Kia EV5

best-electric-suvs-2025-–-the-top-10-plus-the-ones-to-avoid

clone-of-best-electric-suvs-2025-–-the-top-10-plus-the-ones-to-avoid

Whether it's because some qualify for the newly announced&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/new-government-electric-car-grant-offers-ev-discounts-of-up-to-pound3750/n27935">Government grant</a>, or because there are more than ever to choose from, the market for electric SUVs is positively booming. And running one can make excellent sense if you can charge it up at home or at work, because you can take advantage of the best energy tariffs to make running an electric SUV very cheap.

The best electric SUVs do far more than just offer the promise of low running costs, though. They must also be practical, with room enough for your family and anything they might wish to bring with them, and interiors which will keep everyone comfortable on long trips. And while we're not looking for sports car handling here, the best electric SUVs should also be good to drive, with potent acceleration, decent cornering ability and a ride which will soak up the worst lumps and bumps with ease.

Our expert team of road testers has spent hundreds of hours driving every electric SUV on the market, assessing them over thousands of miles, both back-to-back against key rivals on public roads, and at our private test track. The result of that in-depth testing is the list you see here, where we're revealing Britain's best electric SUVs. Remember, if any of the cars here take your fancy, you can follow the links through to our full reviews to learn more about each model, or see the latest discounts available through our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals">New Car Deals</a>&nbsp;service.

We've also named the electric SUV we think you should avoid, and answered some of the most common questions about electric SUV ownership at the bottom of this page.

Slideshow story: please click the right-hand arrow above to continue, or simply scroll down if you’re reading on your mobile

Best electric SUVs 2025 – the top 10, plus the ones to avoid

Estate

Volvo is now a true rival to the likes of Audi, BMW, Jaguar and Mercedes-Benz, offering an alternative take on premium executive cars to a rapidly growing fanbase.

After a string of strong launches – notably with the Mk2 XC90 and XC60 SUVs – it struck gold in early 2018 when it launched its smallest SUV, the XC40. When our testers compared the car with its rivals, they concluded that it was the best launch of the previous 12 months, earning it our coveted overall Car of the Year Award.

The good news is that, like many car makers, Volvo now uses the same structure underneath most of its cars – so if they get it right on one model, it usually bodes well for the rest. That’s the case here, with Volvo’s subsequent saloon and estate launches complementing the SUVs and making for a generally extremely appealing line-up.

VOLVO

EX30

Volvo's smallest electric SUV counts the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/kona/hatchback/review/n18164">Hyundai Kona Electric</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/niro/estate/review/n24582">Kia Niro EV</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/smart/hashtag-1/hatchback/review/n25016">Smart #1</a>&nbsp;among its key rivals, and impresses by offering comfort and luxury for a relatively modest price.

Indeed, despite undercutting some of those cars, the EX30 is properly upmarket inside, with materials that look and feel expensive. Meanwhile, standard&nbsp;kit is plentiful; it includes&nbsp;adaptive cruise control, a powered tailgate, heated front seats and dual-zone climate control.

We'd stick with cheaper, Single Motor Extended Range versions of the EX30, which should provide enough performance for most families, yet will also quell your range anxiety. Indeed, with an official range of up to 295 miles from its 64kWh battery, it'll get you farther between charges than the #1 or&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/jeep/avenger/hatchback/review/n25706">Jeep Avenger</a>. And when you do need to stop, a 10-80% top-up&nbsp; can take as little as 26 minutes.

With a starting price of £33,060 at the time of writing, the EX30 qualifies for the Government's electric car grant.

"If I could add one thing to the EX30 that Volvo doesn't offer, it would be a head-up display, because you currently have to look at the central infotainment screen to check your speed." –&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/authors/george-hill/n23609">George Hill, Used Cars Writer</a>

10: Volvo EX30

<h3>Strengths</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Good to drive</li>
	<li>Smart interior – particularly in Ultra spec</li>
	<li>Competitive entry-level price against rivals</li>
</ul>

<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Rear space isn't great</li>
	<li>Efficiency could be better</li>
	<li>Interior controls could be more user-friendly</li>
</ul>

One of the greatest success stories in the car world of recent decades is Skoda’s rise to become a hugely credible mainstream maker of good-value, good-sense cars.

Central to that success has been its place within the VW Group, alongside the Volkswagen brand itself, plus the likes of Seat and Audi. That has given it access to exactly the same underpinnings for its cars as the other brands, and it has complemented this by adding its own developments, from the way the cars drive and ride through to the features they have and the pricing.

