The best electric cars for a summer road trip
Whether your summer driving is about weeks away exploring the wilderness or a quick B-road blast in the sun, there’s an electric car to suit you.
Summer’s here and with it comes the prospect of time away from work and the freedom to get out and explore.
Whether your idea of a perfect summer road trip is cruising around with the wind in your hair or trekking out into the wilderness to reconnect with nature, there’s a vehicle for you. And more importantly, there’s an electric vehicle for you.
So here are our picks of the best roadtrip EVs on sale.
MG Cyberster
Since the demise of the original Tesla Roadster there’s been a dearth of drop-top electric cars. Thankfully, MG has put that right and crafted a brilliant homage to the two-seat convertibles which made its name. The Cyberster provides thoroughly engaging wind-in-the-hair motoring courtesy of up to 550bhp and a brilliantly tuned chassis. Its looks will turn heads wherever you go and with a range of up to 316 miles you have the freedom to explore far and wide. You can read our full review of the MG Cyberster here.
Maserati GranCabrio Folgore
There still aren’t a lot of electric convertibles, so if the MG isn’t quite fancy enough how about the outrageous £185,000 GranCabrio Folgore. It’s a grand tourer in the finest tradition – luxuriously appointed, spacious and ridiculously quick. How quick? Its 750bhp three-motor setup will get this opulent four-seater from 0-62mph in just 2.8 seconds and on to 180mph. So you’ll be in the south of France in a jiffy, where you can slow the pace and bask in the jealous glances coming your way.
Volkswagen ID Buzz
The Buzz is inspired by the classic Type 2 van – long a symbol of freedom and exploration. With acres of space, up to seven seats and a range of 257 miles, the Buzz is the ideal successor, offering room for family or friends to pack into for a week or two of adventure. The original T2 was also famous for being turned into campervans in their millions, and this 21 century version is no different. There’s no official Buzz camper but aftermarket firms have already begun kitting out the Buzz with full-on conversions that turn it into a bone fide electric camper. Read our review of the VW ID Buzz here.
Fiat 500e Convertible
If your budget can’t quite stretch to Maserati money then the electric Fiat 500e Convertible is another Italian convertible worth considering. It doesn’t have the pace or panache of the Grancabrio but it does have a cutesy charm all of its own and is a lot easier to park at the beach. The little Fiat doesn’t have a proper folding convertible roof but instead features a neat ‘rag-top’ that slides down to the bootlid to bring the outside into the car.
Mini Electric Convertible
Alternatively, if you want a retro-inspired city car with a proper folding roof there’s always the previous-generation Mini Electric Convertible. Only 150 of these limited-edition drop-tops ever came to the UK but there are still a few available with just delivery or demonstrator miles on them. That might be because the list price of £52,000 put people off. At around £33k for one with 150 miles, it’s still not cheap but there’s nothing else that will offer the same open-air go-kart fun. Alternatively, you could opt for the brand-new hard-top Mini Cooper SE, which we’ve reviewed here.
Hyundai Ioniq 5 N
If your idea of a summer road trip is more about pulse-quickening thrills than a relaxing cruise in the sunshine, then the Ioniq 5 N is the car for you. With 640bhp, surprisingly realistic simulated gear shifts and synthesised ‘engine’ noises that range from race car to rocket ship, it’s a heart-stopping, grin-inducing hooligan of a car that heralds a new era of truly engaging electric cars. You can read our full review of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N here.
Ford E-Transit Custom
If your summers are all about the active outdoors, the latest E-Transit Custom is a brilliant fit. Available with up to five seats, there’s up to 5.8 cubic metres of space in the back for bikes, boards, backpacks and more, so whether you’re into paddle boarding or paragliding, the E-Transit has you covered. You can read our full review of the Ford E-Transit Custom here, and the pictured wild MS-RT variant here.
Frontline MG BEE
Of course, brand-new EVs aren’t the only option. There is an ever-growing industry converting classic cars to electric power, and what could be more fun than buzzing around in something with classic looks and a modern powertrain. Oxfordshire’s Frontline is among the most innovative conversion companies, mating a five-speed manual gearbox to its electric motor in its MG BEE for a beguiling blend of the old and new driving experience. You can read our full review of the Frontline MG BEE GT here.
Kia EV9
If your summer plans are all about long trips away with the family then the Kia EV9 is the car for you. This flagship seven-seater offers ridiculous amounts of space for every single passenger. Family-friendly features include three-zone climate control, slidable middle seats, a clever front-to-rear intercom (yes, it’s really that big) and more charging ports and cupholders than you can count. Go for the rear-wheel-drive model and you’ll get around 300 miles of real-world range, more than enough for a getaway to the continent, as we discovered.
Citroen Ami Buggy
Okay, so you can’t take much of a roadtrip in this particular EV but it feels like the perfect novelty for buzzing along some sun-kissed seafront. With its sliding soft top and lack of doors, it’s a ridiculously charming way of soaking up some rays (and attention). Just don’t venture too far. Like every Ami, the Buggy has a maximum range of 48 miles and a top speed of just 28mph.
