Best electric cars 2026 – the EVs to buy and those to avoid

Best for: stylish yet affordable electric driving

Finding a great electric car for a relatively low price always used to be a bit of a struggle – until the arrival of the Renault 5. Yet this isn't an electric car that's just cheap, because driving a Renault 5 (also known as the R5) will also make you feel very cheerful.

For a start, there's how far it can travel between charges. Even entry-level models have an official range of up to 193 miles on a charge, and that's usefully enough for the needs of most people. If you opt for the larger 52kWh battery which we recommend, though, that figure jumps to 253 miles, which could mean that you only need to charge up a couple of times a week. And speaking of charging, you'll be waiting a similar amount of time for a 10-80% top-up as you would for the rival Citroën ë-C3, Mini Cooper SE and Peugeot e-208. The R5 can charge at a peak rate of 100kW, and has a standard Type 2 and CCS connection.

Then there's the way the Renault 5 looks. If the Instagrammable exterior wasn't enough, the interior is as comfortable and as well appointed as an Ikea bedroom, with a superb Google-based infotainment system that's easy to get along with. Plus, its physical climate controls are easier to use on the move than the purely screen or voice-based controls of some rivals. And while anyone approaching six-feet tall is inclined to feel a bit cramped in the rear seats over long journeys, the 5's boot is larger than those of the Fiat 500 or Mini.

There's almost endless scope for personalisation, too, with a range of colours which will help you to stand out from the crowd, and an extensive list of options which includes a very French baguette holder.

Finally, consider the price, because even the most expensive Renault 5 will cost you less than £30,000, which is more than £1000 less than the cheapest Mini Cooper SE. And when it comes to depreciation, the R5 should hold onto its value better than the Citroën ë-C3. Things get even better when you consider that a good number of dealers are offering new R5s at discounted prices. With the Government EV grant included, it’s possible to drive away in an entry-level Evolution model for less than £21,000, while mid-range Techno versions are available from as little as £23,000.

In terms of a warranty, you get a three-year, 60,000-mile warranty on most components, with the battery covered for eight years, which is pretty par for the course among small electric cars.

With all of those attributes taken into account, it's little wonder that the Renault 5 is our reigning What Car? Car of the Year.

"Unlike some rivals, there's no mechanical connection between the 5's brake pedal and the brakes themselves. I was nervous about this, but I needn't have been – teh system makes it easier to slow down smoothly than in rival electric cars" – Dan Jones, Senior Reviewer

Read our in-depth Renault 5 review

Best for: public charging, thanks to Tesla's brilliant network

Since its launch in 2019, the Tesla Model 3 has consistently been one of our favourite electric cars. Now, thanks to its latest round of updates, it’s the model to beat if you're looking for an electric car which matches up to the best executive models.

The Model 3 is great to drive, offering sweeter handling than the rival Kia EV6 or Polestar 2. It’s fast, too (ridiculously so in Performance guise), and surprisingly practical.

The near-complete lack of physical buttons and switches (even the indicator stalk has been replaced with haptic buttons on the steering wheel) won’t suit everyone, but the enormous 15.4in central screen is at least pretty user-friendly.

Factor in that the Model 3 is also competitively priced, and that buying one gets you access to the brand’s ultra-fast and convenient Supercharger network, and it’s easy to recommend. Speaking of charging, RWD versions of the Model 3 can charge at a peak rate of up to 170kW, while other versions raise that figure to 250kW. At their fastest speeds, then, you'll be able to complete a 10-80% top-up in less than 30 minutes, and you'll enjoy preferential rates using Tesla chargers. Of course, as well as a CCS charging connector, the Model 3 also includes a slower Type 2 connector.

Officially, RWD models will take you up to 318 miles between charges, with Long Range models eeking that out to 436 miles. You won't get that far in real-world conditions, though, and in 2024 a Long Range AWD model running on 18in alloy wheels managed 293 miles before running out of juice. That was in winter, though; in summer conditions we'd expect around 340 miles.

