Report Summary
As of November 2024, electric private cars account for approximately 17% of the total private car population in Hong Kong. Furthermore, the proportion of electric private cars among newly registered private cars in Hong Kong has increased from just over 20% in 2021 to about 70%.
Test Scope: Ease of use, comfort level, powertrain, driving performance, safety, and environmental performance.
Important Note: Specifications of versions sold in Hong Kong may differ from the samples tested in Europe. Consumers should inquire about vehicle specifications, pricing, and other details from agents before purchase and should test drive the vehicle personally.
Electric Vehicle Range Comparison
The estimated range for the 19 EV samples, extrapolated from the average power consumption measured in the tests, ranged from approximately 252 km to 570 km.
Note: Samples with higher claimed battery capacities do not necessarily have a longer range. For example, sample #8, despite having a higher claimed battery capacity than sample #6, had a shorter extrapolated range because the range of an electric vehicle is also affected by its power consumption.
EV Fast Charging Time
Below are the times required for the 19 EV samples to charge from 10% to 80% using a fast charger:
| Rank | Brand | Model | Charging Time (minutes) | Charging Power (kW) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Porsche | Taycan Performance Battery Plus | 17 | 296 |
| 2 | Hyundai | IONIQ 6 | 19 | 236 |
| 3 | FIAT | 500e | 23 | 85 |
| 4 | MG | MG4 Electric | 26 | 141 |
| 5 | Polestar | 2 Long Range Single Motor | 28 | 207 |
| 6 | BMW | iX1 xDrive30 | 28 | 130 |
| 7 | Volvo | EX30 Single Motor Extended Range | 29 | 157 |
Detailed Reviews of All Vehicles
Loads 3 vehicles at a time
1. FIAT 500e
Advantages: Compact body, responsive powertrain. The control interface of the touchscreen display is well-designed and user-friendly. Excellent energy efficiency.
Disadvantages: Legroom in the rear seats is limited. If the driver or front passenger is 1.85m tall, the rear seat behind them can only accommodate a passenger up to about 1.6m tall. In simulated pedestrian impact tests, some areas on the bonnet provided weaker protection for pedestrians, potentially increasing injury severity in a collision.
2. BMW iX1 xDrive30
Advantages: Excellent build quality for both body and interior. Spacious front seats, easy entry and exit for both front and rear seats. Large windows provide good visibility for the driver, and the rear camera has a lens cleaning spray function. Excellent driving stability, the driver remains in control even at high speeds.
Disadvantages: The boot has only one dim light. The suspension performance is average, with noticeable vibrations at low speeds on uneven roads.
3. smart #1
Advantages: Excellent build quality, spacious and comfortable cabin, enhanced by the sunroof. Function buttons below the touchscreen allow quick access to commonly used settings.
Disadvantages: Driving stability is slightly lacking. During high-speed cornering tests, although it did not skid out of control, the rear showed slight overseer tendencies.
4. Volvo EX30 Single Motor Extended Range
Advantages: Excellent powertrain performance, accelerating from 60 km/h to 100 km/h in just 2.7 seconds. Generally good build quality for body and interior equipment.
Disadvantages: The rear doors are relatively small, making entry slightly inconvenient. The high seating position makes it easy for the driver to see small obstacles in front, but the thick pillars beside the rear window limit the driver’s rearward view via the window or mirrors. Many controls are operated via the central touchscreen, but the overall layout is not very user-friendly.
5. BYD ATTO 3
Advantages: Generally good build quality. High-quality touchscreen display that can be electrically rotated 90° for portrait or landscape orientation, offering flexibility.
Disadvantages: Flat seat design provides weak lateral support for driver and passengers during high-speed cornering, affecting comfort. Average driving stability, with significant body roll during high-speed cornering. Regarding safety, performance in simulated pedestrian impact tests was poor; the pillars on either side of the windshield are relatively stiff, potentially increasing injury severity for pedestrians.
6. MG MG4 Electric
Advantages: Responsive braking system, with a stopping distance from 100 km/h of only 33.9 m, shorter than most samples. Front seats provide comfortable support.
Disadvantages: Many settings are controlled via the touchscreen, but the operating system occasionally responds slowly to touch inputs. The climate control system’s temperature stability is slightly lacking, resulting in unstable cabin temperature.
7. ORA Funky Cat (Now Renamed 03 Long Range)
Advantages: Wide doors make entry and exit easy for both front and rear seats. The sunroof adds to comfort.
