Best family electric cars: The top 10 EVs for families, from Ford to VW
We take a look at some of the best electric cars for family use on sale in 2025, from compact hatchbacks to stylish seven-seaters
It’s actually a bit tricky to pin down what makes the best family car. Different families have different needs, budgets and circumstances that mean there is no one-size-fits-all vehicle that ticks all the boxes. But there are plenty of options out there that aim to meet those varied needs, and recent years have seen an explosion in the number of all-electric options. Value, practicality and comfort are vital but technology, range and charging also form part of any conversation around the best family electric cars. So with that in mind, we’ve pulled together 10 of our favourites covering a host of uses and budgets.
Cupra Born
The family car market is dominated by SUVs at the moment but there are still some good old-fashioned hatchbacks out there, and the Cupra Born is one of the most appealing. It’s based on the widely-used VW Group’s MEB platform and is a more stylish version of the VW ID.3. The basic recipe and components are all the same but the Spanish version just has a bit more flair thanks to some neat styling elements. At the same time, it’s a practical family car with space for four, up to 342 miles of range and the option of a 322bhp VZ version if you’re hankering for a hot hatch.
Skoda Elroq
At the end of 2024 the Elroq was fighting it out with the Kia EV3 for the title of the best family EV we had driven that year. Its appeal is simple, for a touch over £30,000, it offers almost as much interior space as the larger and more expensive Enyaq, up to 360 miles of range and a variety of Skoda’s trademark ‘simply clever’ touches to make family motoring even easier. It also offers one of the most refined drives in its class and a choice of powertrains to suit different families’ needs.
Kia EV3
Truthfully, it’s hard to pick between the Kia EV3 and the Skoda Elroq when deciding on the best electric car for most families. On everything from value and range to space and specs, they’re both massively impressive. The EV3’s styling is that of a mini-EV9 inside and out, and there’s an emphasis on both sustainability and family-friendly features, plus room to rival cars in the segment above. Technology is borrowed from larger and more expensive Kias, and even the lowest-spec model manages 270 miles on a charge, with the larger battery version delivering a class-leading 375 miles.
Kia EV9
There are a growing number of seven-seat EVs available for families who need more space, including several van-based options. But for a more car-like experience, the Kia EV9 is perhaps the best in the business. At 5m long and 2m wide, it is massive but that size translates to unbeatable space for seven inside across all three rows. At £65,000 upwards, it’s not a cheap option but even entry-level models are packed with all the comfort kit and technology you’ll ever need, including for the often-neglected third row. A maximum range of 349 miles is impressive for a car this size, and the EV9 has among the fastest charging in the business, making long journeys easy.
Peugeot E-5008
The Peugeot E-5008 is another car for those that need more than the regulation five seats. Its seven-seat layout isn’t quite as spacious as the EV9’s but it is more affordable, starting at around £49,000. It also still offers plenty of flexibility and practicality, with up to 900 litres of luggage space even in five-seat mode. And it continues Peugeot’s recent trend for turning out stylish and well-finished cars. If you have the money and need the long-distance capability, the Long Range variant has a huge 97kWh battery that offers class-leading range of 415 miles.
Ford Explorer
Ford has taken its time to expand its EV range beyond one car, but the Explorer does a solid job of acting as an electric equivalent to its popular Kuga. Based on the same platform as the VW ID.4, it still looks, feels and drives very much like a Ford, and has a better thought-out interior. There’s plenty of space for an average family, storage spaces and charging ports galore and nice touches such as an optional full-length sunroof. There are also a couple of powertrain options so buyers can maximise range (up to 374 miles) or performance (up to 335bhp and 0-62mph in 5.3 seconds).
Hyundai Ioniq 5
The Ioniq 5 is one of the older cars on this list but keeps a spot thanks to its general all-round brilliance. The 80s-inspired design isn’t to everyone’s taste, and the rather bland interior is similarly divisive but where it really matters the Ioniq 5 delivers. The cabin is hugely spacious, even for five people and the tech on board is a match for most rivals. Under the skin, updates in 2024 brought a bigger battery and better efficiency, so the Ioniq 5 will return up to 320 miles of range and charge far quicker than 90% of its rivals.
Renault Scenic
The best family electric cars have to meet a broad range of criteria, from affordability to practicality, as well as making travelling with children easier. The multi-award-winning Renault Scenic does just that. Despite costing several thousand pounds less than most rivals, it offers some of the most generous passenger space, a decent boot and clever tech that others can’t match. On top of that, it has some of the best range in its class, good looks and a pleasant driving experience.
Volkswagen ID. Buzz
Hatchbacks and SUVs are all very good but for the ultimate family practicality you really need a van. There are a few electric vans out there with passenger variants but none has quite the style or kerb appeal of the Volkswagen ID. Buzz. From its twin sliding doors to the acres of cabin space and cavernous boot, it has everything an active family needs as well as looking great. Last year brought updates that mean the Buzz has more power and range than before, and there’s a seven-seat version for those who need even more space, meaning if you have the budget, the ID Buzz is one of the best family EVs on the market.
MG4
The MG4 is another option for drivers who prefer a hatchback to an SUV. It’s also a strong choice for anyone on a budget, starting at £27,000. That’s the same as a Vauxhall Corsa, despite being significantly more spacious. In fact, the MG4 has plenty of space for four passengers, plus a 363-litre boot, making it a sensible family choice. It doesn’t have the style or quality of some of the cars on this list but counters those shortcomings with a generous specification in every trim level, and between 218 and 323 miles of range depending on the trim level.
