After driving three electric vehicles in a single day, the Kia EV2 is the only one worth buying. The award-winning Kia EV2, the Nissan Leaf and the Polestar 4 were all tested at SMMT's Drive Live event near Worcester.
Britain's motorists now have access to a considerably broader selection of electric vehicles than 16 years ago. Improvements to the UK's charging network mean these cars can transport drivers anywhere across the country. With fuel prices at record highs due to the Iran War, there has never been a more compelling moment to switch to an EV.
Polestar 4: Technically accomplished but frustrating
The Polestar 4 (RRP £55,750) is technically highly accomplished yet rather frustrating. On paper, it ought to be an exceptional car. It is swift, boasts a supremely refined interior, handles admirably and is remarkably efficient.
Despite all its technical accomplishments, it proves tremendously tiresome in everyday use. Polestar remains fixated on two things the public is gradually recognising it neither needs nor wants – excessive power and enormous touchscreens. In a family-sized coupé SUV, the power is like using a chocolate teapot next to an erupting volcano. A vehicle of this nature should be nippy, certainly, but not quicker than a racing car.
The enormous touchscreens require drivers to divert their gaze from the road to make even the most minor adjustment. Additionally, the rear-view mirror is a screen, so eyes need a moment to refocus when glancing at it. Out on the road, once the lane assist is disengaged, it handles and performs favourably, aside from a phone sliding off the wireless charging pad under heavy acceleration.
Nissan Leaf: A quality pencil
The Nissan Leaf (RRP £37,999) is a car that generated considerable attention when Ferrari unveiled their electric Luce over the summer, a model that bore a striking resemblance to Nissan's EV. Recalling the pencil metaphor – a reference to how Russia and America approached the challenge of writing in space – the Leaf is very much a quality pencil.
It remains an efficient electric coupe SUV, but one that appears to acknowledge drivers will need to use it for everyday purposes. There are physical controls throughout the cabin, a conventional rear-view mirror that won't fail during an electrical fault, and a display that is only as large as necessary. There are no buried sub-menus, just straightforward switches and shortcuts.
Behind the wheel, the Nissan performs admirably. It feels cheaper than the Polestar, because it is, but drivers rapidly forget they are driving an electric vehicle. It brakes, steers and accelerates exactly as anticipated. Minimal body roll, yet it doesn't push the limits of tyre grip; it is not revolutionary, but it is dependable.
Kia EV2: The award-winning choice
The Kia EV2 (RRP £27,995) has secured numerous motoring accolades, most recently the Car of the Year and Best Small Electric Car at the inaugural RAC New Car Awards earlier this year. Securing a test drive slot at SMMT Test Day proved challenging due to considerable interest.
It is a compact electric SUV that sits low to the ground, embodying the curved, cyberpunk-inspired aesthetic Kia is currently pursuing. Internally, it strikes a balance between the Polestar's screen-heavy layout and the Leaf's more conservative design. There are fewer physical controls than the latter, yet less reliance on touchscreen operation than the former.
The vehicle tested featured premium specification with abundant soft leather throughout, plus thoughtful touches including plus and minus symbols on the accelerator and brake pedals. Behind the wheel, it drifts slightly towards the blandness often associated with many electric vehicles, though it remains highly enjoyable otherwise. The compact and sturdy wheelbase, combined with the chassis, made it feel like a marginally heavier iteration of the Mk1 BMW MINI Countryman.
On the whole, it proved relatively straightforward to adapt to and manage. Taking everything into account, it is rather impressive, and it is understandable why it has garnered numerous accolades.
These vehicles are all distinctly different and targeted at different individuals with varying lifestyles. Ultimately, a person will purchase the car that best suits their circumstances at that moment. If spending my own money today, I would opt for a Kia EV2. It is practical, reasonably sized, straightforward to operate, and altogether simply an appealing and capable vehicle.
