I've Owned Five Different EVs Since 2022 And After Testing The Ioniq 5, Solterra, Blazer EV, And Two Mustang Mach-Es, Ford's Electric SUV Won My Heart Despite Its Flaws

There's something remarkable about the early adopter who approaches electric vehicles like a scientist approaches experiments. While most people buy a car and adapt to its characteristics, some drivers treat each EV purchase as a learning opportunity, gathering data about what works, what doesn't, and what truly matters in electric transportation. This methodical approach to EV ownership, while requiring significant investment, provides invaluable insights into the real-world differences between brands, technologies, and design philosophies. It's automotive research conducted at the family level, where the driveway becomes a laboratory and every purchase contributes to a growing understanding of electric mobility.

Jovy Mac represents this new version of the electric vehicle explorer. Their recent Facebook post reads like a comprehensive field report from the front lines of EV adoption, documenting the journey through five different electric vehicles:

“2022 Hyundai Ioniq5. Fast, good response time. My wife loved hers. However, paint chips easily. Door handles get stuck in winter so that it’s difficult to get in, and after you do, the car door won’t lock closed. The air inlet at the front also freezes and gets stuck open. No rear windshield wiper. Lastly, the recommended maintenance schedule was every 6 months and ranged from $55-500. At 30k miles, there’s a low-conductivity fluid change that costs $990.

2023 Subaru Solterra: A solid performer. Good safety features. The bad: no engine bay cover- I hate seeing the internals. No rear windshield wipers. Battery runs out quicker than all our other EVs, I think it’s because of the symmetrical AWD.

2024 Chevy Blazer EV. Comfortable ride, very spacious; we loved the front panel. Problems are that it doesn’t have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, lots of recalls. Breaks suddenly and abruptly when backing up, so it gives me anxiety every time, especially at the carwash. The chargeport door gets stuck in winter. Basic cruise control won’t adjust to the posted speed limit. The spaceship's whining sound at low speeds gave me a headache, and it couldn’t be turned off. There’s a split-second delay between stepping on the accelerator and actually speeding forward. Our brake pedal had a squishy sound at the start of braking, like “fshh… fshh..” every time we stepped on the brake.

We now have two Mustang Mach Es (2022 and 2025). Quick response time, same as the Hyundai Ioniq5, has Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, rear windshields wiper, adaptive cruise control, we’ve never had a problem with the door getting stuck in winter, but sometimes the lock button won’t respond to the capacitive touch. 3 years on the first one and we’ve only had to bring it to the service center for minor recalls and tire swap. Incidentally, all services have been free coz I’m still using my Ford Rewards. There was a problem with the original 12V battery not charging adequately, so they replaced it for free. Problems are that the ride is a bit bumpier, the rear passenger space is more cramped compared to the I5 and Blazer EV. The inside gets hot in summer because of the sunroof, so our other one doesn’t have a sunroof. First one loses 1% charge every 15 minutes when parked in winter with everything on, our second one now has a heat pump, but hasn’t seen a winter yet, so I can’t say if it’s better in winter right now.

We were looking at the Optiq and were excited with its design, but were disappointed that it didn’t have Apple CarPlay. I don’t think it has a rear windshield wiper either.

These are just my opinions. Your experience may be different, so posting and friendly discussions are encouraged.”

Mac's assessment of the Ioniq 5 captures the complexity of modern EV ownership perfectly. The vehicle excelled in the areas that matter most for daily driving, delivering the speed and responsiveness that made his wife fall in love with electric propulsion. 

How Electric Vehicles Improve Over Time 

• Each model year brings significant improvements in areas like winter performance, charging speed, and software integration, encouraging upgrades among enthusiastic early adopters.
• Different weather conditions reveal unique characteristics and requirements that help owners understand their vehicles' capabilities and limitations.
• Extended ownership experience teaches drivers which features truly matter for their specific usage patterns and lifestyle requirements.
• Real-world ownership reveals the actual costs and requirements of EV maintenance, which can differ significantly from initial expectations.

However, the winter performance challenges he describes reveal how climate can expose design considerations that aren't apparent in temperate conditions. The maintenance cost revelations, particularly that $990 fluid change at 60,000 kilometers, provided important insights into the long-term ownership costs that many buyers don't anticipate. Mac's experience echoes what other Ioniq 5 owners have discovered about the reality of EV maintenance costs, with some finding that their 2022 Ioniq 5 required $600 in service work at just 28,000 miles, challenging the common belief that electric vehicles are maintenance-free.

The progression to a 2023 Subaru Solterra revealed Mac's willingness to prioritize different characteristics in his electric vehicle selection. His description of it as "a solid performer" with "good safety features" suggested a shift toward valuing reliability and protection over pure performance. The observation about battery efficiency with the symmetrical all-wheel-drive system demonstrated the kind of practical knowledge that only comes from direct comparison between multiple vehicles under identical usage conditions. This insight shows how different manufacturers approach electric drivetrain design, with each solution offering distinct advantages and trade-offs that become apparent only through extended real-world use.

