The best electric family cars – driven, rated and ranked

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7 mins read

8 July 2025

As more drivers make the switch from fossil fuel to electric, it’s family cars that are proving the most popular.

With their more generous proportions, these do-it-all machines can accommodate a larger battery for a better range without impacting practicality. Which means you can avoid feeling stressed about journey distances and remaining charge levels each time you climb aboard.

Moreover, as the cost of EV technology continues to fall, it’s these family-friendly cars that benefit the most, because their higher production volumes allow manufacturers to really sharpen their pencils when it comes to pricing.

Perhaps even more importantly, for people like us at least, manufacturers are starting to inject some genuine driver appeal into these cars beyond the exciting but short-lived thrill of their instant, and often savage, acceleration.

So here’s our list of the best full-size family EVs you can currently buy. Our top pick is the BMW iX, which impresses with a winning combination of comfort, technology and good all-around driving dynamics.

1. BMW iX

9

Design8
Interior8
Performance8
Ride & Handling10
Costs8

Pros

Ride, isolation and handling are all near-faultless

Competitively priced

Strong range

Cons

Efficiency and charging are only okay

Styling is still divisive

User interface can frustrate

Best for: Luxury

Some drivers may not click with the BMW iX’s divisive styling, but we think this luxury SUV is the best electric family car on sale today.

Despite only minor improvements compared with the original, the iX is still unsurpassed as a luxury electric SUV.
Matt Saunders, Road test editor

Offering excellent all-around ability, the iX combines generous SUV-level cabin comfort and versatility with a genuinely relaxing and understated luxury ambience.

That’s not all: it also offers world-class rolling refinement and drivability, instant and effortless performance and credible real-world range. Few rivals in its segment can offer the same blend of ability.

Starting at around £75,000, price is the obvious barrier for the iX. That said, its qualities are undeniable. Even the entry-level iX 45 will give you 374 miles of range, while xDrive60 models offer all-wheel drive and 426 miles of range for just £2500 more.

Read our BMW iX review

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2. Volkswagen ID Buzz

9

Design8
Interior8
Performance8
Ride & Handling7
Costs9

Pros

Comfort and passenger space

Refinement and touring manners

Just enough VW Type 2 charms

Cons

High price will limit accessibility

Lacks clever cabin modularity

Best for: Interior flexibility

As well as being arguably the most characterful model on this list, the ID Buzz is probably the most versatile.

Driving the LWB is as simple as driving the SWB. It rides pliantly, is incredibly endearing and is quicker than before, both on the road and when charging.
Matt Saunders, Road test editor

It comes as standard in short-wheelbase form with five seats, but its true potential is realised in long-wheelbase guise.

In the ID Buzz LWB, you can choose seven seats as standard in a 2/3/2 configuration, or drop down to six seats in a 2/2/2 configuration.

A further boon for the ID Buzz is its adaptability. If you go for the seven-seater, you can remove the rear seats to create a cavernous 1340-litre cargo space.

Power starts from 201bhp in entry-level SWB variants and the LWB gets 282bhp. All-wheel-drive GTX models get a punchier 335bhp plus all-wheel drive.

Read our Volkswagen ID Buzz review

Save money on a new Volkswagen ID Buzz with What Car?

3. Volkswagen ID 7

9

Design8
Interior9
Performance8
Ride & Handling8
Costs9

Pros

The finest-riding electric car at this price point

Among the most practical in its class

Tidy handling and easy drivability

Cons

Fiddly infotainment controls

Not the most inspiring to drive

Best for: Ride comfort

The Volkswagen ID 7 is the German giant's first electric saloon and estate. Think Volkswagen Arteon, but built for the electric age.

The ID 7 offers more space and more rolling refinement than many of its direct rivals
Matt Saunders, Road test editor

Powered by an 86kWh battery as standard, all versions of the ID 7 offer more than 350 miles of range and an equally impressive maximum charging speed of 200kW. Pro S models even have a claimed range of 433 miles.

The ID 7 is also capable of considerable pace, with 282bhp and 402lb ft available if you opt for single-motor variants. That's enough to dispatch 0-62mph in 6.6sec.

Further appeal comes in the form of its class-leading ride comfort and competitive driving range. Rear space is limousine-esque, while boot space measures 532 litres in the saloon and 605 litres in the estate-bodied ID 7 Tourer.

Read our Volkswagen ID 7 review

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4. Kia EV9

9

Design8
Interior9
Performance9
Ride & Handling7
Costs9

Pros

Bold and distinctive design

Large, versatile interior

Strong electric range and charging speeds

Cons

Feels bigger and heavier on the road than key rivals

Expensive compared with others on this list

Material cabin appeal is slightly short of luxury standard

Best for: Leg room

The Kia EV9 is the biggest car on this list and makes a real case for being the best in class if you're a driver with a large family.

