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Best large electric cars 2026 – the large EVs to choose and avoid

The best electric cars are cheap to run and good to drive, and larger models offer plenty of space for growing families. Here we rank the best – and name the worst
Best large electric cars 2025

If everything is bigger in Texas, then these large electric cars will fit right in with the Lone Star state. But choosing a large electric car isn't just for those who live in the US – you might just as well find yourself looking at one if you're in need of a lot of space, or even the longest range, from your new electric car.

And the good news is that there have never been more models to choose from, ranging from different body styles to new brands which you might not have heard of before. And with an influx of new models coming from Chinese brands, price has never been more important, so large electric cars are no longer the super-expensive options they once were.

We define a large electric car as being one which measures more than 4500mm in length, meaning you won't find smaller models like the Renault 5 or Mini Cooper here. You also won't find any electric SUVs here, because again we've covered those in a seperate story.

Best large electric cars 2025 BMW i5 vs Mercedes EQE

While small electric cars, which we've covered separately, have limited space available, the best large electric cars will offer plenty of space for your family and all of their luggage. Some even have secondary bo0ts for your to store a couple of extra bags or, more likely, your charging cabless.

Of course, a lot of space is only one of the factors we look for in a large electric car. We also be assess things like interior quality, infotainment, range, performance, charging, reliability and costs – and finding the best large electric car based on all of that criteria is no mean feat.

Fortunately, it's a task which our experienced team of road testers is more than up to. They've spent hundreds of hours behind the wheel of every large electric car on the market, driving them across thousands of miles both on public roads, and back to back against key rivals at our private test track.

The result of that testing is the list you see here, where we've named the 10 best large electric cars you can buy, as well as the model which we think you should avoid. Remember that if any of the cars here take your fancy, then you can follow the links to learn more about them in our in-depth reviews, or see the latest discounts available through our free New Car Deals service. We've also answered some of the most commonly asked questions about electric car ownership at the bottom of this page.


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Oliver Young driving the Tesla Model 3
Oliver Young driving the Tesla Model 3

Our pick: 84.7kWh Premium Long Range Auto 4dr

0-62 mph: 5.2 sec
Range: 466 miles
Seats: 5
Boot: 594 litres
Insurance group: 38D
Reliability
Safety
Costs
Quality
Performance

Strengths

  • Fast and reliable charging via Tesla's Supercharger network
  • Long range between charges
  • Surprisingly practical

Weaknesses

  • Fiddly interior controls
  • Handling not as entertaining as the best petrol-powered rivals
  • Windscreen pillars can hamper visibility

The Tesla Model 3 isn't just our favourite large electric car, it's also one of our favourite electric cars full stop, and is our top choice if you're in the market for an executive car. What makes it so recommendable? Well, no matter what you want from an electric car, the Model 3 has you covered.

Let's start with range, which is likely to be high up on your list of priorities. Even entry-level versions can officially travel for up to 318 miles on a charge, which should be enough for the needs of most drivers, while the aptly-named Long Range version has a headline-grabbing official range of 436 miles. And with that sort of mileage on offer, you might find yourself only charging it up once or twice a week. And speaking of charging, buying a Model 3 gives you preferrential access to Tesla's fast and convenient Supercharger network of charging stations.

Inside, you won't struggle for space whether you're talking about passengers or luggage, and there's more room for the latter than you'd find in the rival BMW 3 Series. Or if you're more concerned about threading the Model 3 from corner to corner along a country road, then you'll be pleased to learn that it feels more agile than the BYD Seal and BMW i7.

All things considered, then, the Model 3 represents one of the most compelling cases to go electric that we've seen.

"I like to relax inside whatever car I'm driving while I charge up, so it's handy that among the Model 3's many features is the ability to watch Netflix via the car's infotainment screen." – Dan Jones, Reviewer

Read our in-depth Tesla Model 3 review

Best price from £37,990
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What is What Car? best price?

The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.


Available now from: £37,990


RRP from: £37,990

From £31,490
From £339

About our price indicator

What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)

62.5kWh Standard Saloon 4dr Electric Auto RWD (208 ps)

Expected annual mileage 5000
Term months 48
Deposit months 12
Monthly payment £338.58
Initial payment £4,062.96

Step-by-step

Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.

  • Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
  • Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
  • Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end

What you get

When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:

  • Full manufacturer’s warranty
  • Road tax and roadside assistance included
  • No admin fees
  • Free returns within 30 days*
In partnership with
AutoTrader logo
£4,063 initial payment, 48 month contract, 5000 miles p/a. Subject to status and conditions.
  • Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
  • No balloon payments
  • Road tax included
Stuart Milne test driving VW ID Buzz LWB
Stuart Milne test driving VW ID Buzz LWB

Our pick: Pro 79kWh Style Auto 5dr (SWB, 6Seat)

0-62 mph: 7.6 sec
Range: 272 miles
Seats: 6
Boot: 1121 litres
Insurance group: 40E
Driving
Interior
Practicality
Buying & Owning

Strengths

  • Surprisingly good to drive
  • Hugely practical
  • Strong resale values

Weaknesses

  • Fiddly air-con controls and infotainment
  • Efficiency could be better
  • The LWB version doesn't ride as smoothly as the SWB

We liked the ID Buzz so much when it came along in 2023 that we made it our overall What Car? Car of the Year – and, in stretched long-wheelbase form, it remains the best choice if you need to carry seven people in an electric car.

Of course, given that accolade, you won't be suprised to learn that it's among the most spacious cars you can buy. Indeed, even with all seven seats in use, you've still got a Vauxhall Corsa's worth of boot space to use. When you're travelling in five-seat mode, though, there's a gargantuan 1340 litres, and with both rear rows folded down there's about the same space as you'd find in a Ford Transit Connect van.

The ID Buzz is more than just a big box on wheels, though. Its interior feels upmarket in all of the places that you touch regularly, and thanks to the deep levels of personalisation Volkswagen offers, you can really make your car your own.

Going for the long-wheelbase version of the Buzz also gets you a bigger battery, at 86kWh, resulting in an official rane of 291 miles – that's more than the rival Mercedes EQV can take you between charges, but it's worth noting that more conventional electric SUVs like the Kia EV9 or Peugeot e-5008 can go further still.

"I live in the city, which you might imagine would make life difficult living with a car as big as the ID Buzz. The opposite is true, though, thanks to its super-tight turning circle and responsive steering." – Will Nightingale, Reviews Editor

Read our in-depth Volkswagen ID Buzz review

Best price from £49,491
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The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.


Available now from: £49,491


RRP from: £59,405

From £31,193
From £588

About our price indicator

What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)

Pro 79kWh Life MPV 5dr Electric Auto (SWB, 5Seat) (286 ps)

Expected annual mileage 5000
Term months 48
Deposit months 12
Monthly payment £588.05
Initial payment £7,056.60

Step-by-step

Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.

  • Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
  • Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
  • Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end

What you get

When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:

  • Full manufacturer’s warranty
  • Road tax and roadside assistance included
  • No admin fees
  • Free returns within 30 days*
In partnership with
AutoTrader logo
£7,057 initial payment, 48 month contract, 5000 miles p/a. Subject to status and conditions.
  • Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
  • No balloon payments
  • Road tax included
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BMW i7 dashboard
BMW i7 dashboard
Driving
Interior
Practicality
Buying & Owning

Strengths

  • Stunning interior
  • Impressive optional 8K cinema screen
  • Extremely comfy for all occupants

Weaknesses

  • Desirable options are very expensive
  • Boot has a comparatively small opening

These days, it isn't enough to just be rich enough to afford a luxury limousine – you also need to be making a statement. And fewer statements will be heard louder than turning up in a luxury limousine that's also electric. And if that sounds appealing, then the BMW i7 is the large electric car to choose.

From the rear seats, you'll be able to relax in palatial levels of comfort – and if you take to sleeping in your car too, the optional Executive Pack replaces the outer rear seats with lounge-style alternatives which can be turned into a bed.

If you're not *quite* right enough to afford a chauffeur, then driving the i7 yourself is a rewarding experience. Even the entry-level version can hit 62mph in 5.5sec, and some versions can officially take you up to 387 miles between charges. The ride is better than in the rival Mercedes EQS, too.

Of course, most of us aren't in a position to put an i7 on our shortlists, but if you do, then you'll be pleased to know that it's priced roughly in line with its Mercedes rival. And, as you'd expect, most of the features you'd want come as standard.

