Electric Car – Pulpaddict

Peugeot E-5008 review

We road test the stylish Peugeot E-5008 electric seven-seater…

If you’re looking for a big SUV that’s capable of carrying seven people in reasonable comfort, there’s already a pretty good choice.

Petrol, diesel, hybrid, plug-in hybrid or pure electric – there’s something for everybody.

At the more affordable end of the list there’s the Mazda CX-80, Skoda Kodiaq, Hyundai Santa Fe, Nissan X-Trail, SEAT Tarraco and Kia EV9, for instance.

The Peugeot 5008 should also be on that shortlist. Originally launched in 2009 as a dowdy MPV, the 5008 hasn’t looked back since 2017 when it was re-invented as a family SUV.

Now the third generation, introduced in 2024, is even better, blending kerb appeal with practicality and a premium feel.

Peugeot’s hedging its bets with the 5008 because it’s available as a full hybrid, plug-in hybrid and 100% electric.

Right now I’m focusing on the EV version (badged E-5008), which comes with either a 73kWh or 97kWh battery back.

Priced from £48,650, my test car had the smaller battery (paired with a 207bhp electric motor), which in theory is capable of a range of up to 310 miles. For the record, the 97kWh can travel up to 414 miles, and soon a four-wheel drive variant will be offered (73kWh, 310 miles).

Effectively a stretched version of the E-3008, the E-5008 is one of the sharpest-looking electric seven-seaters on the market.

The well-proportioned E-5008 has serious road presence, thanks to its bold front end featuring slim LED headlamps integrated into the frameless grille. Naturally, Peugeot’s trademark light signatures are present too – ‘lion’s claw’ LED daytime running lights up front and ‘three-claw’ at the rear.

Inside, there’s the wow factor of Peugeot’s new ‘Panoramic i-Cockpit’, complete with a floating, curved 21-inch HD screen that combines the driver’s display with the central touchscreen.

I’ve had my issues with the i-Cockpit design before, because the dinky, low-set steering wheel and higher dashboard results in a slightly awkward driving position for taller drivers (ie the steering wheel is almost in your lap, otherwise it blocks the dashboard).

Thankfully, this situation is much-improved in the E-5008, though it’s still a quirk.

The main takeaway is that the infotainment screen and instrument cluster are a huge-step up from the previous model. The graphics are still not-class-leading, but it’s a big improvement and works well.

There are no physical buttons, but the touch keys are great and the ability to create shortcuts boosts usability. There’s also a handy ‘OK Peugeot’ voice assistant and integrated ChatGPT.

The E-5008 also ticks the sustainability box. Peugeot claims that more than 500kg of green materials are used in each car. For instance, recycled plastic is used in bumpers, storage bins and carpets.

The E-5008 is available in two trim levels – entry-level Allure, and range-topping GT.

All models come with a reversing camera, wireless charger, 19-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, ambient lighting, autonomous emergency braking (AEB) and lane keep assist, to name but a few goodies.

GT specs cars gain features such as adaptive headlights, two-tone paint, heated steering wheel, powered tailgate and adaptive cruise control.

Inside, the Peugeot E-5008 is light and spacious, while the overall finish and build quality is getting close to premium rivals. Visibility is good, which helps with manoeuvres, along with light steering and the reversing camera, which offers two angles – rear view or bird’s eye.

Like a lot of seven-seaters, there’s just enough space for adults in the third row, but only for short distances. Children and small people will be fine.

Access is helped by the wide-opening rear doors and the second-row seats which slide and tilt.

With five seats in play you get an impressive 916 litres of boot space. This drops to 348 litres in the seven-seater. Fold down both rear rows and you get a massive 2,232 litres of load space.

Naturally, the E-5008 feels substantial on the road, but it’s more agile than you might think, managing to stay remarkably flat in more challenging corners. However, it’s at its best as a refined cruiser.

Additionally, the suspension soaks up bumps nicely, delivering a comfortable ride, and it generally feels nicely planted. Overall, I think it handles better than the E-3008.