You get a four-year, 60,000-mile warranty on most Model 3 components, but the battery and drive unit are covered separately for up to eight years or 100,000 miles on RWD models, or 120,000 on all other versions. As part of that, Tesla guarantees that the battery will retain 70% of its original capacity. Since Tesla doesn’t use franchised dealers, it’s unlikely that you’ll find any discounts. Fortunately, the Model 3 already undercuts almost every direct rival, including the BYD Seal, Hyundai Ioniq 6 and Volkswagen ID 7.

"Every time we test a Tesla, it proves vastly more efficient than its rivals; the Model 3 averaged 3.7 miles per kilowatt hour of electricity used on our real-world test route." – Will Nightingale, Reviews Editor

Read our in-depth Tesla Model 3 review

Best for: the longest possible range

If you've not looked seriously at an electric car before now primarily due to range concerns, then the BMW iX3's 500-mile official range should be cause enough to look again. But while that's undoubtedly impressive, there's lots more to like about this electric SUV beyond that headline-grabbing figure.

Currently you can only buy one version of the iX3, the 50 xDrive, which gets a total of 463bhp from two electric motors, and which send their drive to all four wheels through an automatic gearbox. The 0-62mph sprint officially takes just 4.9 seconds, which is faster than the rival Audi Q6 e-tron can manage. Performance is good, then, but beyond that the iX3 is also a comfortable place to while away the miles. It rides well at any speed, even on standard suspension and its largest wheels, and does a better job of hiding its considerable bulk through corners than the rival Ford Mustang Mach-E.

The interior of the iX3 is an all-new design for BMW, and includes a new interpretation of the brand's iDrive infotainment system. This takes a little getting used to, but the setup does an excellent job of putting a lot of information right in front of you, with configurable widgets allowing you to choose the data which matters most. It's just a shame that the physical controller which made the iDrive system so easy to navigate in the old iX3 is absent from the new model.

The iX3's boot is about the same size as the one in the Q6 e-tron, meaning a couple of holiday suitcases are unlikely to pose any problems. And every iX3 comes with a good amount of kit, including a powered tailgate, dual-zone climatr control and heated front seats. As for a warranty, BMW's three-year, unlimited-mileage cover is nothing special, but at least the battery is covered for up to eight years.

All things considered, the iX3 represents the best case for going electric that we've yet seen, and impressed us so much that we named it as our overall What Car? Car of the Year for 2026.

“While you mainly adjust your seats using physical buttons on the door, it’s quite annoying that you have to delve into the touchscreen to use adjust the lumbar support (if you have it fitted).” – Will Nightingale, Reviews Editor

Read our in-depth BMW iX3 review

Best for: anyone after a small SUV

Kia's smallest and most affordable electric SUV has had some very impressive siblings to learn from – after all, the larger Kia EV6 is a former What Car? Car of the Year, while the even larger Kia EV9 is among our favourite electric seven-seaters.

It certainly starts off on the right note, with even the most affordable models able to officially cover 270 miles on a charge, while the Long Range model ups that figure to 375 miles – more than the rival Hyundai Kona Electric, Mini Aceman or Smart #3 can manage. We'd expect to be able to cover between 250-320 miles in the EV3 Long Range in real-world conditions, depending on how you drive.

The Kia beats the Aceman and matches the Kona Electric on boot space, too, and we managed to fit six carry-on suitcases inside – the same as the Skoda Elroq.

Speaking of the Elroq, the EV3's physical climate controls make it easier to adjust the temperature in that car, while elsewhere the Kia's interior impresses with an infotainment system that's easy to get along with, and the kind of high-up driving position which SUV buyers will love.

When you're driving around town, the EV3's soft suspension does a good job of soaking up lumps and bumps, but the downside is that it doesn't make the car feel especially agile, and it leans more through corners than some rivals. 

Standard Range versions of the EV3 can charge at a peak rate of 100kW, which matches the Kona Electric, while Long Range models can charge at up to 135kW. But because the latter has a larger battery, it'll take the same time to top up from 10-80% – around half an hour. Like most of the electric cars, here the EV3 comes with a CCS charging connector for the fastest chargers, and a Type 2 connector for slower units.

While it’s still unknown whether the EV3 will qualify for the Government’s EV grant, Kia is offering a £3000 deposit contribution for retail customers who sign up to a PCP deal before the end of March 2026. On top of this, you can take advantage of a wide number of dealer discounts via Whatcar.com. A number of dealerships are currently offering a £4000 discount on the EV3 Long Range Air and £6000 off the GT-Line and GT-Line S.

