Electric cars are no longer just something we expect in the future – they are already a big part of today’s car market. Every major car company now makes at least one electric vehicle (EV), and as laws make petrol and diesel cars more expensive, more electric models are expected to become available.
This means there’s now a bigger variety of electric cars to choose from if you’re thinking about getting one. There are electric cars in all types of shapes and sizes – whether you want a small hatchback, a roomy SUV for the family, or a high-end luxury car. Their performance also varies a lot. Some are just powerful enough to keep up with traffic, while others are among the fastest cars ever made.
A common worry when it comes to electric cars is how far they can go on one charge – and whether that’s enough for your usual trips without needing to stop and recharge.
But there are lots of options. The cheapest electric cars can go about 150 miles on a full charge in real-life driving conditions. You don’t have to spend too much more, though, before you can get a car that can go 300 miles between charges.
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Fast chargers are becoming more common, and many electric cars can now add a lot of range in less time than a quick stop at Chieveley Services. So, long trips in an electric car are now not only possible, but can be pleasant too.
Still, there are some issues that make petrol or diesel cars better for certain people. Public charging can be both pricey and a hassle, especially if you don’t have any other way to charge. That’s why electric cars work best for people who can park off the road and charge at home.
If you have specific needs, like towing heavy loads over long distances or carrying many passengers, your choices may be more limited. And while electric cars are still usually more expensive to buy than petrol or diesel ones, that gap is getting smaller as new models come out.
Kia EV3
The EV3 is the smallest electric car Kia makes, sitting below the more fancy EV6 and EV9 models. It’s also the cheapest, with prices starting just over £30,000 – putting it right in the same range as some of the most common SUVs available today.
It’s good to find a cheaper option, but that only matters if the car is still decent. The EV3 does a great job in that area.
To begin with, it’s useful. Its boxy shape and raised height give plenty of space for four adults who are six feet tall, and the boot is a roomy 460 litres – more than what you get with a Volvo EX30, Smart #1, or Renault Megane E-Tech. Inside, it’s designed in a way that makes sense, with physical buttons for the most-used features and two large screens that are easy to use.
It’s nice to drive too – smooth on the motorway, easy to handle in town, and steady on winding roads. A rear-wheel drive Volvo EX30 might be a bit more fun in sharp turns, but the EV3 still drives really well.
It can go further than most of its direct competitors without needing a charge. The smaller of the two battery options gives an official range of 270 miles, which is more than enough for most people’s daily travel. If you go for the larger battery, the range jumps up to an impressive 375 miles – a figure normally seen in much more costly electric cars.
Is it without faults? Not quite. A heat pump – which helps with heating the car more efficiently and adds range during colder weather – only comes with the most expensive version, instead of being available across all models like on the BYD Atto 3. Its charging speed is limited to 128kW, which can fill the battery from 10% to 80% in about 30 minutes, but Kia’s bigger models can charge at double that speed with very fast chargers.
If you pick the cheapest ‘Air’ model, you’ll notice that the nicer interior finishes are replaced with harder, rougher plastic, which is a bit disappointing. Still, none of these things take away from how good a deal the EV3 offers. It’s the best electric car for the money right now.
Volvo EX30
The Volvo EX30 was picked as Carwow’s Car of the Year in 2024, and even after some time, it’s still an excellent small electric car. It’s about the same size as most hatchbacks but looks more like an SUV because it sits a bit higher, giving drivers a more powerful view of the road.
Even though this is a stylish, modern electric car from a premium brand, the EX30 starts at under £33,000 – a great deal considering how nice it feels. It definitely seems more expensive than it is. If you move up from the basic model – which gives you 209 miles of range – to the Long Range version, you’ll get an official 295 miles per charge for less than £40,000, which is hard to beat.
At the top of the range is the Twin Motor Performance model, the fastest car Volvo has ever made. It can go from 0 to 62mph in just 3.6 seconds, which is a lot for a small family SUV, but great for drivers who love speed without showing off. It also comes with four-wheel drive, which is rare for small electric SUVs.
Inside, the EX30 is very simple – similar to a Tesla with hardly any buttons. Besides the ones on the steering wheel and the controls near it, everything else is controlled by a 12.3-inch upright touchscreen. There’s no separate display behind the steering wheel – all important driving info shows up on the top part of the main screen.
This setup might take some getting used to – if you’re not used to looking to the middle of the car for your speed, it might feel strange at first. And even if you’re okay with tech, using a screen just to adjust mirrors or open the glovebox might seem unnecessary.
The simple design does look really nice, though, and you can choose from some unique materials and colours for the dashboard and seats, including blue, green, or stylish grey wool. The interior looks fantastic, and you might forget that the back seats are a bit tight and the boot isn’t very big. So it’s not great for big families, but if you don’t need a large SUV, the Volvo EX30 is a great electric choice.