It’s not savagely fast like some competitors, but 0-62mph in 9.7 seconds is more than enough to hold its own, and the instant torque off the mark makes it seem quicker. Just a shame that there’s a fair amount of travel in the brake pedal before anything happens and then it’s on the grabby side.

Three drives modes (Eco, Normal and Sport) are available, but as ever, Eco dulls the driving experience, Sport is fine for short bursts, but Normal offers the best blend of performance and efficiency.

There’s paddle-mounted brake regeneration with three different settings to ‘claw’ back some of that energy otherwise lost when slowing down. However, there is no one-pedal option, liked by many EV drivers (not me).

Talking of charging, the E-5008 can do so at speeds of up to 160kW, meaning a top-up from 10 to 80% will take you around 30 minutes, though most owners will probably charge overnight at home.

We’d need to drive the E-5008 for a week or so to give a proper estimate of real-world range. Based on our test drive on mixed roads, where we achieved a creditable average efficiency of 3.8 miles per kWh, I’d say the entry-level 73kWh model is capable of as much as 240-250 miles, though colder weather and driving style will knock it down.

Verdict: Sharply styled, spacious, safe and easy to drive, the Peugeot E-5008 is a welcome addition to the growing seven-seater SUV category.

Peugeot UK

Kia EV3 review

We road test the Kia EV3 – the latest entrant in the highly competitive electric compact crossover sector…

Kia has come a long way since its UK launch in 1991. It’s now one of the biggest-selling brands in the UK – and it’s been making electric cars for 10 years.

The latest is the EV3, which joins the Niro EV, EV6, and EV9. Put simply, it’s an all-electric compact SUV boasting bold styling.

I’ve clocked up some decent miles in the EV3 already, and there’s no doubt that it’s another winner from the South Korean brand.

Available with two battery options – 58.3kWh and 81.4kWh – it delivers claimed ranges of 270 and 375 miles respectively.

Priced from £32,995, the EV3’s is up against some fierce opposition in this hotly-contested sector – the Jeep Avenger, Volvo EX30, Cupra Born, Skoda Elroq, Mini Aceman, Volkswagen ID.3 and Smart #1, to name but a few.

The EV3 is well equipped. Even the standard Air trim gets the full infotainment setup, heated seats, a heated steering wheel, reversing camera and rear parking sensors.

Upgrade to GT-Line trim (which also brings the bigger battery), and there’s wireless smartphone charging, ambient lighting and tinted rear windows.

The range-topping GT-Line S gets a Harmon Kardon stereo upgrade, a head-up display, 360-degree parking view, heated rear seats and a sunroof.

Looking not unlike a pint-sized EV9, the EV3’s blocky, yet futuristic styling makes it stand out from the crowd.

The wheels are pushed out to each corner, the roofline is long and slopes gently towards the rear, where there’s a wraparound tailgate spoiler.

At the front, the EV3’s headlights are arranged vertically and pushed out to the corners, giving a clean front end.

The rear lights are also slim and upright, while the wheel arches are sharply cut. All these features help to give the car an assertive stance.

Inside, the EV3 is thankfully not as minimalist as some rivals. The dashboard is dominated by a 12.3-inch driver’s display screen, a 12.3-inch central infotainment touchscreen and a 5.3-inch climate control screen.

Like all Kia cars, the whole set-up is intuitive and it’s good to see a few physical controls have survived.

There’s rightly a focus on sustainably sourced and recycled materials and build quality is impressive, though it’s some way off a premium cabin experience.

Space is one area that’s hard to fault. There’s ample room for adults front and back, while the boot is a cavernous 460 litres, expanding to 1,250 litres with the rear seats down.

There are plenty of storage spaces inside the car too, and there’s a small ‘frunk’ under the bonnet – perfect for storing the charging cable.

The EV3 is comfortable and most drivers will approve of the elevated driving position. Personally, I prefer to sit lower in a car where I feel more involved.

I tested the entry-level and flagship versions of the EV3, with 58.3kWh and 81.4kWh batteries respectively, on a mix of roads in the UK and France.