Of course, as with all of the cars on this list, running an EV3 makes excellent sense if you're a company car driver.

In terms of warranty, the EV3 gets one of the longest around. You're covered for up to seven years or 100,000 miles on most components, and eight years for the battery, which is also capped at 100,000 miles.

"If you're an audiophile like me, it might be worth looking at the range-topping EV3's kit list. That's because in GT-Line S trim, it comes with a premium stereo from Harman Kardon – perfect for your commuting soundtrack" – Oliver Young, Reviewer

Read our in-depth Kia EV3 review

Best for: people seeking the maximum space, but not the maximum price

You might gawk at seeing a big MPV on this list of the best electric cars, but the Kia PV5 rightly deserves its place here. For one thing, it's absolutely massive, with more space than any family could reasonably have need of. Even with two relatively tall adults sitting in the front, rear-seat passengers will have plenty of room to stretch out. And while the PV5 is strictly a five-seate for the moment, a seven-seat version is already waiting in the wings.

While the PV5 might not have the same retro-themed edge or colourful styling as the rival Volkswagen ID Buzz, its interior feels well suited to family life, with switches and buttons which feel built to last, and materials which are hard-wearing. The driving position will suit SUV drivers well, because it places you high up in the car, giving you a commanding view over the road ahead.

There are two versions of the PV5 to choose from, with the Standard Range getting 120bhp and the Long Range getting 161bhp – in other words, neither is a match for the 282bhp ID Buzz. Neither can match the Buzz's official range, either, with the entry-level car being officially able to cover 183 miles between charges, rising to 256 miles in the Long Range. When it comes to charging, every PV5 can charge at speeds of up to 150kW.

The PV5 soaks up lumps and bumps in the road better than the ID Buzz, and thanks to steering which builds weight progressively and good body control, the PV5 feels more composed along a winding country road than you might expect for a car of this bulk.

Buy a PV5 outright and it'll cost you around half the price of an entry-level ID Buzz, once you've factored in the Government's electric car grant. That means you get a lot of car for not a lot of money, and that's why the PV5 places so highly on this list.

“The range-topping PV5 Long Range Plus is available with a heat pump for better efficiency in cooler weather. It's an expensive option, though, so I wouldn't bother.” – Dan Jones, Senior reviewer

Read our in-depth Kia PV5 review

Best for: family-sized electric motoring

While the Smart cars of old were tiny models best suited to driving in the city, the latest Smart #5 is an altogether different beast. And the change is very welcome, because it's the best family-sized electric SUV on the market. 

In our recommended Pro+ form, the #5 gets 358bhp from its rear-mounted electric motor, and that's capable of propelling this hefty SUV up to 62mph in 6.5 seconds. Crucially, though, going for the Pro+ gets you a bigger battery than other #5s, at 94kWh, and that allows for an official range of up to 366 miles between charges. Granted, that's still slightly less than a Tesla Model Y in Long Range RWD form can manage, but it should still be enough for most drivers.

The #5's relatively soft ride means that it does a good job of soaking up lumps and bumps, meaning it feels comfier than rivals including the Model Y and MG S6. And while the Smart doesn't feel especially agile through corners, it keeps its composure well. It's just not very engaging if you're looking for something to raise a smile as you drive.

Your passengers should be all smiles, though, because they'll have masses of room to stretch out in. Indeed, even compared with the most spacious family electric SUVs, the #5 is simply cavernous in the back. It's not short on luggage space, either, with a 630-litre boot and a further 110 litres of storage in its 'frunk' at the front. To give those figures some context, we managed to fit nine carry-on suitcases in the Smart's boot, plus an extra one in the frunk.

Against more budget-friendly rivals, the Smart #5 can look like an expensive proposition, but if your list of rivals also includes more premium offerings like the Skoda Enyaq or Model Y, then the #5 actually comes across as very competitive. And you get plenty of kit as standard, with 19in alloy wheels, heate seats and adaptive cruise control all coming as standard on our favourite Pro+ model. 

