Nissan Ariya

Fiat 600e

Porsche Macan Electric

Kia EV6

Volvo EC40

Smart #3

New Porsche Taycan

BMW i5

top-10-used-electric-cars

It's perhaps not surprising that, with the proposed legislation&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/governments-2030-ban-on-the-sale-of-new-petrol-and-diesel-cars-under-fire-from-mps/n23064">banning the sale of pure petrol and diesel-engined cars in the UK from 2030</a>, and hybrid cars from 2035, fast approaching, interest in electric cars has grown enormously over the last few years.&nbsp;

Buying a new&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/electric-cars/n17000">electric car</a>&nbsp;can still cost rather a lot of money, though. One solution is to buy one used, where you can dip your toes in the future without spending a fortune. Here, we've brought together our&nbsp;top 10 favourite used electric cars. Some are stylish, some are sensible, but all of them have plenty to offer the eco-conscious motorist on a budget.

Slideshow story: please click the right-hand arrow above to continue, or simply scroll down if you’re reading on your mobile

Top 10 used electric cars

Estate

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.

E-NIRO

The Kia e-Niro might not look like a revolution, but it was one of the first pure&nbsp;electric cars&nbsp;offered at a reasonable price that came with a terrific on-paper range. It's handily sized outside and roomy inside, and it comes with a range that will embarrass many more expensive electric cars. In one of our Real Range tests, it achieved 253 miles in real-world use. Look for '3' trim which has the 64kWh battery, because it's quicker, has a much longer range, is better to drive and gets an upgraded infotainment system.

We found:&nbsp;2020 Kia e-Niro 64kWh 3, 49,000 miles, £17,000

Find a used one for sale<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/mg-motor-uk/zs?postCode=tw1%203sp&amp;sort=asc&amp;sortBy=distance&amp;nearlynew=true&amp;used=true">&nbsp;here</a>

10: Kia e-Niro

<h3>Pros</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Terrific range</li>
	<li>Spacious interior</li>
	<li>Well equipped</li>
</ul>

<h3>Cons</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Still very pricey</li>
	<li>Doesn't charge as quickly as some rivals</li>
</ul>

Saloon

Porsche is best known as the quintessential sports car maker, but its line-up is increasingly diverse, interesting and successful, from its SUV family to the Panamera hatchback and shooting brake and, in time, a planned family of electric vehicles.

Whatever your choice, What Car?’s testers rate the cars highly; Porsche has an unusually high percentage of five and four-star cars.

Without exception, its sports cars are class leaders or among the class leaders, standing out for combining driving thrills with surprising luxury and comfort. Likewise, its SUVs are among the sharpest handling, as well as offering high levels of practicality and quality. Meanwhile, the Panamera is a true rival to the very best large executive saloons.

Porsche also sees itself as an electric car pioneer and has already enjoyed sales success with its plug-in hybrid range. Its first all-electric sports car is imminent, signalling the firm’s intent to stay relevant for many years to come.

PORSCHE

TAYCAN

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/porsche/taycan/saloon/review/n20184">Porsche Taycan</a>&nbsp;is sublime in every area, from the driving experience to interior quality.&nbsp;You’ll find used Taycans are most affordable in 4S guise, because this mid-range variant was first to market. It has four-wheel drive and, if you find an example with the 93kWh Performance Battery Plus, a power figure of 469bhp (which rises to 523bhp for quick bursts). Prices are wonderfully low now&nbsp;on the used market, so there’s no need to settle for anything less.

We found:&nbsp;2021 Porsche Taycan 4S, 19,000&nbsp;miles, £57,550

Find a used Porsche Taycan&nbsp;for sale&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/nissan/leaf?used=true&amp;nearlynew=true&amp;yearFrom=2018">here</a>

9: Porsche Taycan

<h3>Pros</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Astonishing to drive, with great performance and class-leading handling</li>
	<li>Luxurious interior</li>
	<li>Reasonably practical</li>
</ul>

<h3>Cons</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Good value used, but still pricey</li>
	<li>Some alternatives will go further on a single charge</li>
</ul>

MG has a long heritage in the UK, and while these days it is owned by Chinese firm SAIC, it is slowly but surely beefing up its model range.

Kicking things off is the MG 3, a rival for affordable hatchbacks such as the Dacia Sandero and Skoda Fabia. Then there’s the ZS small SUV, which faces off against the likes of the Renault Captur and Seat Arona. And at the top of the range is the GS, which goes up against Dacia’s Duster and the Ssangyong Tivoli.