For the record, all models get a 201bhp electric motor, delivering a brisk 0-62mph time of 7.5 seconds (Air) and 7.9 seconds (GT-Line and GT-Line S).

Charging speeds are pretty good at 128kW, but not ultra-fast like more expensive Kia EVs. Still, that’s still good for a 10 to 80% recharge in around 30 minutes.

The EV3 drives well with a combination of light steering, good visibility and decent body control, with just a little lean in more challenging corners.

For the most part, it rides well too, though we found the entry-level ‘Air’ (with the smaller battery and 17-inch rims) was slightly more compliant.

And with progressive brakes (not a given with EVs) and a slick regenetive braking system adjusted by paddles on the steering wheel, the EV3 is hard to fault.

Eco, Normal and Sport drive modes are available too, though as ever, Normal offers the best blend of efficiency and performance.

Refinement is also good, with limited road and wind noise, and no electric motor whine.

Crucially, we’d estimate the EV3 has a real-world range of 210-220 miles for the standard range battery, and around 300 miles for the long-ranger.

Finally, as with all Kia cars, the EV3 comes with a generous seven-year/100,000-mile warranty, in addition to an eight-year battery warranty.

Verdict: Kia has done it again with the EV3 – another superbly executed electric vehicle to add to an already impressive line-up. Distinctive, spacious, safe, competitively-priced and easy to drive, the Kia EV3 is one of the best all-round, family-friendly EVs on the market.

Kia UK

Oh la la! Celebrating 10 years of electric motoring with Kia

We mark the zero emissions milestone by driving two EVs from the big-selling Kia stable to the Christmas market in Lille – and back…

The automotive world has changed massively since 2014. Since then, Kia has been leading the charge to a more planet-friendly future.

It’s amazing to think that Kia’s first step into the electric car market was just 10 years ago with the first-generation Soul EV.

With a battery of just 27kWh and a claimed range of 132 miles, the Soul EV was a solid, if quirky, debut electric car.

A decade later, and the brand is now one of the big players in the zero emissions market, currently offering four models – the Niro EV, EV3, EV6 and EV9.

And that’s just the start of the journey. By 2027 Kia is planning to offer nine EVs.

To mark the occasion, I joined a team of other motoring journalists and members of the Kia UK PR team on a celebratory trip to Lille – in the heart of French Flanders. A chance to sample two acclaimed Kia electric vehicles for extended periods – the EV3 and EV6 – and to experience driving and charging in France.

Our adventure started at Biggin Hill in Kent for an early morning rendezvous, followed by a 60-mile drive down to Folkestone to catch the Le Shuttle.

Our wheels for the first leg of the journey were the recently facelifted Kia EV6, which was crowned European Car of the Year in 2022.

When it was launched in 2021, it was Kia first’s electric-only vehicle with a 300-mile plus range. The futuristic fastback is now a common sight on our roads, and early in 2024 it was treated to a mini makeover.

The latest version can travel further and charge faster, thanks to a new battery pack. Styling tweaks and technology updates complete the refresh.

The new battery (up from 77.4kWh to 84.0kWh) increased the EV6’s maximum WLTP range from 328 to 361 miles.

Outside, it gets a more dynamic front end. Inside, it still comes with dual 12.3-inch displays, but the updated model gets Kia’s latest software and graphics, plus Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity is now wireless.

The centre console also features a fingerprint authentication system, which allows users to start the car without a smart key or digital key. Elsewhere, there’s a slightly squared-off steering wheel and the cockpit as a whole has a classier look and feel. It also now boasts the latest safety and drive assist features.

Our EV6 (an all-wheel-drive GT-Line S) was in its element cruising down the 60 miles to the Eurotunnel and then meandering up to Lille from Calais. The scenic 77-mile route made little impact on the range and we arrived with more than 50% charge left.

Powerful, comfortable, whisper-quiet and as smooth as ever, the EV6’s 480-litre boot swallowed up our luggage. Had we have been carrying passengers, two adults would have been perfectly content in the back.

The weather was cold and damp in Lille, but will didn’t let it dampen our spirits – and we had plenty of time to investigate.