With its 800V charging capability, the EV9 promises to shade its rivals and save owners time, with a 10-80% DC rapid charge possible in a claimed 24 minutes.
Matt Saunders, Road test editor

Aside from the ID Buzz, few alternatives offer more space than Kia's largest SUV. It boasts a degree of versatility matched only by the ID Buzz, with easily manoeuvrable seats that easily tumble and fold.

The EV9 comes with seven seats as standard, while top-spec GT Line S versions can be selected with six seats, swapping the usual sliding bench with swivelling captain's chairs.

Whichever configuration you choose, people in the third row can expect as much space as those in the BMW iX. Impressive. Boot space is similarly adaptable, with 333 litres in a seven-seat layout, and 828 litres with the third row folded down. Plus, there's a 90-litre frunk (52 litres in dual-motor variants).

Read our Kia EV9 review

Save money on a new Kia EV9 with What Car?

5. Tesla Model Y

8

Design8
Interior7
Performance9
Ride & Handling8
Costs8

Pros

Excellent efficiency and resulting range

Huge boot

Facelift brings numerous quality-of-life upgrades

Cons

Divisive interior layout

Ride and handling are fine rather than standout

No CarPlay or Android Auto

Best for: Boot space

The influential Tesla Model Y gained a significant update in 2025, receiving a design refresh and some comfort adjustments.

Despite the suspension changes, it’s still on the firmer, noisier end of the spectrum, but the worst edges have definitely been taken off.
Illya Verpraet, Road Tester

That means it's a better family car than ever. While the previous Model Y suffered from a lumpy, firm ride, the new version is slightly easier to live with, and softens out sharper bumps much more competently.

Power is plentiful in the Model Y, which is one of the punchier cars on this list for pace. Entry-level, standard-range cars come with 279bhp, while dual-motor versions produce 375bhp and will cover 0-62mph in 4.8sec.

As for range, the Model Y is one of the more long-legged electric family cars. You'll get 311 miles out of standard-range models, rising to 387 miles in long-range variants.

Practicality is also a strong point in the Model Y, which offers a cavernous 854-litre boot, plus a 117-litre frunk.

Read our Tesla Model Y review

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6. Skoda Enyaq

8

Design8
Interior8
Performance8
Ride & Handling8
Costs8

Pros

Roomy, light, inviting interior

Refinement at all speeds is top notch

Very spacious

Cons

Disappointing economy

Cars without adaptive dampers ride a little too firmly

Don't expect a thrilling drive

Best for: Daily driving

The Enyaq has been on sale since 2020, but it's just been given a significant overhaul for 2025.

With a drag coefficient of 0.24, the Enyaq Coupé is the most aerodynamic car Skoda has made
Illya Verpraet, Road Tester

As well as ushering in Skoda's new design language, the latest Enyaq is also more aerodynamic than before and comes with a more premium level of interior equipment.

Heated front seats are included as standard, along with tri-zone climate control, which should keep the entire family cool through summer and toasty in the winter months.

The Enyaq is more spacious than many of its rivals. Its 585-litre boot is far bigger than the Volkswagen ID 4's and the Audi Q4 E-tron's, and it also beats the Kia EV6's and Hyundai Ioniq 5's. Fold the seats down and you'll get a massive 1710 litres.

Entry-level cars have a 63kWh battery for 277 miles of range, but you're likely to prefer the 85 and 85x if you habitually do longer journeys. They get an 82kWh unit that enables an impressive range of 370 miles and 346 miles respectively.

Save money on a new Skoda Enyaq with What Car?

7. Hyundai Ioniq 5

8

Design10
Interior9
Performance8
Ride & Handling7
Costs7

Pros

Compact SUV levels of cabin space and versatility

Very fast charging

Relaxed dynamic character

Cons

Range and efficiency now only average for the money

Body control too loose for some

Best for: Style

Don't be mistaken: there's certainly plenty of substance behind the Ioniq 5's style.

The Ioniq 5 is extremely spacious, with plenty of head room and space across the shoulders.
Illya Verpraet, Road Tester

Larger on the inside than it might seem, the retro-designed SUV-cum-hatchback is like a sort of automotive Tardis, although admittedly it looks more like a Cyberman.

Thanks to its flat floor, it's one of the more spacious EVs for rear passenger leg room, offering as much space as a BMW i5. Add in a 520-litre boot, and you've got a very practical option indeed.

The Ioniq 5 comes with a 63kWh battery as standard, with up to 273 miles of range. The next step up is a 84kWh unit that provides up to 354 miles of range.

Perhaps the biggest draw for many will be the Ioniq 5's price. At just below £40,000, it's one of the cheaper models on this list.

Read our Hyundai Ioniq 5 review

Save money on a new Hyundai Ioniq 5 with What Car?

