Best electric performance car: Porsche Taycan
The Taycan, despite being an EV, still feels every bit a Porsche product. It deftly delivers close body control along with the perfect balance of communication in cornering forces, building up and abating in such neat, linear fashion.
It’s also devastatingly fast in a straight line. In full-fat Turbo S form, it will officially do the standard 0-62mph sprint in 2.4 seconds.
Range depends largely on which model you choose, but the biggest-battery option gives the Taycan an outstanding 679km (422 miles).
Access remains quite tight for a luxury GT. Rear passenger space isn’t too generous considering the size, but the driving ergonomics are nothing short of superb. And if you're after a bit more practicality, there's always the Sport Turismo variant.
Best electric convertible: MG Cyberster
The Cyberster is an important car for MG. Not only did it mark the Chinese brand's 100th anniversary, it was also the first electric convertible to go on sale in the UK.
Powered by a 77kWh battery, it promises around 444km (276 miles) of range. Two electric motors combine to offer 503bhp and 535lb ft, so it can cover 0-100km/h (0-62mph) in 3.2 seconds. Alternatively, you can select a single-motor powertrain, with power sent to the rear wheels only.
Although its weight means it's not quite as pure and zippy as the Mazda MX-5, the Cyberster does drive with the zest of a traditional sports car.
Its handling is engaging, which partners well with the supple and controlled ride if you're not looking to hustle it.
Best electric supercar: Rimac Nevera
Few car makers have made such a big impression in such a short space of time as Rimac. In little more than a decade, the Croatian firm has grown into a company that's partly owned by Porsche and directs Bugatti.
The Nevera hypercar is built around a composite tub, and there's an electric motor for each wheel, with independent single-speed gearboxes at the front and two two-speed dual-clutch boxes for the back axle.
All this means it boasts 1888bhp and a mountainous 1696lb ft of torque, which allows it to hit 0-62mph in just 1.95sec. Its 120kWh battery also allows for up to 547km (340 miles) of range.
With double-wishbone suspension, torque vectoring and the potential for level-four autonomous driving, the Nevera has the works - and an eye-watering £2.4 million (€2.8 million) price to match.
Best electric van: Kia PV5 Cargo
In addition to a people-carrying MPV variant, the Kia PV5 also comes as a commercial, load-lugging van.
The PV5 Cargo van version comes with either one sliding side door or two barn-style doors at the rear, a collapsible front passenger seat and a bulkhead that can open up for through-loading, if you want them.
It rides better than many van-based MPVs, but it's constantly busied by craggy road surfaces and jostles a tad over bumps. The PV5 Cargo rides virtually identically to the PV5 Passenger, which should make it a comfortable tool for drivers using it for extended periods every day.
The PV5’s load bay is where its dedicated design really pays off, with caveats. In L2H1 Cargo form — the first model to launch — it offers 4.4 cubic metres of space. That’s achieved with a floor length of 2,255mm, a height of 1,520mm and 1,330mm between the wheel arches. That’s enough for the PV5 to take two Euro pallets.
Payload is up to 790kg in the Short Range version, and 690kg in the Long Range, which compares favourably with the ID Buzz’s maximum of 712kg and the e-Partner’s 781kg. Towing capacity is 750kg braked, and the roof load is rated to 100kg.
Best electric SUV: BMW iX3
The BMW iX3 is one of the most recent arrivals in the electric car market, and it's a hugely significant car for the future of the German car maker.
The iX3 is powered by a huge 108kWh battery pack, which uses cylindrical cells with 20% stronger energy density. Its driving range is the headline figure, with up to 804km (500 miles) on a single charge. Charging is equally impressive, with speeds of up to 400kW.
One of the iX3’s greatest weapons is its value. With a starting price of £58,755 (€68,542 / $73,088) in the UK, or around £65,000 (€75,907 / $81,003) for a well-specced one, it undercuts all of its direct rivals by a big margin.
Here stands an electric SUV that shifts boundaries for range and charging, and applies novel interior and ADAS tech in a way that actually improves the experience. True to BMW’s reputation, the iX3 entertains with its handling and controls.
Best electric sports car:Hyundai Ioniq 5 N
As well as leading the pack of hot hatchbacks, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 is also one of the finest electric sports cars available today.
The Ioniq 5 N is an extremely fast car. In fact, for a car that will carry the whole family, plus luggage, and has vehicle-to-load capability that means you run a coffee machine at a campsite, or even charge another EV from the drive battery, it’s borderline supersonic.