The centre of Lille is fairly compact and packed with independent shops, big brands, restaurants, bars and cafes, so there no shortage of things to do.

And, of course, at this time of the year it’s worth strolling over to the Christmas Market (also known as the Village de Noël de Lille) at Place Rihour, where you’ll find gift ideas, Christmas decorations, plus festive food and drink.

Around the corner in the Grand Place, you can go for a ride on the giant Ferris wheel before checking out the Christmas grotto.

We were back on the road the following morning – this time in the recently launched Kia EV3.

Looking not unlike a pint-sized EV9, the EV3 is a distinctive and impressive 100% electric compact SUV, which is sure to be top of many wish-lists in 2025.

Spacious, easy to drive and rammed with the latest tech, it comes with two battery options – 58.3kWh and 81.4kWh – delivering claimed ranges of 270 and 375 miles respectively.

Our Long Range was an effortless joy to drive back from Lille. Our route down included a stop-off at a hypermarket at Hazebrouck for Christmas treats, plus a quick charge at an Ionity station just off the A25 near Steenvoorde.

For the record, a 10-80% charge takes 31 minutes (at 150kWh). We only needed to get back up to 60% for our drive back to Biggin Hill, so 15 minutes was enough.

Interestingly, the cost of electricity per kilowatt-hour (kWh) at Ionity was €0.59 (less than 50p), compared to 74p in the UK.

Kia Ionity charging — *(L to R: Kia EV6, EV3, EV9)*

The EV3’s big 460-litre boot, complete with adjustable floor (the area below is ideal for crushable items such as bread and pastries), easily managed our cabin luggage-sized cases, plus boxes and bags full of festive booze and gifts.

Less than a week after my brief first drive in the EV3, it was a great opportunity to spend some quality time behind the wheel, and it didn’t disappoint.

We arrived back at Biggin Hill with more than 30% charge left, and if nothing else, it reinforced my belief that the EV3 is going to be the go-to electric vehicle for many families.

The entry-level Standard Range is competitively priced from £32,995, while longer range versions start at £35,995. The revised EV6 range starts at £45,575, and it’s better than.

Whether you choose an EV3 or EV6 – or a Niro EV or EV9 for that matter – you won’t be disappointed. And remember, all Kia cars come with a generous seven-year warranty, so there’s peace of mind too.

Joyeux Noël

MG4 EV XPower review

We get to grips with the affordable EV hot hatch that is the MG4 XPower…

Full disclosure. I’m a big fan of the standard MG4 EV family hatchback. Not only is it a great value electric car (the range starts at just £26,995), but it’s well packaged, sharply styled and delivers a surprisingly engaging drive.

Add MG Motor UK’s generous seven-year warranty, and it’s a no-brainer if you’re ready to switch to 100% electric motoring.

The XPower is a sporty version of the MG4 – the second biggest-selling EV of 2023.

Unlike hot versions of standard cars from most other manufacturers, MG has decided to play it subtle with the XPower, so there’s no garish body kit.

It does get larger wheels, Bridgestone Turanza tyres, bigger brake discs, orange brake calipers, a contrasting black roof, and a new Racing Green colour option.

Inside, there’s red stitching, Alcantara trim on the seats and metal pedals. Otherwise, it seems much the same, with a 10.25-inch touchscreen (thankfully including physical short-cut buttons below), plus an additional 7.0-inch digital driver’s display.

Build quality in the cabin is fine, though there are a few too many scratchy plastic surfaces, while the infotainment system is on the basic side.

Of course, the big difference between the basic MG4 EV and the XPower is hidden from view. Whereas the regular car has a single rear motor with three battery options and power outputs of up to 243bhp, the XPower gets one battery choice, but gains a second 201bhp motor at the front, making it all-wheel drive.

With the rear motor at 228bhp, that equates to a remarkable 429bhp with 443lb of torque, delivering a blistering 0-62mph acceleration time of just 3.8 seconds – all for a still-competitive price of £36,495.

Crucially, MG’s engineers have also upgraded the XPower so that all that oomph (it’s the most potent MG ever made) can be distributed more effectively.

