The best electric cars of 2025 (so far) from Renault to Maserati
The EV Powered team round up best electric cars of the past six months, from Citroen and Renault’s sensible city cars to an ultra-exclusive grand tourer from Maserati
Somehow, we’ve reached the mid-point of the year, even though January feels like just a few weeks ago.
The past six months have already built on 2024’s success, with a further explosion in the number and variety of electric cars on offer, and there are plenty more exciting additions on the horizon before the end of the year.
But since we’re halfway through the year, we here at EV Powered thought it was worth nailing down the best electric cars of 2025 so far.
Renault 5
The Renault 5 appears to have won just about every award going and with good reason. This 21st century reimagining of an icon delivers exactly what it set out to, bringing a modern twist on a timeless recipe. Its sharp styling recalls the original without ever feeling like a pastiche, but more importantly it delivers as a characterful, fun-to-drive and practical supermini. Its 250-mile range is more than enough for most users and even basic models are packed with up-to-the-minute technology. What’s more, it manages this with prices from £23,000, helping shift the needle on EV affordability.
Genesis GV70 facelift
I make no apologies for including a mid-life facelift in amongst this list of brand-new cars. The Genesis GV70 was already a delightfully easygoing and easy-to-live with EV, and the 2025 updates make it even better. The ultra-comfortable cabin has been enhanced with new technology that’s actually useful and touches that improve on the already top-tier quality. The driving experience remains among the most soothing and refined available but it retains the ability to shock passengers with its pace, and a bigger battery means improved range and faster charging.
Citroen E-C3
The Citroen E-C3 sits in a similar space to the Renault 5 and is worthy of note for many of the same reasons. It’s a small, affordable and enjoyable electric car that delivers where it matters. Its 111bhp and 200 miles of range are plenty for a car in its class, backed up by decent charging speeds. It has a simple user-friendly interior that won’t intimidate EV newbies and offers class-leading comfort, all for less than £22,000. Citroen says it wants to make EVs accessible for everyone and the E-C3 is a big step in the right direction as well as being one of the best electric cars of 2025.
Abarth 600e Scorpionissima
Although we got an early drive in the 600e last year, technically it’s a 2025 car and we’ve spent a lot more time with it this year. That extended time has just reinforced what a surprise package the Abarth is. The Fiat 600e on which this car is based is nothing to write home about and Abarth could have just turned up the motor and stuck some badges on it. Instead, they’ve transformed it into a proper little hooligan with razor-sharp handling, thrilling pace and the kind of character that has long typified Abarth. It might be a little rough around the edges, but it delivers where it matters.
Abarth 600e Scorpionissima review
Maserati GranTurismo Folgore
Maserati’s two-door performance EV is ridiculously powerful, ridiculously expensive and, to most mere mortals, utterly unobtainable. But for the lucky few, it delivers on the idea of a true electric grand tourer. It drives beautifully, looks ever better and goes like the proverbial off a shovel. But it backs it up with a surprisingly spacious, refined and comfortable cabin, big battery and ultra-rapid charging that means you can cover long distances with ease.
Maserati GranTurismo Folgore review
Alpine A290
It might be considered cheating to include this since it’s so closely related to the Renault 5, but the Alpine appeals for different reasons. While the R5 is a thoroughly sensible choice that delivers a stylish and competent package for a commendable price, the A290’s attraction is in how it builds on that and lets loose. It delivers on the lively, engaging drive promised by its muscular looks and will leave you smiling every time you step out of it. It’s not A110 quick but it has the kind of pace and sharpness that can be properly exploited on country roads, fulfilling the hot hatch brief beautifully.
Xpeng G6
This Tesla Model Y rival is a surprise entrant on our list of the best electric cars of 2025. From the outside it’s nothing to write home about but beneath the surface it’s a well-considered and competent alternative to many more familiar models. There’s a huge amount of space in the minimalist cabin and some clever technology too, even if some of it is fixing problems that shouldn’t exist. The long-range model offers up to 354 miles of range and combined with impressive refinement, and ultra-fast charging, makes it an appealing long-distance cruiser.
Skoda Elroq vRS
I’ve long been a fan of Skoda’s vRS models and the Elroq lived up to every expectation I had. It delivered its 335bhp smoothly, without drama, and given the vRS crowd in Mladà Boleslav don’t go too hardcore on their sporty offerings, its suspension didn’t shatter my spine. While its nearest competitor, the excellent Abarth 600e Scorpionissima is a superior, more engaging drive, the ‘Elroq vRS is the better all-rounder given its better build quality, and the fact it retains that nice character characteristic of Skodas. At £46k it isn’t pocket change, but given how effortlessly it manages to be, fast, practical and charming in that very Skoda-specific way, the Elroq vRS is worth every single penny.
Tesla Model 3
Prior to having spent no time at all with a Tesla Model 3, I wanted to loathe it. After having spent a fortnight with one, I ended up loving it. I completely understand the problematic image the brand has cultivated thanks to The Musk. However, as a car it’s fantastic. It just simplifies life with thoughtful touches such as faff-free plug ‘n go access to the Tesla Supercharger. And that’s just one aspect. I had the Long Range, Rear Wheel Drive car and covered around 800 miles in a week. No range anxiety, nothing thanks to a real-world range of 337 miles. What’s more, the Model 3’s 64:47 weight distribution and low-centre of gravity means you can truly enjoy an engaging chassis in the twisty stuff. Put your prejudices aside, and just try one.
Skoda Enyaq
Yes, it’s a facelift, but it’s impressed us with how far it’s moved things on. The Enyaq is one of those cars that everyone likes, simply because it’s good at what it does without any gimmicks or fuss. Granted, I do lament Skoda replacing the distinctive ‘Crystal Face’ of the previous model with its new ‘Tech Deck’ front-end, but given the tweaks that Skoda has introduced to make its flagship EV even better, I’ll not be losing any sleep over what’s a question of taste. Not for the first time in 2025, I am very, very excited about the arrival of a vRS version later this year.