While any future MG products are likely to be introduced in China before coming to the UK, design work is still undertaken in the UK. MG’s design studio is based at Longbridge, where the brand made its name with models such as the MGB GT.

MG MOTOR UK

The practical&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mg-motor-uk/mg5/estate/review/n22011">MG5</a>&nbsp;offers a lot for the money in the electric car world, with good interior space, a big boot and plenty of standard equipment. The good news is that such has been the 5’s success in the UK that there are now plenty to choose from used, and you can buy an early one now for just £15,000, which is more or less exactly half the price of a new one. This will buy you one of the 2020 MG5s with a 154bhp electric motor and 52kWh battery that was good for an official range of 214 miles. A mild refresh in 2021 upped the range to 250 miles; the 2022 facelift brought in sharper styling, complete with an updated interior and upgraded infotainment system.

We found:&nbsp;2020 MG5&nbsp;Exclusive, 9000 miles, £15,000

Find a used MG5&nbsp;for sale&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/mg-motor-uk/zs?postCode=tw1%203sp&amp;sort=asc&amp;sortBy=distance&amp;nearlynew=true&amp;used=true">here</a>

8: MG5

<h3>Pros</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Decent range</li>
	<li>Good value for money used</li>
	<li>Quite comfy</li>
</ul>

<h3>Cons</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Infotainment is fiddly</li>
	<li>Not much fun to drive</li>
	<li>Charging speeds not the quickest</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

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/enyaq/4x4/review/n22909">Skoda Enyaq</a>&nbsp;may look rather conventional next to one or two of its modern&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/electric-suvs/n23038">electric SUV</a>&nbsp;rivals, but don’t be put off: it’s one of the best around, new or used, regardless of size. It’s good to drive, comfortable, practical, extremely refined and comes with a decent range.&nbsp;&nbsp;The iV 60 version has a 58kWh battery and a decent official range. Bought used, it’s also great value. It could be all the car you’ll ever need.&nbsp;

We found:&nbsp;2021 Skoda Enyaq iV60, 12,000 miles, £26,995

Find a used Skoda Enyaq&nbsp;for sale&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/peugeot/208?used=true&amp;nearlynew=true&amp;derivative.fuelType=electric">here</a>

7: Skoda Enyaq

<h3>Pros</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Extremely spacious</li>
	<li>Well equipped</li>
	<li>Plush ride</li>
</ul>

<h3>Cons</h3>

<ul>
	<li>So-so performance by electric car standards</li>
	<li>Some rivals are more adept at handling</li>
	<li>Infotainment isn’t as responsive as rival systems</li>
</ul>

Hatchback

The VW Group famously spends more money on research and development than any rival – and as a result, perhaps it should be no surprise that our testers rate its cars so consistently highly.

The fact that many of those cars use the same underpinnings also helps, because it means that if they get it right once, they have the foundations to keep on getting it right.

However, the Volkswagen brand faces plenty of tough competition, often from within, because the rapidly rising Seat and Skoda brands that are also part of the group have access to the same technology.

VOLKSWAGEN

ID.3

Launched in 2020, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/id3/hatchback/review/n21832">Volkswagen ID 3</a>&nbsp;was the first-born child of the manufacturer’s ever-expanding all-electric ID series. It's good to drive, with nippy performance, it has plenty of range and it comes with a spacious and practical interior. True, the overall quality of the interior is a little underwhelming, and the infotainment system can be fiddly, but overall the ID 3 is now one of the best used electric cars you can buy.&nbsp;

We found:&nbsp;2020 Volkswagen ID 3, 19,000 miles, £17,550

Find a used Volkswagen ID 3&nbsp;for sale<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/nissan/leaf?used=true&amp;nearlynew=true&amp;yearFrom=2018">&nbsp;here</a>

6: Volkswagen ID 3

<h3>Pros</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Good to drive with nippy performance</li>
	<li>Plenty of range</li>
	<li>Spacious interior</li>
</ul>

<h3>Cons</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Underwhelming interior quality</li>
	<li>Questionable reliability</li>
	<li>Infotainment system misses the mark</li>
</ul>

Jaguars are consistently among the best-handling cars of their kind, with the firm’s model range encompassing the XE, XF and XJ saloons, the F-Type sports cars and multiple SUVs.

Jaguar was actually relatively late to launch its first SUV, the F-Pace, but it quickly followed it up with the smaller E-Pace and the all-electric I-Pace.

That SUV range will keep growing, too, with larger and more luxurious SUVs planned to take on the Porsche Cayenne and the Range Rover from sister brand Land Rover.