The new Dynamic Cornering Control System features a locking electronic differential and Intelligent Motor Control to allow torque vectoring between all four wheels.

There’s also revised spring and damper tuning, stiffer anti-roll bars and sharper steering, with MG claiming overall suspension stiffness has been increased by up to 25%.

The car’s 64kWh battery is good for a relatively modest official 239 miles on a single charge. However, the reality is likely to be well shy of 200 miles, especially if it’s cold outside and you’re heavy with your right foot.

The good news is that it has a maximum DC rapid charging rate of 150kW, which should deliver a 10% to 80% charge in 35 minutes via a 150kW public rapid charger, while a 10 -100% charge takes 8.5 hours using a 7kW home wall box.

On the road, the impressive instant torque is immediately obvious, especially in Sport mode with launch control activated.

It’s gut-wrenchingly fast in a straight line, but this novelty wears off a little when you watch your miles/kwh indicator sink to closer to 2 than 3. Oh, and a special button on the steering wheel to activate launch control would be welcome, rather than having to delve into the touchscreen.

Despite lugging around an extra electric motor, at 1,800kg, it’s still relatively light for an EV, which makes it feel agile.

One of the joys of the regular rear-wheel drive MG4 EV is it’s handling, which is more dynamic than most electric cars – especially in the affordable price range.

The XPower is much the same, but given the power on tap, it could do with a bit more fettling for it to be considered a true, all-round hot hatch. It still manages to stay flat in challenging corners, but a little more composure wouldn’t go amiss.

The ride feels slightly firmer than an MG4 EV, but it’s still decent, and there’s ample grip and stopping power on offer.

Like the regular MG4 EV, the XPower is wider than you think with a long wheelbase, so there’s plenty of space for passengers, front and rear. And, despite the sporty roofline, there’s good head and legroom in the back.

There’s also a healthy luggage capacity of 363 litres, rising to 1,165 litres with the rear seats folded down.

Given the performance boost, our only suggestion would be the addition of more figure-hugging sports seats up front.

Ultimately, the MG4 EV XPower is an impressive package, and as long as you can live with the range hit (the cheaper MG4 EV Trophy Extended Range can go 323 miles), its supercar-like acceleration and dynamic ride will never fail to put a smile on your face.

Verdict: The MG4 EV XPower is an all-electric five-door family hatch with a dark side. Should you choose to unleash the 429bhp on tap, it’s capable of competing with performance models two or three times the price. Sharply-styled, safe, great value for money and practical, it also offers peace of mind, courtesy of a seven-year warranty.

MG Motor UK

Remember your ‘other battery’, EV drivers advised

Gareth Herincx

5 mins ago
Auto News

Many electric car drivers are unaware that their EV has a crucial 12-volt battery that is essential to the running of their vehicle, leading breakdown provider Start Rescue has revealed.

A faulty or flat 12-volt battery is the main reason for an EV breakdown, rather than unfounded worries about the main battery’s range.

Start Rescue’s research shows 23.7% of EV call-outs are due to the car not starting with the key, which is less than the 29.7% figure for petrol and diesel cars for the same issue.

“EVs are very reliable but, like all cars, it has a 12-volt battery that needs to be looked after,” says Lee Puffett, Managing Director of Start Rescue.

“Overall, EVs are less likely to require a breakdown call-out than ICE (internal combustion engine) vehicles, but EVs need to be driven to avoid the 12-volt battery going flat over time.”

Alongside the large high voltage battery that powers an EV’s motor, the 12-volt system is vital for door locks, ignition, air conditioning, safety equipment, and running crucial controls for the electric drivetrain.

The 12-volt battery in an EV is simple to maintain and Start Rescue advises drivers to use their EV regularly as the best way to look after both of its batteries – especially the 12-volt battery for all of the important systems that make it work.

“Charging up the car regularly will top up the 12-volt battery as it charges differently to an ICE car,” adds Lee.

“Pre-conditioning the car’s cabin temperature while it’s on charge is a big help, and you can also use a ‘trickle’ charger if you know the car will be parked up for longer periods, such as when you go on holiday.”

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