Start Here: Why a Used Hyundai Ioniq 5 Is the Best First Pick
Used EV buying is the process of choosing and inspecting a pre-owned electric vehicle to secure strong value, reliable everyday performance, and acceptable battery health while avoiding hidden costs and common pitfalls that can reduce long-term savings and real-world usability. For most buyers looking for affordable electric cars with premium equipment, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 is the standout used EV value. As a spacious electric SUV, it combines a practical family-friendly cabin with comfort and technology that would cost much more in a new vehicle. It delivers a comfortable ride and low running costs, and owners report that it "is also relaxing to drive, especially on a long trip, due to the comfortable suspension and lack of road noise". Depreciation makes this budget electric SUV feel like a luxury product at a mainstream price point, which is why it should be your default starting choice.
Hyundai Ioniq 5: Plush Electric SUV With Real-World Range
If you want a budget electric SUV that still feels special, the Ioniq 5 should be at the top of your list. The 73kWh Premium version offers an official range of 298 miles, translating to around 240 miles of real-world motorway driving in summer and about 200 miles in winter. According to one long-term owner, a battery health test showed 99% of the original capacity remaining after three years, indicating very low degradation over that period. This vehicle is cheap to run and impressively comfortable, with a quiet cabin and suspension that keeps long journeys relaxing. On the downside, the boot is smaller than in some large estates and the interior can feel less solid than traditional big family cars. Still, for most buyers, the blend of space, range, and plush features makes it the best all-rounder among affordable electric cars.
| Spec | Hyundai Ioniq 5 73kWh Premium | Hyundai Ioniq 5 Long Range RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Official range | 298 miles | 303 miles |
| Estimated real-world motorway range (summer) | ≈240 miles | Not stated directly |
| Estimated real-world motorway range (winter) | ≈200 miles | Not stated directly |
| Combined efficiency | Not stated directly | 114 MPGe combined, 132 MPGe city, 98 MPGe highway |
VW ID.3: Golf-Sized Practicality With EV Efficiency
If you prefer a compact hatchback, the VW ID.3 delivers Golf-style practicality with full electric running and strong used EV value. It was designed to lead a new generation of electric models and offers efficient performance and smooth, quick acceleration from low speeds. VW claims the ID.3 provides interior space comparable with larger cars, and in practice it has more rear-seat room than a typical family estate, although the boot, at 385 litres, is adequate rather than huge. As a used EV buying option, it is a compelling all-rounder: roomy, pleasant to drive, and a sensible first step into the electric world. The main downside is its cabin ergonomics. A 10-inch central screen controls radio, climate, heated seats, and other functions that should be easier to adjust, and earlier models have controversial slider controls that were inconvenient until later updates. Choose the ID.3 if you value space and efficiency over interior simplicity.
Used EV Inspection: What to Check Before You Commit
To make used EV buying work in your favor, you must treat inspection as non‑negotiable. A battery state-of-health test is essential, and one expert buyer "insisted on a battery health test before taking delivery, which all buyers of used EVs should do". That check reveals how much capacity the pack has lost and whether a particular model is prone to faster degradation. You should also secure a long vehicle warranty that covers more than just the battery, because heavy-duty electrical components such as the on-board charge control unit can be costly to replace and might sit outside the battery warranty. Beyond battery health and warranty, focus your used EV inspection on real-world range expectations, charging performance, and infotainment usability, especially in models where many essential functions are buried in touchscreens. Getting these basics right is what turns used EV value from theory into everyday savings.
Buy if / Skip if
- Buy the Hyundai Ioniq 5 if you want a budget electric SUV with relaxing long-distance comfort and strong real-world range for family trips.
- Skip the Hyundai Ioniq 5 if you need a very large, solid-feeling boot and cabin similar to a big traditional estate car.
- Buy the VW ID.3 if you prefer compact-hatch practicality, generous rear-seat space, and efficient everyday driving in an affordable electric car.
- Skip the VW ID.3 if you dislike touchscreen-heavy controls and want simple physical buttons for climate and common functions.
- Buy the Hyundai Ioniq 5 if you are chasing used EV value with premium interior tech, modern safety equipment, and steep early depreciation on your side.
- Skip the Hyundai Ioniq 5 if you cannot secure a thorough battery health test and extended warranty to cover key electrical components.
- Buy the VW ID.3 if you want your first step into EV ownership to feel familiar yet modern, with Golf-like practicality and smooth electric performance.