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8. Porsche Macan Electric

8

Design8
Interior8
Performance8
Ride & Handling8
Costs7

Pros

Cheapest, simplest single-motor version is arguably the sweetest to drive

Cabin quality is mostly excellent

Faster charging capability than many rivals

Cons

Can't overcome its weight to appeal dynamically quite like the ICE Macan

Ride quality is a little knobbly and reactive in some models

Best for: Kerb appeal

Given the success of its internal-combustion counterpart, the Porsche Macan Electric always had a tough job on its hands, but it stands out as one of the best electric family cars on sale.

The Macan Electric's drivability in everyday environments is first-rate.
Matt Prior, Editor-at-large

There are four versions of the Macan EV: the base Macan, Macan 4, Macan 4S and Macan Turbo Electric.

All but the entry-level car use a dual-motor set-up, but each uses the same 95kWh battery. Power ranges from 356bhp on entry cars to to 631bhp and 833lb ft on the range-topping Turbo.

The Macan Electric is great to drive, with sharp, responsive handling and punchy performance.

For the best bang-for-your-buck, we'd recommend one of the lower-level models, because they're more manageable on the road in day-to-day driving, and their handling feels more natural.

Read our Porsche Macan Electric review

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9. Renault Scenic E-Tech

8

Design7
Interior7
Performance7
Ride & Handling8
Costs8

Pros

Efficient driveline combines with a big battery for excellent range

Good looking inside and out

Impressive infotainment array

Cons

Forward visibility is curiously poor

Performance and ride quality are merely so-so

Best for: Interior ambience

The Renault Scenic is the cheapest option on this list, with prices starting from just over £37,000.

The fifth-generation Scenic has conformed to today’s SUV norm, but it has an appealing blend of style, interior tech and driving range
Richard Lane, Deputy road test editor

For that, you get a well-equipped family SUV with dual-zone climate control, automatic headlights and wipers, wireless smartphone mirroring, a heat pump and heated front seats as standard.

For its size, the Scenic has an impressive 545 litres of boot space, which puts it ahead of the Volkswagen ID 7 and the Hyundai Ioniq 5. However, leg room isn't as plentiful as in the Hyundai.

Two battery sizes are available, starting with a 60kWh standard-range variant with 260 miles of range.

A 87kWh long-range version has up to a claimed 379 miles of range, which puts the Scenic near the top of the class for potential driving distance.

Read our Renault Scenic E-Tech review

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10. Volvo EX40

7

Design8
Interior8
Performance8
Ride & Handling7
Costs7

Pros

Still looks great

Choice of single or dual motors

Range is good enough in most cases

Cons

Real-world efficiency is disappointing

Numb steering

Rear seats could be more accommodating

Best for: Google infotainment system

The Volvo EX40 is a well-made, refined electric SUV with lots going for it.

Many of the EX40's Google functions, including Assistant, Maps and PlayStore, are available to you for only four years. After that, you will have to pay for them.
Jack Warrick, Staff Writer

With a choice of single- or dual-motor set-ups, the EX40 also gets standard-range or long-range batteries, offering up to 342 miles on a single charge.

Power starts at 235bhp for the single-motor model, while the twin-motor version gets 408bhp.

The EX40's finest feature is its interior, which is plush and spacious. It doesn't offer the most leg room in the class, but there is the option of rear heated seats on mid-range Plus specifications.

If you can look past its middling efficiency, the EX40 is a decent companion on long journeys, aided by comfortable seats. There are USB-C chargers in the back for the kids to charge their iPads too.

Read our Volvo EX40 review

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HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST ELECTRIC FAMILY CAR

Choosing an electric family car is much the same as picking a petrol, diesel or hybrid one. You need to consider price, practicality, comfort and the way it looks. But there’s also something else to consider: range.

If your regular commute is below 100 miles and you can charge from home, you can afford to select something with a shorter range - but if not, you will have to fork out more money, because broadly cars with longer ranges cost more.

HOW WE TESTED AND SELECTED

The cars featured in this list have been selected by our road testers, who vigorously test the latest electric models on sale.

Here, we've drawn on extensive knowledge from years of road testing the best family cars on sale.

FAQs

What is an electric car?

An electric car is a vehicle powered by a battery, rather than a traditional internal combustion engine, which typically uses petrol or diesel.

Which car brands make electric family cars?

Family cars are one of the most common types of electric car. That means almost every car brand on the UK market will have at least one option available for you to consider. That includes Volkswagen, Tesla, Audi, BMW and Hyundai, to name a few.

Which electric family car has the highest range?

A car's range will depend on several factors, including outside temperatures, the weather, your driving style and a vehicle's weight. However, there are a few cars which still stand out among the rest. The BMW iX offers up to 426 miles of range, while the Renault Scenic is capable of 379 miles.

Are electric family cars expensive?

This will depend on your budget, but typically, electric family cars are more expensive than hatchbacks, but less expensive than large SUV alternatives, sports cars or saloon cars.