At last month's SMMT Drive Live event near Worcester, Christopher Sharp drove a range of electric vehicles, including the award-winning Kia EV2, the Nissan Leaf and a Polestar 4. After comparing the three, he concluded that if it were his money, he would buy the Kia EV2.
Polestar 4: Technically Brilliant but Annoying
The Polestar 4, priced at £55,750, is technically competent but irritating to use. On paper, it should be a brilliant car – quick, with a plush interior, good handling and impressive efficiency. Yet, according to Sharp, it is incredibly annoying to operate.
Polestar, unlike other manufacturers, still relies heavily on massive power and gigantic touchscreens. In a family-sized coupe SUV, the power feels excessive – faster than a racing car, which Sharp argues is unnecessary. The large screens require drivers to take their eyes off the road for even the smallest change.
The rear view mirror is also a screen, which takes time for the eyes to adjust to when glancing at it. On the road, once lane assist is off, the car handles and behaves as previously reported, apart from a phone slipping off the wireless charging pad during hard acceleration. Sharp notes that Polestar knows how to make technically good cars but should remember that sometimes a pencil is all you need.
Nissan Leaf: A Good Quality Pencil
The Nissan Leaf, priced at £37,999, was driven immediately after the Polestar 4. Sharp describes it as a good quality pencil – a car that realises people will use it day in, day out. It features buttons throughout, a rear view mirror that won't be affected by a power cut, and a screen only as small as it needs to be.
Sharp acknowledges the Leaf and Polestar are at different price points and aimed at different people, but appreciates that someone has thought about using the car. On the road, the Leaf handles well, feels cheaper than the Polestar (because it is), but stops, steers and goes as expected. It's not groundbreaking, but it's solid.
Kia EV2: The Award-Winning Choice
The Kia EV2, priced at £27,995, has won several automotive awards, including Car of the Year and Best Small Electric Car at the inaugural RAC New Car Awards. It was so popular at SMMT Test Day that it was difficult to get a slot to drive it.
It is a small electric SUV, compact and close to the ground, with a rounded, cyberpunky exterior style shared with models like the Sportage. Inside, it offers a halfway house between the Polestar's screens and the Leaf's restrained approach – fewer buttons than the Leaf, but less emphasis on controlling basic functions than the Polestar.
The car Sharp drove was specced in a premium manner with soft leather and details like plus and minus signs on the throttle and brake pedals. To drive, it slips a little into the beigeness of many electric cars, but it's very fun otherwise. The short wheelbase and chassis made it feel like a slightly heavier version of the Mk1 BMW MINI Countryman. Overall, it was easy to adjust to, and Sharp could see why it has won so many awards.
Sharp concludes that these cars are all very different and aimed at different people. If it were his money today, he would put it down on a Kia EV2 – it's practical, not too big, easy to use, and overall a likeable and competent car.
