EVs - Test Drives and Impressions of NZ Available Models

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Mad Scientist
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#3067695 24-Apr-2023 18:25

networkn:

Kia made trying to get a test drive a distinctly unpleasant experience. I will try one at some stage.

I am not a fan of their marketing. "EV6 GT-Line bringing super car performance to zero emissions."

With a 0-60 of 5.2 seconds and top speed of 188, I am unsure what they consider 'super' car about that.

to be honest, the 0-60 in 5.2 with a dual motor EV feels more shocking to the body than the 4.3 in a 400hp AWD ICE (err ... slightly turbocharged). i've compared the 2 and there is just no comparison to instant torque x2 which slams your body into the seat vs a gradual build up of forces that your body can anticipate.

as i said, if i have guaranteed access to fast chargers like availability of fast petrol pumps around the place, no question that's the car I want. the slow EV6 GT-Line. no road harshness like the Model Y (yet still corners like it's on rails), no wind noise either (it has double glazed glass compared to the noisy base model with single glazed glass - that one is slooooow - no forces pinning you into the seat, or at least it's so gradual your body can anticipate it)

jonathan18

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#3068164 26-Apr-2023 15:00

billgates:

@jonathan18 I did not know about the passenger aircon annoyance in Tesla's. I don't see why Tesla cannot resolve this with a firmware update to allow for the passenger side aircon to be turned OFF if a passenger is sitting. They let you turn it OFF from the looks of it if no passenger is sitting.

Yep, I'm sure there's no technical reason why this couldn't be provided for, and yet another example of Tesla knowing better than owners. I'd rather they sorted out basics like this than fart about adding new features like Zoom. (And, no, there's no easy way to turn the passenger vents off if no-one's in the front seat; it's just it doesn't turn on if it doesn't initially detect a passenger. If it does accidentally get turned on (eg, the driver leans on the passenger seat) it can't just be turned off.)

billgates:

What is your current consumption in the Y for city commute?

Urban for me is about 145 if I'm trying to be careful; given we did PN>Wgtn return at 150 recently with two in the car, and 165 for the same trip with four people and luggage, it's not too dissimilar.

johno1234

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#3068180 26-Apr-2023 15:42

jonathan18:

Boot: The lack of a cargo cover initially worried me, and did try a couple of times to get one from AE but the orders were cancelled; in the end I’ve not bothered getting one, but I have built a barrier that’s put behind the back seats to wall the boot off from the cabin when we have it well-loaded, following advice here on GZ (this was the end result).

I took the cargo cover out of my Touareg once as was loading all sorts of bags for a family trip. Never put it back and not even sure where it is now. Probably in the basement. Don't miss it.

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#3068186 26-Apr-2023 15:54

johno1234:

I took the cargo cover out of my Touareg once as was loading all sorts of bags for a family trip. Never put it back and not even sure where it is now. Probably in the basement. Don't miss it.

At the risk of being told off for going OT, I think how useful a cargo cover is is determined by a range of factors. Eg, Teslas have quite tinted windows, plus significant storage that's fully hidden, so keeping stuff hidden away from prying eyes isn't generally a concern.

Also, some are much better designed than others. Mazda's design, as per my last car, is excellent - clips onto the door frame and expands when the boot is opened, so it only gets in the way when needing to load above the window height. Compare that design to the solid board approach of the cover that's supplied with the Model Y in some markets.

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#3068187 26-Apr-2023 15:54

Dingbatt:

Readers of the Model 3 thread will know I have fitted an aftermarket driver's display to my car and would do the same in a MY. This is, of course, an individual thing and many Tesla 3/Y drivers have no problem. It is something that had me thinking long and hard before ordering.

