Forget the marketing fluff. Britain is going electric. We are obsessed with SUVs. Combine the two? You get the hottest car segment on the planet right now.
Costs. Price. Space. These are what matter. Not because we want to sound corporate, but because buyers actually care. Our testers drove the lot of them. Every new electric SUV hitting the UK roads. We stripped the field down to ten.
All of them beat gas engines on efficiency. All of them perform well enough to make you forget you are carrying a ton of battery. But which ones are actually worth your money?
Some qualify for government grants. We noted that. The rest is about pure usability.
The Shortlist
Nissan Leaf took the top spot. Surprised? Maybe. It won our 2026 Car of Year. It pushed the BMW iX3 into second place, though the BMW remains the premium pick for those who don’t mind paying up. The Volvo EX60 landed in third, a quieter, calmer alternative for those who prefer restraint over drama.
Here is the full ranking:
- Nissan Leaf – £32,600
- BMW iX3 – £53,300
- Volvo EX60 – £56,900
- Skoda Elroq – £34,000
- Renault 4 – £23,500
- Citroen e-C5 Airmross – £34,00
- Kia EV3 – £36,10
- Tesla Model Y – £42,00
- Renault Scenic – £33,30
- Toyota C-HR+ – £34,5
1. Nissan Leaf
The King Returns
It happens. Early movers rest on their laurels. Nissan nearly did that. They almost wasted their EV advantage.
But they didn’t this time.
The new Leaf isn’t the hatchback from 2011 anymore. It’s an SUV now. Crossover style. Some will miss the old shape. Most won’t care, because this looks better, sells better, and drives better. It even won our Car of Year for 2025-26 awards cycle.
- Price: From £32,60
- Grant: Yes. Band 1 eligibility.
Range and Speed
The 75kWh model gets 386 miles of range. That is massive. More than three times what the original could do. Efficiency? A stellar 4.5 miles per kW.
Power? The big battery car makes 215bhp. 0-62 in 7.6 seconds. Not blistering. But nobody buys a family car for drag races. They buy it for the commute. The smaller 52kW car? 174hp. Slower, sure.
Inside
The cabin is calm. Simple. It echoes the larger Nissan Ariya. Tech works. Google Maps runs smoothly. The touch-sensitive AC controls are frustrating. Typical modern car problem.
“This is a remarkable package… with brilliant electric range.”
– Jordan Katsianis
Who is it for?
Families. Old Leaf owners upgrading. Anyone who wants value without the Tesla price tag.
Who should avoid?
People who hate SUVs. People who think basic styling equals bad engineering.
2. BMW iX3
The Premium Powerhouse
This isn’t just an update. This is the Neue Klasse era beginning. The BMW iX3 is different. Sharper. More tech-focused. More expensive.
- Price: From £53,30
- Grant: No.
Efficiency Monster
WLTP range is 500 miles. In the real world? We tested it hard and got 350-ish miles. Drive it gently, respecting the eco-settings, and we saw 7.1 miles per kWh. You will rarely plug in if you are careful.
Driving Dynamics
It’s a BMW. It feels like a BMW. Heavy cars shouldn’t dance around B-roads, yet this does. The steering is weird though. A bit odd. The ride is firm. Not Mercedes-comfort soft. But never harsh. Just composed.
Tech
Minimalist inside. Panoramic iDrive screen setup is innovative, actually good to use. 520 liters of boot space. Seats five. Fits luggage.
“Its expanded regenerative braking rarely uses friction brakes.”
– Jordan Katsians
The Catch?
It’s pricey. No grant helps offset it. You are paying for the badge and the tech leap. Is it worth the jump from a standard SUV? Maybe. If you need range and performance.
Who likes it?
Spirited drivers. Tech enthusiasts. High-mileage commuters.
Who hates it?
People who want simplicity. Budget-conscious shoppers.
3. Volvo EX60
Scandi Cool, But Watch The Kid Hands
Volvo builds cars that whisper. The EX60 fits the brand DNA. It’s solid. Reliable. Family-oriented. Understated.
- Price: From £56,9
- Grant: No.
Styling and Interior
It’s pretty. Scandi-minimalist. Calming. Until the toddler with a chocolate finger touches the beige interior. The light color scheme looks stunning in photos. Less so after week one of school runs.
Screen-heavy. Very. But it works. It doesn’t glitch. Range is excellent. The top-tier P12 (due in 207) hits 50 miles. The base P6 still manages 30 miles. 00Volt architecture. 200 miles added in minutes? No.
Wait, let’s re-read the data.
Actually, 20 miles in minutes is typical. 80V architecture. Fast charging is good. Speed? Brisk. Base P6 has 39bhp. 5. seconds.
Performance
Controlled. Compliant. Quick. Quiet. It doesn’t scream. It glides. Volvos do versatility best.
“It’s controlled but compliant… manoeuvrability without sacrificing versatility.”
– Richard Ingram
The Reality Check?
Pricey. Lease costs higher than the BMW. Materials inside can feel cheaper than expected at this price.
Who likes it?
Style-conscious parents. Calm drivers.
Who hates it?
Messy households. Bargain hunters.
4. Skoda Elro4
Simply Practical. Simply Brilliant
The Skoda Elrq won Car of Year last year. It’s still going strong. Skoda proved electric didn’t need to be a gamble with the Enyaq. The Elrq? It proves they can make them small and cheap.
- Price: From £4,00
- Grant: Yes. Band eligibility.
Space and Value
Tight exterior dimensions. Interior space is massive. “Simply Clever” touches still work. Lots of room for gear. Families will love it.
Three battery options. The smallest is 6kWh usable). Still gives 6 miles. Our tests? We saw . miles/kWh. That’s roughly 8 real miles. Honest.
Driving
Small turning circle. Perfect for tight UK streets. Quiet on the motorway. 21hp from the least powerful model. 3Nm of torque. It pulls hard enough.
Critiques
Spongy brake pedal. You might lack confidence. USB ports in the rear only on top models? Stingy. Heat pump costs extra? More stingy. Infotainment puts too much on the screen. We miss knobs. We miss buttons.
But overall? It’s a great car. An exquisite all-rounder.
“Master of practicality… all the room a family need.”
– Pete Baiden
Who likes it?
Families who hate paying for excess range they never use. Practical thinkers.
Who hates it?
Driving purists seeking thrills. Tech minimalists who hate screens.
5. Renault 4
Retro Charm Meets Modern Reality
Renault is leaning into heritage. The R4 joins the R5. It’s cute. It’s cheap. It works.
- Price: From £,00
- Grant: Yes. Band.
The Numbers Game?
Range. WLTP. 7 miles. Single battery pack: 2kWh.
Real-world efficiency? We hit 8/kWh. Just under miles.
Driving
Less fun than the R. Slower. Quieter. Darker inside. Wind noise is a bother at speed. The column shift stalk gets confused with wipers? Dangerous. Easy to do by accident.
But a heat pump comes standard. Nice touch.
Inside?
Similar to R dashboard. Physical switches exist. Google-based infotainment works well. Good equipment for the price. Under £,k. You struggle to match that value proposition easily.
It’s not flashy. It’s useful. Just like its grandfather was.
Who likes it?
Urban commuters. Retro fans who need modern tech.
Who hates it?
Drivers who love engaging steering. Families with larger rear passengers (space is tighter here than R5).