It carries plenty of pace through the corners, generating excellent traction and good lateral grip, but can then be leant on at any moment, neatly changing its attitude via the throttle pedal alone in pedigree style. Few electric cars can match it for sporting thrills.
Best small electric car: Renault 5 E-Tech
The Renault 5 is the best small electric car money can buy today. It effortlessly blends retro design with modern technology at an affordable price.
Inside, Renault has deployed colours and materials usually found in more expensive models, and it has all the latest tech, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
It’s available with two different powertrains. The cheapest has a 120bhp motor and a 40kWh battery, while the more expensive has a 150bhp motor and a 50kWh battery. So more money equals more power and more range.
Efficiency is the name of the game with small EVs, and the 5 paints a curious picture. During our time with a long-range model, it returned 5.0mpkWh in our everyday test, giving a range equating to 418km (260 miles), actually besting the WLTP range of 407km (253 miles); but our motorway driving test sent its efficiency plummeting to 3.1mpkWh.
Best electric saloon: Tesla Model 3
The Tesla Model 3 is still as hugely significant for the American EV brand as it has ever been, helping to spearhead its continued charge in Europe.
A great all-rounder, the compact saloon received a mid-life facelift in 2024, bringing with it a sharp design refresh, plus interior and technology updates.
Sensitive, direct steering is a huge draw for the Model 3, and it's fun and engaging in most driving situations. A 0-100kph (0-62mph) sprint of 4.4 seconds is rapid, and few EVs will match it for the same price.
Refinement and ride were weak points in the old Model 3, but this one improves things slightly. It's still not as comfortable as it should be, but it's far quieter than before. Range has increased too. While the old Model 3 offered 409 km (254 miles) in its entry-level specification, the latest car manages 520 km (323 miles). And the Long Range Rear Drive version does 750 km (466 miles), which is far ahead of several rivals.
Furthermore, 2026 model-year cars benefit from an indicator stalk rather than the irritating buttons introduced as part of the facelift two years ago.
Best electric pick-up truck: Rivian R1T
Large pick-up trucks dominate the American car sales charts, so it’s little surprise that plenty of firms are pushing to develop electric versions, despite the considerable challenges that come with powering already big, heavy machines with big, heavy batteries.
The Rivian R1T is genuinely endearing. It’s a lovely thing to spend time in, and while more of the controls than we would like are run through the infotainment, it’s such a slick and welcoming system that you won’t mind.
It certainly doesn’t feel like the first product from a start-up: it’s well-conceived, well-designed and well-built, with a real maturity to the drive and powertrain that escapes many automotive newcomers.
The drive and ride is impressive, the interior is spacious and many of the storage solutions and features are cleverly designed and hugely practical.
While the first mainstream electric cars were small, short-range and often expensive, the market has rapidly expanded over the last few years.
There is now an electric car to suit every sort of driver. Electric cars can range from smaller, city-sprawling models to larger, load-lugging SUVs.
There’s even a strong selection of electric cars for executive drivers, sports car fanatics and even those who desire a luxurious millionaire lifestyle.
When buying an electric car, the number of options can be overwhelming. That’s why we’ve put together a comprehensive list of the best electric cars from every segment, so you can narrow down your options and find the best fit for you.
You can be sure to find something that suits your needs, so read on to find out which electric cars we think are the best on sale today.
Best electric MPV: Kia PV5 Passenger
While many van-based cars can look a bit derivative, the PV5 Passenger is a much more striking option in the MPV class.
Its futuristic styling will catch your eye, but you will buy it for its endlessly practical and versatile interior.
Being an electric MPV, Kia has been able to maximise interior space, which means there are generous amounts of head and leg room throughout. Adults will have no trouble getting comfortable in the second row, and with the seats fixed, there’s still a staggering 1330 litres.
Real-world range for the larger 71.2kWh battery (51.5kWh is also available) is around 321km (200 miles), which is better than many other electric vans. Yes, the Volkswagen ID Buzz will go further, but it's also vastly more expensive.
Best electric hot hatchback: Hyundai Ioniq 5 N
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N is a truly fantastic electric performance car, and it technically can be considered a hot hatchback due to its size and configuration.
It uses a dual-motor configuration, with 223bhp sent to the front wheels and 378bhp directed to the rear. Maximum power output stands at 641bhp, which provides a 0-100kph (0-62mph) time of just 3.4 seconds.