The result is a range that extends from a city car to a large executive saloon, with family and large seven-seat SUVs too. There’s a wide variety of petrol and diesel engines, all of which are competitive for the class.

As a result, Skoda has a range of cars that is almost entirely class-leading or among the class leaders, and it has enjoyed long-time success at the What Car? Awards as a result.

SKODA

ENYAQ

Skoda's first bespoke&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/electric-cars/n17000">electric car</a>&nbsp;is practical and good to drive, with a comfortable ride and reassuring handling.

You get a lot of kit, too; even&nbsp;the cheapest model&nbsp;comes with dual-zone climate control, 19in alloy wheels and cruise control. However, the range of this&nbsp;‘60’ version&nbsp;is on the short side, so we recommend upgrading to the&nbsp;'85', which can officially cover up to 348 miles between charges.

For the money, the Enyaq’s interior quality is good, with&nbsp;everything feeling&nbsp;built to cope with the rough and tumble of family life.

"I'm not usually a fan of touchscreen infotainment systems, but the Enyaq's is helped by having five customisable icons on the top that take you directly to your favourite functions." –&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/authors/oliver-young/n22317">Oliver Young, Reviewer</a>

9: Skoda Enyaq

<h3>Strengths</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Extremely practical</li>
	<li>85 version has an impressive range</li>
	<li>Comfortable and easy to drive</li>
</ul>

<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Elroq is cheaper than entry-level car and goes almost as far</li>
	<li>You'll want to add options, such as a heat pump</li>
	<li>Brake pedal isn’t that easy to use smoothly</li>
</ul>

Munich-based BMW is most famous for its sports saloons, in particular the 3 Series and 5 Series. However, it actually builds almost every type of car imaginable: everything from two-seat convertibles to seven-seat MPVs.

The cheapest model in the BMW range is the 1 Series hatchback, which is a rival to the Audi A3, Mercedes-Benz A-Class and Volkswagen Golf. Meanwhile, at the other extreme is the M8&nbsp;grand tourer, which costs more than £120,000.

BMW was also quick to capitalise on the rise of the SUV and now has ten in its range: the X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X6, X7 and XM, plus the electric iX3 and iX.

All of this makes it one of the big three German prestige brands, along with Audi and Mercedes-Benz.

Aside from some styling details and the fact the combustion engine has been replaced with an electric motor, you’d be hard pushed to tell the BMW iX3 apart from its combustion-engined sibling, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/x3/4x4/review/n42">BMW X3</a>.

That’s no bad thing, though, because it means you’re getting a classy and spacious&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/suvs/n26176">SUV</a>&nbsp;with, among other things, a large boot and one of the best infotainment systems you’ll find in any new car.

Combine those attributes with a supple ride, assured handling and a respectable range of up to 285 miles between charges, and the iX3 is easy to recommend. Just be aware that some rivals are faster – both in terms of acceleration and how swiftly they can charge.

"While it isn't as vast inside as the larger&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/ix/4x4/review/n23569">BMW iX</a>, I still have enough space to sit behind myself in the iX3, despite being&nbsp;6'5." –&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/authors/lawrence-cheung/n23691" target="_blank">Chris Haining, Sub-Editor</a>

8: BMW iX3

<h3>Strengths</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Good to drive</li>
	<li>Great infotainment system</li>
	<li>Comparatively well priced</li>
</ul>

<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Not as fast as rivals</li>
	<li>Audi Q6 e-tron is quieter</li>
	<li>Shorter range than rivals</li>
</ul>

Hatchback

Owned by Mercedes-Benz and with a reputation for making small, clever cars, Smart offers a striking, upmarket alternative to more conventional rivals.

It currently has a two-car line-up, the smaller of the two being the distinctive Fortwo, which, as its name suggests, is an ultra-short two-seater that uses an unusual rear-engined configuration to deliver the sort of turning circle that even London taxis can only dream of. It's a doddle to park in small spaces, too.

Smart's 'family car' is the Forfour, which is little more than a stretched version of the Fortwo, with a second row of seats and a larger boot. It's more of a natural rival for cars like the Hyundai i10 or Kia Picanto.

On paper, both cars come at a considerable price premium when compared with rivals, something it says is justified by its badge appeal and the technology in the cars.&nbsp;However, sales have been slow and there are often keen Target Price deals to be found.

SMART

HASHTAG 1

Not so long ago,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/make/smart">Smart</a>&nbsp;only made tiny city cars which had poor ranges, whereas now the brand offers two of the best small electric SUVs on sale.

