good example of this right now is the ford explorer, another box on wheels but its faster than the cupra tavascan and range wise they are very simular on the “WLTP” numbers. the top of the range explorer is available for a £500 more than the base version Tavascan. that is where my money would be at, but i have to wait for Q4 so i have everything crossed prices dont increase or the car comes of the scheme.
I’ll join with the crossing. We really, really want one. It’s just such a good car – and, as you mentioned, it destroys anything under 350hp (well.. up to 50ish mph at least) while looking like a shopping tractor. Sidenote, the top trim Explorer is actually 300 less than the base Tavascan (if you include the £1k off) at £2295 – the more expensive Explorer adds a pack that nobody really needs (HUD, 360 cam, autoparking). It’s not the greatest deal on the scheme currently (that’d be the Ioniq 6) – but it’s close. Just gotta keep praying that they don’t raise the AP next quarter when we’re due to order.
Like @Rene I’ll join with the crossing from an outsiders pov. I like the Explorer, as it’s got the stance of an SUV, rather than a soft SUV. In cmparison to it’s distant cousins from VW, the interior visably looks more upmarket, which extends to the displays. The only thing that lets it down is those bloody daft window switches, that saved VW a couple of quid. Compared to the Ioniq 5, it’s no match for equipment on upper trims, the i5 is bigger dimensionally and has a larger net battery capacity, but its larger dimensions net a lower range overall. Perhaps more importantly the i5 makes up for that, with it’s 800 Volt Architecture if you frequently charge away from home and V2L to make a cuppa whils’t you wait, rather than expensive coffee shops adding to the overall cost
Sadly it’s 0.8s slower from the lights and perhaps even more sadder, the AWD varients of both models aren’t on the scheme for an equally rapid 5.3s away from the lights!!
Sadly it’s 0.8s slower from the lights and perhaps even more sadder, the AWD varients of both models aren’t on the scheme for an equally rapid 5.3s away from the lights!!I actually wouldn’t want the AWD version of the Explorer, i do value the range more personally. I don’t need V2L, never had it, never missed it – and no, it’s the other way around. The Ioniq 5 can’t match the Explorer for equipment, considering that for the £2250 of the Explorer, you can get only the Premium LR Ioniq 5. Which then is missing quite a bit of kit to the Explorer (including Matrix LEDs). Yes, Ultimate is better equipped, but also more costly and doesn’t make up for the fact that it’s, comparatively, slow.
800 Volt is nice to have, but lets be very real.. If i sit at the charger for 25 minutes (Explorer) or 18 minutes (Ioniq 5) doesn’t actually make a hint of a difference. That would never ever be a deciding factor for me.
Worst part though is very simple: i hate the Ioniq 5 interior. It looks like an iPhone. I understand that that’s “hip” or whatever, but absolutely not my thing.
Prior: SEAT Ateca Xcellence Lux 1.5 TSI DSG MY19, VW Golf GTE PHEV DSG MY23
Current: Hyundai Ioniq 6 Ultimate
Next: we'll see what's available in 2028.