The Best Electric SUVs on Sale Today
If you’re looking for the best electric car to suit your requirements, chances are you’ll have an electric SUV on your shortlist. Almost every manufacturer has one in their line-ups these days, which means there’s plenty of choice. Too many choices can be overwhelming, though – so we’ve compiled this list of the best electric SUVs to help you sort the wheat from the chaff.
Why Electric SUVs Make Sense
Electric SUVs make a lot of sense, at least from an engineering perspective. Their taller ride heights and larger bodies make them well-suited to electrification, as they have enough spare room in their platforms to accommodate a large battery pack and a couple of electric motors without impacting passenger space. Indeed, most battery-powered SUVs are more practical than their petrol-powered equivalents, because electric motors are (generally) much smaller than petrol and diesel engines.
The Popularity of SUV Body Style
The SUV body style is also immensely popular amongst car buyers. Seven of the UK’s top 10 best-selling cars are SUVs – and it would be foolish for manufacturers to disregard that market. However, if you want the most efficient electric car with the longest electric range, you’d probably be better served by something smaller and more aerodynamic, such as the Fiat 500 Electric or Tesla Model 3.
Top 10 Electric SUVs on Sale in the UK in 2023
If you’re still shackled to the idea of owning a zero-emission crossover, scroll down for our list of the top 10 electric SUVs on sale now. Our round-up covers a broad spectrum of vehicles, ranging from affordable family runabouts to budget-busting, warp-speed-capable battle cruisers.
Editor’s Pick: Kia EV6
The Kia EV6 is the most well-rounded electric SUV on sale today. Need something that’s practical? It has a 490-litre boot and enough space inside for four adults. Want an EV with a long range? Buy an EV6 with a 77.4kWh battery pack, and you’ll be able to drive for around 300 miles before needing to recharge. Fancy something quick? The range-topping EV6 GT produces 572bhp and will sprint from 0–62mph in a supercar-baiting 3.5 seconds.
BMW iX
The BMW iX is a technological tour de force. It was somewhat of a pet project, which means it was designed with the sorts of manufacturing methods normally reserved for supercars. So, it has an exotic carbon fibre body, an enormous 111.5kWh battery pack and up to 610bhp.
Skoda Enyaq
Skoda has a history of building sensible cars, and the electric SUV market has been a better place since the firm decided to participate in it. The Enyaq adopts a more moderate approach, focusing on practicality rather than headline-grabbing performance figures – and it’s all the better for it. It’s a great family car with loads of passenger space and a staggering 640-litre boot.
BMW iX3
The iX3 is an easy car to get along with because it’s so familiar. It’s based on the same platform as the BMW X3 – and it shares that car’s interior equipment and driving dynamics.
MG ZS EV
Electric cars are quite expensive. Their batteries contain a lot of rare earth materials, which are quite expensive to dig up and refine. Not MG, though – the ZS EV is an affordable electric SUV for the average driver. It has a modest amount of equipment, a reasonable range of 273 miles and enough space to handle whatever family life throws at it.
Tesla Model Y
The Model Y isn’t the most revolutionary vehicle in Tesla’s line-up (it’s basically a jacked-up version of the Model 3), but that doesn’t sully its merits. The most basic version of the car has a maximum range of 283 miles, while the leggiest Long Range variant can cover up to 331 miles.
Audi Q4 e-tron
Don’t tell anyone, but the Audi Q4 e-tron is based on the same MEB platform as the Skoda Enyaq. It has a slightly nicer badge and a better interior, but the fundamentals of the two cars are essentially the same.
Mercedes-Benz EQB
Yes, we know the Mercedes EQB looks rather conventional alongside the future-gazing Kia EV6 and BMW iX. Hear us out, though – it’s a clever bit of kit that demands your attention. For starters, Merc has managed to squeeze seven seats into a car with the same footprint as a Ford Kuga.
Genesis GV60
Genesis is the new kid on the block. The company is to Hyundai what Lexus is to Toyota – and the GV60 is the brand’s first go at a dedicated electric car. It’s a good one, too.
BYD Atto 3
BYD is a recent addition to the UK’s electric car scene. The firm is China’s biggest car manufacturer, but, not content with dominating its home market, it decided to expand westwards with this – the Atto 3.
What is the Best Electric SUV for a Family?
Well, that depends on your family. A small family would probably be served well by BYD Atto 3, while a large family would better appreciate the flexibility of the Mercedes EQB. Overall, though, we think the best electric family SUV on sale is the Skoda Enyaq.
What is the Largest Electric SUV?
That title is currently awarded to the gargantuan Cadillac Escalade IQ.
What is the Most Reliable SUV EV?
If we’re honest, you can’t really go wrong with any electric SUV.
Which EV SUV Has the Most Room?
The Mercedes EQS SUV is the most spacious electric SUV on sale in the UK today.
What is the Fastest Full Electric SUV?
Currently, though, the fastest electric on sale is the Tesla Model X Plaid.
