What are the best electric cars?

With the electric car market expanding rapidly there are more great EVs to choose from than ever – so where do you start? We’d suggest right here, because we’ve used our expertise and experience to compile a list of the best electric cars you can buy right now.

Our top 10 includes options to suit a variety of budgets and needs, with everything from compact and cost-effective to spacious and sporty. Our focus is on new cars, and includes the latest models, but many of these cars are also available to buy used. For each car we’ve included its maximum battery range, but bear in mind that some versions of a specific model will have a shorter range, and that these are the official figures – what you get in the real world will depend on where and how you drive.

1.Renault 5 E-Tech

Maximum range: 250 miles

What’s the most desirable car on the planet right now? An ultra-luxury SUV or mega-fast sports car perhaps? We think it could well be the Renault 5 E-Tech, a compact electric hatchback that costs about the same as a petrol-powered Volkswagen Polo. Seriously, this is one of the hottest cars around. 

And not just because of its awesome modern-retro exterior design. It’s just as chic inside, with lovely details and interesting materials (some versions have recycled denim seat trim). It’s surprisingly roomy, too, and all versions have an easy-to-use infotainment system and wireless smartphone connectivity. 

It’s also comparatively cheap, well-equipped and battery range is more than a match for most small electric cars. On top of all this it’s really good to drive, combining a comfortable ride with a nimble feel through corners. No wonder it was named European Car of the Year 2025.

2. Kia EV3

Maximum range: 375 miles

Kia might not have been overly creative with the name of its latest electric hatchback (yep, we get it – it’s an EV!) but in every other respect it’s smashed it out of the park. Like all Kia’s latest cars it has a bold, futuristic look inside and out – in fact, it’s like a wild concept car that you can actually buy. 

And in common with other Kia models it gives you a lot for your money. Prices start at about £33,000 and even the entry-level car has LED headlights, heated front seats, front and rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera. Maximum range is well ahead of most rival cars, with all but the entry-level version capable of well over 300 miles on a full charge.

3. Skoda Elroq

Maximum range: 360 miles

Skoda already produced one of the best electric SUVs in the shape of the Enyaq – but in 2025 it launched the Elroq, which is arguably even better. The two cars share many parts and both give you the kind of generous boot space and budget-friendly prices you expect of the brand. The Elroq gets our vote here because it’s more compact, yet still very practical, and it costs a lot less.

In fact, a starting price of £31,500 for the base-spec SE model almost seems like a printing error given how classy and well-equipped it is. An extra £1850 gets you the SE L model, which adds useful features such as front parking sensors and heated front seats. It also has a bigger battery, which gives quicker acceleration and bumps the battery range up from 232 to 265 miles. Top-spec models have a range of up to 360 miles yet they’re still competitively priced.

4. Porsche Taycan

Maximum range: 421 miles

When is a Porsche sports car actually a four-door electric saloon? When it’s the Porsche Taycan, of course. It’s a remarkable car that gives you the kind of rakish looks, thrilling drive and mind-blowing performance you expect of the brand’s petrol-powered, high-performance two-door models. But it’s also a luxurious, zero-emissions four-seater with a beautifully crafted, high-tech interior. 

As you’d expect, all of this doesn’t come cheap. The Taycan feels like it’s worth paying a premium for, however, and because it’s been on sale since 2019 the earliest versions are now surprisingly affordable – plenty are available at less than £40,000.

5. Citroen E-C3

Maximum range: 199 miles

Citroen has long been the go-to brand for quirky, affordable cars and it’s brought all that expertise to the EV sector with the E-C3 – a compact crossover that’s one of the cheapest electric cars around. 

As of spring 2025, prices start at just over £22,000, which is less than you pay for some petrol-powered small hatchbacks. In the case of the E-C3 it gets you a smart-looking car with SUV vibes, a slightly elevated driving position and a reasonably spacious interior. It’s fairly basic inside, but comes with all mod-cons. Comfort is a strong point, thanks to a smooth ride and especially cushy seats.

6. Hyundai Ioniq 5

Maximum range: 354 miles

Looking something like a cross between a 1980s hatchback and a cutting-edge SUV, the Hyundai Ioniq is one of the most distinctive cars around. It’s also one of the best mid-size electric cars you can buy. 

The interior isn’t as wild-looking as the exterior but it has a lounge-like feel thanks to its minimalist design, high-quality materials and large windows. High-spec models have luxurious features such as rear door blinds, electric front seat adjustment and part-leather upholstery. The driving experience pampers you, too, thanks to a cushy, quiet ride. If you want something a bit more edgy there’s the Ioniq 5 N – a faster, seriously sporty version that’s one of the best hot hatches around.

7. Renault Scenic E-Tech

Maximum range: 379 miles

Once upon a time the Renault Scenic was a practical but not especially stylish MPV. Nowadays, it’s a sleek, sharp-edged SUV with pure electric power. Although not quite as versatile as its predecessor it’s one of the most family-friendly cars of its type thanks to its spacious interior, large boot and a rear seat backrest that you can fold down in three sections to balance passenger and boot space. 

Like all the latest Renault models, the Scenic has an especially attractive and user-friendly infotainment system with a large display and logical controls. The rest of the interior is smart and stylish, too. Considering how much equipment you get for your money the Scenic is also very keenly priced, while battery range is near the top of the class, with Long Range models capable of 379 miles on a full charge.

8. Kia EV9

Maximum range: 349 miles

The Kia EV9 is the brand’s most expensive model yet, with a starting price of about £65,000. That might seem a lot, but when you consider how much you get for your money it’s actually excellent value. 

Thing is, the EV9 is a powerful and luxurious family SUV that’s stylish, loaded with kit and seats up to seven in comfort. Its nearest EV rival, the Volvo EX90, costs almost £18,000 more in its cheapest form. No other seven-seat SUV has a design that’s as bold as the EV9’s, either, and very few can match Kia’s seven-year warranty from new. Battery range is nearly 350 miles and the EV9 accepts ultra-fast charging, allowing you to add 154 miles of range in just 15 minutes.

9. MG 4

Maximum range: 323 miles

It’s safe to say that MG is on a roll, having snuck into the top 10 best-selling car brands in the UK for the first time in 2024. A lot of that success is down to the incredible value its electric cars offer and the MG 4 is the pick of the bunch. It’s a great-looking mid-size hatchback that’s fun to drive and has a starting price of just under £27,000 (as of March 2025).
 
That gets you an entry-level SE model but if you can stretch to it we’d recommend the Trophy Long Range model, which adds features such as a 360-degree parking camera, wireless phone charger and heated front seats and steering wheel. It nudges the price up to just over £32,000 but that still looks mighty good value. MG’s unusually long seven-year/80,000-mile warranty sweetens the deal, too.

10.Tesla Model 3

Maximum range: 436 miles

Yes, we know – Elon. But whatever you think of the world’s richest person, the Model 3 remains one of the best electric cars around. Even though it was introduced way back in 2019, many rival brands are still playing catch-up. 

The Model 3 has always had a longer battery range than most rivals and improvements over the years have kept it ahead of the pack, with the latest model capable of more than 400 miles on a full charge. It also remains one of the quickest electric cars, and it gives you the benefit of Tesla’s network of high-powered ‘Supercharger’ chargers.