Times are changing. We’re guessing most of our readers will have only owned petrol or diesel cars prior to now, but electric cars have improved enough to make them a genuine option for family car buyers. The best electric cars can cover more than 300 miles on a single charge and because electric motors and batteries package better than combustion engines and fuel tanks, most have more space inside for passengers and luggage.
You have plenty of choice, too. Just like their petrol and diesel equivalents, the best electric family cars come in a wide variety of different shapes and sizes. In this top 10 list alone, we have hatchbacks and SUVs of all shapes, sizes and budgets to suit most drivers. There’s even an electric estate car for those trading up from a battered old Volvo.
Granted, making the switch to electric will require some forward planning. Even the best EVs can’t drive as far as a good diesel without stopping to recharge, so you’ll need to factor charging stops into your schedule. If you’re fortunate enough to have a driveway, you could think about having a wallbox charger installed – but they don’t come cheap. Expect to spend around £1,000 to have one fitted.
Despite these drawbacks, we think an electric car could serve your family well. Most family journeys are local, which is the ideal stomping ground for an EV. And if you can charge up at home (public charge points are notoriously expensive at the moment), you could save hundreds of pounds in fuel costs compared to a petrol or diesel car. Scroll down to learn more.
Top 10 best electric family cars
Editor's choice: Skoda Enyaq iV
Best electric family car for all-round capability
We also love home comfortable its suspension is and, as our Skoda Enyaq long-term report shows, it has more than enough battery capacity to tackle a long road trip. We've driven the car countless times between Parkers HQ in Peterborough and the Lake District. Its tall SUV looks are bang on trend for the market, too. As a result, it’s very much the top choice when it comes to the new breed of electric family cars.
Read our full Skoda Enyaq iV review
Pros
- Comfortable ride
- Spacious interior
- Cavernous boot
Cons
- Not particularly exciting
- Or especially fast
Volkswagen ID.3
A well-rounded electric hatch, made better
It also has an official electric range of more than 300 miles (which means you won't need to factor long charging stops into your family days out) and there's enough space in the back for even the lankiest teenagers to get comfortable. Plus, it's fun to drive and fast if you want it to be. We like it a lot.
Read our full Volkswagen ID.3 review
Pros
- Maximum range of 347 miles
- Keen handling, speedy performance
- Good amount of standard kit
Cons
- Big-battery models are pricey
- Fiddling climate controls
MG 4 EV
Bargain basement EV motoring
In fairness, the Volkswagen ID.3 is a slightly more practical car. The MG 4’s rear seats offer less legroom than you’ll find in a Cupra Born or a Volkswagen ID.3, while its boot is 22 litres smaller at 363 litres. Still, we feel these are small sacrifices to make to bag one of the best-value and best-driving electric cars on the market.
Read our full MG 4 EV review
Pros
- Stunningly affordable
- Brilliant in the corners
- Surprisingly comfortable
Cons
- Rivals offer more space inside
- Touchscreen is a little fiddly
Volvo XC40 Electric
Swedish cool and built-in booster seats!
In addition, the XC40 is a rather nice car. It’s comfortable, it has a long range, and it shares its interior with the standard car, which means it comes with plenty of standard equipment and a clever Google-powered infotainment system. If you opt for the flagship 408hp model, it’s blisteringly quick, too. The only drawback is the price. The cheapest model is more than £45,000.
Read our full Volvo XC40 Electric review
Pros
- 408hp model is rapid
- Pleasant, well-made interior
- Same boot and cabin as the standard car
Cons
- Not that exciting to drive
- Rivals are cheaper to lease
Tesla Model 3
Frightening performance and clever technology
The Model 3 isn’t perfect, though. It has traditional boot instead of a hatchback, which means it’s difficult to load cumbersome items (such as prams or bicycles) into the back. There are still some question marks over build quality, too. Some early cars left the factory with panel gaps large enough to drive a bus through.
Read our full Tesla Model 3 review
Pros
- Good to drive
- Impressive real-world range
- Clever infotainment system
Cons
- Limited number of specifications
- Hatchback would have been more practical
Kia Soul EV
An electric family car with flair
We also like how well it performs. The 204hp motor fitted to the 64kWh model gives the SUV a real turn of speed – it’s fast enough to frighten small hot hatchbacks at the lights with a 0–62mph time of 7.9 second. But we reckon the biggest draw for the Soul is its looks. It’s distinctive both inside and out, although we would have liked to see a splash of extra colour in the cabin. If you want to be seen as a cool parent, this car might be a good place to start.
