@kezo Spoken to my electrician and, from memory, he thinks that the answers to my questions won’t be favourable ? He’s away for the next week or so but will pop around to confirm once he’s back.
As I have time to kill waiting for the BMW and Hyundai dealers to get cars in for me to test drive, I have done a detailed spec comparison of my two shortlisted cars. The Tucson obviously wins on spec count, but loses on quality.
Once the options that I’d add to the iX1 are taken into consideration, the Tucson still has the following kit over and above the BMW;
Leather Trim (if it’s still included FOC on the facelift), Electric Drivers Seat with Memory, Electric Passenger Seat, Ventilated Front Seats, Heated Rear Seats, Panoramic Sunroof, Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Spot View Monitor, Junction Collision Avoidance, Highway Drive Assist, Lane Follow Assist.
The BMW (with included Technology Plus Pack) would add Head-Up Display and iOS9 operating system, which is far better than even the improved Hyundai infotainment system.
There are pros and cons for both cars;
Hyundai – Pros – £3.5k cheaper (once options are added to the BMW), far better standard kit, it’s a PHEV, so no range anxiety issues and would only ever need to charge at home, no need to add options. Cons – Build quality noticeably less than BMW, Infotainment not as good, more a family car than a drivers car, looks (my wife likes it – I don’t!)
BMW – Pros – Build quality far better, driver engagement & refinement likely to be better (will confirm on test drive), Infotainment better. Cons – £3.5k more of which almost £2k will be options that won’t be refunded in the event of an early termination, it’s an EV (which we don’t really want) with all the associated issues that brings (range anxiety etc).
In reality, I’d be getting the iX1 in order to stick with a BMW X1 (ish) as our current one has been near perfect and BMW is my preferred mainstream brand. However, my head is saying that the Hyundai must be worth a shot. My worry is that I get it and feel that I’ve taken a big step backwards. I’ve suggested to my wife that the best option might be to leave Motability and buy a petrol X1 (23i M-Sport) but with options that’s £47k (probably £45k with discount) and she’d rather get a lease car than part with that cash. Other option is to extend our current lease, if they will allow us to extend beyond 6 months. Decisions, decisions. I’m hoping that the test drives will rule one of the two shortlisted cars out!
