An electric family car must first and foremost be safe and practical. But if you also want to send a nice message, you have to make a difficult decision. In Auto Review 11 we compare the updated Volkswagen ID.3 with the Cupra Born, the Kia Niro EV and the Renault Megane E-Tech. What you read online here is a summary that discusses the ease of use and driving characteristics. Would you like to read a car test every Friday? Sign up for our newsletter! What makes an electric car useful? To start with, it must be spacious. In the Kia Niro EV you and your passengers have the most space. The SUV-like shape of the Korean not only provides extra headroom, the cabin itself is also wider and the legroom is above average. The Kia’s trunk is also the largest, with space for 475 to 1392 liters in the back. For comparison: the Volkswagen ID.3 and the Cupra Born both have a luggage compartment of 385 to 1267 liters and the Renault Megane E-Tech can transport 289 to 1245 liters of stuff.
Kia Niro EV: easy operation
We also call a car with simple controls handy. Kia’s designers know how important simple controls are for a family car. In the Niro EV you’ll find a lot of physical buttons that you can just press and you’re done, you don’t have to dive into the menu on the touchscreen to get the same thing done. Quickly pressing a button and then looking back at the traffic is a safe way to drive. The Niro EV scores the most points in the field of safety, because Kia supplies the most extensive safety equipment as standard. Tip Not yet ready for the switch to electric driving? With Private Lease you can get into the iconic Fiat 500 Hybrid from just €279 per month.
Electric family car with the greatest range
In our previous article about electric family cars with a subsidy you read that the Kia Niro EV has the largest battery and scores the lowest power consumption, which means that you can cover the most kilometers on a single battery charge of electricity. We measure a realistic consumption of 372 kilometers, which you can increase to 473 kilometers with economical driving. None of its competitors come close. And if you ask us, a long range is essential for a useful family car.
Cupra Born is by far the nicest
However, we would not blindly go for the Kia Niro EV. If you are looking for an electric family car that you will use for fun on country and dike roads, then you should take an extensive test drive with the Cupra Born. It is by far the sportiest driving car of this foursome. He turns in fanatically and builds up significant lateral forces during the bend. The precise steering encourages you to change direction often and quickly. And if it all goes too fast for you, know that the Born has the most powerful brakes. Its braking distances are invariably the shortest and that increases safety. The Kia Niro EV has butter brake pads and brakes moderately. The Korean steers neatly, but is not remarkably agile. Once the tires’ grip limit is reached, it reverts to gentle understeer. The electronic safety nets are there, but the car doesn’t encourage testing them. Conclusion You can decide for yourself which electric family car is your winner, numbers 1 and 2 are so close together. If driving is your hobby, the sporty driving characteristics of the Cupra Born are undoubtedly the deciding factor. On the other hand, it uses a little more power and has a smaller range, but that won’t spoil the fun. If you are practical, then the spacious, handy and economical Kia Niro EV is your first choice. It scores well in all chapters, but it doesn’t put a smile on your face while driving. Or you must find it hilarious that you have the longest warranty, the most safety systems and the largest trunk. And you’re right, because those are ideal properties for a family car. This article is a shortened version of an extensive comparative test in Auto Review 11. You buy the magazine in the supermarket, bookstore or in our webshop.