Advice Needed Please

[LenEV2016]

Where is @LenEV2016 when I need him??!

You rang

Probably sitting in his truck, bored and waiting to do something ....

T1 Terry

I don't have a truck

Ok... been doing a lot of research.

Current plan is either a Renault Megane eTech or Cupra Born. I won't be able to get the facelifted version of either, so it will be most likely a 2023 model, mid-spec.

Which is best?

Driven both on long journeys. Are you looking at a V2 and techno

2023 brought out the techno + heat pump as standard

 

[tsedge]

You rang

Yay!

Driven both on long journeys. Are you looking at a V2 and techno

2023 brought out the techno + heat pump as standard

Yes, Techno for Megane, V2 for Born, heated seats are a must.

 

[LenEV2016]

V2 born can come with extras, worth looking (heat pump, pan roof, keyless entry)
V2 has heated seats and steering wheel and hud.

Megane has heated seats and wheel.

Pros
Mégane great software good OTA updates and a stable app, decent stereo, paddles for regen, lots of physical buttons. Button for drive mode is good also. Nice up market cabin, big boot, 22 KW AC charging comes in handy in Scotland (lots of 22kw chargers around)

Cons
Fwd but not a massive issue can spin in wet with a spirited dab on go peddle, 20 inch wheels if road surface is really poor you can feel it a bit.
Less leg room in back than Born.
Boot is big but deep with big load lip.
Service every year
Winter can impact range, has a very thin pack so lots of surface to get cold.

Born

Handles really well rwd, nice cabin, more space in back, good kit on V2, 19 inch alloys. Decent software and ota's, wireless car play never dropped out.
Service every 2 years, cheaper tyres.
Build quality feels really solid
Last 11000 miles I've averaged 4.1
Cons

Pay for the app after 3 years, I think they extended it to 5 with newer cars, £57 if you don't you lose some functionality on the app and live updates on maps (congestion/accidents and whether chargers a free or being used)
Can't adjust regen it's on or not, although you can put adaptive cruise on with no speed limit and it reads the road to an extent.

More will come back to me just ask away

 

[tsedge]

That's really useful, thank you so much.

I'm tilting towards the Born, because I do so much like RWD.

The limited regen options on the Born - do you find it a problem or do you just adjust?

The haptic buttons: are they as much a pain as reported or just another quickly-get-used-to-it thing?

 

[salty]

That's really useful, thank you so much.

I'm tilting towards the Born, because I do so much like RWD.

The limited regen options on the Born - do you find it a problem or do you just adjust?

The haptic buttons: are they as much a pain as reported or just another quickly-get-used-to-it thing?

Seems like you've made ya mind up
"Born to be Wild". That's you innit.

 

[tsedge]

Seems like you've made ya mind up
"Born to be Wild". That's you innit.

Don't be so sure... it takes me a long time to consider and I am in no rush at all at the moment, used prices are still gently dropping each month.

The new Born and Megane facelifts may well bring a pile of used cars onto the market.

 

[LenEV2016]

That's really useful, thank you so much.

I'm tilting towards the Born, because I do so much like RWD.

The limited regen options on the Born - do you find it a problem or do you just adjust?

The haptic buttons: are they as much a pain as reported or just another quickly-get-used-to-it thing?

I don't find the haptic buttons on the steering wheel any problem at all, I never use the haptics below the main screen, they are just heating and volume buttons.
I use the volume on the steering wheel and the heating is just a tap on the temp which opens up the heating settings and it's just an up or down tap

 

[LenEV2016]

I very rarely stick it in B mode (regen on) and just leave it in D mode.
That adaptive mode works really well, just set the distance you want to the car in front and it slows down for cars and junctions

 

[T1 Terry]

You rang


I don't have a truck


Driven both on long journeys. Are you looking at a V2 and techno

2023 brought out the techno + heat pump as standard

Well, there's the problem, you need a truck so you sit in it when you are bored ....

T1 Terry

 

[LenEV2016]

Well, there's the problem, you need a truck so you sit in it when you are bored ....

T1 Terry

I have a man cave in my garden where I go to hide/when I'm bored

 

[Everest]

My 2p worth (from VW ID's, but obv. same as Born)...

The limited regen options on the Born - do you find it a problem or do you just adjust?

Like Len, I find the D mode just perfect for all my driving - it just coasts nicely when you lift off, so you don't have to hover your foot at a specific position all the time. Combined with the default 'eco-assist', it will gently slow down (regen) when approaching lower speed limits, bends or junctions if you don't touch the accelerator or brake to override it. Similarly, it will slow down to the vehicle in front (distance adjustable from steering wheel buttons), coming to a stop if needed. Seems to work uncannily natural, smooth and flawless.

The haptic buttons: are they as much a pain as reported or just another quickly-get-used-to-it thing?

No issue at all, apart from would like them backlit at night. One tap on right hand side (of either right-side or left-side) buttons increases temp 0.5C, and down 0.5C on left - so separate temps for driver and passenger. Press both up and down together and it will cycle through seat heating 0->3->2->1->0 levels.

 

[LenEV2016]

I would have another Born, is probably the best compliment I can give it.
And I probably will if there isn't enough space in the Raval.
Wife fancies a Raval also

 

[salty]

I would have another Born, is probably the best compliment I can give it.
And I probably will if there isn't enough space in the Raval.
Wife fancies a Raval also

His and Hers Cupras. Born for you. Raval for the Mrs.

 

[LenEV2016]

His and Hers Cupras. Born for you. Raval for the Mrs.

Guy at work has a Renault 5 and loves it, went for a spin and it's a fun car.
I took the alpine version for a spin and it was great fun but has a fair bit more going on in the cabin.

The point is I enjoyed the fun of a fair bit lighter car, the 6 secs 0-60 felt enough coupled to the handling and how much lighter it felt, hence my interest in the Raval it is supposed to handle brilliantly and have a great feeling to the brakes.
I am just waiting to see the space in the back and boot.

 

[salty]

Agree, a 6 sec 0-60 is actually plenty.
Particularly in a small, EV with instant Torque. And as you say, sporty small cars can be a lot of fun.

 

[securespark]

I would fancy the Scenic over the Megane, but that's just me. Probably.

Doesn't the Niro have a much smaller battery than the Kona?

Is the new Blade battery appearing in UK BYD cars yet? Blade 2 I think.

 

[Gomev]

...

Doesn't the Niro have a much smaller battery than the Kona?

...

No, essentially the same 64kWh old 65kWh new. There are of course large and small battery versions.