Top 10 EVs that aren’t an SUV
SUVs are big business in the new car world but what are your options if you want something a little different?
Car makers tell us that people want SUVs, and sales figures back that up – 6 of the top 10 best sellers so far this year are SUVs or crossovers.
It’s a trend that’s as true in the EV world as elsewhere, with everyone from BMW and Jaguar to Skoda and Nissan selling electric SUVs. But not everyone wants or needs such a faux off-roader with a jacked-up ride height and chunks of plastic cladding glued to it.
Thankfully there are other options out there, whether you want a compact city runaround or something big enough for the Von Trapp family.
Citroen e-Berlingo
Manufacturers like to make claims about how practical SUVs are but the truth is that a good old-fashioned people-carrier beats them hands down. That’s especially true when it’s based on a van, like the Citroen e-Berlingo. It’s not thrilling to look at or drive, but the e-Berlingo offers seating for up to seven people or up to 3,500 litres of load space, plus loads of family friendly features such as sliding rear doors, and up to 200 miles of range.
VW ID.3
Think of the ID.3 as the electric version of VW’s evergreen Golf and you won’t go far wrong. It’s a straightforward five-door hatchback with room for your average family and all the features modern motorists want. There’s just one motor – a 201bhp unit – but two battery choices offering between 268 and 356 miles of range. An update last year sharpened the looks and addressed some of the complaints about the user interface, making this a great all-rounder.
Fiat 500e
The ‘new’ Fiat 500 has been a staggering hit for the Italian brand since it first appeared in 2007, and the all-new, all-electric version that launched in 2020 continues to embody the earlier model’s appeal. It’s a bit bigger and more expensive but, at heart, it’s still a cute retro-inspired city car with neat stylistic touches and space for two, plus a range of almost 200 miles if driven sensibly.
Porsche Taycan
The Porsche Taycan is one of those cars that seems to impress almost everyone who gets into it. It isn’t cheap but it brilliantly blends rapid performance and outstanding dynamics for the driver with a comfortable, spacious and high-tech cabin for up to four people. A host of trim levels offer between 402bhp and 1,093bhp, and a range of up to 421 miles. And there’s the choice of saloon body or estate in sportier Turismo or more rugged Cross Turismo spec.
Cupra Born
The Born is the sportier Spanish stablemate to the VW ID.3. Most of the underpinnings and a lot of the bare metal are the same but Cupra has managed to unlock some flair that makes it a more appealing prospect. The more aggressive styling and copper highlights work well and it’s more dynamic to drive, although most versions lack a little pace. Thankfully, there’s a VZ version with 322bhp on the way to address that.
BMW i5
The BMW i5 proves that there’s plenty of life in the old-school saloon shape. It’s a staggeringly high-tech and luxurious executive saloon in the finest tradition of BMW’s ubiquitous 5 Series. It just happens to be battery powered. Even regular cars have 335bhp and offer up to 356 miles of range, while the M60 packs a breathtaking punch from its 593bhp all-wheel-drive setup. In even better news, there’s an i5 Touring on its way very soon, so buyers will have the option of an even more practical estate.
MG4
The MG4 is another sign that there’s still room for a regular family hatchback in the world of EVs. It isn’t as polished or luxurious as the VW or Cupra but it still offers decent space for a family of four and has value on its side. Starting from £27,000 it’s among the cheapest EVs on sale and all models are generously equipped. You can even get a 323-mile long-range version for under £30,000.
Tesla Model 3
Tesla’s Model Y SUV is the one grabbing most of the sales these days but the saloon-bodied Model 3 is still a mightily impressive choice. Not everyone will love its less-than-bare-bones interior but there’s plenty of space and the Model 3’s power, range and charging are still some of the best in the business.
Hyundai Ioniq 6
The Ioniq 6 is Hyundai’s follow-up to the big and boxy Ioniq 5 SUV and visually couldn’t be more different. It’s a long, low, slippery fastback (but with a saloon boot) that Hyundai has styled a ‘streamliner’. Where it is similar is in offering brilliant range (338 miles), ultra-rapid charging (350kW) and heaps of the latest technology. It’s also even bigger inside than the Ioniq 5, providing limo-like levels of space for everyone.
Citroen Ami
The Ami is a bit of a curveball, especially as it’s not even a proper car and has a tiny range (46 miles) and low top speed (28mph) that mean it’s only for use within a city. But, for urban dwellers after something more robust that an electric scooter, or businesses looking for an eye-catching and ULEZ friendly vehicle for local duties or advertising, it’s an intriguing choice.
