Now if the BYD Seal was included in this list, it would have been a very different outcome…
BHPian Ripcord09 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.
Mercedes-Benz EQA
Volvo XC40 Recharge
What you’ll like:
- A sharply styled SUV. Volvoâs new designs sure are head-turners!
- Solid build & top-notch quality, inside out
- Quick performance will keep most owners happy. Well configurated one-pedal driving feature makes it very easy to drive in the city
- Real-world range should be ~350 km, which is enough for most users
- Excellent high-speed stability coupled with sorted handling. Mature ride quality at speed too
- Zero emissions, cheap running costs & green image will appeal to a lot of people
- Features such as panoramic sunroof, electric front seats with extendable seat bases, one-pedal driving, button-less starting procedure, air purifier etc.
- 5-star NCAP rating. Loaded with safety equipment such as 7 airbags, collision mitigation support (front & rear), lane keeping aid, blind spot information system, cross-traffic alert & more
What you won’t:
- Rear seat comfort levels are mediocre. Raised floor & upright seatback. Itâs best for just 2 & ingress / egress are tricky too
- The much quicker and better equipped dual motor version costs just ~Rs. 3 lakhs more
- Firm low speed ride. Liveable, but not plush in the city. You will feel the bad roads
- No drive modes and no adjustable regeneration means you cannot customise your drive experience
- Spare tyre is placed above the boot floor and eats into luggage space
- Missing features such as ventilated seats, head-up display, wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, full-size spare tyre (has a space saver tyre), Vehicle to Load etc.
- Small dealership and service network isn’t a patch on its German competitors
BMW iX1
Mini Countryman Electric
Hyundai Ioniq 5
Kia EV6
Volvo C40 Recharge
What you’ll like:
- Sharply styled crossover. Volvoâs designs sure are head-turners!
- Solid build & top-notch quality, inside out
- Powerful drivetrain with 402 BHP, 660 Nm and AWD gives it sportscar-like performance
- Zero emissions, cheap running costs & green image will appeal to a lot of people
- Real world range should be ~400 km, which is enough for most users
- Excellent high-speed stability coupled with sorted handling. Mature ride quality at speed too
- Loaded with features such as panoramic pixel technology headlamps, electric front seats with extendable seat bases, one-pedal driving, button-less starting procedure, air purifier, 13-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, etc.
- 5-star NCAP rating, top-notch safety kit & level 3 ADAS to keep you safe
What you won’t:
- Rear seat comfort levels are mediocre. Raised floor & upright seatback. Itâs best for just 2 & ingress / egress are tricky too, due to the sloping roofline
- Coupe-like rear styling can be polarising. Will divide opinions
- Poor rearward visibility due to the acutely-angled rear windscreen & C-pillar design
- Spare tyre is placed above the boot floor and eats into luggage space
- Missing features such as ventilated seats, head-up display, adjustable regenerative braking, wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, rear wiper, full-size spare tyre (has a space saver tyre) etc.
- Firm low speed ride. Liveable, but not plush in the city. You feel bad roads in the city
- Small dealership and service network isn’t a patch on its German competitors
Mercedes-Benz EQB
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What you’ll like:
- Fantastic CBU build quality, with GLS-inspired styling. Fits the ‘Baby GLS’ moniker
- Top-notch performance with dual electric motors and 4MATIC AWD. Regen mode can enable single-pedal driving
- 423 km WLTP range is sufficient for urban commutes and medium-distance highway drives
- Impressive ride & handling for a 2+ tonne SUV. Great real-world ground clearance adds practicality
- Zero tailpipe emissions & green image will appeal to the environmentally-conscious
- Tastefully appointed cabin. Loaded to the gills with features, safety kit & technology
- Road tax exemptions in many states likely to make it a compelling proposition in its segment
What you won’t:
- Range not quite enough for long-distance touring. Range anxiety will be a factor on road-trips
- Third row has awkward accessibility and limited space. Not a true 7-seater
- DC fast charging unlikely to be widely available in near future. 11 kW AC charging takes overnight for a full charge
- Missing features like a spare tyre (!!!), ventilated seats which cheaper cars get, etc.
- Boot space with all rows up is a measly 110 liters. A better 465 liters with 3rd row down, but the optional spare tyre will chew away useable space
Here’s what BHPian CentreOfGravity had to say on the matter:
Who’d have thought that I’d pick a Korean car over one of the elite luxury brands? It was love at first sight, the Ioniq 5. Its design pierced my heart the moment I saw it and I have been smitten ever since. Too bad the higher spec configuration with 320 bhp that’s available in the Kia EV6 didn’t make its way into the arguably cooler looking car, but I’d buy it even in its current spec, just for its looks. As far as I’m concerned, the white interiors only help its case. And those 20-inch wheels of the Indian version? As impractical as they are, they are a piece of art. *Chef’s kiss*. By the way, I wouldn’t mind if a BHPian offers me a ride in his Ioniq. Just saying .
Just look at her!
Just imagining an Ioniq 5 with an engine brings a naughty grin to my face. I’d name it the… Iceniq 5. *Runs for my life before someone picks up their chappal*.
Here’s what BHPian JunkyardHunter had to say on the matter:
It HAS to be the Ioniq 5 for me. Here’s my thought process –
- EQA, EQB – No. Just NO.
- XC40 – Good looking, but Volvo’s presence in India is tiny.
- iX1 – Specs are alright, but I dislike the design a lot.
- Countryman Electric – As a previous owner of a Countryman, all I have to say is that I pray they improved the rear seat experience, because dear lord,it was BAD. Then again, most likely me nitpicking and being biased.
- EV6 – Happy to see that the fantastic interior is one of the few places where I don’t have to look at that droopy exterior. To quote Jezza, “it looks like it knows it’s ugly and is sad about it.”
- C40 Recharge – Read my above point, and then omit the part about the looks. That is the best way I can describe it.
Which finally leads me to the Ioniq. Sharp looks, nice enough performance, lovely interior, competitive price, Hyundai has a great presence in India the list goes on. I dearly, dearly hope that the full blown N version comes to India (of course it won’t, but nothing wrong with dreaming).
Now if the Seal was included in this list, it would have been a very different outcome for me…
Read BHPian comments for more insights and information.