Mac's experience with the 2024 Chevy Blazer EV highlighted both the promise and growing pains of newer electric vehicles. While he praised the comfortable ride and spacious interior, the absence of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto represented a significant usability gap in an era when these features have become essential for many drivers. The sudden braking behavior when backing up, particularly problematic at car washes, showed how safety systems designed to protect can sometimes create anxiety in specific situations. The "spaceship whining sound" that couldn't be disabled revealed the ongoing challenge manufacturers face in creating artificial sounds for silent vehicles, often resulting in solutions that don't please everyone. Mac's concerns about the Blazer EV align with broader issues that have affected the model, as other owners have reported serious problems including vehicles that suddenly shift into park while driving, raising questions about software reliability.

The family's current satisfaction with two Ford Mustang Mach-Es suggests they've found their electric sweet spot through this process of experimentation. Mac's praise for the quick response time, combined with practical features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and rear windshield wipers, indicates that Ford has successfully balanced performance with daily usability. 

The three-year track record with minimal service requirements, mostly covered by Ford Rewards, demonstrates the kind of ownership experience that builds long-term brand loyalty. The proactive replacement of a faulty 12V battery at no cost shows how manufacturer support can transform potential problems into positive experiences that strengthen customer relationships.

The winter performance comparison between the two Mach-Es reveals how rapidly EV technology evolves and improves. The first vehicle's charge loss when parked in winter represented a significant challenge for cold-climate drivers, while the addition of a heat pump in the second vehicle addresses this issue directly. This kind of incremental improvement, where each model year brings meaningful technological advances, characterizes the current state of EV development and explains why enthusiasts like Mac continue to upgrade frequently. Ford's commitment to addressing these real-world challenges is evident in their ongoing improvements, as the 2025 Mustang Mach-E adds enhanced winter performance technology along with other refinements that directly address owner feedback from earlier model years.

The community response to Mac's comprehensive review demonstrates the value of detailed ownership experiences in the EV community. Edward Ciobanu's appreciation for the information being "great for the community, especially those who are looking to get an ev" highlights how these detailed accounts help prospective buyers make informed decisions. Steve McCuaig raised specific questions about windshield defrosting problems, showing how Mac's experiences help other owners identify and prepare for potential challenges they might face in similar climates.

Is Preconditioning Necessary? 

Mac's response about needing alcohol sprays for emergencies and the importance of preconditioning vehicles reveals the kind of practical knowledge that doesn't appear in manufacturer brochures but proves essential for successful EV ownership. His detailed explanation about programming the Mach-E to turn on at specific times, even when not plugged in, demonstrates how experienced EV owners develop strategies for managing their vehicles' unique characteristics. This exchange shows how the EV community serves as an informal education network, where experienced owners share solutions and workarounds that make electric vehicle ownership more successful and enjoyable.

Mac's brief consideration of the Cadillac Optiq, set aside due to the lack of Apple CarPlay and rear windshield wipers, demonstrates how previous experiences shape future purchasing decisions. These features, which might seem minor to some buyers, have become non-negotiable requirements based on his family's real-world usage patterns. This evolution in priorities shows how EV ownership teaches drivers what they truly value in their vehicles, often leading to more informed and satisfying purchase decisions over time.

How Do Manufacturers Approach EV Design? 

• Each manufacturer approaches electric vehicle design with distinct priorities, creating unique ownership experiences that appeal to different driver preferences.
• Detailed ownership experiences become valuable resources for prospective buyers navigating the expanding landscape of electric vehicle options.
• Owners who experience multiple generations of EV technology develop a deep appreciation for year-over-year improvements that address previous challenges.
• Multiple EV ownership experiences lead to a more sophisticated understanding of what features and characteristics truly matter for long-term satisfaction.

Mac's electric vehicle odyssey shows both the remarkable progress and ongoing evolution of electric transportation. His willingness to experiment with multiple brands and technologies has led him to vehicles that meet his family's specific needs, but the journey required patience, financial resources, and genuine enthusiasm for the technology. 

His experiences demonstrate that while electric vehicles have made tremendous strides, they still offer distinct personalities and characteristics that make finding the right match more important than simply choosing any EV. The fact that he's found satisfaction with the Mach-E after trying four other vehicles suggests that the technology is maturing rapidly, but also that successful EV adoption often requires more research and experimentation than traditional car buying. 

For the broader EV market, stories like Mac's provide invaluable real-world data about what works, what needs improvement, and what features truly matter to families making the electric transition. 

As more drivers share similar detailed experiences, manufacturers gain the feedback necessary to refine their offerings and address the practical concerns that determine long-term adoption success. 

Mac's journey reflects what many multi-EV owners discover: that each vehicle teaches something new, as evidenced by one owner who put over 80,000 miles on their Ioniq 5 in just over three years, learning valuable lessons about long-term electric vehicle ownership along the way.

Which EV features have proven most important to you in daily driving? If you've owned multiple electric vehicles, what surprised you most about the differences between brands?

Let us know in the comments below.

Image Sources: Ford Media Center

Noah Washington is an automotive journalist based in Atlanta, Georgia. He enjoys covering the latest news in the automotive industry and conducting reviews on the latest cars. He has been in the automotive industry since 15 years old and has been featured in prominent automotive news sites. You can reach him on X and LinkedIn for tips and to follow his automotive coverage.