Disadvantages: Some buttons on the dashboard are blocked by the steering wheel, making adjustments slightly inconvenient. The touchscreen interface has small fonts, reducing usability. Responsive handling but average stability, with noticeable body sway during high-speed cornering. Although it’s an EV with no engine noise, cabin noise insulation is average, resulting in a less quiet interior compared to most samples.
8. Honda e:Ny1 (Hong Kong version named e:N1)
Advantages: Responsive handling and good stability. The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) intervenes promptly during sudden steering at high speeds to help the driver maintain control.
Disadvantages: Average suspension performance, with noticeable vibrations at low speeds on uneven roads. Build quality and material usage for body panel gaps and interior equipment are average; for example, many interior surfaces are not padded. Also, some controls via the central touchscreen have a user-unfriendly interface.
9. MG ZS EV Maximum Range
Advantages: Good driving stability. Generally good build quality for body panel gaps and interior equipment. The sunroof adds comfort. Easy entry and exit.
Disadvantages: Steering response is slightly lacking in sharpness. The touchscreen operating system occasionally responds slowly to touch inputs. The climate control system’s temperature stability is slightly lacking, resulting in unstable cabin temperature.
10. Hyundai IONIQ 6
Advantages: Excellent powertrain performance, accelerating from 60 km/h to 100 km/h in just 2.8 seconds, and good driving stability. The driver remains in control even at high speeds, likely due to its longer wheelbase.
Disadvantages: Regarding safety, performance in simulated pedestrian impact tests was poor. The pillars on either side of the windshield are relatively stiff, potentially increasing injury severity for pedestrians.
11. Polestar 2 Long Range Single Motor
Advantages: Excellent build quality, comfortable and supportive front seats. Responsive and generally user-friendly touchscreen operating system. Excellent driving stability with minimal body roll during high-speed cornering. Excellent energy efficiency.
Disadvantages: The speedometer display on the instrument panel is relatively small and not prominently positioned. Average suspension performance, with noticeable vibrations on uneven roads.
12. Tesla Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive
Advantages: The new version shows improvements in build quality and noise insulation compared to its predecessor. Excellent powertrain performance and driving stability. Excellent energy efficiency.
Disadvantages: The exterior door handle design makes opening the door less convenient. It requires pushing the broad part of the handle with the thumb to raise the other end, then pulling the handle to open. Users with smaller hands may need both hands to open the door.
13. Toyota bZ4X
Advantages: The measured average power consumption is the lowest among the 19 EV samples at 17.0 kWh/100km. Spacious front seats.
Disadvantages: The instrument panel is positioned above the steering wheel, requiring the steering wheel to be set lower, which may take time for the driver to adapt. Poor suspension performance, with vibrations particularly noticeable for rear passengers. The stopping distance from 100 km/h is 37.7 m, longer than most samples, indicating slightly inferior braking performance.
14. Nissan ARIYA
Advantages: Good driving stability; the driver remains in control at high speeds. The touchscreen is positioned high for easy viewing by the driver.
Disadvantages: The touchscreen occasionally responds slowly to touch inputs. Although this sample emits no pollutants while driving, its higher average power consumption per km means power plants emit more pollutants generating the electricity it uses per km. Therefore, it received a relatively lower score in the “Pollutant Emissions Test”.
15. Tesla Model Y Maximum Range
Advantages: Excellent powertrain performance, accelerating from 60 km/h to 100 km/h in just 2.3 seconds, the fastest among all samples. During high-speed cornering tests, the responsive Electronic Stability Control (ESC) contributed to good driving stability.
Disadvantages: Poor suspension performance; may be less comfortable on long journeys over uneven roads. The exterior door handle design makes opening the door less convenient. It requires pushing the broad part of the handle with the thumb to raise the other end, then pulling the handle to open. Users with smaller hands may need both hands to open the door.
16. Subaru Solterra
Advantages: Spacious and roomy front seats. Wide doors make entry and exit easy for both front and rear seats.
Disadvantages: The most striking feature in the cockpit is the instrument panel positioned above the steering wheel. While this helps prevent the panel from being blocked, making it easier for the driver to see information, it requires the steering wheel to be set lower, which may take time to adapt to. The stopping distance from 100 km/h is 38.0 m, longer than most samples, indicating slightly inferior braking performance.
17. Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV 350+
Advantages: Spacious and roomy cabin. Even with a 1.85m tall driver or front passenger, the rear seat behind can accommodate a passenger up to about 2m tall. Responsive touchscreen operating system. Excellent cabin noise insulation. Excellent braking performance: stopping distance from 100 km/h is only 33.5 m, shorter than most samples, and the braking system is responsive.
Disadvantages: The steering wheel also has a touchpad for control, but it lacks haptic feedback, making operation less convenient.
18. Porsche Taycan Performance Battery Plus
Advantages: Excellent powertrain performance, accelerating from 60 km/h to 100 km/h in just 2.3 seconds, the fastest among all samples. Responsive handling and excellent stability. The Electronic Stability Control (ESC) intervenes promptly during sudden steering at high speeds to help the driver maintain control.
Disadvantages: Average suspension performance, with noticeable vibrations at low speeds on uneven roads. Build quality and material usage for body panel gaps and interior equipment are average; for example, many interior surfaces are not padded. Also, some controls via the central touchscreen have a user-unfriendly interface.
19. BMW i7 xDrive60
Advantages: Luxurious interior, spacious seating, and the quietest cabin among all samples.
Disadvantages: The measured average power consumption is the highest among the 19 EV samples at 22.0 kWh/100km. Although this sample emits no pollutants while driving, its higher average power consumption per km means power plants emit more pollutants generating the electricity it uses per km. Therefore, it received a relatively lower score in the “Pollutant Emissions Test”.
20. Honda ZR-V 2.0 i-MMD e:HEV
Advantages: Responsive handling and excellent driving stability. Excellent seating system; both driver and passengers sit comfortably. Regarding cabin features, the climate control and ventilation systems use physical buttons and knobs for easy adjustment. Excellent performance in pollutant emissions tests, with very low pollutant levels measured at the exhaust.
Disadvantages: Average cabin noise insulation; interior quietness is inferior to most samples. Regarding braking performance, the stopping distance from 100 km/h is the longest among all samples at 38.2 m, indicating slightly inferior braking performance.
21. Toyota RAV4 2.5 Hybrid
Advantages: The measured average fuel consumption is the lowest among the 7 hybrid and petrol samples at 5.6 L/100km. Also excellent performance in pollutant emissions tests, with very low pollutant levels measured at the exhaust. Frequently used functions (e.g., climate control) have physical buttons and knobs for easy adjustment.
Disadvantages: Slightly inferior braking performance; stopping distance from 100 km/h is 37.5 m, longer than most samples. Average cabin noise insulation; interior quietness is inferior to most samples.
22. MINI Countryman C
Advantages: Excellent build quality for body and interior equipment. Spacious and roomy cabin. Even with a 1.85m tall driver or front passenger, the rear seat behind can accommodate a passenger up to about 1.9m tall. Regarding cabin features, the circular touchscreen interface is generally user-friendly. Responsive handling. Excellent performance in pollutant emissions tests, with very low pollutant levels measured at the exhaust.
Disadvantages: The boot sill is relatively high, making loading and unloading items slightly inconvenient.
23. Mazda CX-5 2.5 e-SKYACTIV-G 194
Advantages: Excellent braking performance: stopping distance from 100 km/h is only 34.2 m, shorter than most samples. Excellent build quality. Frequently used functions (e.g., climate control) have physical buttons and knobs. Excellent performance in pollutant emissions tests, with very low pollutant levels measured at the exhaust.
Disadvantages: Average seating system performance; vibrations are relatively noticeable on uneven roads. The measured average fuel consumption is 7.7 L/100km, which is inferior to most hybrid and petrol samples.
24. Alfa Romeo Tonale 1.5 VGT 48V-Hybrid
Advantages: Good build quality. High-quality touchscreen display with responsive operation. Excellent performance in pollutant emissions tests, with very low pollutant levels measured at the exhaust.
Disadvantages: Average powertrain performance, occasionally showing unresponsive acceleration. Seating system performance is also unsatisfactory; may be less comfortable on uneven roads. Interior quietness is inferior to most samples. Regarding safety, performance in simulated pedestrian impact tests was poor; the pillars on either side of the windshield are relatively stiff, potentially increasing injury severity for pedestrians.
25. Subaru BRZ 2.4
Advantages: Good driving stability; the driver remains in control even at high speeds. Responsive touchscreen operating system. Good performance in pollutant emissions tests, with the lowest pollutant levels measured at the exhaust among the 7 hybrid and petrol samples.
