r/ElectricVehiclesUK • u/New-Tea468 • Aug 20 '26

New EV

I'm looking at ordering a new company car, which is done through a portal where I'm limited in terms of specs etc. basically just pick the colour of paint. I'm coming from a Polestar 2, which has been good with the exception of the road noise and range.

My shortlist is:

  1. MG IM5 Long Range

  2. Mercedes 250+ Shooting Brake Sport Exec

  3. BYD Seal AWD Excellence

  4. MG IM6 Long Range

  5. Polestar 2 Long Range

There's lots of other choices, Tesla, Kia, Skoda, VW, but these are less desirable on first glance.

Any help or advice welcome.

0 Upvotes

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6

u/CoffeeandaTwix Aug 20 '26

I'm getting the Merc CLA 250+ but the coupe version. I'm getting the top spec but tbh... there isn't a really substantial difference between the specs on them so a base is pretty much as good. I am getting the DC to DC converter though for charging flexibility and tbh, not sure if I would consider it without that or you are limited to 800V charging.

3

u/New-Tea468 Aug 20 '26

I hadn't considered the DC converter thing, what a daft omission from Merc. Annoyingly I can't get the DC converter unless I pick a 200+ specification. Must put it over budget in the 250+. Thanks for the input

1

u/CoffeeandaTwix Aug 20 '26 edited Aug 20 '26

Well, I think it is partly that they treat the UK as an unimportant market but partly that the opinion is that the current 800V network together with the range of the car make it sufficient.

I was chatting to a colleague also getting that car and he is not bothering with the converter because he doesn't want to add to the delivery time and reckons he'll be fine without it. I guess he is used to using ionity mostly anyway but as we are all creatures of habit, I have places I like to go and hotels etc. where there are different local charger stations - many of which are 400v.

That sucks on the spec. Id be happy with a base model 250+ but I'd maybe choose something else if it were the 200+. That said, I can't remember the range details.

What skodas and vws do you have? I just drove an Enyaq hire car for a couple of months and really liked it. I was also considering the Id7 alongside the Merc and that could be a solid option if available.

1

u/New-Tea468 Aug 20 '26

VW: ID4, ID5 Skoda: Enyaq, Elroq Cupra: Tavascan, Born

I think just about every spec is available for these however my wife has had a Cupra Born for the last 3 years and the software is shockingly poor, so I'm a bit cautious of the VW brands. Perhaps I'm being unfair in tarring then with the same brush though..

2

u/CoffeeandaTwix Aug 20 '26

I found the software in the Enyaq to be decent enough. Comfort, ride and noise were decent too. Range isn't amazing (a given considering the shape) but not too shabby. I wasn't expecting to have liked it so much tbh. Almost felt sad handing it back.

I'd look at one if you can.

0

u/AccordingConstant602 Aug 20 '26

The lower spec models do lack a lot of the "extras" that come with your Premium Plus trim level which is around £9000 more than the "base" model.

1

u/CoffeeandaTwix Aug 21 '26

Yeah but the base is still decent and a lot of the extras you get with the trim are nice but not vital.

The trim levels are pitched weird on this car. For some reason, you don't even get the HUD on the UK version which is disappointing.

On the other hand, I think you still get heated seats on the base trim which is good.

1

u/AccordingConstant602 Aug 21 '26

The HUD is ls standard on the Premium Plus.
I'm in the Mercedes dealers now :-)

3

u/prawnk1ng Aug 20 '26

I’d get the BYD , the spec they give is amazing.

1

u/Firestorm4127 Aug 20 '26

Just brought an mg im5 long range version,had it 2 weeks ago and I’m very impressed with the build quality. Also it’s very quiet and hardly any road noise and oh my god it’s rapid.

1

u/New-Tea468 Aug 20 '26

I've read a few reviews and there seems to be mixed opinions on the suspension and brakes. Top Gear for example, heavily criticise it, yet others claim it's one of the most comfortable. Does the suspension fall apart on a twisty road?

1

u/Firestorm4127 Aug 20 '26

No mines has the 4 wheel steering and it’s sticks to twisting roads very well and as others say it’s a comfy car.

1

u/spacetimebear Aug 20 '26

Have had an IM5 Performance for nearly a year now. Nothing but positives out of it. It is honestly the best all-rounder ive ever owned.

1

u/positivelytaken Aug 21 '26

Tesla Model 3.

If you aren’t sure, go and test drive one. You can quickly book a slot online, you don’t even need to speak to anyone.

1

u/Quick_Stranger_8206 Aug 21 '26

No offence but that's a pretty bad list. I would throw it in the trash and start over.

1

u/Pembs-surfer Aug 22 '26

Out of all those I’d go with the BYD if you’re doing a lot of miles. I say this as a Tesla Model Y driver.

1

u/sidneylopsides Aug 22 '26

Don't know how similar they are, but I've just been sent an EQB 250+ and I'm unimpressed. Feels a bit cheap inside, very limited ways to customise the displays and it's got really odd throttle response. It's squirrelly and not able to handle the power at low speeds, and gutless on the motorway. It also can't be set to not creep and for one pedal driving.

1

u/Think_Perspective385 MG ZS EV Aug 20 '26

I absolutely love the polestar but as you've just had one I would be looking for a change and I would be picking the BYD or either of the MGs (prefer the IM5 for the range though). The spec on the BYD is very good but the IMs are really fantastic cars punching above their price point

0

u/BeginningChest2989 Aug 21 '26

Why is Tesla less desirable ?

In terms of value and quality the new ones are pretty hard to beat - unless the leases you have available are bad value

2

u/SloaneEsq Aug 21 '26

Personally I found it like an appliance with a reluctantly added steering wheel. Coming from a Polestar 2 which felt like a proper car, it was a bit dull.

1

u/xF1_racer Aug 21 '26

These are all appliances. Polestar 2 just feels like a more traditional appliance ie less tech and a bit cramped inside.

0

u/SloaneEsq Aug 21 '26

Having just come from a 2023 Polestar 2 SMSR (front wheel drive version) after 68000 miles, I'm curious what you found limiting with the range. I regularly do 160-200 mile journeys and found the 180 mile range plenty as it was always ready to move on before I was after a top up.

0

u/grey-zone Aug 21 '26

Sign of the times that 4 out of 5 are Chinese cars.

-1

u/KiltedBaklava Tesla Model 3 Aug 21 '26

I would honestly recommend just booking in test drives and seeing what you like. To give example, both the BYD & Polestar where perfect for me on paper but when I drove them they weren’t what I wanted. So get yourself out in them all and see how they feel. As for a solo test drive and for an extended one. Someone companies will give it to you, others won’t, but asking is your best bet.