I test drove seven electric cars in a day – this one stole the show

Electric cars are increasingly gaining popularity as the UK strives to be more environmentally friendly and petrol prices remain stubbornly high.

However, entering the market for your first electric vehicle can be intimidating with a plethora of questions that need answering. What is the ideal budget? What should be the expected range on a single charge?

Like many others, I am intrigued by the new wave of electric vehicles and recently had the opportunity to test drive seven in one day at the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Trader’s (SMMT) annual test day at Millbrook Proving Ground in Bedford. In essence, it’s an opportunity for journalists to familiarise themselves with a variety of cars currently available in the UK.

I was able to take the wheel of the Hyundai Inster, Mini Aceman, MG S5, Ford Explorer, Leapmotor T03, BYD Sealion, and Ford Mach E Rallye, reports the Daily Mirror.

Prior to this, my experience with electric cars had been limited to two versions of the superb Porsche Taycan, the Mercedes EQA SUV, and its larger sibling, the EQC.

Consequently, the test day provided a valuable opportunity to gain further insights and experience. With the number of electric cars in the UK on the rise, it seems prudent to actually drive a few.

Hyundai Inster (from £23,000)

Topping the list of electric cars I drove that day was the second least expensive of the group, the Hyundai Inster.

The Hyundai Inster, a compact city car with a starting price just over £23,000, can be likened to Hyundai’s electric version of Fiat’s 500 relaunch in the 2000s. It’s a small vehicle designed for urban environments, boasting eye-catching aesthetics and a quirky interior; it’s not built for speed records, but rather for trips to the shops and perhaps the occasional long journey.

On Millbrook’s alpine handling course, with its increasingly tight turns and cambered sweeps, it certainly ticked the fun box. The battery capacity starts at 42kWh but can be upgraded to 49kWh if you opt for a pricier model.

Its main rivals are vehicles like the Dacia Spring and Citroen e-C3, which I confess I haven’t tested yet.

I was enamoured with the boldness of the Inster’s interior, with its blend of tactile surfaces and buttons, as well as the various storage options available. It continually reminded me of Fiat’s early-2000s relaunch of the Fiat 500.

While that car split opinions, it sold in droves due to its handling, customisation options, and playful appearance. I believe Hyundai may have achieved a similar feat.

Christopher’s rating: 8/10

However, it wasn’t the only captivating electric car on display.

Leapmotor T03 (from £15,000)

The Leapmotor T03, currently the most affordable electric vehicle in the UK with prices starting just over £15,000, is a common sight on our roads. Despite its small size and nimble nature, describing its performance as anything more than ‘briefly brisk’ would be overly generous.

While it’s not designed to compete with the likes of the Taycan or BMW i4, it aims to provide an accessible entry into the world of electric vehicles. However, one can’t help but feel that the money might be better spent on a nearly-new petrol or hybrid car that offers more space.

Christopher’s rating: 6/10

Ford Explorer SUV (from £39,195)

Moving onto larger vehicles, the Ford Explorer SUV, priced from £39,195, is Ford’s electrified family offering. While it provides ample space and comfort, it lacks sufficient seat support for tight manoeuvring.

Nonetheless, it boasts a solid platform that remains flat and level during manoeuvres, even when encountering potholes or requiring sudden stops.

From a technological standpoint, the battery size varies from 52kWh to 79kWh, with the former available in rear-wheel drive and the latter in four-wheel drive. On the road, the elevated driving position greatly enhances visibility.

Christopher’s rating: 7/10

MG S5 (starting at £28,495)

The MG S5, a vibrant red contender from the Anglo-Chinese company, could potentially rival the Ford Explorer. Following the successful launch of its other SUV models, the MG ZS and HS, the stability and firmness of the S5 EV came as a pleasant surprise.

Unlike other electric vehicles, it offers genuine steering feel, giving you a clear sense of what all four wheels are doing. I returned slightly charmed, realising that choosing between this and the Ford would be a tough decision.

Christopher’s rating: 7/10

BYD Sealion (starting at £44,935)

Similar to the MG, the BYD Sealion is Chinese-made and was the first electric car I ever drove. Unlike the others, it stands as a genuine competitor to the Porsche Taycan and ranks among the highest performance electric saloons money can buy.

Inside, it features two large touch screens and a few steering wheel buttons to ease your transition into the experience. On the road, the power was clearly evident.

It’s certainly a vehicle that would win the traffic light grand prix if given a chance and took to turns with a high degree of alacrity even if the steering was a little vague for my liking, but that’s just a personal preference.

Christopher’s rating: 7.5/10

Mini Aceman (from £28,195)

The final two electric cars to name were both from established brands, but very different in what they were trying to achieve. The Mini Aceman is another family SUV, a sort-of electric version of the Mini Countryman that we’ve become familiar with.

It’s got short overhangs front and rear that should help with parking and comes with MINI’s new interior styling that includes a new chunky steering wheel from BMW (who own MINI).

However, unlike the BMW 1 Series, this thick device felt at home in this family vehicle. All controls are directed through a touchscreen only central circular binnacle.

Through it you can choose moods and tune to the car’s radio etc. There’s also a head of up display if you don’t want to constantly move your head to the left to see how fast you’re going.

Despite the eccentricities there were two major surprises.

The first was how well it handled and how much confidence one felt when the road got twisty, it cornered flat, but communicated you enough to let you know how much grip you had and where.

The second was rather more surprising, it played piano music whenever you hit the accelerator. I’m not joking, when you pressed your right foot down, music emanated from the speakers, rising to a crescendo if accelerating from a slow speed.

I’ve never had this in a car, and although it would be charming, I can’t help but feel you’d be begging to find the way to turn it off after a few weeks. All in all, a good effort if you can find the silencer.

Christopher’s rating: 7/10