Some of the very best SUVs you can buy in 2024 are no longer powered by petrol or diesel engines. This is because the best electric SUVs offer a real opportunity for zero emissions technology. As bigger vehicles, SUVs have plenty of space under the floor of the cabin for large battery parks – and that means the top electric cars in this class can deliver plenty of driving range from every charge. As well as plenty of performance.
Electric motors offer other opportunities, too. Because they don’t require a conventional gearbox or all-wheel drive system – engineers can add an electric motor front and rear to achieve four-wheel drive – electric SUVs often have more space inside. As long as you charge without too much difficulty (we’ve a guide to EV charging, if it helps), this boosts their practicality. There’s more room for people and luggage.
What’s more, performance is usually excellent thanks to all that electric pulling power. And there are now plenty of electric SUVs to choose from, as almost every carmaker has seen the advantages they now offer and built a car to tackle the market.
To help you make the right decision, on this page, we’ve listed our favourite electric SUVs of all shapes and sizes. Keep reading, and we’re sure you’ll find one that suits you.
The best electric SUVs
Editor's choice: Kia EV6
Quirky SUV with great range and funky looks
Inside the EV6, there’s plenty of space for passengers and luggage – and we particularly like the car’s infotainment system, which is fast, responsive and easy to use. Perhaps the best part though is the charging system. It has a similar 800V setup to the Porsche Taycan, which means its battery can zap from 10% to 80% capacity in just 18 minutes if you can find a 350kW rapid charger.
Read our full Kia EV6 review
Pros
- Impressive real-world range
- GT variant is startlingly fast
- Rapid charging standard on all models
Cons
- Firm ride
- Mostly touchscreen controls inside
Skoda Enyaq
Skoda’s no-nonsense electric SUV is a Parkers favourite
It was built for comfort rather than speed, though – and for that reason, we’d say avoid the sporty vRS variants. In the real world, they’re no faster or more exciting than the standard Enyaq. You’re better off sticking with the two-wheel drive model and dumping your cash into Skoda’s larger 77kWh battery pack.
Read our full Skoda Enyaq review
Pros
- Great value-for-money
- Roomy interior
- Over 300-mile range
Cons
- Not especially sporty
- Options can jack up the price
Porsche Macan
Porsche's second all-electric vehicle is an SUV that's awesome to drive
Highlights include sublime steering and wonderful air suspension - and, although this isn't fitted as standard on every model, opt for it and you'll get a remarkable combination of cosseting comfort and supreme body control for brilliant cornering. Fast charging technology means a 10-80% top-up in as little as 21 minutes, while the interior quality and the richly inviting options list means you can enjoy a luxury experience as much as a sporty one. BMW and Hyundai/Kia also build fun-driving electric SUVs, but Porsche's pedigree is still clear.
Read our full electric Porsche Macan review
Pros
- Wonderful steering
- Great ride quality (with air suspension)
- Long range, fast charging
Cons
- Not the most practical boot
- Taycan reliability has been patchy
BMW iX
Bold and brilliant pure-electric premium SUV with long driving range
Other cars on this list (such as the Enyaq) offer more storage space than the iX, but the BMW claws back some ground with its impressive infotainment and suite of driver assistance technology. It's also tremendously refinement. Opt for the range-topping M60 variant, and you’ll have 620hp at your disposal. That’s enough for a 0–62mph time of 3.8 seconds.
Read our full BMW iX review
Pros
- Outstanding refinement
- Longest SUV EV range
- Huge performance
Cons
- Divisive exterior styling
- Not as practical as others on this list
Tesla Model Y
Great performance and a long range
We think it’s a more polished product than the Tesla Model X, as it’s built on the same platform as the far fresher Model 3. Regardless, as with all Teslas, the Model Y offers extremely rapid performance from its electric motors and a generous driving range of up to 319 miles per charge from its battery packs. But it isn’t the most comfortable car in its class, especially when specified with the larger 20-inch alloy wheels. The Enyaq and the EV6 are more rounded products.
Read our full Tesla Model Y review
Pros
- Good real-world range
- Plenty of space inside
- Tesla Supercharger network is great
Cons
- Inconsistent build quality
- Uncomfortable suspension
BMW iX3
An upmarket electric SUV that’s great to drive
Despite its ability to stay very composed in the corners, the iX3 is also comfortable and refined. The ride is a little on the firm side, but it’s well-damped – and it stays settled on the motorway, making longer journeys relaxing. The extra weight of the battery pack really helps to keep the car planted and rounds off the edge of sharper bumps.
Read our full BMW iX3 review
Pros
- Great to drive
- Impressive performance
- Easy to get to grips with
Cons
- Expensive vs conventional X3s
- Costly optional extras
Nissan Ariya
Solid family EV with a sensibly laid-out interior
It’s practical, too, with a clean minimalist interior, loads of storage compartments and a well-sized 466-litre boot. We also like the Ariya’s technology – it has a pair of fast 12.3-inch screens that are simple to use, if also a little lacking in flair. In fact, that lack of character is the Ariya’s biggest issue. Its rivals are more desirable and more entertaining to drive.