Perhaps surprisingly, the #1's long lists of attributes include serious performance&nbsp;– in fact, in our tests, it actually beat its official 0-60mph sprint time, needing just 5.8sec. That's faster than the similarly priced&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/byd/atto-3/hatchback/review/n25563">BYD Atto 3</a>&nbsp;can manage, or the more expensive&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/niro/estate/review/n24582">Kia Niro EV</a>.

Don't think the #1 is all go and no show, either, because its interior looks and feels premium, and a couple of six-footers won't feel cramped on its rear seats. Only the boot is a little disappointing, unless you move the sliding&nbsp;rear seats forward and sacrifice some leg room.

"The Smart #1 is a smooth and comfortable motorway cruiser; I'd happily cover big miles behind the wheel of this car."&nbsp;–&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/authors/darren-moss/n1005" target="_blank">Darren Moss, Deputy Editor</a>

7: Smart #1

<h3>Strengths</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Great to drive</li>
	<li>Plush, high-quality interior</li>
	<li>Great safety rating</li>
</ul>

<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Small boot</li>
	<li>Slightly choppy low-speed ride</li>
	<li>Efficiency could be better</li>
</ul>

GENESIS

GV60

With the&nbsp;GV60, upmarket Korean brand&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/make/genesis">Genesis</a>&nbsp;took the underpinnings of the excellent&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/ev6/estate/review/n23462">Kia EV6</a>&nbsp;and added an extra layer of polish.&nbsp;

The GV60 not only offers a generous range of up to 321 miles and ultra-fast charging (meaning a 10-80% top up can take as little as 20 minutes), but is also very&nbsp;refined and has a wonderfully classy interior.&nbsp;

True, you’ll pay more for the GV60 than you would for the EV6, but you get lots of goodies for your money;&nbsp;for example,&nbsp;all GV60s come with wireless phone charging, dual-zone climate control and adaptive cruise control.

"I reckon you'll be surprised by the crispness of the&nbsp;GV60's handling; it certainly&nbsp;leans less through corners than rivals from Audi and Hyundai." –&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/authors/steve-huntingford/n1018">Steve Huntingford, Editor</a>

6: Genesis GV60

<h3>Strengths</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Wonderful interior</li>
	<li>Extremely quiet on the move</li>
	<li>Great infotainment system</li>
</ul>

<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Boot isn't huge</li>
	<li>Rear space is average</li>
	<li>Optional cameras not as good as traditional door mirrors</li>
</ul>

Hatchbacks, SUVs, hybrids, electric cars: Renault makes them all, in a variety of shapes and sizes, meaning&nbsp;it has a line-up designed to tempt pretty much everyone.

From the roadside, the standout feature of all its cars is design, with them instantly recognisable as members of the Renault family, without being so similar that they fall&nbsp;into the Russian doll trap. However, in terms of ability they're a mixed bag,&nbsp;ranging&nbsp;from very good to no better than average.

Models that fall into the former camp include the Clio small hatchback and Megane E-Tech electric car, while the smaller Zoe electric car is also impressive in most respects; it's just a pity Renault omits key safety kit.

On the other hand, the Captur, Arkana and Austral SUVs are all outclassed by several rivals.

Renault has some exciting new models planned, including a new Scenic (this time it will be an electric SUV instead of a conventionally powered MPV) and two cars that reimagine classic Renaults: the 4 and 5.

RENAULT

SCENIC E-TECH

When we first drove the latest&nbsp;Scenic, it was let down by an overly firm ride, but&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/make/renault">Renault</a>&nbsp;has since retuned the suspension, and it now&nbsp;does a fine job of keeping things comfortable.

True, you do pay for this with more body lean in corners than you get with some rivals. However, there's plenty of grip and&nbsp;accurate steering allows you to place the front end exactly where you want it.

A spacious and high-quality interior that features several thoughtful touches that make family life easier adds to the Scenic's appeal. And if you go for the bigger battery, you get&nbsp;an official range of up to 379 miles.

Entry-level Techno versions of the Scenic qualify for the Government's electric car grant.

