MT: I put the Scenic on the original shortlist after a toss-up between that and the e-3008. On very first impressions, the Renault was an easier car to get on with.
It rides well in non-Esprit Alpine trim on what is a very challenging test loop near Silverstone. It’s a shame not to be able to test the e-3008 on the same route for a straight comparison between direct competitors.
Any votes for the e-3008 are still going to have to come with some caveats and trepidation, having not had the opportunity to test it in the UK. I’ve gone through lots of different feelings about the EV9 based on the way it drives.
I still can’t quite get past the near-£80,000 price of the dual-motor versions, but the £65,000 entry-level Air model we have at Silverstone for the first time does wear its price more comfortably.
And from here, you don’t have to make an excuse for the fact that the interior materials and base design are the same as in most other new Kias. Instead, you can just appreciate what an immensely practical, hugely interesting and really rather relaxing car to drive it is.
MS: I agree – for the most part. The Single Motor car certainly seems a little more efficient than the Twin Motor one we’ve just road tested. Being lighter, it might even ride slightly better on a like-for-like tyre.
I was worried that it might feel a bit slow, but on A- and B-roads I wouldn’t say it does at all. It’s a big family car and you drive it like one. Simple as that. Deserves to rank, I’d say.
So let’s move on to the saloons. The BMW i5 and BYD Seal are both fascinating cars. But, for different reasons, I’m not sure I could justify a four-star road test verdict for either of them (he said, hastily checking autocar.co.uk for what we actually gave them. Phew, what a relief).
The BMW has apparent dynamism and polish about it, but not quite the superior electric powertrain you expect. It just needs another 50 miles of range, and slightly better refinement to go with the rest of the package.