Read our full Kia Soul EV review
Pros
- Brisk performance
- Distinctive looks
- Good real-world range
Cons
- Dark interior
- MGs are cheaper
MG 5 EV
Best-value electric estate car on sale today
MG is very much a budget brand these days, but its electric vehicles in particular provide plenty of proper value. They come with seven-year warranties and are well-equipped, too. Plus, the 5 can cover up to 250 miles between charging stops, which is perfectly reasonable. The MG ZS EV is worth a look as well if you prefer an SUV.
Read our full MG 5 EV review
Pros
- Generous standard equipment
- Sensible real-world range
- Good balance of ride and handling
Cons
- Boot isn't that practical for an estate
- Not as cheap as it once was
Citroen e-C4
Best electric car for comfort
You might worry that the roof eats into passenger space, but that’s not the case here. What you should consider carefully, however, is the real-world range, which in our experience with a long-term test car is no more than around 150 miles. It’s also a poor choice if you like a sporty drive.
Read our full Citroen e-C4 review
Pros
- Ample interior space
- Comfortable ride
- 380-litre boot
Cons
- Disappointing range
- Not as quick as rivals
Mercedes EQB
A seven-seat EV for those that don't want to drive a van
So, what’s the catch? Well, the EQB’s 66.5kWh battery isn’t particularly large for this type of car, which limits its real-world maximum range to around 200 miles. That’s a long way behind rivals like the Model X and the upcoming Kia EV9. Still, at least the EQB is compatible with super-fast 100kW DC rapid chargers so when you are caught short on your travels, it’ll only take around half an hour to regain 80 per cent of your battery capacity and get back on the road.
Read our full Mercedes EQB review
Pros
- 1,800kg towing capacity
- Safe and secure handling
- Supports 100kW DC rapid charging
Cons
- Maximum range could be better
- Third row is a little cramped
Hyundai Ioniq 5
Stunning looks and a roomy interior
It's good to drive, too. Its suspension is on the firmer side, but that means it corners with confidence – and it’s also quick in a straight line thanks to a power output of up to 305hp. Speed freaks will soon be able to buy an even faster N-badged version, too, with 650hp. The Ioniq 5’s biggest flaw is the strength of its sister car, the Kia EV6. We still think it's worth considering the Hyundai, though, even if it’s for its looks alone.
Read our full Hyundai Ioniq 5 review
Pros
- Stunningly fast charging
- Engaging driving experience
- Have you looked at it?
Cons
- Ride can be a little choppy
- It feels huge on narrow roads
Should I buy an electric family car?
Electric cars are starting to make sense for families because manufacturers have finally managed to increase their maximum range figures to an acceptable level. Most of the cars on this list can cover at least 200 miles on a charge, which is ample for most commuting and school-run requirements. Plus, if you have a charging point installed at home, you’ll rarely worry about running out of power because you’ll be able to charge up every night.
EVs make particular sense for families trapped in emission-controlled areas, such as the newly expanded London Ultra-Low Emission Zone. Electric cars don’t pay the daily £12.50 charge – and if you drive around the ULEZ every day, you could save upwards of £4,000 every year by switching to an electric car. You’ll save on fuel costs if you can charge up at home, too.
What is the best small family electric car?
We reckon your best bet will be the MG 4 EV. Manufacturers haven’t yet moved en masse into the electric city car and supermini classes so, for the time being, the MG 4 offers the most attractive mix of compact dimensions and affordable pricing. There are fresh, smaller competitors on the way, though, such as the Volkswagen ID.2 and Cupra Raval.
What is the best electric car for a large family?
You’ll probably need an electric car with seven seats, which means your choices are limited. There are plenty of seven-seat electric MPVs from Stellantis, such as the Vauxhall Vivaro Life Electric and the Peugeot e-Rifter. If you don’t want to drive around in something that looks like a van, you could try the Mercedes EQB or Kia EV9.
How long does it take to charge an electric family car?
That depends on the size of the car’s battery pack and the charging tech it’s compatible with. The Ioniq 5 is one of the fastest-charging electric family cars on sale, taking just 18 minutes to charge to 80 per cent capacity at a 220kW DC rapid charger. On average, most electric family cars on sale today can charge from 20 to 80 per cent capacity in around 30 minutes – and they can easily take on a full charge overnight from a domestic 7kW wallbox charger.
Which family electric car has the longest range?
The Mercedes EQS 450+ has the longest electric range of any electric car on sale today – and it’s a spacious saloon which means it would make a great family car. The only problem is its price. It costs well over £100,000, which makes it the ideal family car for the top one per cent of earners. The BMW i4 eDrive 40 is a more accessible long-range family car. It’s half the price but can still travel 365 miles on single charge.
