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Episode 88: EV4 outrage, the Micra backlash and Volvo doubles up

Episode 88: EV4 outrage, the Micra backlash and Volvo doubles up

The Kilowatt Half Hour Sep 29, 2025 45 min
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About this episode

The hosts dive into a lively discussion about recent electric vehicle news, including their contrasting impressions of the quirky Microlino and the divisive Kia EV4's design. They explore Porsche's surprising retreat from full electrification, Volvo's major EX90 upgrade, and the growing importance of chip technology in EVs. The episode also covers electric tow cars winning awards, leasing deals, and a spirited debate over the Nissan Micra versus Renault 5's shared platform and brand identity. Personal stories, listener questions, and upcoming drives add a friendly, informal vibe throughout.

Topics: microlino review kia ev4 design controversy porsche ev strategy volvo ex90 upgrade ev chip technology electric tow cars used ev buying advice nissan micra vs renault 5 debate ev leasing deals listener questions
Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Kia EV4
Raszbeary (CC BY 4.0)
Car

Kia EV4

"...y a mother could love or one of the variants, the EV4. Is it for me, the EV4?"
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Kia EV3
Alexander-93 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Kia EV3

"...But then, you know, we've fallen in love with the EV3. We love the EV9."
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Kia EV9
Matti Blume (CC BY-SA)
Car

Kia EV9

"...w, we've fallen in love with the EV3. We love the EV9. I love the EV6."
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Kia EV6
Alexander-93 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Kia EV6

"We love the EV9. I love the EV6. And then this car's come along."
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Kia EV2
AutoGids (CC BY 4.0)
Car

Kia EV2

"...o a studio and they showed us, they showed us the EV2 in an early stage form in a clay."
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Kia EV5
Ethan Llamas (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Kia EV5

"clay. They showed us the EV5 and then they showed us the EV4."
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Porsche Taycan
Alexander Migl (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Porsche Taycan

"...spent a bit of time reacquainting myself with the Taycan Cross Turismo. Someone's got to do it."
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Volvo EX90
Alexander-93 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Volvo EX90

"But the one that caught my eye was the Volvo EX90 had an upgrade. No, it's only been out for a year..."
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ES90
Zoerides (CC0)
Car

ES90

"because we were about to drive the ES90, which we saw earlier this year,"
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Bmw Ix
Alexander Migl (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Bmw Ix

"Porsche McCann and BMW iX all won their categories."
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Dodge Avenger
Kieran Holdren (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Dodge Avenger

"because the Avenger itself doesn't qualify"
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Hyundai Ioniq
TTTNIS (CC0)
Car

Hyundai Ioniq

"in the podcast. The Ioniq without a number,"
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Peugeot E208
Matti Blume (CC BY-SA)
Car

Peugeot E208

"there's a really good Peugeot E208 on there, decent range,"
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Morgan Six Plus
Calreyn88 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Morgan Six Plus

"...ram Monday. It's Friday now. We'll never have the six plus miles per kilowatt hour, but so far we're getting..."
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Hyundai Ioniq Hyundai
TTTNIS (CC0)
Car

Hyundai Ioniq Hyundai

"but so far we're getting 4.8 to 4.9 and the weather's cooling down. Can't wait for summer. I was getting antsy about getting parts of the Ioniq. Hyundai made us an offer. We couldn't refuse having invited us in for their sales weekend. My wife is quite disgusted with the"
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5 Renault 5
Alexander-93 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

5 Renault 5

"...eat choice. I know exactly. I mean, I've got that Renault 5 in that bright, kermit green and I absolutely lov..."
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Ford Puma
Vauxford (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Ford Puma

"...hat unfolds. I have just booked a lease on a Ford Puma EV Premium. All the add-on packs, 8 grand, 8,000 ..."
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BMW 330E
Dinkun Chen (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

BMW 330E

"...go fully electric after years with my beloved BMW 330e plug-in hybrid, which is one of our very, very po..."
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Tesla Model
Alexander Migl (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Tesla Model

"...er £600. So I've been looking at the competition. Tesla Model 3 will be cheap, because at the moment, I guess, ..."
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Tesla Model 3
Matti Blume (CC BY-SA)
Car

Tesla Model 3

"...0. So I've been looking at the competition. Tesla Model 3 will be cheap, because at the moment, I guess, th..."
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Renault 5
Calreyn88 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Renault 5

"...an Micro and its similarity, shall we say, to the Renault 5. And I was, I merely threw in the question as to ..."
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Nissan Micra
Calreyn88 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Nissan Micra

"...'s just more of a, what have Nissan done with the Micra to give it their brand identity? That's what I fe..."
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Audi Etron
Alexander Migl (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

Audi Etron

"that's what Nissan hasn't, you know, hasn't had the opportunity to do is to personalize it enough. Of course, look at the, you know, the Taycan and the Audi e-tron, same car, pretty much, but you don't ever get in those cars and feel like these are the same cars."
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DS4
Vauxford (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Car

DS4

"...Oh, I'm going to Porto on Monday to drive the new DS4. Oh, that's exciting. That's good. I'm going to K..."
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24 cars featured

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