I spent a LOT of time researching a successor to my Nissan Leaf 2017 30kWh. Originally bought as a second car to do all the short journeys - the other car died and we've been managing with just the Leaf. The range is very limited and public charging on long journeys is stressful and unreliable. So I started looking for something with more range. The MG5 LR looked great at start - and the compromise was not having a phone app to control it... That was too much for me so I hesitated, then the MG ZS EV LR came out and it ticked all the boxes: even longer range and had an app + 360 cameras. I wouldn't normally buy a new car - but there just doesn't seem to be anything in the second hand market to compete with the ZS EV LR Trophy for the price.
I eventually went to try one and instantly placed my order in early Feb (LR Trophy Black).
Incidentally, I checked the MG site today for dealers with UK stock - called a couple, and they only have demonstrators "in stock".... So I'll sit back and try to think of something else
My original core criteria for my next EV are
1) big enough for a "family of 4",
2) 250+ mile range,
3) nice gadgets - including phone app control
Here's my take on alternatives, looking for a car of similar size with similar range.
2nd hand LEAF (just because someone mentioned it)
First of all, I would avoid the Nissan Leaf predominantly due to the less-popular Chademo connector - meaning you have less chargers available to you on the motorway. Most cars (and even the new Nissan £50k Ariya use CCS). (I know this because I own a Leaf..!)
2nd hand Kia e-niro 4+
This is the closest car I could find, with similar range and good reputation: the Kia e-niro 4+.
It has specs that closely match the LR Trophy. (the 4 is also available, cheaper - no sun roof but older still)
There's a few on auto-trader - most with the old Kia badge - some with the newer badge), here's my pros/cons on buying a used e-niro 4+
Pro: available instantly!
Pro: technically a better-built car (as had higher original cost)
Pro: front parking sensors (though no front camera - I still prefer to hear the beeps)
Cons: more expensive (£35k-£38k)
Cons: used - no way to tell how the battery has been treated
Cons: shorter balance left on the original 7 year warranty
Cons: much smaller sunroof
Cons: only rear parking camera vs 360
Cons: price is very close to new £2k-£5k - and the car may have been bought when £2.5K grant was available for sub £50k cars, so you may be buying a used car for more than the current owner paid for it.
Cons: the e-niro is getting a face-lift this year, so extra depreciation?
If you can stretch to £40k-£50k
You could consider the
Kia EV6 (£40k-£50k) - very nice, longer range, but my specced one was pointing towards £45k...
Hyundai Ioniq 5 (£40k-£50k) - same as above...
The VW ID4 & Skoda Enyaq both seem to get closer to £50k when I specced them up.
The biggest downside with all of those in ENTRY LEVEL SPEC cost a LOT more than the MG ZS EV Top spec! So even though you could possibly stretch even more and reach one of those (delivery issues aside) - you'd be getting the lower specs and would envy all the nice touches that the higher specs offer.
With the MG ZS LR EV Trophy / Trophy Connect - you're getting the best there is - so there's no FOMO.
For me, at the end of the day, the reason WHY I'm sticking to electric cars going forward is for the environment.
So I could spend £10k-£15k more on a "nicer" car, or put that towards a solar panel/home battery setup. Environment wins.