JAGUAR

I-PACE

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/jaguar/i-pace/estate/review/n122">Jaguar I-Pace</a>&nbsp;is one of the most advanced electric cars in the world, and one that comes with a very long range – 292 miles, officially. Better still, it can be yours for a lot less than it cost new. Under its floor, the I-Pace has a huge battery pack that provides power to all four wheels through two electric motors, one at the front and one at the back, with a total output of 395bhp. That 90kWh battery gives the car exceptional performance. The interior is a luxurious delight, too. Only mixed reliability lets it down.&nbsp;

We found:&nbsp;2019 Jaguar I-Pace EV400 S 90kWh, 35,000 miles, £27,000

Find a used Jaguar I-Pace for sale<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/jaguar/i-pace?used=true&amp;nearlynew=true">&nbsp;here</a>

5: Jaguar I-Pace

<h3>Pros</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Big range</li>
	<li>Entertaining handling</li>
	<li>Futuristic looks</li>
</ul>

<h3>Cons</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Road noise</li>
	<li>Poor rear visibility</li>
	<li>Reliability can be an issue</li>
</ul>

Audi is a brand that sets the standard for interior quality, and this, combined with its vast and ever-growing model line-up, has helped it become one of the ‘big three’ German prestige car makers, along with BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

The A3 hatchback, A4 executive saloon and Q7 SUV are all common - yet upmarket - sights on UK roads.

At least some of Audi's success over the past 30 years can be attributed to the growth in sales of vehicles with four-wheel drive; the company arguably led the way in bringing 4x4 technology into the mainstream, with its Quattro coupé in the early 1980s.

Today, most Audis are available with at least the option of four-wheel drive, while the list of SUVs from the brand includes the Q2, Q3, Q5 and Q7.

AUDI

E-TRON

The E-tron luxury SUV was released in 2019 as&nbsp;Audi's&nbsp;first production&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/electric-cars/n17000">electric car</a>, and its mission was to put the German brand firmly on the EV map. And it certainly succeeded, spawning a whole new generation of electric Audi SUVs. The E-tron impresses&nbsp;with its luxury, practicality and tech, and its attractive used prices. It's incredibly refined and ticks all the practical SUV boxes, so it's great for families, plus the range is reasonable. Used prices are now incredibly tempting.&nbsp;

We found:&nbsp;2020 Audi E-tron 50 quattro Technik, 60,000&nbsp;miles, £26,500

Find a used Audi E-tron for sale&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/audi/e-tron?used=true&amp;nearlynew=true">here</a>

4: Audi E-tron

<h3>Pros</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Comfortable ride</li>
	<li>Very smooth and quiet</li>
	<li>Spacious and luxurious interior</li>
</ul>

<h3>Cons</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Disappointing range</li>
	<li>Fiddly infotainment system</li>
	<li>BMW iX3 or Jaguar I-Pace is more fun to drive</li>
</ul>

Hyundai has transformed itself from a maker of oddball hatchbacks that sold in small numbers in the UK, to a major rival to the likes of Ford, Vauxhall and Volkswagen.

The Korean firm’s Ioniq Hybrid is particularly impressive, having beaten the trend-setting Toyota Prius when we tested the cars back to back.

Meanwhile, at the extremes of the Hyundai range you find the tiny i10 city car – a four-time What Car? award winner – and the stylish yet family-friendly Santa Fe SUV.

As a bonus, all of these cars come with the reassurance of a five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty, whereas most of Hyundai’s rivals offer only three years and 60,000 miles of cover.

HYUNDAI

KONA ELECTRIC

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/kona/hatchback/review/n18164">Hyundai Kona Electric</a>&nbsp;is practical and easy to live with. There are two power outputs and battery pack sizes available: a 134bhp/39kWh version and a more potent 201bhp/64kWh model. The range is exceptional, with the 64kWh version managing 259 miles on a single charge during real-range resting. That variant also has a fairly speedy 0-60mph time of 7.9sec. It just bests the similar Kia e-Niro by having a slightly longer real-world range and being cheaper to buy age for age.&nbsp;

We found:&nbsp;2020&nbsp;Hyundai Kona EV&nbsp;Premium 64kWh, 26,000 miles, £18,450

Find a used Hyundai Kona Electric for sale&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/hyundai/kona?used=true&amp;nearlynew=true&amp;derivative.fuelType=electric">here</a>

