At SMMT's Drive Live event near Worcester, Christopher Sharp drove three electric cars: the Kia EV2, Nissan Leaf and Polestar 4. Despite the Polestar being the most expensive, the cheapest option, the Kia EV2, was his favourite, scoring 8/10.
Kia EV2: A Compact and Nimble SUV
The Kia EV2, priced at £27,995, has won numerous awards. It is a compact electric SUV that follows Kia's cyberpunk-esque design language, also seen on the Kia Sportage, but is lower to the ground and slightly smaller.
Inside, the EV2 balances buttons and screens, with shortcuts for driving assists and regenerative braking. The seats are soft, and the cabin feels premium. On the road, it reminds Sharp of a heavier Mk1 BMW MINI Countryman, being short, stocky, and nimble, with good grip and eager turning.
Nissan Leaf: A Solid and Compliant Coupe
The Nissan Leaf, priced at £37,999, is an electric coupe that looks like a Ferrari Luce. It has a touchscreen that is only as big as it needs to be, with simple switches and buttons for drive, neutral, and reverse. The cabin is comfortable and tactile.
To drive, the Leaf is compliant, not aiming to be a sports car. It has good grip despite its two-wheel-drive platform. The coupe design hurts practicality, but overall it is a solid car, scoring 7.5/10.
Polestar 4: Technically Brilliant but Annoying
The Polestar 4, priced at £55,750, is technically brilliant and efficient, but Sharp found it annoying to use. The car relies heavily on a giant iPad-esque touchscreen, with functions buried under many layers. It also has too much power, and the rear view mirror is a screen that takes time to adjust to.
Despite these issues, the Polestar drives well, with competent steering and turning, though lane assist is a bit interfering. Sharp concluded that Polestar knows how to make great vehicles but needs to remember that sometimes a well-sharpened pencil is better than a pen developed for space. It scored 6/10.
If it were his money, Sharp would buy the Kia EV2. It is small, agile, good-looking, not vulgar, brisk enough to be fun, and practical for his current life.