"It might be missing BMW's traditional rotary controller, but I found operating the i7's infotainment system easier than in the Mercedes EQS, because BMW has at least retained some physical controls." – Darren Moss, Deputy Digital Editor

Read our in-depth BMW i7 review

Best price from £103,456
From £69,995
Porsche Taycan dashboard
Porsche Taycan dashboard
Driving
Interior
Practicality
Buying & Owning

Strengths

  • Staggering performance and engaging handling
  • Great potential battery range
  • Wonderful interior quality

Weaknesses

  • It's very expensive...
  • ...and you’ll probably want to add some options
  • Reliability has been a concern

If smiles-per-mile was a measure of how good a car is, then the Porsche Taycan might well be at the top of this list, because very few cars can match its engagement or enjoyment factor. Indeed, it's our top pick if you're looking for an electric performance car.

Key to its appeal is the fact that the Taycan isn't just impressive to drive by the standards of other electric cars, but rather its electric nature adds to the appeal. Consider the 4.8sec 0-62mph sprint time of the entry-level version, for example, or the hedonistic 1020bhp output of the range-topping Turbo GT. Then there's the 441-mile range – which is more than the Audi E-tron GT can manage – and the ability to charge at speeds of up to 320kW.

When you're not tearing up a racetrack or a country road, the Taycan is wonderfully composed, offering steering which offers a better sense of connection than the EQS. And the ride is one of the best in the electric car class.

The Porsche beats its rivals for interior quality, too, and you'll have more room for luggage than you would in the Volkswagen Golf family hatch. If you want a more practical Taycan, consider the estate-like Taycan Sport Turismo or the SUV-like Taycan Cross Turismo.

"If you like your tech, like I do, you'll appreciate that there are four large screens across the Taycan's dashboard. I enjoyed using the one on the passenger side to help my driver navigate to our next destination." – Lawrence Cheung, New Cars Editor

Read our in-depth Porsche Taycan review

Best price from £82,990
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The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.


Available now from: £82,990


RRP from: £88,265

From £74,991
From £1,106

About our price indicator

What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)

Performance Plus 105kWh Saloon 4dr Electric Auto RWD (11kW Charger) (435 ps)

Expected annual mileage 5000
Term months 60
Deposit months 12
Monthly payment £1,106.41
Initial payment £13,276.92

Step-by-step

Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.

  • Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
  • Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
  • Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end

What you get

When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:

  • Full manufacturer’s warranty
  • Road tax and roadside assistance included
  • No admin fees
  • Free returns within 30 days*
In partnership with
AutoTrader logo
£13,277 initial payment, 60 month contract, 5000 miles p/a. Subject to status and conditions.
  • Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
  • No balloon payments
  • Road tax included
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Audi E-tron GT over-the-shoulder driving shot
Audi E-tron GT over-the-shoulder driving shot

Our pick: 105kWh Auto quattro 4dr

0-62 mph: 4 sec
Range: 384 miles
Seats: 5
Boot: 405 litres
Insurance group: 50E
Driving
Interior
Practicality
Buying & Owning

Strengths

  • Comfortable ride and great handling
  • A good range and ultra-rapid charging
  • Space for four adults

Weaknesses

  • Expensive to buy
  • Interior doesn’t feel as special as a Taycan’s
  • Rear access could be better

The E-tron GT shares more than a few of its components with the Porsche Taycan mentioned above – and that's no coincidence, given that the two cars were developed together. And while we rate the Taycan a smidgeon higher thanks to its extra practicality, lower starting price and range, there are still plenty of reasons why you might choose the Audi instead.

To drive, the E-tron GT is outstandingly fast. Indeed, unlike the Taycan, all E-tron GTs get four-wheel drive as standard – and entry-level models will out-accelerate a Taycan 4S to 62mph, taking just 3.4sec. The range-topping RS Performance version, which has 738bhp to play with, drops that time to 2.5sec, with enough punch to push you back into your seat.

Not that you'll mind, because the Audi has seats which are super-comfy for long motorway trips, and super supportive for when you find that perfect country road. Elsewhere, the boot is big enough for a set of golf clubs, and a couple of six-footers will be fine on the rear bench provided the golf club isn't too far away.

"Despite its heady performance, I was impressed at just how quiet the E-tron GT is on the motorway. Indeed, we measured it to be een quieter than a Tesla Model 3 Performance." – Stuart Milne, Digital Editor

Read our in-depth Audi E-tron GT review

Best price from £75,450
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What is What Car? best price?

The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.


Available now from: £75,450


RRP from: £88,605

From £68,999
From £1,025

About our price indicator

What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)

105kWh Saloon 4dr Electric Auto quattro (503 ps)

Expected annual mileage 5000
Term months 60
Deposit months 12
Monthly payment £1,024.91
Initial payment £12,298.92

Step-by-step

Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.

  • Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
  • Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
  • Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end

What you get

When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:

  • Full manufacturer’s warranty
  • Road tax and roadside assistance included
  • No admin fees
  • Free returns within 30 days*
In partnership with
AutoTrader logo
£12,299 initial payment, 60 month contract, 5000 miles p/a. Subject to status and conditions.
  • Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
  • No balloon payments
  • Road tax included
Volkswagen ID 7 interior
Volkswagen ID 7 interior

Our pick: Pro 77kWh Match Plus Tourer Auto 5dr

0-62 mph: 6.6 sec
Range: 360 miles
Seats: 5
Boot: 605 litres
Insurance group: 37E
Driving
Interior
Practicality
Buying & Owning

Strengths

  • Long range between charges
  • Big boot
  • Well-judged ride and handling balance

Weaknesses

  • Fiddly air vent controls
  • GTX version isn’t that much more fun
  • High list price

There still aren't many options to choose from if you're looking for an electric estate car, but the Volkswagen ID 7 stands head and shoulders above its rivals – even those, like the Audi A6 Avant e-tron and BMW i5 Touring, which cost substantially more to buy.

Not only is the ID 7 Tourer usefully cheaper than those models in ou recommended Pro Match guise, but its usefully long range of up to 373 miles ensures that even longer trips need not be off limits. It's quick, too, dispatching the 0-62mph sprint in just 6.6sec in our hands. And while the i5 has the edge when it comes to driving enjoyment, the ID 7 offers a composed and relaxing experience.

The i5 has the edge on the ID 7 when it comes to seating flexibility, too, but the Volkswagen fights back in the area which matters most to estate car buyers – space. Indeed, with 605 litres of capacity in its boot, it beats not only the i5 Touring but also the pricier Porsche Taycan Sport Turismo. In short, there should be enough space for whatever you plan on hauling.

"While I'm grateful that VW does at least include touch-sensitive sliders to change the temperature inside the ID 7 Tourer, it's a pain that in order to do anything more than that, I have to delve into its touchscreen infotainment system." – Steve Huntingford, Editor

Read our in-depth Volkswagen ID 7 Tourer review

Best price from £44,329
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What is What Car? best price?

The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.


Available now from: £44,329


RRP from: £52,225

From £30,499
From £535

About our price indicator

What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)

Pro 77kWh Match Plus Tourer 5dr Electric Auto (286 ps)

Expected annual mileage 5000
Term months 60
Deposit months 12
Monthly payment £535.07
Initial payment £6,420.84

Step-by-step

Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.

  • Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
  • Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
  • Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end

What you get

When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:

  • Full manufacturer’s warranty
  • Road tax and roadside assistance included
  • No admin fees
  • Free returns within 30 days*
In partnership with
AutoTrader logo
£6,421 initial payment, 60 month contract, 5000 miles p/a. Subject to status and conditions.
  • Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
  • No balloon payments
  • Road tax included
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BMW i5 Touring over-the-shoulder driving
BMW i5 Touring over-the-shoulder driving

Our pick: 40 83.9kWh Sport Edition Touring Auto eDrive 5dr

0-62 mph: 6.1 sec
Range: 351 miles
Seats: 5
Boot: 570 litres
Insurance group: 43E
Driving
Interior
Practicality
Buying & Owning

Strengths

  • Practical and well built
  • A very quiet cruiser
  • Tidy handling

Weaknesses

  • An expensive private buy
  • You’ll want to add options
  • Range is good rather than great

Okay, so the Volkswagen ID 7 Tourer mentioned above can officially carry more in its boot than the BMW i5 Touring, but that's not to say that the boot of the i5 is pokey – with 570 litres, you can fit more into it than you could with the Porsche Taycan Sport Turismo.

Plus, unlike the Volkswagen, BMW gives you proper physical controls for its iDrive infotainment system, which makes it substantially easier to use while on the move. We think this is one of the best setups around, with swift responses and graphics worthy of a games console.

While the performance-focussed M60 model offers a heady 593bhp from its dual electric motors, we reckon the single-motor eDrive40 model will be plenty quick enough for most buyers. Plus, it can travel usefully further than the M60, with an official range of 344 miles compared with that car's 310 miles.

It might not be as sporty to drive as the Porsche Taycan, but the i5 Touring still impresses with agile handling and a ride which soaks up most of the lumps and bumps you're likely to encounter.