3: Hyundai Kona Electric

<h3>Pros</h3>

<ul>
	<li>250-miles-plus range in real-world driving (64kWh version)</li>
	<li>Strong acceleration</li>
	<li>Even the base trim level is well-equipped</li>
</ul>

<h3>Cons</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Rear seat space and boot is limited</li>
	<li>Doesn't ride as well as the Kia e-Niro or Peugeot e-208</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

The electric car to buy if money is limited, and the best value overall.&nbsp;Yes, you can pick up an old&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/zoe/hatchback/review/n152">Renault Zoe</a>&nbsp;for as little as £5000, but even the later versions are great value.&nbsp; Its official range, under the latest WLTP testing, is 238 or 245 miles depending on power output. It's good to drive, too, and decently practical, though its poor safety rating – which was mostly due to a lack of safety kit on entry-level models&nbsp;– could work&nbsp;against it.&nbsp;

We found:&nbsp;2019&nbsp;Renault Zoe R135 50kWh GT Line, 28,000 miles, £9000

Find a used Renault Zoe for sale&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/renault/zoe?used=true&amp;nearlynew=true">here</a>

2: Renault Zoe

<h3>Pros</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Cheap to buy and run</li>
	<li>Quiet and easy to drive</li>
	<li>Decent range</li>
</ul>

<h3>Cons</h3>

<ul>
	<li>So-so performance</li>
	<li>Inconsistent brake feel</li>
	<li>Quality is lacking in places, namely in its interior</li>
</ul>

Tesla is a US brand&nbsp;that revolutionised&nbsp;the car industry, putting <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-electric-cars-2022/n17000">electric cars</a> in the limelight&nbsp;for the first time – helped by the personality and profile of boss Elon Musk.

Today, Tesla has a broader&nbsp;line-up than ever, with the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tesla/model-3/saloon/review/n19010">Tesla Model 3</a> saloon&nbsp;and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tesla/model-y/hatchback/review/n23624">Tesla Model Y</a> SUV the company's cheapest models. For those with bigger budgets or a need for more space, there's the larger <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tesla/model-s/hatchback/review/n150">Tesla Model S</a> saloon and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tesla/model-x/hatchback/review/n161">Tesla&nbsp;Model X</a> SUV.&nbsp;A&nbsp;new Roadster, complete with supercar-beating acceleration, is also in the works.

&nbsp;

TESLA

MODEL 3

Launched in 2019, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tesla/model-3/saloon/review/n19010">Tesla Model 3</a>&nbsp;has&nbsp;been a runaway worldwide sales success. It offers&nbsp;state-of-the-art tech, great performance and an excellent&nbsp;range in a relatively&nbsp;affordable package. The Standard Range Plus is WLTP-certified for 254 miles of claimed range and the Long Range steps that up to 348 miles. The Performance officially does 329 miles. All Model 3s come with plenty of luxuries, and the best news of all is that used prices have now fallen to a tempting low. &nbsp;

We found:&nbsp;2019&nbsp;Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus, 47,000&nbsp;miles, £23,500&nbsp;

Find a used Tesla Model 3 for sale&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/tesla/model-3?used=true&amp;nearlynew=true">here</a>

1: Tesla Model 3

<h3>Pros</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Tremendous performance</li>
	<li>Long range</li>
	<li>Surprisingly practical</li>
</ul>

<h3>Cons</h3>

<ul>
	<li>Build quality could be better</li>
	<li>Ride and handling not up to top ICE rivals</li>
</ul>

For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter&nbsp;<a href="http://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">here</a>

<h2>Read more: <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-used-hybrid-cars/n15841">Best used hybrid cars</a> &gt;&gt;</h2>

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Sufficient range between charges to fit in with most people’s lifestyles – and in the real world, not on some far-fetched official test </li> <li>Quick charging times and compatibility with the most ubiquitous types of public charging points </li> <li>Priced to be within the grasp of more than just the privileged few </li> <li>As with any car, ride comfort, practicality and ownership costs can’t be ignored</li></ul>

We define an electric car as one that runs purely on battery power and has no tailpipe to puff out nasty chemicals.

The best of the breed offer sufficient range between charges to fit in with most people’s lifestyles – and in the real world, not on some far-fetched official test cycle.

Electric

Electric cars are bang on-trend, and if you buy used you don’t need to spend a fortune to get into one. Here we list our top 10 favourites, from urban runarounds to luxury SUVs

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Top 10 used electric cars

Electric cars are bang on-trend, and if you buy used you don’t need to spend a fortune to get into one. Here we list our top 10 favourites, from urban runarounds to luxury SUVs...

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