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Best electric SUVs of 2024

  • The best electric SUVs cars on the market
  • Long range and loads of space in this class
  • Entries from Tesla, Skoda, BMW and Smart

Written by Alan Taylor-Jones Updated: 26 October 2024

If you’re looking at the best SUVs you can buy in 2024, don’t just consider those powered by petrol or diesel. The best electric SUVs have plenty of benefits that make them worthy of your consideration. 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 and strong performance.

Electric motors offer other opportunities, too. Because they don’t require a conventional gearbox or all-wheel drive system – engineers can have electric motors front and rear to achieve four-wheel drive – electric SUVs often have more space inside compared to similarly sized petrols or diesels. Charging is far easier these days, and we’ve a guide to EV charging to help explain it.

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

Quirky SUV with great range and funky looks

The Kia EV6 is the Parkers Large Family Car of the Year for 2024, and it's since had a facelift to give a longer driving range and new tech. It’s an update of the Korean firm’s first purpose-built electric SUV – and it offers a wonderfully comprehensive package of exciting performance, unique style and more than 300 miles of range.

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 its charging rate. 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.

To find out more, read our full Kia EV6 review

Pros

  • Impressive real-world range
  • GT variant is startlingly fast
  • One of the fastest charging rates out there

Cons

  • Firm ride
  • Mostly touchscreen controls inside

Skoda’s no-nonsense electric SUV is a Parkers favourite

The Enyaq took home the 2022 Parkers Car of the Year award, which offers an indication of just how good it is. It was Skoda’s first-ever electric vehicle and, as expected, the straightforward Czech brand delivered a great all-round package with good practicality, great comfort and a generous maximum range of 348 miles after a 2023 battery upgrade.

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 82kWh battery pack.

To find out more, read our full Skoda Enyaq review

Pros

  • Great value-for-money
  • Roomy interior
  • Over 300-mile range

Cons

  • Not especially sporty
  • Optional extras can jack up the price

Porsche's second all-electric vehicle is an SUV that's awesome to drive

Porsche doesn't do things by halves. Having established the Macan SUV as one its bestselling and most profitable models, it's now risking everything on a second-generation model that completely abandons petrol and diesel power in favour of a cutting-edge electric drivetrain. It's only Porsche's second electric car ever, but like the Porsche Taycan that preceded it, the electric Macan is a triumph for keen drivers as well as offering a highly usable claimed range of up to 381 miles per charge.

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.

To find out more, 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
  • Porsche's EV reliability has been patchy

Bold and brilliant pure-electric premium SUV with long driving range

The BMW iX is very much a premium electric SUV with pricing to match, and its styling won’t be for everyone – but we reckon it’s worth the money for the breadth of ability it offers. It features a lightweight carbonfibre structure, massive batteries for up to 380 miles of driving range, and a driving experience that belies its size and stature. That the iX was the safest car Euro NCAP tested in 2021 also speaks volumes about its remarkable capability.

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 refined. 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.

To find out more, 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

Great performance and a long range

The Tesla Model Y is the middle-ground between the Tesla Model 3 and the Model X. It’s perfect for those that need a little more space for their families but are put off by sheer size of the Model X. The technology is very impressive, too. Everything is controlled by a huge 15.4-inch infotainment screen which looks slick and works quickly. Although we'll admit that it can be a bit daunting for technophobes.

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 373 miles per charge from its battery packs. But it isn’t great to drive or comfortable, especially when specified with the larger 20-inch alloy wheels. The Enyaq and the EV6 are more rounded products.

To find out more, 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

A well-priced, practical and long-range option

With many family-sized electric SUVs starting at nearly £45,000, it's refreshing to find one that tops out at that mark. Despite its price, the Scenic has loads of space in a well-appointed and user-friendly cabin. There's even plenty of boot space for most needs.

Two battery sizes are offered with the smaller, cheaper pack managing 260 miles according to official tests. The bigger battery ups this to 379 miles, with more than 300 easily achievable with sensible driving. Peppy performance and keen handling round off a highly recommendable package.

To find out more, read our full Renault Scenic review

Pros

  • Well-priced
  • Impressive range
  • User-friendly interior

Cons

  • Boot has a big loading lip
  • There are comfier options

Hot hatch fun from an e-SUV

We've suggested plenty of sensible SUVs in this list, so now it's time for something a bit more fun. The Junior Veloce shares a platform with the Jeep Avenger and Vauxhall Mokka, but has a lot more power and far sharper handling. It's arguably one of the closest things to a proper electric hot hatch.

That's partially because it doesn't chase neck-snapping acceleration. Instead, a focus on saving weight and finessing the chassis leads to an SUV that's fun to drive without having to hammer it everywhere. Range and rear space aren't amazing, although it's to be expected from such a small SUV.

To find out more, read our full Alfa Romeo Junior Veloce review

Pros

  • Joyful handling
  • Strong acceleration
  • Undercuts some rivals on price

Cons

  • Cramped rear seats
  • Low-rent interior

A VW ID.4 with more polish

As part of Ford and Volkswagen's commitment to work together, the Explorer shares a platform with the VW ID.4, Skoda Enyaq and Audi Q4 E-Tron. Although the Explorer has a smaller boot than its siblings, it feels like a more finished product with a better ride and handling balance.

It's also keenly priced and well-equipped, even in entry-level trim. Rear- and four-wheel drive are available, and we'd expect a couple of different battery sizes to be available soon enough. We still prefer the Enyaq to this, but we'd take an Explorer over the ID.4 and Q4.

To find out more, read our full Ford Explorer review

Pros

  • Corners well
  • Available with four-wheel drive
  • Long real-world driving range

Cons

  • Rivals have bigger boots
  • Heavy reliance on touchscreen

Our favourite electric seven-seater

Electric seven-seaters have been a bit thin on the ground. Unless you wanted to spend loads on a Tesla Model X or go for a van-based effort like the Citroen e-Berlingo, you were a bit stuck. The Kia EV9 changes all that, offering a good-to-drive and spacious option that is reasonably priced for what you get.

Being a Kia EV, the charging time is one of the quickest out there, although efficiency isn't quite as impressive as its lower, lighter siblings. Six and seven-seat versions are available with rear- or four-wheel drive.

To find out more, read our full Kia EV9 review

Pros

  • Spacious, even in the third row
  • Rapid charge times
  • Tidy handling

Cons

  • Unsettled ride
  • Efficiency not the best

The best Smart yet

Smart’s transformation from clever city car manufacturer into a firm that builds SUVs seemed puzzling at first. But the Smart #3 is something of a gamechanger if you want a more compact electric model. It's the slinkier sibling to the Smart #1, yet is better to drive and nearly as practical.

Compare the Smart #3 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 nearly miles per charge as well. Outstanding.

To find out more, read our full Smart #3 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 Kia EV9 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.