Longest-range electric cars

Version EQS 450+ AMG Line | Range 452 miles

One thing you immediately notice about the EQS luxury car is its distinctive shape, and that’s because it’s been designed to slip through the air with as little resistance as possible. It’s a similar story with the smaller EQE, and this is part of the reason why both cars have such long ranges.

In fact, at 452 miles, the EQS 450+ has the longest official range of any electric car on this list – making it ideal for covering long distances.

Other factors in the EQS's favour include its refinement, supple ride and effortless performance. The interior is also very luxurious, although the EQS suffers from the same slightly uncomfortable rear seating position as the EQE, making the regular Mercedes S-Class or BMW i7 a better choice for rear passengers.

Read our in-depth Mercedes EQS review

Version Long Range RWD | Range 421 miles

The Model 3 is more than just a brilliant electric car, which is why we named it our 2023 Executive Car of the Year. It’s good to drive, packed full of tech, fast (ridiculously so in Performance guise) and even reasonably practical.

The price is very competitive, too, especially when you consider how good the range is. The entry-level RWD model, for example, can manage 344 miles officially between charges, while the Long Range AWD model is good for 421 miles. 

What's more, it's very efficient. During our summer and winter range tests, it was the most efficient car we tested – beating its closest rival, the BMW i4. In fact, we think the Model 3 tops the i4 as an overall package, even though it's not quite as comfortable.

Read our in-depth Tesla Model 3 review

Version Long Range Single Motor | Range 406 miles

Polestar has recently given the 2 a refresh, most notably with the addition of a new 78kWh (usable) battery for the Long Range versions. 

This means the Long Range Single Motor variant can now achieve a vast 406 miles between charges, based on WLTP testing – an uplift of 65 miles over the previous model. That’s also now farther than both the Tesla Model 3 and BMW i4 can travel.

Standard Range models also get a longer range, although this is mostly down to efficiency improvements rather than a battery upgrade.

Elsewhere, updates include boosted power as well as a switch from front-wheel drive to rear-wheel drive in Single Motor models. Dual Motor versions (both Standard Range and Long Range) remain four-wheel drive. Charging speeds have also been improved, with the Long Range now accepting rates of up to 205kW (an uplift of 55kW over the previous model).

Read our in-depth Polestar 2 review

Version xDrive60 Excellence | Range 387 miles

It might have controversial looks, but the i7 is a technological masterpiece.

Up front, you get BMW’s latest infotainment system which is housed in a giant curved display. And, in the back, you get an optional 31in ‘Theatre Screen’ that has Amazon Fire TV and 5G connectivity. Incidentally, that feature won our Technology Award at the most recent What Car? Car of the Year Awards.

The i7 isn't all style over function, though, because the systems are pretty easy to get your head around. While we do wish there were more physical controls (especially for the climate controls), some of the buttons do at least have haptic feedback.

All of this tech is wrapped up in a serene electric car package that feels incredibly well made, refined and luxurious. Range is good, too, although the i7 can’t quite match the Mercedes EQS officially.

Read our in-depth BMW i7 review

Version xDrive50 M Sport | Range 383 miles

Few electric SUVs are as beautifully appointed inside or as comfortable to drive as the BMW iX.

In fact, it disguises its size and weight very well with its impressive straight-line performance, pillow-soft ride, very low noise levels and surprisingly agile handling. Space throughout the interior is also similarly good, although the boot is small for something so large, especially compared with the likes of the Range Rover and BMW X5.

With the xDrive50’s large 105kWh (usable) battery, the iX has an excellent official range of 383 miles. While there's a cheaper xDrive40 model with a smaller battery and range available, we believe it's worth stepping up to the xDrive50 for the air suspension and four-wheel steering you get as standard.

Read our in-depth BMW iX review

Version EQE 300 Sport Edition | Range 380 miles

If you’re looking for a refined electric car that can do big miles between charges, the EQE is well worth a look. Specifically, in 300 Sport Edition trim it can cover an official 380 miles between charges, which is slightly farther than the Tesla Model 3 and BMW i4.

However, you do have to pay for the range with the EQE, because it is more expensive than those cars. It’s also not quite as practical as the i4, because that car gets a bigger boot and a hatchback opening.

The back seats aren’t especially comfortable, either, because the bases are quite low in relation to the floor, forcing occupants' knees up. Up front, though, it’s a different story, and the seats are generally comfortable and supportive.

Read our in-depth Mercedes EQE review

Version Extended Range RWD Premium | Range 372 miles

You can certainly tell where Ford invested its money when it developed the Mustang Mach-E, because it has one of the best ranges of any electric SUV you can buy.

In RWD Extended Range form, it can travel an impressive 379 miles between charges officially. In our real-world range tests, that figure dropped to 302 miles in summer weather and 247 in winter – both respectable scores.

If range is less of a priority, there are other models to choose from. However, it's worth noting that the Mustang Mach-E is rather disappointing to drive. The suspension has a slight firmness to it, and the handling doesn't feel well matched to the performance on offer.

Overall, the Kia EV6, BMW iX3 and Jaguar I-Pace are much better alternatives.

Read our in-depth Ford Mustang Mach-E review

Version eDrive40 Sport | Range 365 miles

The i4 is BMW’s answer to the Tesla Model 3, and in many ways it’s a compelling alternative. It’s fast, comfortable and extremely hushed at high speeds. Plus, it has a high-quality interior and a brilliant infotainment system.

While the M50 version offers truly astounding performance (0-62mph takes just 3.9sec), the eDrive40 model offers much better range and still very impressive performance. With its 81kWh battery and rear-wheel drive set-up, it can officially cover up to 365 miles between charges in Sport trim.

During our real-world range test with an eDrive40 M Sport model, that figure dropped to a respectable 316 miles. That’s more than the Model 3 achieved during the same test, although the i4 does without its rival’s Supercharger charging network, and the Model 3 has since been updated.

Read our in-depth BMW i4 review

Version EQS 450 4Matic AMG Line Premium Plus | Range 365 miles

The clue is in the name with the Mercedes EQS SUV, because it's an SUV version of Mercedes's flagship electric car.

This means that you get a very similar (and almost identical) interior as the regular Mercedes EQS, with rich materials such as Nappa leather, metal inserts and soft-touch plastics dotted around the place. The build quality isn't as good as you'll find in a BMW iX, though.

In upper trims, you get an enormous 'Hyperscreen' that fills up the majority of the dashboard, but in this instance you make do with a 'smaller' 12.8in screen. 

Of course, being the flagship Mercedes electric SUV, the EQS SUV is incredibly comfortable and refined. It's also surprisingly manoeuvrable, thanks to standard fit four-wheel steering. Official range is also good, but the cheaper iX xDrive50 can travel farther.

Read our in-depth Mercedes EQS SUV review

Version eDrive40 M Sport | Range 357 miles

It's not everyday that a new BMW 5 Series gets launched. However, this latest version is slightly different to previous versions, because a fully electric i5 is available for the first time.

Despite one being powered by petrol and the other electricity, you'll notice that the styling of the i5 and 5 Series is very similar. That's because both cars use the same underpinnings (although the i5's has been adapted for electric power).

The model range is fairly simple, and includes a standard eDrive40 version and a sportier M60 xDrive version. Both have an 81kWh battery, but because of its single motor and lower power output, the eDrive40 can travel much farther between charges officially.

Read our in-depth BMW i5 review

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