Top 10: the best electric cars on sale today

Battery-powered vehicles have made significant advancements in just a few years, with notable improvements in range, efficiency, and practicality.

Basically, there’s never been a better time to make the switch to an EV.

That growth isn’t slowing down, either. The number of electric cars on the road is expected to rise sharply, particularly as more countries plan to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars in the coming years. Europe, for example, is preparing to phase out combustion-engine vehicles by 2035.

But with so many great options available, choosing the right electric car can feel overwhelming.

To help you make your decision, we’ve put together our list of the ten best EVs you can buy right now, based on the things that matter most: driving range, real-world efficiency, practicality, value for money, and driver appeal.

Our expert panel of seasoned motoring journalists - who have driven virtually every car on sale today - explain exactly why each model stands out and deserves a place on this list.

So, join us as we count down the top 10 electric cars on the market today.

Tesla Model 3

Tesla's family electric saloon is, simply put, one of the best electric cars you can buy today. Better still, the Model 3 recently underwent a mid-life update, with the new version gaining a refreshed front end, revised interior layout and a slimmed-down model line-up. 

The dual-motor Long Range remains the pick of the line-up, now offering up to 678km (421 miles) of range for £50,000 or $55,000. 

The Model 3 undercuts its rivals on price by a good margin; the BMW i4, for example, is more than £8000 or $10,000 more expensive than the Tesla. 

Plus you get access to Tesla’s brilliant ultra-fast Supercharger network, which is both easy to use and convenient when travelling long distances. 

Cupra Born

While the Born hatchback shares its electric platform and interior tech with the Volkswagen ID 3, it's a more engaging and fun electric car to drive. You can get a 58kWh battery model that offers up to 408km (261 miles) of range, but you’re better off paying extra for the 77kWh model, which promises up to 550km (342 miles) on a charge. 

Choose the bigger battery and you get more power, too.

The Born shines for its size, space, price and real-world range, but excels for being an engaging electric car that can genuinely be enjoyed at pace. Thanks to its balanced rear-driven chassis and neat, precise, handling, it feels composed and athletic through corners. 

Even better, there is now a hot VZ version with 240kW (326hp) and 600km (372 miles) of range.

Kia EV9

Big, bold, and brilliant, the Kia EV9 is one of the best electric SUVs on sale today thanks to its good range, decent efficiency and superb interior flexibility. The entry point to the EV9 range is much more reasonable compared to rivals like the Volvo EX90 and, using a single-motor, rear-wheel drive layout, promises a range of up to 562km (349 miles). 

GT-Line and GT-Line S models get a dual-motor all-wheel drive powertrain and a range of up to 504km (313 miles). Choose the range-topper and you can have the EV9 with a six-seat configuration, with the second-row featuring swivelling chairs for a lounge-like feel. 

The single-motor rear-drive Air is softer and more relaxing, while the dual-motor version has a more composed and assured drive thanks to its four-wheel-drive set-up. Both are comfortable and pliant over bumps, with only consistent imperfections and sharp edges upsetting the ride quality somewhat. 

The EV9 excels inside, too, with heaps of space for both front and rear passenger – and even with the third row of seats up you still get 333 litres (11.8cu ft) of boot space. 

Porsche Taycan

If you’re looking for a performance electric car, the Porsche Taycan is the model to go for. The brand’s first bespoke electric car recently received an extensive reconfiguration, gaining new battery and charging technology, more power and styling tweaks. 

The range opens with a rear-drive, single-motor model, followed by a trio of dual motor versions: the 4S, Turbo and Turbo S. Topping the range is the Taycan GT, a 760kW (1020hp) track-focused monster developed by Porsche’s legendary GT division. The super saloon can sprint from 0-100km/h (0-62mph) in a staggering 2.2sec. 

Due to its low centre of gravity and impressive handling, the Taycan feels agile and taut around corners, with excellent levels of grip. Only the near-identical Audi E-tron GT can match it for thrills. In fact, its cornering balance and precision is probably more of a standout than its impressive performance. 

