Would you consider this car an SUV?

[CupboardHinge]

I'm look to buy my first electric car. I want one a few years old, good reliable brand, with a decent boot. I've previously had estate cars because they are so practical and have big boots, but electric estate cars seem to be very rare.

The standard EV these days seems to be SUV shape, but I'm not really a big fan of SUVs as they just seem excessive, too wide, too tall etc - and I don't want people to judge me for having one.

But I've come across the Kia E-Nero which is an older model and fits most of my criteria. It's definitely slightly bigger than a "normal" car, but not hugely so. I've attached a random internet pic - would you class this car as an SUV?

I really don't want to be part of the SUV club, but I feel like I've got no choice if I want an decent electric car with a good size boot.

Honestly if the car works for you does it really matter?

No I wouldn't consider that to be an SUV. I also wouldnt buy a car based on what other people think, buy the car you want / suits your needs!

It’s classed as a compact SUV.

I’ve just got an EV, which is not an SUV, it’s a hatchback and the boot is big, put the seats down and it’s really big.

You are getting moral panic at the thought of buying a Kia?! Honestly…

We got an mg5 electric estate, because we didn't want an SUV. I remember being disappointed with the boot size of the niro. But I had buggies and 2 dogs at the time!

One of the reasons I haven't gone electric is the lack variety available. I want to be able to park on my drive, open my doors and boot and walk to my front door. Electric cars all seem far too large for me to do this. Mind you the variety of petrol engined cars seems to be reducing too. I dread to think what we will replace our family hatch backs with when they need changing.

Yes it's an SUV but it's not the kind of huge SUV that most people complain about. Park that next to a Range Rover, XC90 or BMW X7 and you'll see the difference. The first-gen Niro is only a tiny bit bigger than a VW Golf.

I would regard the Niro as an SUV, but honestly, who cares? That is the default design of nearly all new cars.

We just bought a new EV having had a Nissan leaf for 10 years. I loved the Leaf and miss it. The range is not as large as newer EVs, but it's much more spacious inside and has a great boot!

What’s so bad about SUVs that make you not want to “be part of the SUV club”, op?

Looking at the Kia line up most seem to be SUVoid which is good in some ways with decent roof heights making them easy to get into but the high bonnets are not good from a safety point of view

It's not an suv. It's still smaller than many family people carriers.
Just buy a car which fits your needs🤷🤷🤷🤷

As an aside - moving to an electric car is one of the best things I ever did.

Yes, @CupboardHinge the Kia e-Niro is classified as a compact or subcompact crossover SUV

🤣🤣🤣

Kia Niro is a compact SUV.

I had the same thoughts as you when buying my current car, but more because I wanted something that was as eco friendly as possible, and SUV's are generally very much not. But there's not a lot on the market that works for a family car and isn't an SUV.

What is it about buying an SUV that makes you think people will judge you?

If it's because your circle generally care about the environment - well, you're buying an electric car which is already a great decision for the planet. Kia Niro is a very good choice in that regard.

Doesn't matter what it looks like if it's about eco credentials, it's how it performs.

Also though, the reality is they are probably thinking about you a lot less than you think they are anyway, so just do what you want/ need to do.

The VW ID3 and Seat equivalent look fine. I'm looking at an electric Renault 5, they're not big.

But I wouldn't consider the car in the OP the sort that is embarrassing to own, ie Range Rover or that horrible Jaecoo thing.

When we needed a new car, we made a list of what was required. Range of miles, seats, space etc and then picked our favourite. We didn't give a hoot what anyone else thought, it suits OUR needs and that's all that matters.

Sheesh.

Well. It’s hardly a Range Rover is it

I wouldn’t worry about being judged by people, why does it matter what they think. They aren’t important.

When I got mine, I was asked why “I would want something like that!”. Simple answer was, because I can and what’s it to you?

“I like this car and it suits me well but if it’s considered to be an SUV I won’t buy it” is such a strange stance to take.

I have no idea whether it is an SUV but I don’t think the size alone is what make a car an SUV. I think it also has to do with being a four-wheel drive (maybe??)

One thing I have noticed with electric cars is that they are a bit chunkier. Hard to explain but I always think they look like a ‘normal’ car but slightly pumped up with a balloon pump 😂. So I think that may be the case here.

Estates have great booths for those not wanting crossovers or suvs

I had the same thoughts as you just before I got my Niro (mine was a niro rather than an e-niro, the ones post 2022 dropped the e part, but it was still full electric)

Anyway, i really didn't want to be in the suv club either. I'd only ever had small cars up to that point, but I had an almost 2 year old and I could see that a small car would make things a little tricky as he grew.

The niro was a brilliant car, I loved it. We've switched to a Kia EV3 now purely to improve the range and charging speed and it's way more SUV-ey. I'm not as much of a fan and definitely now feel like more of a prick- but not as much of a prick as the people driving the massive behemoths.

But I am annoyed that cars just seem to be going this way. Bigger generally.

If we ever get a second car I want something like the small Dacia ev, I just don't know how reliable they are with a fairly new technology still

What about a hyundai ioniq? As in the originals from 2016 or 2020 (www.hyundai.com/eu/en/models/ioniq-electric/Features.html), not the newer models that are called an ioniq 5 or 6 etc. I've had 2 and I think they are an estate car although I am not a car person! They have been great.

For those asking what's so wrong with SUVs, they are horrendous for other road users' safety. I do judge people for driving them but that includes quite a few of my family because they're so common!

Yes it is an SUV. And I agree with you that the lack of nonSUV cars are really annoying.

we got a golf hatchback instead of the Kia Nero, but the golf is only hybrid not fully electric.

Try finding new estate cars now, hardly any, if any are now made. They’ve been replaced by SUVs.

ETA: any that are classed as an estate have pretty rubbish boot space.