"I was impressed at how easy it was to modulate the i5 Touring's brake pedal. It responds consistently no matter how hard you press it, and that's something of a rarity among electric cars." – Oliver Young, Reviewer

Read our in-depth BMW i5 Touring review

Best price from £64,643
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What is What Car? best price?

The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.


Available now from: £64,643


RRP from: £70,045

From £38,599
From £736

About our price indicator

What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)

40 83.9kWh M Sport Pro Touring 5dr Electric Auto eDrive (22kW Charger) (340 ps)

Expected annual mileage 5000
Term months 48
Deposit months 12
Monthly payment £736.00
Initial payment £8,832.00

Step-by-step

Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.

  • Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
  • Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
  • Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end

What you get

When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:

  • Full manufacturer’s warranty
  • Road tax and roadside assistance included
  • No admin fees
  • Free returns within 30 days*
In partnership with
AutoTrader logo
£8,832 initial payment, 48 month contract, 5000 miles p/a. Subject to status and conditions.
  • Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
  • No balloon payments
  • Road tax included
VW ID 7 dashboard
VW ID 7 dashboard

Our pick: Pro 77kWh Match Plus Fastback Auto 5dr

0-62 mph: 6.5 sec
Range: 368 miles
Seats: 5
Boot: 532 litres
Insurance group: 38E
Driving
Interior
Practicality
Buying & Owning

Strengths

  • Long range between charges
  • Great safety rating
  • Comfortable ride

Weaknesses

  • Fiddly touchscreen controls
  • Less dynamic than rivals
  • Pricier than rivals

You'll have seen the estate version of the ID 7 further up this list, but if you'd rather stay traditional and go for the hatchback version, then there's plenty to enjoy. Indeed, it won't surprie you to learn that the ID 7 shares many of the same positive attributes as the ID 7 Tourer.

It's similarly long-legged, for a start. The entry-level Pro model has an official range of 384 miles – Similar to what the Tesla Model 3 can manage in Long Range guise – while the Pro S stretches that figure to 436 miles, which is more than almost any other electric car.

Elsewhere, the ID 7's ride is similar to that of the BYD Seal, which means it's relatively soft but can become unsettled on big lumps and bumps – it's one of the reasons why we recommend adding the so-called Dynamic Chassis Control system, which does a better job of ironing out broken Tarmac.

Quality inside the ID 7 is better than that of any other Volkswagen electric car, with a pleasant mix of materials and a more responsive touchscreen infotainment system than we've become used to in other models.

Despite missing out on the Tourer's extended boot, the ID 7 can still hold more than the BMW i4, the Mercedes EQE and the Model 3, meaning nobody needs to pack light for your journey.

"When the entire road test team decided to hop into the ID 7, I drew the short straw of its middle rear seat. It's slightly raised, meaning my six-foot frame was relatively cramped and my head was touching the roof lining." – Lawrence Cheung, New Cars Editor

Read our in-depth Volkswagen ID 7 review

Best price from £43,530
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What is What Car? best price?

The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.


Available now from: £43,530


RRP from: £51,445

From £30,499
From £533

About our price indicator

What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)

Pro 77kWh Match Plus Fastback 5dr Electric Auto (286 ps)

Expected annual mileage 5000
Term months 60
Deposit months 12
Monthly payment £533.09
Initial payment £6,397.08

Step-by-step

Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.

  • Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
  • Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
  • Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end

What you get

When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:

  • Full manufacturer’s warranty
  • Road tax and roadside assistance included
  • No admin fees
  • Free returns within 30 days*
In partnership with
AutoTrader logo
£6,397 initial payment, 60 month contract, 5000 miles p/a. Subject to status and conditions.
  • Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
  • No balloon payments
  • Road tax included
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Steve Huntingford test driving BMW i5
Steve Huntingford test driving BMW i5

Our pick: 40 83.9kWh Sport Edition Auto eDrive 4dr

0-62 mph: 6 sec
Range: 369 miles
Seats: 5
Boot: 490 litres
Insurance group: 43E
Driving
Interior
Practicality
Buying & Owning

Strengths

  • Tidy handling
  • Excellent refinement
  • Well built and spacious interior

Weaknesses

  • An expensive private buy
  • You'll want to add some options
  • Range and efficiency are good rather than great

As its name suggests, the BMW i5 is the electric equivalent of the combustion-engined BMW 5 Series, and that means it's designed to be as luxurious as it is frugal, and as comfortable as it is easy to live with. And for the most part, the i5 nails that brief.

