There are quite a few compact crossovers on the electric car market right now. Some of them stand out from the rest – these are models that can cope with more difficult road conditions. For those enthusiasts who like to spend time in nature, measuring long distances on off-road adventures, there is currently not much choice in the electric car segment. The models that suit their preferences can be counted on the fingers of one hand. Why so and what do the manufacturers offer?
Potencies are great
Today, all-wheel drive has waned in popularity and is even less common in electric cars. Although the design of the electric drive technically allows for a more efficient transfer of traction to both wheel axles and to install its own electric motor on each, rarely does any manufacturer use this option. First of all, it affects the price of the final product, which in most cases is already higher than for internal combustion cars. Secondly, the electric car is already heavier, while the all-wheel drive is often equipped with a larger battery. This makes the car even heavier.
“Off-road lovers usually choose their cars quite conservatively. For those who want to make friends with the latest technology, the choice is not great. It must be admitted that there are not very many buyers in this segment, but manufacturers are also constantly thinking about how to expand their customer base, including towards the most demanding buyers ,” says Profi Latvija editor-in-chief and Latvian Car of the Year jury member Guntars Puls.
Electric cars are theoretically safer when crossing the bridge because they are less damaged by water than internal combustion cars. The most important components – electric motor, battery and other high-voltage devices – are safely isolated from the external environment.
“If we look at the theory, a well-calibrated all-wheel drive in an electric car can work quite well, but the calibration process is much more complicated if the electric drive has to be adapted to different surfaces. In the case of mechanical all-wheel drive, everything is simpler,” says Guntars.
Two directions
Let’s take a look at two examples of such electric off-road vehicles, which can also handle difficult places. So – the companies KGM and Subaru. KGM launched the e-Motion version of the Korando last year, which was previously offered with an internal combustion engine, while Subaru’s compact SUV segment is represented by the Solterra.
South Korean luxury car company KGM was formerly known as SsangYong. However, the manufacturer changed the brand after it was bought by the industry giant KG Group in 2022. Although the brand is famous in the industry for such classic SUVs as the Rexton and the Musso pickup, the Koreans, searching for a golden middle ground, have also entered the electric car segment with the powerful Korando e-Motion.
This crossover is equipped with a 207 hp electric motor that provides an immediate 339 Nm of torque to the front axle. To encourage the motorist to go further from civilization, the SUV has acquired various off-road benefits: approach and departure angles suitable for difficult conditions, which are almost 20 and 25 degrees, respectively, the ability to overcome a puddle of water up to 30 cm deep, and a trunk of 551 liters, which is worthy of its class. Such a capacity will not only motivate you to go on camping adventures and other activities in nature, but will also allow you to carry more belongings than competitors such as the Volkswagen ID.4 (543 liters) can.
In the Solterra model, the traditional elements of the Japanese brand ensure a better transition: symmetrical all-wheel drive and ground clearance that reaches 21 cm. True, the trunk is significantly smaller than the Korean model – 452 liters.
Another significant difference is also noticeable. Manufacturers provide a standard five-year warranty for Subaru electric cars. On the other hand, KGM gives its Korando e-Motion a warranty of up to 7 years or 150,000 km mileage. This is the rare electric car whose battery warranty period (8 years or 160,000 km) almost coincides with the warranty period of the entire car.
Prices are also different
e-Motion has a 61.5 kWh battery, which allows you to drive up to 340 km with a full charge. In Latvia, this is enough to go to a rural property on the weekend and return home without any special worries. If you do need charging, then e-Motion is compatible with direct current stations with a capacity of up to 100 kW, which allow you to top up the reserve from 0 to 80% in just 33 minutes. A 7 kW AC charger installed at home will fill an empty battery in 11 hours.
Subaru Solterra has a built-in 71.4 kWh battery in the floor, which accepts up to 150 kW of charging power, but it can be filled up to 80 percent in a similar time as the KGM – in 30 minutes. The manufacturer states that Solterra has a range of 460 km on a full charge.
This model’s richer package includes extras such as 20-inch alloy wheels, heated and leather-trimmed rear seats, a panoramic glass roof and 360-degree surround-view cameras. In contrast, the more luxurious specification Korando e-Motion is available with electrically adjustable, heated and ventilated front seats with leather upholstery, wireless mobile phone charger, heat pump, electric boot lid and other features.
The prices of these models also differ. Solterra is available in Latvia from 52,900 euros, while Korando e-Motion – from 35,990 euros.
“In Latvia, cars from the SUV segment have become commonplace. Mostly people drive them on asphalt, but there is also the possibility of conquering simpler off-road. If you want to go on adventures in particularly difficult terrain, you will also have something to choose from. Electric cars are still a relatively new segment, and there is still a lot of discussion about it, but I think that every car has its own buyer,” summarizes Guntars Puls.
