Best small electric SUVs 2026 – the practical EVs to keep your family moving
When the first electric cars began to appear on UK roads, they took the form of traditional family hatchbacks. These days, however, the number of electric cars has grown exponentially, and that means there are more new models than ever to choose from – which makes sorting the bright sparks from the loose connections harder than ever.
Indeed, the number of electric SUVs available to buyers has reached a point where we can separate them out into small electric SUVs and the rest. We class a small electric SUV as being one which measures less than 4400mm in length. And while that means that some of our favourite electric SUVs overall, such as the BMW iX3 and Skoda Enyaq, don't appear on this list, you'll still find plenty of practical electric models.
To help identify the 10 best small electric SUVs you can buy, our expert road test team has spent hundreds of hours behind the wheel of every model on the market, driving them both on public roads, and back-to-back against key rivals at our private test track – and the result of their testing is the list you see here. And if you're interested in buying any of them, we'll show you how to take advantage of the best PCP and leasing deals. Just follow the links to find out more.
Best small electric SUVs to buy now – and how to get the best deal
| Make and model | List price from | Rating | PCP deals | Leasing deals |
| Kia EV3 | £33,055 | 5 | Best PCP deals | Best leasing deals |
| Renault 4 | £27,195 | 5 | Best PCP deals | Best leasing deals |
| Nissan Leaf | £35,999 | 4 | Best PCP deals | Best leasing deals |
| Smart #1 | £29,960 | 4 | Best PCP deals | Best leasing deals |
| Volvo EX30 | £33,060 | 4 | Best PCP deals | Best leasing deals |
The best small electric SUVs for you
The Kia EV3 is a superb all-rounder in this class, offering one of the longest official ranges in the class, at up to 375 miles, and more space for your passengers than you'd find in most rivals.
Being based on a former What Car? Car of the Year, the Renault 5, you might say that the SUV-shaped Renault 4 was already ahead of the pack. And as you'd hope it takes much of what made the R5 a winner and translatest it into a more family friendly package. And with a decent range, more space than you might expect and a tempting price, there's lots to like about the Renault 4.
The Nissan Leaf is the small electric SUV to go for if you're feeling patriotic, because it's built right here in Britain. But there's more to recommend here beyond backing British businesses, because it also offers a long range and a competitive starting price.
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The Kia EV3 builds on what is already a successful formula. After all, the brand's other electric SUVs include the What Car? Car of the Year-winning EV6, and the EV9, which is among the best seven-seat electric cars. And, as you'd hope, the EV3 distills the best parts of those models down into a smaller package.
Even the cheapest versions can travel up to 270 miles on a charge according to official figures, while the Long Range models up that figure to 375 miles – more than rivals including the Hyundai Kona Electric and Mini Aceman can manage.
Buyers seeking the raised-up driving position of a traditional SUV will like the EV3, while elsewhere we like the EV3's fast-responding infotainment system and physical rocker switches to control the climate. And while the EV3's interior quality isn't up there with the class best, it stacks up well against similarly priced rivals.
Speaking of pricing, you'll pay more for an EV3 than you would for a Jeep Avenger Electric or Aceman, but it still represents good value for money considering its range and how much standard kit you get for your money.
"Some electric SUVs are compromised in how much they can carry, but I was pleased to find that I could fit six carry-on suitcases into the EV3's boot. That's the same as the super-spacious Skoda Elroq." – Dan Jones, Reviewer
Read our in-depth Kia EV3 review
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
As the SUV sibling to the five-star Renault 5, it should come as no surprise to see that the Renault 4 offers many of the same attributes.
No matter which version you go for, you'll get a 148bhp electric motor driving the front wheels – and which gets its power from a 52kWh (usable capacity) battery. That means an official range of up to 247 miles between charges, which is less than what some versions of the Kia EV3 above cnan manage.
The Renault 4 delivers its power in a smooth manner, but it's a shame that the brakes are so inconsistent in their delivery – still, there's a one-pedal driving mode which dials up the regenerative braking to such a degree that you rarely need to use the conventional brakes. As for handling, the 4's tight turning circle and light steering means it's a doddle to drive in the city – but on faster roads, the rival Ford Puma Gen-E has the edge.
With 375 litres of boot space, you'll fit more luggage into the Renault 4 than you would into the Jeep Avenger Electric or Smart #1. However, while leg room is decent for rear passengers, head room is more disappointing.
"Fiddly touchscreens feature on plenty of small electric SUVs, so I was pleased to see that the Renault 4's screen layout is easy to get your head around, and responds quickly to your inputs." – Dan Jones, Senior Reviewer
Read our in-depth Renault 4 review
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
If you're frequently overwhelmed by choice, then you'll find the simplicity of the Nissan Leaf to be a big bonus. There's only one battery and motor combination available at present, and it gets you a 75kWh battery which feeds a 215bhp motor. That's good for a 0-60mph sprint time of 7.2 seconds, and an official range of 386 miles. That's more than you get from any version of the Kia EV3, Renault 4 or Skoda Elroq.
