Carlos from Spain:
Nick is one of the members here with more first hand knowledge and experience with EVs in the forum, and certainly much more than you and I, so he doesn't own one because he has no clue, on the contrary and he doesn't like them, but this is something you can't get your head around for some reason.
Few years ago, the only game in town for EV was Tesla. Well it's either Tesla or the Leaf, the best selling EV.
Leaf doesn't interest me. And I drove a Model 3 before and just can't bring myself to like it. From cheap quality, fit and finish, to illogical ergonomics to uncomfortable chairs, you name it. It's a one trick pony, it can go really fast in a straight line and that's about it.
When the Taycan was announced, I didn't even bothered to pre-order one as I wasn't interested in an EV, and I could have had one of the early ones cause of my status with Porsche.
Fast forward to about 3 ish years ago I read online about Audi releasing a EV SUV. Not long after I was on my way to Whistler for a weekend getaway and I happened to follow a new e-Tron on a test drive. I was intrigued and wanted to see it in person so I followed it back to the dealership, which is like the next corner. I walked up to the salesman that just got off the car and went out on a test drive myself. I was impressed. It drives like a normal car, it feels like a normal car, it behaves like a normal car, very different feel than inside a Model 3. Ergonomics is top notch, everything is exactly where I expect them to be. I basically feel like I am driving a electric version of a Q5/Q7. It was far roomier than anything Tesla, for both people and cargo. Shorter range was never an issue, it's mostly a school run car and for putting around town, I have my Panamera hybrid for long road trips. After the test drive I bought the car straightaway, well I leased it. Didn't want to get stuck with some old tech in a rapidly advancing field.
Not long after I was at Porsche dealership for car service, I walked out with my first Taycan. I literally just randomly picked one off the lot and drove off. It was a 4S as I wanted to see if I can live with only a 4S and not a turbo or turbo S. I tested drove a turbo before. And if I think it isn't quick enough I will just order a higher trim instead.
After spending oh about 5-6 months with the Taycan 4S, I liked it so much I was gonna custom order one, but Porsche announced the Cross Turismo so I switched my order to that. And I am sticking to the 4S as it is plenty powerful enough, I didn't not for once feel like I needed more power. The Taycan felt every bit a proper sports sedan.
You all already knew about the accident and the Polestar 2 rental. I was mightily impressed by the little Polestar. Smaller car on the outside than the Taycan but roomier inside and also more cargo room. Not even 'expensive'. For that price, why would someone get a Model 3 over the Polestar 2? The Polestar simply is a much better deal, great fit and finishing inside and out. Did I mention the little guy can handles? It can be throw around corners like it's a Taycan!
Then in comes the pink Taycan wagon, nothing new to add. Same as the old, just with a bigger trunk.
The Mach e literally just fell on my lap. I wasn't 'planning' to buy one, I was happy with just one EV, the Taycan, after I returned the e-Tron at lease end. Call it impulse buy or whatever. I tried to justify it as a replacement to my SUV, the e-Tron. It do served that purpose. There are times when I do need the extra room over the wagon. it isn't fast, won't do 4 seconds 0-60, but it doesn't need to, it's my default school run car and golfing car when I am transporting more than myself. Also again, like the Polestar, for the price, I can't see someone picking a Model Y over the Mach e, fit and finish and material usage is much better and even Ford's version of advance cruise control, Blue Cruise, is better than Autopilot, it has sensors right in front of me for monitoring driver attention. Still never used it, also not planning to. I can drive properly, I don't need a car to drive for me. Real world range is ~460km, a Model Y will be hard pressed to do that in the real world, despite what the government rating says.
The only EV I 'planned' to buy is the Ford Lightning. should be here end of Oct. And that would be the 6th EV I will be on. Everything else wasn't a planned purchase, not even the custom config pink Taycan, I did that cause I was mightily impressed by the first Taycan I bought randomly.
There are other EVs I wanted to try/buy, namely the Ioniq 5, but they are impossible to get. I am 'warming' up to the BMW iX, but still can't get over the ugly nose yet.
After spending time with 5 different EVs, there isn't a perfect EV period. Each car has it's strength and weaknesses, it's a trade off the buyer will have to decide what they value more and what's their priorities. There are EVs big and small, fast and slow, cheap and pricy. So many choices now as there isn't a Tesla monopoly anymore.
I do not have 'one' EV to recommend, well maybe the Ioniq 5 as that's currently the best allrounder. Advance tech like the Taycan and same super fast charging speed. Relatively cheap buy in price. Passenger space just as good as the Mach e but less cargo room. Handles ok, good enough, sort of swift enough in traffic also. Great range but that's a moot point as all modern EVs are capable of doing ~400km, but it will recharge faster than just about anything else if one is not charging at home.
For someone looking for painless and ease of charging, Tesla is a no brainer, the Supercharger network just works.
For someone looking fro luxury EVs, Mercedes, BMW, Audi, Porsche.
Mainstream? Ioniq 5, EV6, Mach e, etc.
Cute? Mini EV.
Cheap? Nothing beats the Chevy Bolt EV and EUV. A host of Hyundai offerings, Nissan Leaf.
Pickup? There is Rivian, Lightning, Hummer.
Like I said before, free market is a beautiful thing, so many choices, no one is forced to buy one brand anymore.
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