Best electric family cars 2024
The market for family-sized electric cars has boomed in recent times, with more options than ever for buyers. Here are 10 of the best.
If ever you needed proof that electric cars are where the big growth in the car market is, check out the massive increase in models targeted at family buyers. Almost every manufacturer has clamoured to grab a slice of the action.
With huge progress being made in the technology inside the cars, as well as with the wider infrastructure of nationwide charging stations, going electric is not so daunting as it was when the first EVs started to arrive.
Firstly, concerns over range are starting to subside, with many electric cars now available which offer well over 200-300 miles of driving with a single charge.
Yes, a pinch of salt may be required here, as you’re unlikely to match the laboratory conditions within which those figures were achieved. But anyone travelling around 150 miles in a day should have no problem at all with an electric car. We’ve put together this list of 10 great electric cars for you and your family.
Best electric family car for all-round appeal
Our pick: Honda e:Ny1 Elegance
Read our Honda reviews
With a 62kWh battery pack and a range of 256 miles, the Honda e:Ny1’s key stats look fairly average on paper, but it’s how it comes together as an overall package that really makes it stand out.
Stylish compact SUV looks with great dynamics are further bolstered by excellent levels of standard equipment – even the entry-level Elegance model gets a 15.1-inch touchscreen, while high-spec examples boast features such as a heated steering wheel and a panoramic roof.
The cabin feels well-constructed and the technology is high-class, both in terms of convenience features and safety aids. The Honda e:Ny1 is also projected to have class-leading residuals and become one of the most sought-after used cars in its sector.
Best electric family car for upmarket desirability
Our pick: Audi Q4 Sport 45 e-tron
Read our full Audi Q4 e-tron review
With a range of up to 321 miles and the prestige of a premium badge, it’s no surprise that the Audi Q4 e-tron is one of the most keenly sought-after electric family cars in the UK right now.
It’s practical, too – its chunky off-road styling and spacious cabin make it the ideal vehicle for image-conscious young families. The range kicks off with the Audi Q4 40 e-tron, which uses a single 204PS electric motor and is rear-wheel-drive.
The Audi Q4 50 e-tron quattro gets four-wheel drive thanks to an extra motor on the front axle, but at the expense of around 20 miles in range. Both versions are powered by a 76.6kWh battery pack.
Best electric family car for understated excellence
Our pick: Kia Niro EV 3
Read our Kia reviews
The Kia Niro EV replaces the Kia e-Niro but with a sharper look and considerable improvements inside. Drawing inspiration from the impressive Kia EV6, it boasts a slick design and great tech setup. Even the base model at £36,000 isn't lacking in amenities
The Kia Niro EV remains largely consistent with its predecessor in terms of the electric motor and battery. It retains the 64kWh battery capacity (without a smaller, more affordable alternative this time), granting an official range of 285 miles - an impressive figure that competes favorably with counterparts like the Volkswagen ID.4 and Citroen e-C4.
However, there's a bit of a letdown in the charging department. With a charging speed of 72kW, it falls short, especially considering that the Kia EV6, not significantly pricier, can charge at up to 234kW. On the road, the Kia Niro EV leans more towards competence and comfort rather than delivering a super agile or thrilling experience.
Best electric family car for reliable Japanese engineering
Our pick: Toyota bZ4X Pure 71.4kWH
Read our Toyota reviews
Toyota and Subaru have collaborated before, but the first time round it was with a two-door GT sports car in the form of the Toyota GT86 and the Subaru BRZ.
This time, it’s a much more modern approach with the two manufacturers working together on a family-friendly electric SUV. The Toyota bZ4X and Subaru Solterra arrived in the UK in 2023 and brought a competitive offering to the burgeoning electric family car market that is spacious, comfortable and benefits from four-wheel-drive grip.
Although there is only one battery size (71.4kWh), there is a choice of single-motor/front-wheel drive or dual-motor/four-wheel-drive options on the Toyota, whereas the Subaru is true to the brand’s roots by being 4x4 only.
Best electric family car for common-sense buyers
Our pick: Hyundai Kona Electric N Line Long Range 2WD
Read our Hyundai reviews
Don’t adjust your screen, or get your eyes checked – the Hyundai Kona Electric is very similar to the Kia e-Niro above, and it even shares mechanical bits with it.