The Kia and Skoda fight back when it comes to luggage space, because each offers more room for your weekly shop than the Leaf, but the margins aren't big. In our testing, we still managed to fit six carry-on suitcases into its boot.
Things feel pretty premium inside, and the dashboard is laid out similarly to the larger Nissan Ariya. The driving position isn't especially SUV-like, but there's still a good view out of the front, and your rear view is aided by a standard-fit 360-degree parking camera.
Buying a Leaf as a cash buyer will cost you less than the equivalent EV3 or Elroq, and that's before you take into account the Government's electri car grant, which drops the price even further. And as far as warranty is concerned, every Leaf is covered for three years or 60,000 miles, with the battery covered for up to eight years or 100,000 miles.
“Activating 'e-pedal' gives you a one-pedal driving mode, so when you lift off the accelerator the car comes to a complete stop – I found this useful around town, meaning I hardly had to touch the brakes myself.” – Dan Jones, Senior Reviewer
Read our in-depth Nissan Leaf review
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
You may remember Smart for making tiny petrol and electric city cars which, while small in footprint, never really wowed us. These days, though, Smart is an electric car specialist, and has moved on to making larger cars. The largest one currently offered is the Smart #3, which counts the Peugeot e-3008, Skoda Enyaq Coupé and Volvo EC40 among its key rivals.
Every version is surprisingly nippy, with the 0-62mph sprint dispatched in 5.8sec, thanks to the pulling power of its 268bhp electric motor. The range-topping Brabus model drops that time to 3.7sec, thanks to its four-wheel drive system and power hike to 422bhp, but it's a lot more expensive to buy.
Compared with its Smart #1 sibling (more on that car below) you sit lower to the ground, which is mean to give you a sportier driving experience. And while you won't be confusing the #3 with a sports car, its handling is decent, with precise, well-weighted steering. The ride is smooth over most surfaces, too.
You can't get quite as much luggage into the boot of the #3 as you can into the EC40, but there should still be enough for your holiday luggage. Plus you'll pay less for the #3 than you would for the Volvo in the first place.
"While I enjoyed driving the #3 in the day, I was especially impressed at night. Why? well, there's ambient lighting behind each of the air vents, which lend them the feel of instruments in an aircraft cockpit." – Will Nightingale, Reviews Editor
Read our in-depth Smart #3 review
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
Like its larger sibling above, the Smart #1 is an electric SUV hailing from a brand traditionally associated with far smaller cars. It's seriously impressive, too, with even entry-level versions offering an official range of up to 260 miles between charges – enough for the needs of most buyers. The premium model ups that figure to 273 miles, but it's worth noting that the rival Kia EV3 can travel further still in Long Range form.
The EV3 is also a bit smoother over rougher sections of Tarmac, but that's not to say that the #1 is ever uncomfortable. Similarly, an Alfa Romeo Junior is more fun to thread along a twisting country road, but the #1 does provide sweet enough steering if you choose the heaviest of its settings. Refinement is generally good, too.
Inside, you'll find a 9.2in digital driver's display which is bright and easy to read, and a 12.8in infotainment touchscreen which is very responsive to your inputs. We just wish there were physical controls for the air-conlike you get in the EV3 and Kona Electric.
"I like my music, so if I was in the market for a #1, I'd consider going for a Premium or Brabus version, which come with a premium Beats stereo system." – Oliver Young, Reviewer
Read our in-depth Smart #1 review
It might be the smallest car which Volvo makes, but the EX30 has a big pool of talent on its side. For one thing, it's easy to drive, with even the cheapest single-motor versions able to reach 62mph in less time than any Hyundai Kona Electric, Jeep Avenger or Kia Niro EV.
The well-judged pedal responses make driving the EX30 a smooth experience, especially around town where its regenerative braking system can be at its most efficient. Plus, the balance between a comfy ride and entertaining handling is almost spot-on, with a smoother ride than you'd find in the Kona Electric or #1.
Where the EX30 falls down slightly is in how far it can travel between charges, because entry-level versions have an official range of 209 miles, which is shorter than some rivals can manage. That said, you can opt for a larger 65kWh (usable capacity) battery which raises that figure to a far more palatable 295 miles. That's further than any version of the #1 could take you.
"While I was impressed to find I could fit more luggage into the EX30's boot than I could into the Smart #1, the rear of the Volvo is less accommodating for passengers." – Doug Revolta, Head of Video
Read our in-depth Volvo EX30 review
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
If you've ever suffered from range anxiety, you'll be interested in the Hyundai Kona EV. That's because, even equipped with its smaller battery, it can officially cover up to 234 miles between charges. That figure alone is more than some rivals can manage, but if you opt for the larger battery, it increases to 319 miles. That's truly impressive, and means some versions of the Kona Electric can travel further thanj the BYD Atto 3, Kia Niro EV and Smart #1.