This is very interesting - something similar to this? https://tinyurl.com/ye2avur4

[I can't seem to get the URL to post - tinyurl not working, original AE URL extremely long]

Was the install straightforward and does it affect ventilation or visibility? Does it auto-dim sufficiently at night?

jonathan18

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#3068190 26-Apr-2023 16:02

johno1234:

Dingbatt:

Readers of the Model 3 thread will know I have fitted an aftermarket driver's display to my car and would do the same in a MY. This is, of course, an individual thing and many Tesla 3/Y drivers have no problem. It is something that had me thinking long and hard before ordering.

This is very interesting - something similar to this? Was the install straightforward and does it affect ventilation or visibility?

Will probably be encouraged to take this discussion to a Tesla-related thread, but until then...

Dingbatt's one is like this (I know as I initially bought the same and sold it on to him for a spare) so doesn't block the vents:

Special Head up Display Navigation Car Hud for Tesla Model 3 Model Y - China OBD2 Smart Gauge and Car Hud

Mine is like this, so does stop a decent amount of airflow (too much, IMO):

Tesla HUD - Yonzee HUD mini by RamjetX | Download free STL model | Printables.com

Installation on both of these types is ok - a cable that connects in behind the centre console (so between the front seats, but just in front of the rear seats). Getting the cable under the seat brackets was the most difficult part.

Best way to see what's available is to check out Shiva Sapkota's channel on YT, as he reviews many different models - some of which are fairly comprehensive; I quite like the look of the latest one he's reviewed, which sits above (so doesn't block) the air vent but is still fairly compact: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjiL2GRfLMs

Dingbatt

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#3068210 26-Apr-2023 17:26

Yes please.

Take it to the Tesla thread, which already covers the driver’s displays.

“We’ve arranged a society based on science and technology, in which nobody understands anything about science technology. Carl Sagan 1996

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Obraik

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#3068233 26-Apr-2023 20:00

Dingbatt:

The other thing I didn’t comment on was the audio system in the Model Y. It is noticeably better than that in the Model 3 (as all speakers are activated) and I wish Tesla offered a service centre upgrade option for the 3. The sound was slightly better than the Mach-E RWD but inferior to the AWD and GT models of that car (to my old ears anyway).

Just to clarify, that only applies for the Model 3 RWD. The Model 3 Performance (and the no longer existent) Long Range have the same audio system as all levels of the Model Y

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Mehrts

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#3068399 27-Apr-2023 14:24

Obraik:

...(and the no longer existent) Long Range...

They exist, however you can't custom order one currently. There are a few in existing inventory.

With regard to the Model 3 RWD speaker system, all the speakers are installed (except for the sub woofer in the boot), and there are aftermarket kits that enable these speakers which allow for a better sounding system. Some kits also include a sub. The majority of the kits include a an audio wiring harness adapter and an audio amp to drive the extra speakers.

There's a noticeable difference between the "premium" sound system of the M3P/M3LR & MY, and the "immersive" one found in the M3 RWD. I'm definitely considering enabling the extra speakers whenever my car arrives into the country. Seems a bit silly to have them fitted but not enabled. Even if there was an additonal cost to enable them, I'm sure a lot of people opt for that.

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#3077245 17-May-2023 17:44

Cupra Born as tested $77900 (if you want blue, add $850).

I have been waiting for this car to arrive and by chance the local Cupra dealer had one available for test drive. Only available for a few days before going back to headquarters for its official press debut (for NZ) next week. First shipment is due in September

TL:DR A nice car to drive, with a sporty feel and good range for its size. Let down a little by its VW group infotainment UX.

The Cupra Born is built on VW’s EV platform but is smaller than the iD4/5 or Enyaq. Since VW aren’t bringing in the iD3, it is the only smaller offering at the moment. There is only one model being offered in NZ (at the moment). It has manual adjustment cloth seats (not heated or cooled) and recycled materials for those that care), wired Android Auto/Apple CarPlay, black interior, no sunroof, 19” alloy wheels, a 82kWh battery (NMC 77kWh usable), no inbuilt nav and no HUD.

