Welcome to our fully refreshed 2025 guide to the best electric cars you can buy in the UK. Whether you're after a practical SUV, a stylish city car, or a blisteringly fast performance model, we’ve got you covered.
This year, we’ve taken a new approach. Rather than offering a one-size-fits-all recommendation, we've handpicked the top electric cars across 10 key categories, complete with two worthy alternatives for each. So no matter your budget or lifestyle, there's an EV here for you.
Top Electric Cars in 2025: At a Glance
Best electric family car: Tesla Model 3
Best affordable electric SUV: Renault Scenic E-Tech
Best small EV: Renault 5 E-Tech
Best performance EV: Hyundai Ioniq 5 N
Let’s dive into the full list:
Renault 5 E-Tech
🏆 Best small electric car
A stylish revival that’s affordable and genuinely fun.
✔ Pros: Eye-catching design, playful drive, strong value
✘ Cons: Moderate range (255 miles WLTP)
Renault’s all-new 5 E-Tech reimagines a classic with retro charm and modern tech. Starting at just £22,995, it delivers great looks, a clever interior, and fun handling at an affordable price. There’s even a hot Alpine A290 version and a wild 500bhp Turbo 3E on the way.
Also consider:
Mini Cooper Electric – stylish and nimble, less practical
Hyundai Inster – modern styling, loads of interior space
MG 4 (Long Range)
🏆 Best hatchback EV
A game-changer in value and capability.
✔ Pros: Excellent value, strong range (281 miles), good to drive
✘ Cons: Cheap-feeling interior
The MG 4 has turned the budget EV market on its head. With a starting price under £30k and 201bhp, it beats many pricier rivals on range and space. Just make sure to go for the Long Range model.
Also consider:
Cupra Born – sporty feel, smart styling
Vauxhall Frontera Electric – roomy and no-nonsense
Tesla Model 3
🏆 Best electric family car
A tech-forward, efficient all-rounder.
✔ Pros: Long range (up to 436 miles), great performance, Tesla charging access
✘ Cons: Minimalist touchscreen-heavy interior
The Model 3 remains one of the most compelling EVs for families, with real-world efficiency and impressive range. Pricing starts at £39,990, with options to suit both budget-conscious and performance-hungry drivers.
Also consider:
Kia EV6 – sleek, practical and well-equipped
BMW i4 – a refined and rewarding electric saloon
Volkswagen ID.7
🏆 Best large electric car
Refined, spacious, and seriously capable.
✔ Pros: Plush ride, roomy cabin, long range (up to 436 miles)
✘ Cons: Anonymous styling, infotainment quirks
The ID.7 shows VW at its best. Supremely comfortable and efficient, it outpaces rivals like the Mercedes EQE and BMW i5 when it comes to value and usability.
Also consider:
Audi S6 e-Tron – premium feel with extra punch
BMW i5 – fun to drive, but less efficient and tighter inside
Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer
🏆 Best electric estate car
The ultimate EV load-lugger.
✔ Pros: Huge boot (605L), excellent range
✘ Cons: Same infotainment issues as hatchback
Need space? The ID.7 Tourer delivers estate practicality with a class-leading 424-mile range. Drop the rear seats and you’ve got 1714L of load space – perfect for family life or longer adventures.
Also consider:
BMW i5 Touring – posher, but less efficient
Peugeot E-308 SW – great looks in a smaller package
Renault Scenic E-Tech
🏆 Best affordable electric SUV
A smart, capable family car.
✔ Pros: Comfortable, efficient, stylish
✘ Cons: Firm ride, rear visibility
The new Scenic E-Tech proves practical EVs don’t have to be dull. With up to 379 miles of range and sharp handling, it’s a strong contender in the ever-growing SUV space.
Also consider:
Skoda Elroq – a spacious, value-packed option
Kia EV3 – downsized brilliance from Kia’s EV lineup
BMW iX
🏆 Best premium electric SUV
Still ugly. Still brilliant.
✔ Pros: Drives beautifully, massive range (up to 426 miles), plush interior
✘ Cons: Looks divide opinion
The facelifted iX remains the premium EV SUV to beat, especially now with improved range and tech. Love or hate the design, the driving experience is second to none.
Also consider:
Polestar 3 – sharp handling, minimalist charm
Porsche Macan Electric – smaller, but superbly sporty
Kia EV9
🏆 Best electric 7-seater
Roomy, rapid charging, and ready for anything.
✔ Pros: Loads of space, clever interior, ultra-fast charging
✘ Cons: Not the most efficient or exciting drive
The EV9 brings seven-seat practicality with a sci-fi twist. From swivelling middle-row seats to 15-minute fast charging, it’s family transport reimagined – and a GT performance version is coming soon.
Also consider:
VW ID.Buzz LWB – retro-cool with people-moving practicality
Peugeot E-5008 – smart design in a smaller, more affordable package
BMW i7
🏆 Best luxury electric saloon
Modern luxury that drives as well as it pampers.
✔ Pros: Jaw-dropping interior, powerful and poised
✘ Cons: Less efficient than rivals, bold looks
The i7 is BMW’s electric limo – elegant from within, controversial from without. With up to 387 miles of range, optional rear cinema, and serious driving chops, it’s more than a chauffeur special.
Also consider:
Rolls-Royce Spectre – peak luxury, peak price
Lucid Air – sublime, if you can get one in the UK
Hyundai Ioniq 5 N
🏆 Best electric performance car
Hyundai redefines how fun an EV can be.
✔ Pros: Wild power (641bhp), superb chassis, immersive tech
✘ Cons: Could be cheaper with less power
The Ioniq 5 N is a performance EV revelation. With simulated gear shifts, drivetrain 'feel', and exceptional tuning, it offers true driving engagement in a way no other EV has managed before.
Also consider:
Porsche Taycan – pick any version, they’re all outstanding
Alpine A290 – hot hatch thrills, coming soon
EV FAQs: What You Need to Know
Which EV has the longest range?
The Mercedes-Benz EQS currently leads with 481 miles WLTP, though cars like the BMW i7 and VW ID.7 also push past 400 miles.
Are electric cars more expensive?
Generally yes, but the gap is closing. Brands like Vauxhall are pushing price parity, and leasing options can make EVs much more accessible.
What’s the cheapest electric car?
The Dacia Spring starts at £14,995, but it’s a compromise on quality. You’ll likely get better value from a nearly new model with more performance and features.
Which EV is the most spacious?
For SUVs, the Kia EV9 is unbeatable. For MPV-style practicality, try the VW ID.Buzz or van-based models like the Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric.
Are electric cars the future?
The industry is moving toward EVs as the long-term solution to reduce emissions. Alternatives like hydrogen and synthetic e-fuels are also being explored, but battery electric vehicles are currently leading the way.
Want to go electric in 2025?
From everyday runabouts to premium cruisers, there’s never been a better time to make the switch. Leasing options and growing charging networks make EV ownership more accessible than ever.