There's more to Hyundai's small electric SUV than just long legs, though. Light steering makes it effortless to pilot the Kona Electric around tight city streets, and the brakes respond predictably, making it easy to bring the Kona Electric to a stop. It's not perfect, though – the #1 is quieter and does a better job at soaking abrupt impacts at higher speeds.
Inside, the Kona Electric doesn't feel quite as special as the #1, but everything at least feels well put together and able to stand up to family life. Plus, the menus on the 12.3in infotainment touchscreen are logically laid out and react quickly to your inputs. We're pleased to see physical controls for the air conditioning, too, rather than having to rely on the touchscreen.
"I'd advise stepping up to at least N Line S or Ultimate trim on the Kona Electric if you want blind-spot monitoring or rear-cross collision avoidance, since these don't come as standard lower down the range." – Stuart Milne, Digital Editor
Read our in-depth Hyundai Kona Electric review
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
This small electric SUV is actually deceptively spacious, which means your passengers will thank you for choosing a BYD Atto 2 over more established rivals like the Ford Puma Gen-E or Renault 4 – because it has more rear room than either of those models.
The good news continues with the boot, which, at 400 litres, shouldn't be troubled by your holiday luggage or weekly shopping. Plus, you get a handy height-adjustable boot floor as standard. You get lots of other kit as standard too, which, when you consider that the Atto 2's starting price means you'll pay less for one than you would for most rivals, is impressive.
It's not all good news, though. While the Atto 2 offers a tight turning circle and the kind of swift performance which makes it a doddle to weave in and out of urban traffic, its range is on the small side. The 51.1kWh unit has an official range of just 214 miles, which is less than most rivals. In the real world, you're likely to see around 174 miles between charges.
"Would I spend more than £100 for the optional microphone accessory required to use the infotainment’s karaoke function? No. YouTube and Spotify are available through the infotainment system for free to help kill time while waiting for a charge." – Doug Revolta, Head of Video
Read our in-depth BYD Atto 2 review
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
It might be Jeep's first electric car, but the Avenger Electric actually has a fair amount of experience to fall back on. That's because, underneath, it shares many of its components with existing electric models including the Fiat 600e, Peugeot e-2008 and Vauxhall Mokka electric.
In some ways, the end result is a more accomplished small SUV than those models. The Avenger Electric has a decent range of up to 249 miles depending on which trim you choose, and the sole 154bhp electric motor on offer is nippy enough around town. A Hyundai Kona Electric, Kia Niro EV and Smart #1 are noticably quicker on faster roads, though.
The Avenger does a good job at cushioning you from lumps and bumps, but while its light steering makes weaving around tight city streets a breeze, you never feel involved in the driving process. And while there's more ground clearancer than rivals and some driving modes which are tailored to go off-road, don't expect the kind of unstoppable performance you'd get from a Jeep Wrangler.
"Here's a good tip to save some pennies – you don't get built-in sat-nav on the cheaper Avenger trim levels, but you do get Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone mirroring, so you can use your phone's apps instead. I'd stick with a lower trim for that reason." – Dan Jones, Senior Reviewer
Read our in-depth Jeep Avenger Electric review
- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included
The Fiat 500 is undoubtedly a huge sales success, so it's understandable that the Italian brand would want to translate that success on to a larger product – and the result is the Fiat 600e. It shares plenty of parts with the Jeep Avenger above, as well as the Peugeot e-2008 and Vauxhall Mokka Electric, so shares many of the same advantages – and disadvantages – as those models.
No matter which version you go for, you'll get a 50.8kWh battery and a 154bhp electric motor which drives the front wheels. The result is a 0-62mph sprint time of 9.0sec, and while that feels perfectly fine around town, some rivals on this list are noticably more powerful on faster roads. The 600e's soft suspension means it leans over a fair amount in corners, while the ride is comfortable enough over potholes and other broken road surfaces, especially at lower speeds.
The 600e may have style on its side, but it's not the most practical of electric SUVs. An average-sized adult will find their knees touching the seat in front, for example, and the rear seats don't recline like they do in the rival Hyundai Kona Electric. At least the 360-litre boot has enough space for your holiday luggage.
"There's lots to like about the Taycan, but I think it's a shame that some of the functions for which its Audi E-tron GT sister car offers physical controls, the Taycan doesn't. Hitting some of the smaller icons on its infotainment touchscreen can be a pain while driving." – Darren Moss, Deputy Editor
Read our in-depth Fiat 600e review
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- Lower total monthly cost than PCP/HP
- No balloon payments
- Road tax included