Despite have no lumbar support, the seats were comfortable with good bolsters and adequate (manual) adjustment. Disappointingly for an EV, the seats aren’t heated. Even if you go for the “massage seats” they don’t appear to be heated or cooled (and take you over the rebate threshold). It is certified as a 5 seater, but the sales team pointed out that almost any option you add (including changing the wheels!) turns it into a 4 seater. That is, it will only come with 4 seatbelts. But in reality, having sat in the back seats, it is only a 4 seater, certainly for adult sized humans. It is also quite dark in the back due to the black trim. It does have nice accent lighting strips that you can set to a variety of colours. The back seemed to have similar space to our Ford Focus.

The rear hatch is a reasonable size, not class leading and under the floor cover there is only sufficient storage in a slot running along the rear for a granny charger. That is because the battery runs almost the full length of the car. Rear seats fold forward and the is a cargo cover. Hatch is manual open and close. I didn’t see a tire goo/inflator anywhere, and obviously being an EV, no spare wheel.

It has a large centre infotainment display with capacitive controls along its bottom edge. The display is clear but the VW UX is not intuitive making it difficult to find things quickly. My usual routine in test drives is to pair my phone, change the temperature and fan speed in hvac, zero the trip counter and select a driving mode. These all took some effort while the car was stationary and would be quite distracting while driving. A bit of a case of RTFM, but I find it a useful metric how easy a UX is to use without delving into the manual. The cabled Android Auto was clear, and required, as there is no inbuilt nav or data connection. I assume Apple CarPlay would be similarly good. Because I struggled with the UX, I was unable to properly try out the audio, being unable to find the fade/balance/tone controls. There is an optional audio upgrade package available that still stays under the rebate cap.

There is a drivers display (yay!), mounted on the steering column. It is clear and contains the useful information. It has a couple of different modes, including navigation instructions from AA/AC. Disappointingly, it doesn’t have a HUD, but this drivers display is a close second best and you can see the whole thing (looking at you Kia/Hyundai). The side mirrors have blind spot warning.

The steering wheel has capacitive control buttons and they are truely awful to use. I guess after a time you may get used to their layout and function. But you basically have to look at the controls to make sure you’re in the right place. Some are touch, some are swipe and some are click. All feel the same.

The wireless charging pad for your phone is half hidden by the armrest in the centre console. Which is a good thing I guess, because you should not be looking at it anyway. I liked the fact that the USB (C?) ports for you to connect your phone for AA/AC, were right behind and below the charging pad. Two cup holders in tandem configuration are hidden by a sliding shutter. I didn’t look at the glovebox. I assume there was one.

So for the drive.

The driving position feels slightly elevated. Not to SUV levels, but certainly higher than my Model 3 or Focus. The visibility is good all round. It was slightly quieter on the road than my Model 3. Less road noise but slightly more wind noise at motorway speeds. It was positive on the road and I am confident it would be fun to drive on something a bit windier. Its ride was typical of an EV, not soft but not as harsh as some I have tried. When you set off, the car is in “D” mode. Which is akin to driving an automatic. Brake regeneration requires you to use the brake pedal unless you use the “B” selection on the drive selector. That then gives you single pedal driving, but you still have to use the brake pedal to completely stop. I didn’t find if the level of regeneration was selectable. It certainly wasn’t intuitive like cars that have paddles.

From memory its drive modes were “Range”, “Eco”, “Comfort” and “Cupra”. The last being it’s sport mode that adds an extra 20kW of power. There is also a physical “Cupra” button on the steering wheel to instantly access that performance. In Cupra mode its acceleration seemed almost similar to my TM3rwd.

The ventilation was good (once I figured the HVAC controls out in the UX).

In my usual test circuit (in “comfort mode”) I achieved 140Wh/km. So for a 77kWh usable battery that works out to 550km. The WLTP only claims 511km, so maybe I’m a bit gentle in my tests. Charging the NMC battery to its regular 80% will still net me 440km. The salesman said he had left it in Cupra mode and had driven it in a ‘spirited fashion’ and had got 180Wh/km, which would equate to 427km.