Disadvantages: The least quiet interior among all samples. Regarding safety, the European version has fewer active safety assistance systems as standard equipment, resulting in a lower score in the “Active Safety Assistance Systems” category. The measured average fuel consumption is the highest among the 7 hybrid and petrol samples at 7.9 L/100km.
26. Mercedes-Benz E 200
Advantages: Excellent powertrain performance, smooth automatic transmission shifts. Responsive handling and excellent driving stability. Excellent braking performance: stopping distance from 100 km/h is only 34.0 m, shorter than most samples. Excellent cabin noise insulation; interior quietness is very good. Excellent performance in pollutant emissions tests, with very low pollutant levels measured at the exhaust.
Disadvantages: The steering wheel has a touchpad for control, but operation is not very convenient. The exterior door handles have an automatic pop-out function but occasionally respond slowly.
Key Findings and Conclusions
1. EVs are not necessarily quieter than petrol cars
Although EVs have no engine noise, interior quietness also depends on whether body and noise insulation design can effectively reduce wind and other noises. Tests found that small family EV samples #6, #7, and #8 only received 3 or 2.5 points for “Interior Quietness”; whereas petrol sample #23 in the same small family car category was relatively quieter, receiving 3.5 points.
2. Significant differences in energy efficiency
The measured average power consumption for the 19 EV samples ranged from 17.0 kWh/100km to 22.0 kWh/100km. Tests found that even within the same category, energy efficiency can vary significantly. For example, among the 7 EV samples in the large family car category, the measured average power consumption ranged from 17.0 kWh/100km to 21.3 kWh/100km, a difference of about 25%.
3. Acceleration performance is not necessarily related to powertrain type
The time required to accelerate from 60 km/h to 100 km/h for all samples ranged from 2.3 seconds to 5.4 seconds. Tests found no necessary correlation between acceleration time and whether the sample is an EV or petrol car. Generally, samples with higher claimed horsepower or torque usually accelerate faster.
4. Differences in CO2 emissions
EV samples have lower CO2 emissions, ranging from 85 g/km to 110 g/km. Hybrid and petrol samples have higher CO2 emissions, ranging from 154 g/km to 214 g/km.
Detailed Test Item Descriptions
1. Ease of Use
Scoring Weight: Body & Overall Design 21%, Cabin & Seats 50%, Boot 18%, Visibility 12%
- Body & Overall Design: Assesses build quality, ease of entry/exit, maximum load capacity, range, charging time required, etc.
- Cabin & Seats: Assesses the height of drivers/passengers accommodated, seat design and adjustment, control layout and ease of adjustment, etc.
- Boot: Measures boot capacity and assesses ease of loading/unloading items.
- Visibility: Measures the field of view through windows and mirrors, and assesses how easily the driver can see small obstacles in front of and behind the vehicle.
2. Comfort Level
Scoring Weight: Suspension Performance 33%, Seats 33%, Climate Control & Ventilation System 25%, Interior Quietness 8%
- Suspension Performance: Test drives samples on different road surfaces at different speeds to assess suspension performance.
- Seats: Compares seat comfort, e.g., whether seats provide comfortable lateral support for driver and passengers during high-speed cornering.
- Climate Control & Ventilation System: Compares ease of adjustment, temperature stability of the climate control system, etc.
- Interior Quietness: Measures interior noise levels at 130 km/h and assesses whether interior noise is intrusive at different speeds.
3. Environmental Performance
Scoring Weight: Energy Efficiency & CO2 Emissions Test 50%, Pollutant Emissions Test 50%
- For EV samples, the score in the “Pollutant Emissions Test” considers the pollutant emissions from power plants generating the electricity consumed per km in the European region.
- Due to different scoring methods, scores for “Pollutant Emissions Test” and “Environmental Performance” between EV samples and petrol/hybrid samples should not be directly compared.
Important Reminders
Test results and scores are for reference only. Specifications of versions sold in Hong Kong may differ from the samples tested in Europe. Consumers should inquire about vehicle specifications, pricing, and other details from agents before purchase and should test drive the vehicle personally.
Consumers should also consider actual needs, preferred car appearance and color, and other factors when making a choice. When choosing an EV or hybrid, consider factors like battery warranty/maintenance service. When choosing an EV, also consider the convenience of charging station locations.
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Test Report Source: Consumer Council “CHOICE” Monthly Issue No. 579 (January 2025)