The French automotive market is undergoing a period of restructuring. Engine types are diversifying, European regulations are imposing new standard equipment, and the used electric vehicle segment is gaining traction that few anticipated. Choosing a car in 2024 is no longer just about deciding between petrol and diesel: the parameters to consider have changed in nature.
Mandatory driving aids: what the GSR2 regulation changes concretely
As of July 7, 2024, the European GSR2 regulation applies to all new cars sold in the European Union. Emergency automatic braking, lane-keeping assistance, rear detection, drowsiness alerts, intelligent speed adaptation: these systems are no longer optional on an equipment sheet. They are mandatory.
The direct consequence for buyers is that the difference between two models is no longer based on the presence or absence of these aids, but on their ergonomics. Some manufacturers, like Renault and Dacia, have installed a physical button that allows for quick deactivation of the most intrusive driving aids. Other brands bury these settings in sub-menus on touch screens.
During a test drive, it’s important to assess the clarity of sound alerts, the sensitivity of lane-keeping assistance, and the ease of temporary deactivation. A well-calibrated system enhances safety. A poorly adjusted system, which the driver ultimately ignores or circumvents, poses the opposite problem. Feedback from the field varies on this point depending on the brands and software versions.
To compare technical specifications and standard equipment by model, the Zone Auto website allows you to cross-reference characteristics before heading to the dealership.
Used electric cars: a credible segment under certain conditions
Sales of used electric vehicles have surged significantly in France. The arrival on the secondary market of models purchased new three or four years ago has mechanically lowered prices and expanded the available supply.
Competing buying guides focus almost exclusively on new cars. The used electric market deserves distinct attention because it involves a check that thermal vehicles do not require: the state of health of the battery, expressed as a percentage of remaining capacity (SOH). A vehicle with moderate mileage may have undergone intensive use with fast charging, which degrades the battery faster than slow charging at home.
Before buying a used electric vehicle, three checks are essential:
- Request a SOH diagnostic performed by a professional or via an OBD reading tool compatible with the model, to know the actual remaining capacity of the battery.
- Consult the history of fast charges (DC): a high proportion of fast charges accelerates cell aging, even if the displayed range still seems acceptable.
- Check the remaining duration of the manufacturer’s warranty on the battery, which varies by brand and model year, and serves as a significant safety net.
Without these elements, the buyer proceeds blindly regarding the most expensive component of the vehicle.
End of the ecological bonus and the new vs. used trade-off
The disappearance or reduction of purchase aids for new electric cars has reshuffled the cards. The ecological bonus, which significantly reduced the entry price of a new electric vehicle, no longer compensates as much for the price gap with an equivalent thermal model.
This evolution pushes some buyers toward used cars, where prices have dropped faster than in the new car market. It also drives interest toward hybrids, which remain eligible for certain tax advantages depending on configurations and do not require investment in a home charging station.
The trade-off depends on annual mileage. An urban driver covering less than 15,000 km per year will find very low usage costs in a used electric vehicle (lower maintenance, cheaper charging than fuel). A rural or suburban driver traveling more will need to consider the issue of real range, which decreases in winter and on highways, and the density of charging stations along their usual routes.
SUV, city car, sedan: the body type remains a usage choice, not a trend
SUVs and urban crossovers have dominated sales for several years. Models like the Peugeot 2008, Renault Captur, or Citroën C3 Aircross occupy the top spots in registration rankings. Their elevated driving position and trunk space appeal to a wide audience.
This commercial dominance does not mean that an SUV is suitable for all profiles. An SUV consumes more than a city car or a sedan of comparable size, due to its weight and frontal area. For strictly urban use, a compact city car remains more maneuverable for parking, less expensive to maintain, and more fuel-efficient or energy-efficient.
Sedans, often overlooked in trend-oriented articles, retain an advantage in handling and comfort on long journeys. The choice of body type should stem from an analysis of actual journeys (urban, suburban, highway, mountain roads) rather than a fashion effect.
- Dominant urban use: city car or micro-SUV, electric or mild hybrid engine.
- Mixed city and road trips: compact SUV or compact sedan, plug-in hybrid or petrol depending on mileage.
- Regular long trips: sedan or station wagon, diesel or plug-in hybrid with sufficient electric range for daily use.
The market offers enough models in each segment for a buyer to find a vehicle suited to their actual usage. The best car in 2024 is the one that matches your mileage, not a general trend. Comparing ownership costs over five years (purchase price, maintenance, fuel or charging, insurance, depreciation) provides a much more reliable picture than a ranking of trendy models.
