Best electric cars 2023

There’s so much affection for the retro design of the Volkswagen ID Buzz that its maker could easily have penny-pinched on the engineering and still sold as many as it could make.

Instead, the German brand has clearly thrown everything at the car, and this has resulted in something that combines the practicality of an MPV with the comfort and refinement of a premium SUV and the low running costs of an electric car. 

The ID Buzz is good to drive – it can sprint up to motorway speeds faster than a conventional family SUV, such as the 1.5-litre petrol-engined Volkswagen Tiguan – and is endlessly spacious, meaning more space for passengers and luggage than you'd find in a Jaguar I-Pace or Tesla Model Y.

Add in strong resale values, and it's no wonder that the ID Buzz is our Car of the Year for 2023, and the best electric car you can buy.

Few cars received as much hype before their launch as the Tesla Model 3, and even fewer can match what it offers in reality. 

The American brand’s smallest car is great to drive, offering sweeter handling than the rival Kia EV6 or Polestar 2, and it's packed full of tech, fast (ridiculously so in Performance guise) as well as being surprisingly practical. In fact, you might be surprised at how much luggage you can get into its boot. 

Factor in that it’s also competitively priced – it undercuts the rival Hyundai Ioniq 6, for example – and that buying one gets you access to the brand’s ultra-fast and convenient Supercharger network, and it’s easy to recommend. 

Don't let the fact that you might not have heard of the Genesis brand put you off.

You see, Genesis is part of the same group as Hyundai and Kia, and the GV60 is a sister model to the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6. Amazingly, though, it manages to be classier than both inside, with most surfaces covered in high-quality materials, and comes with a more intuitive infotainment system.

Being based on the Ioniq 5 and EV6 gives the GV60 the same electric car advantages as those models, too, namely a long range and the ability to charge its batteries super-quickly – provided you’re using the most powerful charging points. In fact, we think the GV60 is so good that it's our reigning Electric SUV of the Year.

Aside from some styling details and the fact the combustion engine has been replaced with an electric motor, the iX3 is essentially a BMW X3 – and that's a good thing. 

It means you're getting a practical and classy SUV with the best infotainment system around. Indeed, BMW’s iDrive setup, with its rotary controller, is far easier to get along with than the purely touch-based setups of some rivals, such as the Audi Q8 E-tron and Mercedes EQC – even if those cars feel a little classier inside.

Speaking of rivals, the iX3 steers and handles better than most of them, including the Jaguar I-Pace, while also providing a comfortable ride. Zero emissions and a long range between charges are merely very welcome bonuses.

The Kia EV6 is an even better electric car than the closely related Hyundai Ioniq 5, because it's more enjoyable to drive and slightly classier inside. In fact, it's a former What Car? Car of the Year winner.

Like the Ioniq 5, it offers a long official range of up to 328 miles between charges (although you’re more likely to see up to 270 miles in real-world conditions), as well as rapid charging for the ability to charge up very quickly. 

Just bear in mind that cheaper rear-wheel drive EV6s make more financial sense than the faster, four-wheel drive models, even though the latter can cover the 0-62mph sprint in just 5.0sec. There’s also a range-topping EV6 GT model with 577bhp which can out-sprint a Porsche Taycan 4S to 62mph.

If you're looking for all the usual electric car benefits but want something that's also absolutely thrilling to drive, the Porsche Taycan is the car for you.

Even entry level models come with 322bhp, while range-topping Turbo versions offer up to 751bhp – enough for a 0-62mph sprint time of just 2.8sec. An incredibly low centre of gravity and impressive steering makes the Taycan feel very agile. It gives you a better connection to the front wheels than the Mercedes EQS, for example, and only the near-identical Audi E-tron GT can match it for grip.

Don’t worry about range, either; all versions of the Taycan should be capable of taking you 200 miles between charges in real-world conditions.

The Taycan is wonderfully classy inside, too, and surprisingly practical, particularly if you go for the estate-like Cross Turismo version we're recommending here. So, while the Taycan certainly isn't cheap, it's worth every penny.

Hyundai's Ioniq 5 combines standout looks with a good range. Entry level versions can take you up to 238 miles between charges according to official figures, while higher-end models offer up to 285 miles.

When you do need to plug in, the Ioniq 5 supports the same fast-charging as its sister car, the Kia EV6, so a 10-80% top-up can take as little as 20 minutes.

The Ioniq 5 offers plenty of space inside, with enough legroom for six-foot passengers to stretch out, even if they’re sitting behind a lofty driver. The boot, meanwhile, managed to fit seven carry-on suitcases in our tests – but it's worth noting that the rival Tesla Model Y and Volkswagen ID 4 managed to swallow even more. Our only real gripe is that the ride, while comfy most of the time, could be better controlled – the Genesis Gv60 is better in this regard.

MG's latest electric car is staggering value for money – particularly in entry-level SE trim. Don’t think that by going for the cheapest choice you’ll be left lacking in kit, though; luxuries such as adaptive cruise control and rear parking sensors come as standard.

Elsewhere, the MG 4 EV impresses with a competitive range of up to 218 miles between charges with the cheapest 50.8kWh battery. The more expensive 61.7kWh models, meanwhile, can travel up to 281 miles between charges according to official figures. If you want to match a good range with the kind of acceleration which can embarrass a Porsce Taycan 4S, then go for the MG4 Xpower, which gets 429bhp and four-wheel drive.

Some rivals, such as the Cupra Born and Renault Megane E-Tech are quieter, more polished to drive and have smarter interiors than the MG, but then they also cost thousands more to buy.

With the Skoda Enyaq, you're getting an electric SUV that’s practical, smart inside and well equipped. In fact, even entry level models come with luxuries including dual-zone climate control, 19in alloy wheels and cruise control.

Perhaps most impressive of all, though, is the value it offers. The ‘60’ version is priced in line with smaller alternatives, including the Kia Niro EV. And don’t think that bargain price means you’ll be short-changed on range; 60 models can officially take you up to 246-miles between charges.

The Enyaq also one of the best-riding cars for the money, especially on faster roads, where it's more comfortable than the Hyundai Ioniq 5 or Tesla Model Y. It's good to drive, too; its steering is light and precise, so you can place the car exactly where you want it.

The BMW i4 is fast, with some versions able to reach 60mph from a standing start in just 3.8sec. The i4 is also better at putting its power down than single-motor versions of the rival Polestar 2, especially in slippery conditions. Plus, it's comfortable on long journeys, and extremely hushed at high speeds.

Factor in a decent range of up to 367 miles between charges, a great infotainment system that’s easy to get along with, as well as its plush interior and it's a compelling alternative to a Tesla Model 3. 

However, it’s worth bearing in mind that the Model 3 comes with a significantly better-charging network – important if you cover a lot of motorway miles. Plus, whether you’re buying outright or on a finance deal, the i4 will cost you more than most rivals.

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