Kia EV9
The Kia EV9 won the ‘Outstanding EV’ award in the 2024 Carwow Car of the Year awards because it’s excellent at what it does. It’s big, quite pricey, and probably more than most people need, but if you’re after an electric seven-seater, this is easily the best one you can buy.
That’s partly because of what else is available. Other options are either turned-into-van models like the Citroen e-Spacetourer, very expensive ones like the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV, or cars like the Tesla Model Y that don’t offer enough space in the back for passengers.
The EV9 really does fit seven adults comfortably, and its interior is nice enough that it wouldn’t feel out of place in a Range Rover – though it costs about two-thirds as much.
It’s enjoyable to drive too. Even though it’s a large vehicle, the square shape, the built-in 360-degree cameras, and easy steering make it simple to handle in the city. On longer trips, soft suspension and big, cozy seats help make the ride peaceful and comfortable.
The inside is clearly the best part of the EV9. It comes with seven seats as standard, but if you choose the highest GT-Line S version, you can pick a fancier six-seat setup with rotating captain’s chairs in the middle row.
Some parts of the interior do feel a bit cheap – the dashboard doesn’t feel like what you’d find in a BMW iX, for example – but the touchscreen system is simple to use and there’s a lot of storage space.
The EV9 with the biggest battery can go up to 349 miles on one charge, which is more than enough when traveling with six people, especially with bathroom breaks in mind. Even the stronger dual-motor version can officially do 313 miles, though both numbers will drop if the car is full of people or you’re driving on the motorway.
It’s not a low-cost option, and it’s not the right choice if you have a small garage or a narrow driveway – but other than that, the Kia EV9 is an excellent electric SUV with seven seats.
Hyundai Ioniq 5
When the Hyundai Ioniq 5 came out in 2021, it looked like something out of a sci-fi film – and even today, it still gives off that feeling. The cool pixel-like lights, shiny silver trim, and unusual shape – kind of like a hatchback, but the size of an SUV – have stayed stylish, and it still feels like something ahead of its time.
A 2024 update made sure the Ioniq 5’s battery stayed current – there are now two options, a smaller one that gives up to 273 miles of range, and a larger one that can go as far as 354 miles. From what we’ve seen in real driving, it’s actually possible to get close to those numbers – more so than with many other electric cars.
And once the battery runs low, you can charge it really fast. The larger battery can go from 10% to 80% in just 18 minutes, which is quicker than some electric cars that cost twice as much.
The car performs well too, with quick acceleration and steady, confident handling. But if you want more fun when you drive, there’s the Ioniq 5 N – a special high-performance version with 650hp and smart technology that makes it feel like it has a petrol engine and gear shifts.
This new approach – turning it into the first electric performance car that’s actually fun to drive – earned Hyundai the Tech Trailblazer award in the 2025 Carwow Car of the Year awards.
Citroen e-C3
The Citroen e-C3 is one of the least expensive electric cars you can buy, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t enjoyable. It’s based on the petrol C3, and both use a design that was first made to keep costs low in developing countries – though when you’re inside, it doesn’t feel cheap thanks to smart interior choices and lots of tech.
Even though it’s one of the most budget-friendly electric cars on sale, it comes with climate control, wireless phone mirroring, and LED lights all around. These features make it feel much more modern than other very low-cost options like the Dacia Spring. You can tell where they’ve saved money when you look at the battery and motor – it has 113hp, so it won’t be as quick as a Tesla, and the official range is only 199 miles. Still, that’s more than what the Dacia Spring or Leapmotor T03 can offer.
The e-C3 also feels like a real car, not just something built only for city use. One reason for that is the suspension. Citroen has added its ‘Advanced Comfort’ suspension, with special hydraulic parts that smooth out rough roads. It works really well and helps make the e-C3 one of the comfiest small cars you can drive, especially with its wide, soft seats.
It may not be as exciting to drive as the top small electric cars, but it feels more stable around corners than anything else at the same price and is comfortable enough for long journeys too. It even has a stylish design.
BMW iX
The BMW iX might have the best interior of any car on this list, but it’s understandable if you’re unsure about how it looks on the outside. Even with different tastes in mind, it’s not the most attractive car. Still, once you look past its appearance, there’s a lot to appreciate about the BMW iX.
To start with, the battery, speed, and range numbers are very impressive. The basic xDrive45 model can drive up to 374 miles on one charge. If you go for the xDrive60, you get up to 426 miles – and with 544hp, it can go from 0 to 62mph in only 4.4 seconds.