In summary, I liked this car. It drove well and has a decent range. Its UX is not great but it is a good sized vehicle for city use that will still be fine for more extensive journeys. It will be interesting to compare to the Lexus UX now it has a bigger battery and the much cheaper MG4.

Worth us considering for a Focus replacement if we go BEV instead of PHEV/HEV.

Addendum: Both Australia and NZ are “offline countries” for VW Group vehicles, so no app support or OTA updates. Servicing is annual and its cost is TBA.

“We’ve arranged a society based on science and technology, in which nobody understands anything about science technology. Carl Sagan 1996

Dingbatt

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#3077794 19-May-2023 10:39

As an addendum to the review above. (Now I’ve had a chance to look at the spec sheet)

The Cupra Born has almost identical dimensions to our Ford Focus (approx 4.3m:1.8m:1.5m L:W:H). It does weigh 1.95T to the Focus’ 1.4T though.

I didn’t quite have the drive modes correct. The are Range, Comfort, Sport, Cupra and Individual. The last allowing you to mix and match performance and handling settings to suit.

“We’ve arranged a society based on science and technology, in which nobody understands anything about science technology. Carl Sagan 1996

lchiu7

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#3077795 19-May-2023 10:42

Here is a good comparison review between the Cupra Born and the MG4.

https://youtu.be/5mtLT7h4nS8

Dingbatt

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#3077798 19-May-2023 11:01

lchiu7:

Here is a good comparison review between the Cupra Born and the MG4.

Yes. I’d like to try one when they’re available. There’s got to be more to it than just the premium you pay for a VWG vehicle vs a Chinese one………..?

That being said, the linked video is comparing UK specced cars. We aren’t going to get those options here. NZ is largely a “here’s the spec, take it or leave it” market. And a 77 vs 60 kWh battery makes a big cost difference from the get go.

“We’ve arranged a society based on science and technology, in which nobody understands anything about science technology. Carl Sagan 1996

alasta

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#3077900 19-May-2023 14:59

The MG4 almost seems to good to be true considering the price and the positive reviews. They might have cut corners somewhere to meet that price point or, otherwise, it might be a circuit breaker that puts pricing pressure on the other players.

Time will tell.

sultanoswing

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#3078825 22-May-2023 23:45

Skoda Enyaq 80 iV - as tested $97,990 + ORC (avail. Sept-Nov 2023)

We took the Skoda Enyaq 80 iV Sportline out for a test drive last week. There aren't many larger, family friendly EV's out there, and with 585L luggage space and a claimed range of 532kms, we've decided it's finally time to retire the good old 2005 Mondeo Estate when these finally land in Sept-Nov. Haven't quite decided if the coupe would be the preferred choice - unfortunately there are no coupes in the country for us to actually get a feel for how the panoramic glass roof looks (trading off this against the additional $5k cost and 15L less luggage space compared to the regular Enyaq).

"Smooth" is how I'd describe the drive. And quiet. And easy. Mind you, given the age of our current daily driver (not to mention the two 1970's cars we've got in the garage), anything modern would feel flash to us!

Interior is nicely appointed, with plenty of room for kids & gear (including our 4 tramping packs), and the car looks really nice in "arctic silver", which is actually a subtle glacial green. Looks and drives nicely on the 20" rims, which also saves you $3 over the 21" rims which the reviews say need more expensive tyres, which don't last as long, and ride harsher compared to the stock 20" rims.

Far fewer customisation options will be available in NZ compared to Europe - we don't get the all wheel drive version, or the "RS" high power version - but at least the NZ packages come with the driver assist and customisable dampers et al. Didn't really have much of a chance to test out all the subtleties of the different driving modes on offer - but the Canton sound system sure does sound nice.

The amusing review which got us interested in this model (having seen a grey import model parked on a charger), is by Gavin Shoebridge (Ecotricity):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckVKUn6-DhY

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