[nidhikapoor]

Hi Friends,

My friend just got an Ioniq 5 [waiting to get mine now], and his wife just loves everything about it except the size. So, he's looking to buy a smaller EV but wants it to be loaded with features like the Ioniq, and preferably from a 'big brand'. Yes, he's a brand snob. He's not on social media, so he asked me what I would suggest. I have no idea so I thought that I would ask here.

His budget is up to around 75 lakhs. He looked at the Mini Cooper, but I think a new BEV Mini is coming next year? I suggested the Volvo C40, but they already have a Volvo petrol sedan, so are looking at some other brand.

Suggestions?

[GTO]

Originally Posted by nidhikapoor

My friend just got an Ioniq 5 [waiting to get mine now], and his wife just loves everything about it except the size.

Hope they aren't planning to sell the Ioniq 5? Because it's not all that big and one easily gets used to the size after a couple of hundred km.

Plus, the Ioniq 5 is one of the best EVs in the market today.

So, he's looking to buy a smaller EV but wants it to be loaded with features like the Ioniq, and preferably from a 'big brand'.

Volvo C40 Recharge. Simply fantastic EV!

Second choice, Kia EV6 but he wants a big brand. Tell them to take a drive. Maybe the styling will win them over?

Else, wait for a year. Many more EVs coming and like with gadgets / smartphones, EVs make significant technological strides every year (just compare the C40 to the XC40 EV and you'll realise this).

[nidhikapoor]

Originally Posted by GTO

Hope they aren't planning to sell the Ioniq 5? Because it's not all that big and one easily gets used to the size after a couple of hundred km.

Plus, the Ioniq 5 is one of the best EVs in the market today.



Volvo C40 Recharge. Simply fantastic EV!

Second choice, Kia EV6 but he wants a big brand. Tell them to take a drive. Maybe the styling will win them over?

Else, wait for a year. Many more EVs coming and like with gadgets / smartphones, EVs make significant technological strides every year (just compare the C40 to the XC40 EV and you'll realise this).

Thanks.

1. He is not selling the Ioniq. He will drive it.

2. No Volvo as they already have a S60 so want a change

3. His wife was looking at something the size of a Citroen ec3 or a mini etc. Even the Kia will be too big.

She wants small, but loaded with the tech that the Ioniq has.

Do you think that the new Mini will come in as predicted early next year? Or the MG4? I think the MG4 is a small car?

To add to the complication she is rather hell bent on getting a 'well badged' car. A Mini might do, while a MG might not.

I personally dont understand this hangup but I do know that the badge is of importance to a lot of people. I see that here too, so each to their own thing I guess.

[bijims]

If Brand value is the only consideration. The BMW iX1 electric SUV would have been a good choice, but it's already sold out for the year, else the options mentioned by @GTO are the only ones worth considering at the moment. Better to wait for next year, as newer launches will definitely be better in terms of technology.

EDIT: Sorry I missed out on your reply, if a small car with brand image is his requirement, I doubt if he can get anything smaller than the MINI

[speedmiester]

Originally Posted by nidhikapoor

Hi Friends,

My friend just got an Ioniq 5 [waiting to get mine now], and his wife just loves everything about it except the size. So, he's looking to buy a smaller EV but wants it to be loaded with features like the Ioniq, and preferably from a 'big brand'. Yes, he's a brand snob. He's not on social media, so he asked me what I would suggest. I have no idea so I thought that I would ask here.

His budget is up to around 75 lakhs. He looked at the Mini Cooper, but I think a new BEV Mini is coming next year? I suggested the Volvo C40, but they already have a Volvo petrol sedan, so are looking at some other brand.

Suggestions?

Merc EQA is due for launch. It's not compact by any means but will fit the badge aspiration. BMW iX1 is another option, but BMW says it's sold out it's India allocations.

Don't think Fisker's upcoming launch will fit the size criteria.

[Axe77]

I think everything you’ve written simply zeroes right into the Volvo C40. Merely because you have another Volvo in the garage shouldn’t prevent you from buying it and the EV Volvo should be a very different experience from the ICE Volvo you have. It is chic looking, compact, has explosive power and an excellent driving range with 2023 tech backing it.

If you MUST choose something different - perhaps consider the iX1 but I’m not sure how much that’ll change the size issue. It’ll be in the ballpark of the Ioniq, size-wise (give or take).

Another option is to wait it out a year or so because I’m pretty sure plenty more options will come through each year.