As for the warranty, Smart offers a fairly standard three-year, unlimited-mileage warranty for most of the car's components, with the battery and high-voltage electrical system being covered for up to eight years or 125,000 miles.

"There are cheaper electric SUVs, but I’ve found that not all of them are as well-kitted out as the #5." – Dan Jones, Senior Reviewer

Read our in-depth Smart #5 review

Best for: thoughtful details that make life easier

Welcome to one of Britain's best family electric SUVs. And to give the Skoda Elroq that honour makes complete sense – after all, it's about the same size and offers many of the same features as the Skoda Karoq, which is one of our favourite family SUVs, but benefits from electric power.

Speaking of power, even entry-level 168bhp versions of the Karoq feel plenty quick enough, and the standard suspension setup does a good job of ironing out lumps and bumps in the road. The Elroq handles well for a family SUV, too, with well-weighted steering that's also accurate. It's just a shame that the brakes don't offer a better sense of feeling, but that's a problem which also affects the rival Cupra Tavascan.

Inside, you don't sit as high up as you do in the Tesla Model Y, but there's a decent amount of space for adults. Plus, we managed to fit six carry-on suitcases into the Elroq's boot, which means your holiday luggage shouldn't be much trouble. It's worth noting that the rival Renault Scenic managed to carry one more case in our tests, though.

Prices for the Elroq are tempting – even more so when you consider that the entire range (excluding the sporty vRS) qualifies for a £1500 discount under the Government’s electric car grant. When it comes to our Skoda Elroq discounts, it’s possible to drive away in an entry-level Elroq SE 50 for less than £28,000 – a cut of about £4000 compared with list price. Even bigger savings are possible on more expensive versions, including up to £8000 off the mid-spec Edition. It's worth noting that the Elroq is expected to depreciate slightly faster than the Renault Scenic, but its monthly PCP costs are nonetheless very competitive.

How quickly you'll be able to charge your Elroq depends on which version you go for, with 50 and 60 models having peak rates of 145kW and 165kW respectively, and the 85 topping out at 175kW. However, because of their differing battery sizes, all three will take roughly the same time – around 28 minutes – to achieve a 10-80% top-up using the fastest chargers, for which the Elroq has a CCS connector. If you're charging using the slower Type 2 connector, than the Elroq can take up to 12 hours to achieve a full charge from a 7kW connection.

The Elroq 50 can officially take you up to 232 miles between charges, with the 85 version upping that figure to 360 miles. The mid-range 60, meanwhile achieved a real-world range of 207 miles when we tested it.

"When I was faced with picking up some flat-pack furniture, I was pleased to find the Elroq has a handy ski hatch, so I could load longer items through the middle of the car from the boot." – Doug Revolta, Head of Video

Read our in-depth Skoda Elroq review

Best for: those looking for an electric car for the city

With the Renault 5 already featuring further up this list, it should come as little surprise to see that its SUV-styled sibling, the Renault 4, is also one of the best electric cars on sale today. And as you'd hope, the 4 takes much of what we like about the R5, and translates it into an arguably more family friendly package.

There's certainly a bit more space for rear passengers than there is in the 5, although rivals including the BYD Atto 2 and Kia EV3 are better bets if you'll regularly be carrying lanky folk with you. The R4 isn't a particularly wide car, either, so sitting three abreast on the rear bench is only likely to be comfortable on short trips. It's better news where luggage is concerned, because the Renault 4 has a larger boot than you'll find in rivals including the Jeep Avenger Electric and Volvo EX30 – we managed to fit six carry-on suitcases below the Renault 4's parcel shelf, which should be enough for the needs of most families.

The Renault's interior will be familiar to anyone who has sat in the R5, and that's a good thing because its a layout which works well. Most information is shown on a digital display, which measures up to 10.3in depending on which version you choose. That's pared with a 10.1in infotainment touchscreen which uses Google technology, meaning you get Google Maps built in, provided you go for at least Techno+ trim.

No matter which version of the Renault 4 you choose, you'll get a single 148bhp electric motor which drives the front wheels, and which draws its power from a 52kWh (usable capacity) battery. That battery is officially good for up to 245 miles of range, which is less than the Kia EV3 can manage in Standard Range form, but is about on par with most other rivals. The motor itself delivers peppy performance, with the 0-62mph sprint in our tests taking a little less time than it would in the rival Peugeot e-2008.