The first-generation model suffered from a lack of real-world range and efficiency. Porsche has worked to change this with a new version of its Battery Performance Plus model. Fitted with a 105kWh battery, the Taycan promises a range of up to 679km (422 miles) - and it can be charged from 10-80% in just 18 minutes thanks to 320kW charging speeds. 

The Taycan is available in both saloon and estate body styles.

BMW i4

From every aspect, the BMW i4 excels, be it range, comfort, or refinement. The German brand’s electric saloon was recently facelifted, gaining new tech and more range.

The pick of the lineup is the 250kW (340hp) eDrive40, which promises a range of up to 600km (373 miles). If you’re willing to sacrifice a bit of range for additional performance, the M50 is the model to go for, with its dual-motor powertrain developing 400kW (536bhp). 

The i4 is at home on long distance journeys, being both comfortable on motorways and extremely hushed at higher speeds. Inside, the refinement is continued with plush metals and leathers – the iDrive infotainment system is easy to use, too. 

However, it is worth noting that the Model 3 comes with a better charging network, which makes it easier to cover motorway miles. And the American saloon – in Long Range All-Wheel Drive trim – is more cheaper than the i4, and can travel further on a charge. 

Hyundai Ioniq 5 N

If you want your EV to come with insane performance, a playful chassis and a suite of drive modes to make it as fun to drive as a petrol car, then your only choice is the Ioniq 5 N.

Thanks to its 448kW (641bhp) powertrain, the Ioniq 5 N feels insanely fast, but it’s not the car’s speed which makes it a good performance car. The 5 N shines most for its excellent handling, which you can tune to make it more playful should you wish to test its chassis to the limit. And it comes with various modes to make the car feel more engaging. For example, there is a fake gearbox which mimics an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, and a fake exhaust note that is played through the speakers in the cabin. 

Volkswagen ID 7 

The ID 7 electric saloon is arguably the German brand’s most convincing electric Volkswagen to date. The firm’s flagship EV serves as a battery-powered alternative to the Passat and is worthy of praise because of its brilliant ride, excellent interior space and practicality and neat handling. You get a brilliant 700km (435 mile) range with the big battery version, and if you’re after more space, you can have the ID 7 in estate form. 

Rolls-Royce Spectre

You’re looking at what is possibly the most refined electric car on sale today - the Rolls-Royce Spectre. 

The first electric Rolls-Royce certainly didn’t disappoint in all the areas the brand knows best. It’s comfortable, refined and isolated, but it’s also quick and highly capable. 

Range is competitive, rather than groundbreaking. The British carmaker says you’ll get 329 miles on a charge, which is easily enough for most journeys. A top-up can also be completed at a maximum speed of 195kW. 

The Spectre’s biggest hurdle is its price. We doubt most Rolls-Royce owners would care, however, and are probably willing to part ways with the eyewatering £332,055 ($448,000, or €379,000). 

Renault 5

The Renault 5 is the standout electric supermini, and there really is no comparable competition. 

It combines a stunning, retro-inspired design with modern technology, all at an affordable price. It's just as nice inside too, with bright colours, premium materials and wireless smartphone mirroring. 

There's a choice of two powertrains. The Urban model has a 120bhp motor and a 40kWh battery, while the more powerful Comfort car gets 150bhp and a 50kWh battery. 

Renault claims a range of up to 253 miles, which is competitive for the segment. That said, real-world efficiency is poor when driving on motorways. 

Kia EV3

The Kia EV3 is one of the most well-rounded electric cars on sale today. 

Reasonably priced, it stands out from rivals by combining practicality, performance, range, and versatility in an appealing package.

It’s a car that would suit most drivers, with an atmosphere that would make those aged eight or 80 feel at home. 

Key to its success is its 81.4kWh battery, which is far bigger than most comparable rivals. 

Kia says the EV3 is capable of 375 miles (603km) of range on a single charge, which blows the competition out of the water for the price.