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This is the fourth of a five-part series of articles (you can check the others here: part one, part two and part three), where I look at the best affordable EVs in each size category. See the background for this series in the first two articles if you missed them.
D Segment — Midsize
This category has experienced some radical changes in the past few years. Less than ten years ago, the podium belonged to German OEMs, with the BMW 3 Series, Mercedes C-Class, Audi A4, and VW Passat competing for the top positions. Three years ago, the landscape had already changed, with the Tesla Model 3 in 3rd, behind the BMW 3-Series and VW Passat. Now … we have not one but two Teslas in the top positions in Europe, while the once perennial King of Midsizers, the BMW 3 Series, is only 3rd!
Despite pressures from German OEMs to loosen the rules and allow more fossil-fueled vehicle sales, the truth is that the market has already moved on, and either they adapt to the new environment, or they will continue to lose sales — not only to Tesla, but also to the Chinese OEMs that are landing with affordable and competitive models. After all, it is no coincidence that all three midsize EVs chosen as the best are … made in China.
Proof of this lack of competitiveness from European ICE models is that having restricted the top price for the D-segment category to 50,000 euros, which in the ICE world would grant you a measly BMW 320i with 184 hp, there was a already good mix of EV models on offer.
I have chosen the Tesla Model 3 Long Range RWD, the BYD Seal RWD, and the Xpeng G6 RWD as the best in class, which already offer a respectable (even outstanding in the case of the Tesla) range. But if long range isn’t a major criteria, then other models also deserve attention, especially the retro-futuristic Hyundai Ioniq 5 84 kWh RWD (47,000 euros, 570 km range, 238 kW DC charging), but also the Polestar 2 Standard Range (45,000 euros, 554 km range, 180 kW DC charging) and the BYD Seal U (46,000 euros, 500 km range, 140 kW DC charging).
What about the Tesla Model Y, the current category leader? Well, with the 50,000€ threshold, it becomes tricky, because the truly competitive Model Y is the Long Range RWD, with its 600 km range, and it costs 50,000 euros — so, bang on the limit — while the Standard Range version, costing 46,000 euros, has a low 455 km range, which is far below the class best.
So, if you want a Tesla and prefer the utility of a crossover, then it is advisable to stretch your budget to 50,000 euros and get the more usable 600 km range of the Long Range version. Or … if having a Tesla is not your priority, then also consider the Xpeng G6 Long Range RWD, which offers 570 km of range for a price of 48,000 euros and is bang in the middle of the two Model Y versions, and with a higher charging speed (280 kW DC charging vs. 250 kW of the Model Y LR). Tesla’s last bastion, value for money, seems to also be disappearing compared to the latest and greatest coming from China.
Tesla Model 3 Long Range RWD
This is the best Tesla EV currently on offer, and probably the only one that the competition still hasn’t caught up to, because for 46,000 euros, you get an amazing 702 km range (550 km real world). That’s thanks to the efficiency of the motor (it helps that it weighs only 1,825 kg) and getting the most out of the 75 kWh NMC battery. Despite its electron-sipping capabilities, it is no slouch — far from it. Its motor has 283 hp. (The BMW 320i has 184 hp and … is more expensive!) That allows it to do 0–100 km/h in 5.2 seconds, which is already on the limit of what can be considered too fast. (Personally, anything below 5 seconds is already more than needed for daily driving.)
Charging wise, it is also among the best, with 11 kW AC current and 250 kW in DC. Inside, while the trunk (594 liters) and frunk (88 liters) are class leading, the wheelbase (2.88 meters) is just okay for the category. When it comes to warranty, Tesla offers a 4 year general warranty and 8 years for the battery.
So, if you are Tesla-neutral and value range as your #1 criteria, this is the best choice in the category, but if on the other hand you would like to have an alternative to Tesla, or prefer a vehicle with more utility, have a look at the two other choices, which are also very appealing on their own.
Xpeng G6 Long Range RWD
Xpeng G6
This is a model that if it had been born anywhere else but in China, it would be lauded as a class act, but because China is simply in another level of diversity and competition, it is having a somewhat meh career there. Recently launched in Europe, it will be interesting to see how it succeeds here, because looking just from a value-for-money point of view, it is among the best in the category.
For 48,000 euros, you get a crossover with 570 km of range (480 km real world) thanks to an 88 kWh NMC usable battery. It has a class best 280 kW DC charging rate (11 kW AC charging) thanks to an 800V architecture, something still relatively rare in this category.
Performance wise, the 286 hp motor and 0–100 km/h in 6.2 seconds allows it to stay among the best in this price range, while the vehicle-to-load (V2L) capabilities make it stand out against the legacy OEM competition and Tesla.
Inside, the wheelbase is 2.89 meters, while the trunk has 571 liters. When it comes to towing capability, the 1,500 kg mark is one of the best in class, while warranty wise, it is another win for Xpeng, with a 5 year general warranty and the battery having the standard 8 year warranty.
BYD Seal 83 kWh RWD
Possibly the BYD model with the most surprising success in Europe, the Seal adds a seductive design and competitive pricing (46,000 euros) for the specs — namely, a 313 hp motor, allowing 0–100 km/h acceleration in a swift 5.9 seconds, 570 km of range (480 km real world) thanks to a 83 kWh LFP usable battery, as well as V2L capability. And LFP plus V2L is the perfect combo, as one can top up the battery and use V2L without any fear of degradation. (With NMC-equipped batteries, the range on a daily basis needs to have a 10–20% discount in order to save the battery from degradation, while the real range of 480 km of the BYD model is always available to be used.)
Although, the downside of the LFP battery could be the low charging rate, because at 150 DC charging (11 kW AC charging), it was good in 2021, but now … it’s just OK.
Inside, there is good and bad. On one hand, the wheelbase is generous, at 2.92 meters, but on the other hand, the trunk is small, at just 400 liters. There is a frunk (53 liters), but that only serves to disguise the compact trunk.
Finally, when it comes to warranty, we have an impressive 6 year general warranty, and the usual 8 years for the battery.
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