Electric cars have taken remarkable strides forward in recent years, so much so in fact that they have never been a more credible and usable alternative to ICE machines.
The first flock of EVs were mired by a number of major shortcomings, most notably their limited real-world ranges, high prices and slow charging speeds.
Fast-forward to 2026 and the outlook could not be more different, with EVs accounting for almost 30% of the UK car market.
Battery technology, public charging infrastructure, energy efficiency have all improved dramatically to make EVs far more desirable, while lower production costs have helped democratise them.
The UK government’s Electric Car Grant (ECG) has also helped drive the cost of EVs down further, making them the go-to choice for families and fleets.
Happily, there’s a broad and diverse range of EVs on sale today, from 250-mile superminins to 500-mile SUVs that have the space and range to make them excellent all-rounders.
But which should you actually buy? To help you decide, our expert road testers have driven, assessed and evaluated every EV on sale. Some cars are also put through our instrumented road test, in which we gather empirical performance and refinement benchmarks at MIRA proving ground.
At a glance
| Make and Model | Best For | Starting Price | Official Range (WLTP) | Autocar Tested Range | Autocar Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Skoda Elroq | Versatility and value | £33,970 | Up to 372 miles | 370 miles | 4.5/5 |
| 2. BMW iX3 | Range and charging speed | £60,655 | Up to 500 miles | 435 miles | 4.5/5 |
| 3. Hyundai Ioniq 5 N | Sports car thrills | £65,800 | Up to 278 miles | 230 miles | 5/5 |
| 4. Renault 5 | Stylish and affordable motoring | £21,495 | Up to 248 miles | 260 miles | 4.5/5 |
| 5. Porsche Taycan | Handling and performance | £88,200 | Up to 421 miles | 360 miles | 4.5/5 |
The best electric cars
At present, we think the Skoda Elroq is the best EV you can buy right now.
Few compact SUVs can match its clever blend of versatility, range, maturity and sheer value for money. Plus several derivatives qualify for the £1500 ECG.
If you’re after something bigger – and with an incredibly long range – the BMW iX3 is a brilliant electric SUV. It will charge at 400kW, has a large practical cabin and feels like a true BMW to drive.
Our list also includes sporty saloons like the Porsche Taycan and superminis like the Renault 5.
Best for: Versatility and value
Four years ago, the Skoda Enyaq emerged as a comfortable, reasonably priced, well-conceived mid-size electric SUV.
Ostensibly the Skoda Elroq takes that formula and reworks it into a smaller, cheaper model. Yet it also represents a shift in design philosophy, all while being assertively strong in all areas.
Inside, it’s massive. The boot is particularly useful and among the largest in class (although that of the Renault Scenic is bigger) and the storage is on point. For instance, you can keep the charging cables in an underboot cubby or the storage net in the boot and the parcel shelf has multiple heights.
Adaptability also is high up on the list of reasons to buy. Top-spec models have a WLTP range of 360 miles, and even in our real-world testing 270-300 miles was easily achievable. When we road tested the Elroq, it achieved an everyday efficiency of 4.8mpkWh.
Several versions, including the 85 SE L, with its WLTP range of 355 miles, qualify for the £1500 ECG, making the Elroq an even more desirable proposition.
| Buy it if... | Skip It If... |
|---|---|
| You want maximum versatility with clever boot storage and generous rear leg room | You want an engaging B-road drive |
| You prefer an intuitive interior with easy-to-use tech and sensible physical shortcuts | You want true one-pedal driving mode |
Read our Skoda Elroq review