Every version offers a decent amount of performance – even if none can match the thrilling acceleration of the Audi E-tron GT or Porsche Taycan – and, with an official range of up to 357 miles, long trips should be covered with ease. That said, it's worth noting that the Mercedes EQE can go further still in 300 form.

A firmer suspension setup than its Mercedes rival means that the i5 floats less on undulating roads, but the trade-off is that it never really settles down on the motorway. On the plus side, though, the brakes respond consistently, allowing you to slow the car down smoothly – and that's not something you can say about every large electric car.

As the icing on the cake, the i5 is predicted to lose its value at a slower rate than the EQE, meaning you're likely to get more of your money back when you come to sell it.

"I was grateful to have a Bowers & Wilkins sound system fitted to the BMW i5 which I ran as a compamy car – it sounded much better than any set of speakers I have at home." – Steve Huntingford, Editor

Read our in-depth BMW i5 review

Best price from £57,289
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What is What Car? best price?

The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.


Available now from: £57,289


RRP from: £67,795

From £38,599
From £721

About our price indicator

What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)

40 83.9kWh M Sport Pro Saloon 4dr Electric Auto eDrive (22kW Charger) (340 ps)

Expected annual mileage 5000
Term months 48
Deposit months 12
Monthly payment £721.03
Initial payment £8,652.36

Step-by-step

Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.

  • Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
  • Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
  • Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end

What you get

When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:

  • Full manufacturer’s warranty
  • Road tax and roadside assistance included
  • No admin fees
  • Free returns within 30 days*
In partnership with
AutoTrader logo
£8,652 initial payment, 48 month contract, 5000 miles p/a. Subject to status and conditions.
  • Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
  • No balloon payments
  • Road tax included
BYD Seal driving from inside
BYD Seal driving from inside

Our pick: 82.5kWh Design Auto 4dr

0-62 mph: 5.9 sec
Range: 354 miles
Seats: 5
Boot: 485 litres
Insurance group: 46D
Driving
Interior
Practicality
Buying & Owning

Strengths

  • High-quality interior
  • Lots of standard equipment
  • Mostly comfortable ride

Weaknesses

  • Road noise on coarse surfaces
  • Rear seats could be more supportive
  • Slower charging rate than rivals

BYD might not have the history of many of the brands on this list, but despite being the young upstart of this class, the Seal is definitely worthy of inclusion among the best large electric cars.

It might not have the same steering feel as a BMW i4 or Porsche Taycan, but body lean is well contained and the suspension feels well tuned for UK roads, and does a good job of dealing with coarse surfaces. The BYD is a fast choice, too, with an entry-level Design model taking just 6.1sec to accelerate to 60mph – that's faster than a Model 3 in rear-wheel drive form.

While the Seal will cost you more as a cash purchase than the rival Polestar 2 and Tesla Model 3, it helpfully undercuts more premium rivals like the i4 and Hyundai Ioniq 6. The BYD also gets you more kit than most rivals, with 19in alloy wheels, an electric trailgate, heated and ventilated seats and dual-zone air conditoning listed among the standard kit of entry-level versions.

"The Seal is pretty good at accommodating everything I want to carry, but I wish its boot opened a little wider, like on the ID 7 – the saloon-style opening is just a bit too small." – Stuart Milne, Digital Editor

Read our in-depth BYD Seal review

Best price from £36,805
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What is What Car? best price?

The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.


Available now from: £36,805


RRP from: £45,730

From £28,650
From £315

About our price indicator

What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)

82.5kWh Excellence Saloon 4dr Electric Auto AWD (530 ps)

Expected annual mileage 5000
Term months 36
Deposit months 12
Monthly payment £314.69
Initial payment £3,776.28

Step-by-step

Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.

  • Choose your car, pick your terms and apply for lease credit online
  • Pay monthly rental payments for your chosen term length
  • Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end

What you get

When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:

  • Full manufacturer’s warranty
  • Road tax and roadside assistance included
  • No admin fees
  • Free returns within 30 days*
In partnership with
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£3,776 initial payment, 36 month contract, 5000 miles p/a. Subject to status and conditions.
  • Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
  • No balloon payments
  • Road tax included

...And the large electric car to avoid

Maxus Mifa 9

Maxus Mifa 9 front right driving
It might be spacious, and helpfully cheaper than some rivals, but Maxus' largest model is inefficient, has an unsettled ride and an interior which feels behind the curve.
Read our review

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