"The Scenic's standard&nbsp;panoramic glass roof can be turned opaque at the touch of a button. But as a parent, I think the best thing about it is the way&nbsp;it's divided into individually controllable segments so you can keep your children cool on hot days by covering the back seats in shade, while you enjoy the sun in the front."&nbsp;–&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/authors/steve-huntingford/n1018">Steve Huntingford, Editor</a>

5: Renault Scenic

<h3>Strengths</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Bigger battery version offers a long range</li>
	<li>Cheaper than many rivals</li>
	<li>Five-star Euro NCAP safety rating</li>
</ul>

<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Rear seat versatility could be better</li>
	<li>Spongy brake pedal feel</li>
	<li>Not particularly quick</li>
</ul>

HASHTAG 3

Contrary to what its name suggests, the&nbsp;#3 is the second model to join Smart's revitalised line-up. And contrary to what you might think from looking at it, it's&nbsp;more than just a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/smart/hashtag-1/hatchback/review/n25016">#1</a>&nbsp;with a lower roofline.

Although they share many components, the #3 is longer and wider than its sibling. As a result, rather than being compromised by its sleeker shape, it improves on the already excellent #1 in useful ways.

That extra length means a larger&nbsp;boot, which makes the #3 a more practical proposition for families. What's more, it&nbsp;still has plenty of space in the rear seats and an interior that's made from&nbsp;high-quality materials and packed with&nbsp;tech.

The #3 is also even better to drive than the #1 and has a slightly longer range (283 miles, officially, in our recommended trim). And yet the #3 is only&nbsp;slightly pricier than its sibling –&nbsp;and it's cheaper than&nbsp;coupé SUV rivals such as the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/enyaq/coupe/review/n25742">Skoda Enyaq Coupé</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volvo/ec40/estate/review/n23649">Volvo EC40</a>. Entry-level versions of the #3 qualify for the recently announced Government grant.

"I'd recommend paying extra for&nbsp;Premium trim, because you not only get the most efficient motor and largest battery, but also some desirable extra kit." –&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/authors/will-nightingale/n1020" target="_blank">Will Nightingale, Reviews Editor</a>

4: Smart #3

<h3>Strengths</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Good to drive</li>
	<li>Smart interior</li>
	<li>Great safety rating</li>
</ul>

<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Slightly choppy low-speed ride</li>
	<li>Efficiency could be better</li>
</ul>

This small electric SUV is based on our reigning What Car? Car of the Year, the Renault 5 – and as such, our expectations of it are high. Thankfully, it delivers, with a comfortable, well-controlled ride, peppy performance and a one-pedal driving mode which makes driving in stop-start traffic easy.

The official range of up to 247 miles might not be as much as the Kia EV3 can manage, but it's still competitive next to rivals including the Jeep Avenger Electric and Vauxhall Mokka Electric. And when it comes to interior space, you can fit more into the boot of the Renault 4 than you can into those models.

Taller adults will find that they have plenty of room to stretch out in the front of the Renault 4, but while rear seat leg room is impressive, head room is far tighter, and taller passengers will find that their heads brush the roof lining.

Not only does the 4 undercut most rivals on price, but all versions should also qualify for the Government's electric car grant scheme.

"When testing the Kona Electric, I managed to fit six carry-on suitcases below its parcel shelf, with space left over for a couple of soft bags." –&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/authors/lawrence-cheung/n23691" target="_blank">Lawrence Cheung, New Cars Editor</a>

3: Renault 4

<h3>Strengths</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Good to drive</li>
	<li>Tempting pricing</li>
	<li>Practical boot</li>
</ul>

<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Rear seats are tight for adults</li>
	<li>Some rivals have longer w</li>
</ul>

ELROQ

The Skoda Elroq is relatively late to the electric SUV party, but by waiting and tweaking the formula of the larger&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/enyaq/4x4/review/n22909">Skoda Enyaq</a>, the Czech brand has gotten things just right.

As we’ve come to expect of Skoda, the Elroq majors on practicality, with plenty of space for a six-footer to sit behind a driver of similar height without feeling hemmed in. The boot is a good size, too, and the reasonably priced Transport Package helps you to make the most of its space.

In town, the Elroq’s small turning circle and nippy acceleration help you to make the most of any overtaking opportunity, while it’s also a composed motorway cruiser. Its brakes are more consistent in feel than those of the rival&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/scenic-e-tech/estate/review/n26635">Renault Scenic</a>, too. Plus, with 360 miles of official range, longer trips are a doddle.

Then there’s the price, with even range-topping versions undercutting rivals significantly. That price helps most versions of the Elroq to qualify for the Government's electric car grant.