[nidhikapoor]

Originally Posted by speedmiester

Merc EQA is due for launch.

Any idea when? No info available on their website.

[nova.19_exe]

Originally Posted by nidhikapoor

Any idea when? No info available on their website.

https://www.cardekho.com/mercedes-be...cember%202023.

Well, according to this, it says December 2023..

As per your requirement, I feel the best fit is the Volvo C40 or the next best thing should be the BMW iX1! Both of these are loaded with tech..

Last option - Kia EV6! It's a bit on the bigger side but other than that, it fits the bill!

[v6kgang]

I know Kia doesn’t fit in the aspirational badge category, but upcoming EV5 should fit the bill too, though no timelines for India launch yet. Given the low EV6 sales numbers, Kia might decide to CBU import EV5 too along with EV6.

[androdev]

Have gone through a similar situation. Not an EV but a regular ICE compact luxury car of a size no bigger than Polo. Unfortunately there aren't any except for Mini. The smallest cars from these brands are bigger than VW Golf - in crossover format they look even more bulky. A lot of women think any car larger than i10/Polo is a needless headache - as soon as they sit behind the wheel of a car like XC40/X1, they go like no way, this is too big to handle! You have to go with either compact (i10/i20) or luxury - I don't think this is going to change anytime soon.

[carthick1000]

The only option I could think of is the upcoming Mini electric. It has creature comforts of any EV, a very advanced user interface and most likely the build quality will be much better than Ioniq 5.

Only 2 downsides:

- Coming later in 2024 or begin 2025
- 3-door hatchback. So carrying passengers in the back seat is a squeeze.

https://youtu.be/HMfGv1O3tHU

https://youtu.be/Alt4bFP98l4?feature=shared

[nidhikapoor]

Originally Posted by carthick1000

The only option I could think of is the upcoming Mini electric. It has creature comforts of any EV, a very advanced user interface and most likely the build quality will be much better than Ioniq 5.

Only 2 downsides:

- Coming later in 2024 or begin 2025
- 3-door hatchback. So carrying passengers in the back seat is a squeeze.

She will always drive alone or at most with one other person so back seat is a non-issue.

He is leaning towards a Mini now. Any idea if they are readily available or have a waiting period? Also, I read somewhere that the new Mini might not land till 2025 at least.

Originally Posted by nova.19_exe

https://www.cardekho.com/mercedes-be...cember%202023.

Well, according to this, it says December 2023..

As per your requirement, I feel the best fit is the Volvo C40 or the next best thing should be the BMW iX1! Both of these are loaded with tech.

Last option - Kia EV6! It's a bit on the bigger side but other than that, it fits the bill!

iX1 doesn't even have adaptive cruise control or a 360° camera. That's sad at that price level.

[carthick1000]

Originally Posted by nidhikapoor

Any idea if they are readily available or have a waiting period?

Not sure about availability of the current model. But Mini is running a unique buyback program for the current gen electric until 31-oct. This implies they can organize for an example.

May be this can be a bridge option until the new mini gets launched in India.

https://www.team-bhp.com/news/own-mi...0-month-1-year

[inwester]

Originally Posted by nidhikapoor

Looking to buy a smaller EV and preferably from a 'big brand'. His budget is up to around 75 lakhs.

You'll be hard pressed to see a subcompact EV at that prices.

The ones in India right now are in the Rs. 40-60 lakhs bracket, and none of them are "subcompact", except Mini Cooper Electric, which I absolutely won't recommend in the current model (or any other Mini for that matter). Mini gets a fancy brand value in India but the Mini Cooper EV is essentially the same price as a Kona EV elsewhere, only less capable.

The Volvo C40 is the best bet now. iX1 has a lot of compromises for the price. BMW i4 is very desirable pick and in the 75 lakh budget, but it's long and ground clearance is only 125 mm. I guess there's EQB as well if you want to spend that kind of money.

But again all these vehicles are ~4,500 mm or longer, so they're not "small" per se, and most of them cost less than 75 lakhs. I guess that small EV at 75 lakhs doesn't exist in India yet.

[sgoyal9]

I would suggest in the following order based on personal preference:

1. iX1: Pro: Brand Con: VFM
2. XC40/C40: Pro: Loaded Con: Not part of Big 3
3. Mini EV: Pro: Jack of all trades Con: Not much info

I tried to mention the biggest pro and con of the top 3 EVs that come to mind. But, due to the requirements set by OP, the first two will go out. In that case, it might be best to see what Mini has to offer before deciding.