“The range between charges should be fine for lots of buyers, but I think it’s a shame there isn’t the option of an even bigger battery.” – Doug Revolta, Head of Video

Read our in-depth Renault 4 review

Best for: those who need room for seven adults and their luggage

There’s so much affection for the retro design of the Volkswagen ID Buzz that its maker could easily have penny-pinched on the engineering and still sold as many as it could make.

Instead, the German brand has clearly thrown everything at the car, and this has resulted in something that combines the practicality of an MPV with the comfort and refinement of a premium SUV and the low running costs of an electric car. 

The ID Buzz is good to drive – it can sprint up to motorway speeds faster than many conventional family SUVs, such as the 1.5-litre petrol-engined Volkswagen Tiguan – and is endlessly spacious, meaning more space for passengers and luggage than you'd find in a Jaguar I-Pace or Tesla Model Y. And in LWB form, it's one of the most spacious cars you can buy in any class.

Short-wheelbase versions have a maximum charging rate of 185kW, while LWB models up that figure to 200kW. Despite having a larger battery, however, both models will still take around 30min to complete a 10-80% charge due to the latter's larger battery. The ID Buzz includes connections for both faster CCS and slower Type 2 chargers.

Speaking of the different versions available, the SWB's 79kWh (usable capacity) battery can officially take you 283 miles between charges, while the LWB's 86kWh battery can take you 291 miles.

While you might think that the ID Buzz looks like an expensive prospect, slow predicted depreciation means that you should get most of your money back when you come to sell it on. Plus, if you take advantage of our VW ID Buzz deals, you can save as much as £6000 on a new model. That means you can get into an entry-level 79kWh Life model for around £59,000 or a range-topping 86kWh GTX for £64,000. And if you’re looking for a capable electric van, the savings are even bigger, with some dealers offering up to £10,000 off the ID Buzz Cargo.

"I've not come close to maxing out the ID Buzz's available boot space yet – even on trips to Ikea and the tip." – Stuart Milne, Digital Editor

Read our in-depth Volkswagen ID Buzz review

Best for: pampering back-seat passengers

If you're lucky enough to have someone do your driving for you, then the BMW i7 is one of the best luxury limousines on sale, offering technology, comfort and convenience in equal measure. Even if you're doing the driving yourself, though, it still out-shines its rivals.

Entry-level models make do with 'just' 449bhp from a single motor, and that's enough to haul this luxury limo to motorway speeds in just 5.5sec. The other, four-wheel drive i7s, are nothing short of ballistically fast. Indeed, the eDrive60 xDrive will out-sprint the rival Mercedes EQS to 62mph.

Not that there's much drama to be felt when reaching those speeds, though, because the i7 is as serene and as hushed as a Swiss watch. And with a cushioning ride, every trip is relaxing.

From any seat, you'll be immersed in an interior that's both luxurious and filled with technology, while your luggage should have no trouble fitting inside the 500-litre boot. The EQS is even more capacious, though, and benefits from a more practical hatchback-style opening.

The i7's peak charging rate of 200kW is slightly down on that of the EQS, but it does mean that a 20-80% top-up will take about 32 minutes using the fastest chargers, connected with a CCS charger. There's also a Type 2 connector for slower chargers, and the i7 will take around 14 hours to fully charge from a 7kW home charger.

According to official figures, the i7's 101.7kWh (usable capacity) battery is good for a range of up to 387 miles. That figure falls to 343 miles in the M70, and in real-world conditions we'd expect to see that number fall further, to around 300 miles.

No version of the i7 is exactly a cheap purchase, but by taking advantage of the dealer discounts on our BMW i7 deals pages, it's possible to save up to £25,000 – especially on models that have lots of expensive optional extras fitted. As a result, you can drive away in a new i7 for less than £90,000.

"Not that I'm one for sleeping on the job, but the i7's optional Executive Pack can replace the outer rear seats with lounge-style alternatives which, among other things, can fold down into a bed." – Dan Jones, Senior Reviewer

Read our in-depth BMW i7 review

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