There are several drive modes to choose from, while the motor response, dampers and steering and stability control can all be adjusted to your own preference. If you really miss the sound of an engine, there’s a slightly gimmicky synthesised engine note and an engaging fake eight-speed gearbox called N-Shift.
It remains a usable family car, too, with its 84kWh battery offering around 450km (280 miles) of range on a charge and maximum charging speeds of 340kW.
Best electric family SUV: Skoda Enyaq
The Skoda Enyaq isn't a superstar in any one area like some of the other cars here, but it is a fantastic all-rounder. It really is a Skoda through and through, and it just happens to be an EV too.
Its interior is sensibly laid out, with physical controls and soft-touch materials. Standard adaptive cruise control and paddles for the regenerative braking make it intuitive to drive, as does the chassis, which is balanced and mature, if not especially entertaining.
For the longest range, the best option is the Enyaq 85, which is capable of 577km (359 miles) on a full charge. The Enyaq 60 has a range of 431km (268 miles), which is an improvement on the 50 model it replaces, but doesn’t beat equivalent versions of its rivals.
Best electric hatchback: Cupra Born
The Cupra Born sits at a compelling nexus of size and usability, weight and power, real-world range and price.
It has enough power to keep you interested but doesn't seem excessive for the road or to compromise its efficiency in quicker motoring. It has an engaging, balanced, rear-driven chassis and some precision and purpose to its body control, but it also includes four usable seats and a decent boot.
There’s a completeness to the Born as a package that makes it the ideal affordable EV for interested drivers to take their first steps into zero-emissions motoring.
The Born's official range is 425km (264 miles) in 59kWh form, increasing to around 557km (346 miles) in 79kWh form. We should note that these figures vary ever so slightly across trims. The VZ has the longest range, at 589km (366 miles).
Perhaps not by chance, it feels more like a Volkswagen Golf GTI for the electric age than anything that Volkswagen itself is making right now – and most derivatives benefit from the Electric Car Grant.
Best electric executive car: BMW i7
A traditional long-legged limousine with one major change: an EV powertrain. The i7 is a BMW first and an EV second, in that despite its size and weight, it can still carve a line around a tight corner with absolute poise.
For drivers, the ambience is calming. There are clever designations of different leather and veneers, with secondary controls made out of cut glass.
In the back, meanwhile, passengers can sit in airline-style twin seats. Complete with ‘sleeping seat’ positions and individual screens. Then there’s BMW’s roof-mounted 31.3in 8K Theatre Screen too.
It’s more technologically advanced and more spacious than any BMW 7 Series before it.
Best electric estate car: Volkswagen ID 7
There's a lot to like about the Volkswagen ID 7. As well as being the German firm's first electric saloon, it's also its first electric estate car/station wagon.
The ID 7 is a good choice for drivers who travel long distances. Some versions use an 86 kWh battery with a range of over 643km (400 miles), with maximum charging speeds of 200kW.
The ID 7 drives brilliantly for such a large, heavy car. It's not quite as sporty as a Tesla Model 3 or a BMW i4, but it is very well-rounded. It feels agile, offers more than enough poke and grips well in the corners.
As for everyday practicality, the ID 7 possesses 532 litres of boot space and limo-like rear space. It really is the best in class in this respect, and the whole family will be comfortable.
Best electric crossover: Skoda Elroq
The Skoda Elroq is our pick for the best electric crossover money can buy today. It takes the successful formula used by the larger Enyaq and squeezes it into a smaller, smarter package.
Skoda’s Elroq is strong across the board, with a huge level of interior space that prides itself on comfort and technology. Rear cargo space measures 470 litres, which is near the top of the class.
Its other credentials include decent levels of power and a strong driving range. Top-level cars are capable of as high as 579km (360 miles), and our real-world testing indicated strong efficiency.
Best electric city car: Hyundai Inster
If you want a small electric car with a smattering of SUV style, then the Hyundai Inster is well worth a look.
Its boxy bodywork looks like a traditional petrol-engined SUV, but because it's both small and electric, it should cost you comparative pennies to run – especially if you can charge it up at home.
While the smaller of the two available batteries can only take you up to 327km (203 miles) between charges officially, it's worth paying a little more for the Long Range model, which ups that figure to 369km (229 miles). That's more than the Dacia Spring, Citroën ë-C3, and Fiat 500e can manage.
The Inster has a comfy ride, too, with its relatively soft suspension doing a good job of soaking up lumps and bumps in the road. In fact, combined with well-weighted steering, the Inster feels well-suited to drivers living in the city.
