Well doesn’t it seem like we have been talking about electric vehicles for years but they
are finally starting to make their mark here in Australia
And here are two cars that are making a bid to become your next family car.
The Hyundai Ioniq and Nissan Leaf now offer more respectable range and more respectable
looks This pair are the only pure electric small
cars available right now, for under $50000
And with an indicative range of 270km in the LEAF and 230km in the IONIQ, these cars can
serve the needs of most drivers’ day to day requirements
An early pioneer of the dedicated EV movement, the Nissan LEAF may have polarised opinions
with its early design but the all-new generation is considerably more grown up, looking different
enough without being quirky.
Music While the IONIQ has a relatively conventional
look but with a solid grille that denotes it is not a conventional vehicle
Each of these cars will charge from a standard household socket (which can be very slow),
or a fast charger The Nissan offers a choice of two charging
configurations, including the Japanese favoured CHA-DE-MO charger
While the IONIQ offers just the one CCS style charger, but with fast charging capability
Ultra-fast charging bays are slowly appearing in major metro areas, offering charging on
the go.
Even the slower charger increased the LEAF’s range by 30 per cent in just 20 minutes – and
that’s equivalent to around 90km extra travel
Costing the credit card just $4 Charging and clever electric drivetrains aside,
these vehicles are also pretty hi-tech inside too – and they’d want to be, with each
wearing a price tag close to $50,000 Both cars offer a high trim level, although
it’s the Nissan that feels the most plush.
There’s heated seats in the front and rear of the LEAF, while the IONIQ gets heated and
chilled seats in the front Both cars have a heated steering wheel and
will pre-heat the cabin before departure and both offer infotainment tech including Navigation
and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility Each also gives good feedback on the EV settings
and systems, allowing for timed charging to make use of off-peak tariffs and plenty of
data to help you geek out There’s a decent amount of room in the rear
of both the LEAF and the IONIQ – and both cars will carry upto five people
The LEAF has stadium seating so passengers sit up a bit higher and while it doesn’t
have the rear air vents that the IONIQ does, it does at least offer a heated rear seat.
And while the IONIQ only has one map pocket in the rear, it does have a folding centre
armrest with cupholders which is missing in the LEAF.
Both cars offer good luggage capacity – certainly enough to carry a week’s shopping alongside
the charging paraphernalia.
And while the IONIQ has a tyre inflator kit the LEAF offers a spare wheel
In terms of driving, it’s the Hyundai that is the driver’s choice between these two
– the ride is firmer but better damped and the steering give more feel
But if it’s a softer ride that you prefer and in softer surroundings then the LEAF is
the better option, although its foot operated park brake is clumsy and flies in the face
of the rest of this modern marvel.
Here in Australia we’ve been slow on the uptake when it comes to EV adoption.
And that may be due to range anxiety, design foibles, cost or practicality but all of those
barriers are fast-disappearing Yes these cars are pricey but what they represent
is arguably a lot more valuable.
They are a sign of the future, and they’re here today.
With range that meets the needs of the majority of drivers and the arrival of fast charging
solutions to ward off range anxiety, the LEAF and IONIQ both make a solid case that they
should be your next vehicle.
Which should you choose?
Well a lot of the decision is going to come down to styling and personal choice.
We like the way the IONIQ drives, but we love how far the LEAF has come – it’s a mature
car that’s right for the time.
But with a preferable interior layout and better ergonomics, we reckon the IONIQ does
the better job of transitioning from conventional vehicle to EV