Whatever your budget or needs, our guide is here to help you pick the ideal EV from the best family electric cars on sale.
Defining the best family car, electric or otherwise, is difficult. Different families have different needs, different budgets and different circumstances that mean there is no one-size-fits-all vehicle.
However, car makers have been at this for a while now and between them have developed a dazzling array of options to meet those varied needs. And increasingly they’ve done this using electric power, leaving buyers with a wealth of choices.
Value, practicality and comfort are all vital but technology, range and charging speeds 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, from massive seven-seat SUVs to compact hatchbacks.
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. More than a year later, we still reckon it’s one of the best family EVs on sale.
Read the full Skoda Elroq review
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, especially thanks to a recent facelift. It’s based on the widely-used VW Group’s MEB platform (see the Elroq above) 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 372 miles and the option of a 322bhp VZ version if you’re hankering for a hot hatch.
Read the full Cupra Born review
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 one 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.
Read the full Peugeot E-5008 review
Kia EV4
Among the sea of SUVs, the Kia EV4 is another pleasingly old-fashioned hatchback and well deserving of a place on any list of the best family electric cars. It’s Kia’s first electric hatchback and blends the brand’s EV expertise with years of experience building brilliant family cars. Its technical underpinnings are shared with other Kia and Hyundai models and deliver decent power and more than 360 miles of range, plus a positive driving experience. On top of that, the EV4’s sharply styled body hides a spacious and comfortable interior with plenty of user-friendly technology and family-friendly functions. And if you really want all of that in an SUV body, the EV3 shares all the same tech beneath its chunky, high-riding skin.
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 and a recent refresh. 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, there are a choice of power outputs, including all-wheel-drive options, plus an 84kWh battery that will return up to 354 miles of range and charge far quicker than 90% of its rivals.
Read the full Hyundai Ioniq 5 review
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.
Read our long-term Renault Scenic E-Tech review
MG4 Urban
The MG4 Urban is another option for drivers who prefer a hatchback to an SUV and are looking for low-cost family motoring. Just launched as the more affordable alternative to the already budget-conscious MG4, the MG4 Urban is priced like a supermini at £23,495 but sized like a C-segment car – it’s actually bigger inside and out than the more expensive MG4. It doesn’t have the style some of the cars, nor the big-number tech specs, but counters those shortcomings with a generous specification in every trim level, and perfectly reasonable performance.
Read the full MG4 Urban review
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.
Read the full Volkswagen ID Buzz review
Citroen E-C5 Aircross
When picking a family car, comfort, range and value are all likely to be high on most people’s list. Which gives the Citroen E-C5 Aircross claim to be among the very best family electric cars at the moment. This big five-seat SUV’s Advanced Comfort suspension and seats provide some of the best ride comfort this side of a Rolls-Royce and the cabin is bright, stylish and packed with kit. Under the metal, a choice of powertrains offer up to 421 miles on a charge, placing it among the most capable cars on sale. And prices start at £32,500.