"I was impressed with the interior quality of the Elroq, because it manages to feel more plush than its price would suggest. The steering wheel feels premium in your hands, too"&nbsp;–&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/authors/stuart-milne/n25965">Stuart Milne, Digital Editor</a>

2: Skoda Elroq

<h3>Strengths</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Comfortable yet sharp to drive</li>
	<li>Very roomy in the back</li>
	<li>Well priced and equipped</li>
</ul>

<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Rear seats don't do anything clever</li>
	<li>No physical climate controls</li>
	<li>Heat pump costs extra</li>
</ul>

Buyers seeking value for money should have Kia towards the top of their shopping list.

Although once a niche brand in the UK, today Kia outsells many more established brands, helped by its market-leading seven-year warranty and a strong reputation for reliability; in fact, Kia regularly finishes towards the top of our reliability surveys.

There are plenty of models to choose from, too, ranging from the small Picanto city car to the Ceed family hatchback and the Sorento large SUV. The Picanto was the first Kia to win its class at the What Car? Car of the Year awards.

That the Kia EV3 tops our list of the best electric SUVs shouldn't really come as much surprise. After all, its distant forebear, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/e-niro/estate/used-review/n22663">Kia e-Niro</a>, was our overall Car of the Year back in 2019. And that car's successor, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/kia/ev6/estate/review/n23462">Kia EV6</a>, repeated the feat again in 2022. So with the EV3, Kia has had plenty of expertise to call on.

And it's put all that knowledge to good use, because the EV3 mixes practicality with performance, and refinement with running costs to make a truly tempting product. It's got more space for your rear-seat passengers to stretch out than the rival&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/jeep/avenger/hatchback/review/n25706">Jeep Avenger Electric</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mini/aceman/hatchback/review/n27211">Mini Aceman</a>, plus a big boot. In our tests, we managed to fit six carry-on suitcases inside – the same as the larger&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/elroq/estate/review/n27301">Skoda Elroq</a>.

Then there's the driving position, which places you high above the road with good visibility. It drives like a proper SUV, too, with a ride which deals well with battered British B-roads. Even in Standard Range form, the EV3's range will be enough for most buyers, at an official&nbsp;270 miles. If you feel like you need more than that, then the Long Range model can officially cover 375 miles, which is more than most rivals.

While you'll pay more to put an EV3 on your driveway than you would for some of the other cars on this list, we still think it represents outstanding value for money when you factor in how much equipment comes as standard.

Entry-level Air versions of the EV3, in both Standard Range and Long Range forms, qualify for the recently announced Government grant for electric vehicles, but higher-end trim levels breach the £37,000 threshold for assistance.

"I like quiet electric cars, and Kia has made the EV3 exceptionally quiet – you’ll hear less wind and road noise than you would in either the Mini Aceman or Smart #1." –&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/authors/will-nightingale/n1020">Will Nightingale, Reviews Editor</a>

1: Kia EV3

<h3>Strengths</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Attractive entry price</li>
	<li>Long range (especially in the, er, Long Range)</li>
	<li>Comfortable ride</li>
</ul>

<h3>Weaknesses</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Rivals have more versatile rear seats</li>
	<li>Not very agile</li>
	<li>Monthly PCP repayments are fairly high</li>
</ul>

In the same way that Infiniti acts as Nissan’s premium arm, Lexus has a similar tie-in with Toyota. And since most of Toyota’s models are offered as hybrids, it’s no surprise to see the same from Lexus, although there are some traditional petrol engines, too.

The brand focuses heavily on SUVs – namely the NX and RX – but also has the CT hatchback, ES executive saloon and LS luxury car among its portfolio. More small and large SUVs are expected in the future.

Like Toyota, Lexus has built a very strong reputation for reliability and regularly finishes very close to the top of our annual Reliability Survey.

LEXUS

This electric SUV is comfortable and has a strong record for reliability, but its short range, slow charging and frustrating infotainment stop it from being anything other than an also-ran.

And the electric SUV to avoid - Lexus UX

Clone of Best electric SUVs 2025 – the top 10, plus the ones to avoid

This class is all about SUVs that run purely on electricity. No petrol, no diesel and not even any hybrid technology.

Relatively low-cost options include the MG ZS EV, but you can easily spend three times as much on more luxurious alternatives, such as the BMW iX.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Electric SUV

Thanks to big advancements in battery and charging technology, the best electric SUVs are now as usable as they are desirable. Here we name the top 10 – and reveal the models to avoid

Best electric SUVs 2025 – the top 10, plus the ones to avoid

Thanks to big advancements in battery and charging technology, the best electric SUVs are now as usable as they are desirable. Here we name the top 10 – and reveal the models to avoid...

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