought it was between £4,500-£5,000?

 

[Naturetech]

Thanks for your comments so far. Is there a standard calculation for buying a leased Zoe battery? I'll call Renault in the morning to see what they say.
As for an Ioniq EV under £13K, I'll keep looking. Cheers.

 

[cah197]

How much is a battery on 2017 model? I thought it was between £4,500-£5,000?

Something like 10% per year I thought?

So a little over £4K currently?

 

[SoulGW]

Soul or Ioniq 30KWh - will do all you ask.

 

[Naturetech]

Soul or Ioniq 30KWh - will do all you ask.

Cheers, GW - a Soul would be my top choice. I'm always after a bargain, so if I find a Zoe 40kwh c/w battery for battery lease Zoe money I'd take a punt and put up with needing breakdown cover, crappy headlights, leaks, front suspension issues and poor heating etc.

 

[SoulGW]

Or just get the Soul or Ioniq and never have a problem.......

They are very reliable. Renault? Not so much!

 

[njm106]

Just seen this on autotrader just over £12k seems quite cheap for a 40kwh battery owned Zoe

 

[SoulGW]

That is a pretty decent price

 

[Naturetech]

Bugger, gone! Must have been good value.

 

[Casey]

I don't know which part of the country you are in but this Zoe is £13,500 in Plymouth, a little over your max price.
Used Cars | Renault Plymouth | Vospers

It says battery owned (worth checking first) and it's not a Q90 it's an R90. The reason I know this is because it was mine, it's been on the forecourt since June of last year. They said they would buy out the battery lease and sell it as an i model.
The DC/DC converter was replaced sometime in the second year, I never had any trouble with the heating.

I'm not associated with the dealership, just bought a few cars from them.

 

[njm106]

It was but it was an 90 not a 110, don't think you'll get a 110 unless its got high mileage