New to the EV market - looking for the next family car

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  bluecitrus on 24/04/2025 - 20:14

  Checkout here: https://evdb.nz/used

  At $50k you'll be able to get a very decent used model or possibly even a new model - because things like a BYD Atto 3, MG 4, or Hyundai Kona tend to start at around $30k second hand for very recent low kilometer models. All of them will do your range comfortably, and are SUVs.

  I've always been a bit hesitant with some of the newer manufacturers like Leapmotor due to concerns around repairs and parts - but BYD is an absolutely massive company, MG is a SAIC company, and Hyundai is obviously very well established.

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  FarOut on 25/04/2025 - 07:20

  Kia NIRO EV "Light" from 2023 upwards.
  460km WLTP range (@100% obviously)
  Ex-rentals from mid-2023 and around 25,000km are selling for less than 35k currently.
  5ys warranty plus 8 Ys on battery.
  Apparently, there is a lady driver in the Nelson area that has driven one for more than 150,000km already with the battery SOH still at 100%. THAT convinced me.
  The higher spec "Water" should cost around 5k more.

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  Kate1 on 25/04/2025 - 07:21

  If your with Westpac they do a greater choices home loan, $50k at 0% over 5 years for electric cars, chargers and other things, other banks do something too.

• limepanda on 25/04/2025 - 08:44 Comment score below threshold.
  • 

    Zyo on 25/04/2025 - 09:34

    +3

    A 10 year old 2nd hand diesel is not going to be safer than a new car regardless of origins.

    Chinese cars have come a long time and there are plenty of premium options. You should try out a polestar 2 it's manufactured in zhejiang China.

    • 

      limepanda on 25/04/2025 - 22:03

      -2

      Rubbish, most of the euro brands will easily outperform the current crop of Chinese vehicles. Don't even get me started on how they cut corners in production and do safety sampling etc. It's a joke and after speaking to engineers who have toured their plants I would never buy one.

      • 

        Zyo on 25/04/2025 - 22:31

        +1

        Outperform based on what criteria and which factory plant are you talking about? There are literally over 100 different EV startups in China, gross generalization isn't really helpful.

        I'm not familiar with MG but reviews show BYD cars have consistent build quality on par with European counter parts. Even the Japanese were amazed after dissembling one

        https://en.clickpetroleoegas.com.br/perplexos-japoneses-desm…

  • 

    Afrosven on 25/04/2025 - 10:48

    +5

    oof mate, China has moved on a bit, like Japan and Korea improved.
    Sure there's some cheap shit, but many of their cars are downright incredible and superior to their competitors. Xpeng, BYD are nothing to sneeze at and even MG stepped up their game with the cyberster.

    • 

      limepanda on 25/04/2025 - 22:01

      -2

      I'm a mechanic and I have seen endless build quality issues, along with rust on these cars. We even had a wave of MG cars come through that failed entry compliance due to structural rust, these were brand new from the factory. You're free to believe whatever you want, but a lot of these cars are overpriced junk and pale in comparison to a quality used option from established brands.

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  FiveFeetUnder on 25/04/2025 - 20:11

  If you didn't want to go Chinese or Tesla, for under $50k you could look at:
  - Hyundai Ioniq 5 (used)
  - Kia EV6 (used)
  - Ford Mustang Mach-E (ex-demo)
  - Kia Niro or EV3 (but they are a bit smaller)

  I really like the Kia EV5 but they are still pretty expensive