The highest version, the M70, has a huge 659hp, gets from 0 to 62mph in just 3.8 seconds, and still manages up to 365 miles of range.
All this speed and power comes with an interior that feels extremely luxurious. Being inside the iX feels like sitting in a fancy living room, with excellent materials and high-quality build. If you choose certain options, you can even get cut-crystal on some of the controls like the gear selector and media knob – it might seem a bit much, but it definitely stands out.
There’s lots of room for people and luggage, so the iX works well as a family SUV. It’s also one of the most enjoyable electric cars to drive in its class. Even though it’s a big car, it feels very quick to respond and uses its power smoothly and easily.
Tesla Model 3
The Tesla Model 3 is the smallest car the American electric brand makes, but it’s also one of the most well-liked. It was built from scratch, which means it doesn’t follow the usual rules of car design – Tesla likes to keep things very simple and use lots of new technology, some of which works really well.
The basic setup is excellent – a big battery gives the Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive version up to 436 miles of range, and the Model 3 Performance can go from 0 to 62mph in just 2.9 seconds. Those numbers are among the best for a car this size and price.
Inside the Tesla, the design is extremely simple. You won’t find normal buttons for the heater, and you won’t even see a gear selector. Instead, you choose the gear through the touchscreen, or the car can pick it for you.
This level of automation is taken even further if you pay for Tesla’s ‘Full Self Driving Capability’ pack. It claims that when the technology and rules allow, your Tesla will be able to drive on its own without you needing to take control. That’s still a future promise, but right now you do get ‘Enhanced Autopilot,’ which is one of the best systems for helping on the motorway.
Porsche Taycan
Porsche’s first electric car was always going to be taken seriously by the brand, which is known for its high level of attention to detail and strong build quality. The Taycan impressed when it first came out in 2020, and after a 2024 update, it’s even better.
The Taycan has a long and low shape, with enough space inside for four adults to sit comfortably and a decent-sized boot. The interior is finished in high-end materials and everything is built very well. The screens are very sharp, and the tech is simple to use – more common car brands could definitely learn from this.
Those brands could also learn how to make an electric car that’s fun to drive. The Taycan handles corners incredibly well, is smooth on motorways, and feels calm in town – it acts like a proper electric sports car, with handling that makes it seem lighter than it is.
There are many versions to choose from, with the one that goes the furthest able to do up to 421 miles on a charge. On the other end, there’s the Taycan Turbo GT, which has an amazing 1,108hp and can go from 0 to 62mph in just 2.2 seconds.
It’s not a cheap car – and Porsche’s list of extras can make the price climb even faster. But for what it offers in build quality, how it drives, and how well-rounded it is, the Taycan is actually quite a fair deal.
Kia EV6
The Kia EV6 was the first electric car from Kia to use the ‘EV’ name, but a 2024 update helped it stay fresh. This mid-life update brought a bigger battery, better speed, and an official range of up to 361 miles. In everyday use, it’s possible to get over 300 miles on one charge, which is impressive for a car that doesn’t cost as much as many rivals.
And when the battery runs low, you can charge it very quickly thanks to the EV6’s 258kW charging speed. At a powerful enough public charger, you can go from 10-80% charge in under 20 minutes – great for a quick stop during long journeys.
Inside, the EV6 mixes modern style with practical design. There’s lots of storage space, large touchscreens for media and settings, but also a row of physical buttons for the climate settings and useful shortcuts for the screen, which makes using it easy.
It’s a great car to drive too. Even though it shares much with the Hyundai Ioniq 5, the EV6 feels even better behind the wheel. Its suspension is firmer, so it doesn’t lean too much in corners. With good power available, it’s enjoyable to take on a curvy road, making it a solid option for people who like driving.
Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer
The Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer is one of the few electric estate cars you can buy, but just because it’s rare doesn’t mean it’s not worth looking at. If you want a large and useful car but don’t like tall SUVs, the ID.7 could be a great match.
There’s plenty of space inside. With 605 litres of boot capacity, the long shape of the ID.7 gives back seat passengers lots of legroom too. Up front, you get lots of storage spots and a huge touchscreen that controls most of the car’s settings.
While physical buttons might make some features quicker to use, VW’s screen setup works well, with options to create your own shortcuts for the features you use most often.
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It’s very smooth to drive. It handles motorway journeys easily, and although you don’t sit up high like in an SUV, it’s still easy to move around in town and soft over bumps. The version with the biggest battery can go up to 424 miles on a charge, which is one of the highest ranges available today.
It looks smart, drives well, and has loads of space. So what’s the downside? It’s not the cheapest electric estate car, but it’s not extremely pricey either. Its cost sits somewhere between more basic cars like the Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer and more premium models such as the Audi A6 Avant e-tron.
