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Another new Chinese brand Seres brings us this car, the Seres 3, a small electric SUV. Selling primarily on its relatively low price, it also takes on established market players with more cabin space and extra equipment.
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Compact Full Electric Cars
Background
Seres is yet another ambitious Chinese brand, founded quite recently in 2017 by Chongqing-based industrial group Sokon and headquartered in California. The Seres 3 compact electric crossover we look at here is the smallest of three SUVs it initially plans to bring to Europe; the others are the mid-sized Seres 5 (another EV) and the largest Seres 7 (a Plug-in Hybrid). The brand is imported to the UK by Innovation Automotive, known previously for selling DFSK electric commercial vehicles here. The same importer has also launched another slightly more up-market Chinese brand in this country, Skywell.
But Seres is our focus here - and specifically this Seres 3. If you discount the much cheaper Dacia Spring and Citroen E-C3 models (as you might as they're quite restricted on range), it's pretty much the cheapest real-world EV you can buy - and certainly the cheapest electric SUV. Which makes it worth a second look.
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Range data
| Min | Max |
| Price | 29995 | 31995 |
| Max Speed (mph) | 96 | 96 |
| 0-62 mph (s) | 8.9 | 8.9 |
| Electric WLTP-Rated Driving Range (miles) | 205 | 205 |
| Min | Max |
| Length (mm) | 4385 | 4385 |
| Width (mm) | 1850 | 1850 |
| Height (mm) | 1650 | 1650 |
| Boot Capacity (l) | 526 | 526 |
Driving experience
Seres is offering just a single EV powertrain; which sees a 161bhp e-motor energised by a 53kWh battery pack. Performance is acceptably eager - a sub-9 second 0-62mph sprint time is claimed on the way to a 96mph maximum. But you won't often be exercising much of that pace for fear of further reducing the already rather restricted driving range, pegged at just 205 miles. To give you some perspective, an obvious rival like Vauxhall's Mokka Electric manages 252 miles. In this Seres, you can extend the range to 315 miles if you're exclusively driving around town.
Overtakes will need to be carefully planned - there's a modest 195Nm of torque. But parking in town should be easy thanks to a rear camera and all-round sensors. There are three driving modes - 'Normal', 'Eco' and 'Sport'. And a reasonable level of camera safety kit, including Forward Collision Warning and Lane Departure Warning. You're unlikely to want to go off road, but if you do, there's Hill Descent Control.
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Design and build
One thing that might well tempt you into Serres 3 ownership is the fact that this is a small SUV that actually isn't all that small. It measures in at 4,385mm long, 1,850mm wide and 1,650mm tall. Which means it's nearer in size to a lower mid-sized Qashqai-class model than the small EV crossovers it's been priced to undercut, cars like electric versions of the MG ZS and the Vauxhall Mokka. The look is fairly anonymous, but smart with 18-inch alloy wheels.
There's the feel of a slightly larger SUV inside too, where you grasp quite a smart three-spoke wheel and through it view a digitalised instrument cluster. The cabin feels quite plush for the price, with leather-style upholstery and, on the top model, a panoramic glass roof and heated seats.
Back seat folk will have more space to move around than they usually would in a compact crossover EV. Two adults will fit very comfortably. And out back, there's a generously-sized 526-litre boot too.
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Market and model
Seres wants around £30,000 for the base 'Active' version of this Seres 3 (around £500 less than an MG ZS EV), with around £2,000 more needed for the better equipped 'Spirit' version. With 'Active' spec, you get a 10.25-inch touchscreen, rear parking sensors, a reversing camera, leather-style seat upholstery, powered seat adjustment and 18-inch 'fashion dynamic' wheels. Along with front and rear LED lights and an unusual automatic lifting round gear knob.
If you can stretch to 'Spirit' trim, you'll also get keyless entry, cruise control, a panoramic sunroof, front parking sensors, heated front seats, power-folding mirrors, a better six-speaker audio system and a wireless smartphone charging pad.
There are four exterior colour options to choose from. And a reasonable level of safety kit, including Forward Collision Warning, ESP stability control and Hill Descent Control. There's also a tyre pressure monitoring system, ABS, electronic brake assist and electronic brakeforce distribution. The 'Spirit' version adds cruise control and Lane Departure Warning.
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Cost of ownership
We gave you the WLTP-rated mileage figures for the ternary Lithium 53kWh battery in our 'Driving' section - a 205 mile combined figure and a 315 mile city figure. Seres claims a 20-80% fast charge time of 45 minutes. Connected to a typical garage wallbox, you'd need 8 hours for a 20-80% AC charge.
Residual values are an unknown for this unfamiliar brand. Don't expect particularly affordable insurance groupings. And you'll need to ensure that you're within reach of Seres servicing facilities. As usual with an EV, you'll pay no VED road tax or congestion emissions charges until April 2025. And until 2025, you'll be rated at an affordable 2% for Benefit-in-Kind tax.
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Summary
Importers Innovation Automotive think they going to sell around 1,000 Seres models each year and most of them are going to be Seres 3s. Bought by people primarily attracted by this car's value pricing and very decent equipment levels. Yes, in opting for one of these, you're choosing an unknown brand with perhaps uncertain residuals and a smaller dealer network. But you really are getting an awful lot more for your money than you would be with much pricier crossover rivals like say, Vauxhall's Mokka Electric or an EV supermini like, say, a Renault ZOE.
True, competitors can supply bit more design character and driving engagement, but you might not care about that - and even if you do, the differences aren't that great. Except in terms of driving range - which is an area that Seres needs to work on. If that's not a deal breaker for you, then one of these might be worth a look.
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