Read our full Nissan Ariya review
Pros
- User-friendly interior
- Wide choice of EV powertrains
- Spacious for passengers
Cons
- Rivals are more characterful
- No under-bonnet storage
Volkswagen ID.4
Practical and usable electric VW
We recommend opting for the biggest 77kWh battery pack, because that’ll give you a real-world range of between 250 and 300 miles (depending on the weather and how you drive). But we don't recommend bothering with the sporty GTX variant – the marginal gains you get in performance aren’t worth the sacrifice you make in maximum driving range.
Read our full Volkswagen ID.4 review
Pros
- Relaxed, comfortable cruiser
- Available with four-wheel drive
- Long real-world driving range
Cons
- Rivals are faster and more fun
- Touchscreen controls
Tesla Model X
Spacious, fast, theatrical Falcon Wing rear doors
It’s certainly distinctive, but it’s not without its faults. Tesla says the Model X can drive more than 300 miles under WLTP testing conditions – but that figure will drop to around 200 if you exercise its performance too regularly. The build quality is a little ropey, too, which it shouldn’t be considering the car’s six-figure price-tag.
Read our full Tesla Model X review
Pros
- Supercar-slaying acceleration
- Rapid charge times
- Wild design
Cons
- Unsettled ride on large wheels
- Questionable fit and finish
Smart #1
Best smaller electric SUV
Compare the Smart #1 with any of the new smaller electric SUVs from the Stellantis group of companies – which includes Peugeot, Citroen, Fiat and Jeep – and for almost exactly the same amount of money the 272hp Smart has 100hp more and a larger battery. Giving it a better driving range of up to 273 miles per charge as well. Outstanding.
Read our full Smart #1 review
Pros
- Spacious and practical inside
- Lots of power, lots of range
- Great value for money
Cons
- Small boot
- Driver assistance tech annoying
Electric SUV FAQs
What is an electric SUV?
The term electric SUV typically refers to a tall vehicle with raised suspension and rugged styling that’s powered by an electric motor instead of a conventional petrol or diesel engine.
Traditionally, such vehicles would be four-wheel drive, but these days they’re often more about image and practicality than travelling off-road, so many models are sleek-looking two-wheel drive machines, making them more energy efficient.
SUVs are generally a good fit for electrification, because their larger size means there’s plenty of room for a big battery pack without compromising space for passengers and luggage too much.
If you don’t think a pure-electric SUV will suit your lifestyle – perhaps because you regularly travel long distances – a plug-in hybrid SUV might be worth considering instead. These have bigger batteries than normal hybrids but also still feature a petrol or diesel engine for worry-free on-the-go refuelling.
What is the best electric SUV for a family?
All of the electric SUVs on this list should be suitable for family life – that’s very much the main point of these vehicles, and our editor’s pick of the Kia EV6 has lots going for it in this respect.
We’d also highlight the Skoda Enyaq. Skoda always delivers strong value for money, and the brand’s ‘simply clever’ features are often a boon to family buyers as well. The Enyaq is roomy, easy to live with and comes with a more than acceptable driving range.
What’s the most reliable electric SUV?
Kia and Hyundai have a great reputation for building reliable vehicles, and their electric models are no different. Most Japanese brands are also exceptionally dependable. Furthermore, compared with petrol and diesel, EVs have far fewer moving parts and theoretically less to go wrong.
So although electrification is bringing reliability challenges in some areas – VW’s issues with software are well documented, for instance, and it can be tricky to get your head around battery degradation reducing driving range over time – electric SUVs shouldn’t be any less reliable than a conventional alternative.
As heavy vehicles they will be tougher on tyres, though, and no matter how good the SUV itself is, it still requires a reliable public charging network. And sadly there’s no doubt you’re more likely to come across a broken car charger than a broken petrol pump.
Which EV SUV has the most room?
For maximum passenger room you really want an electric SUV based on a bespoke EV platform. So if it’s space you’re after above all other things, the BMW iX and Tesla Model X are a great place to start.
Smaller and more affordable options include the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Skoda Enyaq, while smaller options include the Smart #1 and the latest Hyundai Kona Electric.
How much does it cost to charge an electric SUV?
That’s a ‘how long is a piece of string’ kind of question – there are a lot of variables.
Charging costs on the public charging network are much higher than on the cheapest home electricity tariffs, especially those created with car charging in mind. If charging at home it should only cost a few pounds, whereas public charging will be 10s of pounds.
The size of the battery will also make a difference. The bigger the battery pack, the most it will cost to fully charge it – just as a larger petrol tank will cost more to fill than a smaller one.
Which electric SUV has the longest range?
At present, it’s the BMW iX XDrive50 that takes the honours – with an official EV driving range of 380 miles per charge, it has the longest range of any electric SUV.
However, the Fisker Ocean will top this. Due to go on sale in the UK in 2024, in its top Extreme configuration this has a maximum claimed driving range of 440 miles per charge.