Its main differences are that it has a slightly lower range (279 miles) and a smaller boot (332 litres compared with 451 litres), but it’s also 195mm shorter and 5mm narrower overall, so it should appeal to drivers wanting something a little easier to park.
The Hyundai Kona Electric is cheaper than the Kia e-Niro, too, so if boot space isn’t a priority, the decision on which one to buy has probably been made for you.
Best electric family car for widespread availability
Our pick: Nissan Leaf e+ Tekna
Read our full Nissan Leaf review
The Nissan Leaf has been a very practical car with a loyal following since its launch around a decade ago. It’s probably the most ‘normal’ electric car on this list too. So much so, that local councils across the UK were among the earliest adopters – in fact, you’ve probably seen one silently ferrying around council workers between meetings.
A new version hit the ground running in 2018 and it’s definitely better looking than the previous model. There are two batteries available: a 40kWh offering that’s good for 168 miles and a 62kWh Leaf e+ that delivers a claimed 239 miles.
Standard equipment includes a full suite of safety systems, an eight-inch touchscreen media system with sat-nav, climate control, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Best electric family car for an iconic badge
Our pick: Ford Mustang Mach-e Premium RWD Extended Range
Read our Ford reviews
It was a brave move to use the iconic and legendary Ford Mustang name on a family-sized five-door electric car, but if you’re going to make a bold statement then you may as well do it in a way that’s going to get noticed – and the Ford Mustang Mach-e certainly got its fair share of column inches when it made its debut at the start of 2021.
Fast forward to now and Ford’s electric family car has evolved even further, with potential for up to 379 miles on Extended Range models and a performance package to rival a much more expensive Tesla.
There’s a choice of rear-wheel drive or all-wheel-drive platforms and two different batteries – a 70kWh option with a 280-mile range or a 91.5kWh one that will travel a class-leading distance for its price bracket.
Best electric family car for striking design
Our pick: Hyundai Ioniq 5 Ultimate 2WD
Read our full Hyundai Ioniq 5 review
With styling that gives it the appearance of a steroid-fuelled DeLorean and an equally striking interior, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 is one of the boldest, most impactful electric cars on the road, with a style that’s impossible to ignore.
It’s an innovative, well-engineered and technologically advanced vehicle with a unique, retro-modern design and lots of cabin space, plus it’s even relatively affordable.
There are two versions of the Hyundai Ioniq 5: a 58kWh model and a 73kWh version. These numbers refer to the size of the battery, bigger being better in terms of driving range. The lesser model can travel up to around 238 miles per charge, while the larger battery version can achieve 298 miles per charge. Cars from late 2022 onwards have even more power and range, with up to 315 miles attainable.
Best electric family car for trendsetters
Our pick: Volkswagen ID. Buzz Style 77kWh
Read our Volkswagen reviews
Very much the in-vogue EV of the moment, the long-awaited Volkswagen ID.Buzz is finally here, and the German firm hopes it will live up to the legend its styling echoes – the original Type 2.
It uses the same 77kWh battery found in more expensive Volkswagen ID.3, Volkswagen ID.4 and Volkswagen ID.5 models, but has the lowest range of all at around 200 miles thanks to its heavier bodywork. It’s not quick, but fortunately it does come with the 207PS electric motor which is the best choice in other ID models. As a family wagon, it’s perfect as there’s even a seven-seat option.
Our only gripe is the touchscreen media system, which can be a little buggy and slow. Volkswagen has also been slow to deliver over-the-air software updates in its other ID models.
Best electric family car for affordable quality
Our pick: Skoda Enyaq 85 Edition
Read our Skoda reviews
Building on parent company the Volkswagen Group’s tradition of platform sharing, the Skoda Enyaq iV is offered on the very same underpinnings as the Volkswagen ID.4 and the Audi Q4 e-tron, but in a slightly smaller and impressively affordable package.
There’s a choice of two battery sizes in the UK: the 58kWh 60 model and the 77kWh 80 (which uses the same battery as the Audi).
With 77kWh Sportline models, you can add an extra motor for more power and four-wheel drive, but this does take a 15-mile bite out of the 2WD variant’s 333-mile range. The 58kWh models, meanwhile, have a quoted range of 250 miles.