If you think your main family motor has to be petrol or diesel, you’re living firmly in the past. The best electric cars will do in excess of 300 miles per charge, and because electric motors and batteries are easier to package 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
Who says you can't have some fun?
It's EV credentials also shine through, the generous 87kWh battery delivers an impressive range of up to 300 miles on a single charge. Add to that its exceptional value, whether leasing or financing through PCP, and the Scenic E-Tech emerges as a compelling choice.
Read our full Renault Scenic E-Tech review
Pros
- Practical interior
- Long range
- Exceptional value for money
Cons
- High loading lip
- No twin-motor option
Cut-price executive motoring with added practicality
In Pro S Match trim, it offers an official range of 436 miles, making it an exclusive member of the 400-mile EV club. Even the base model offers 386 miles which is nothing to be sniffed at. It's arguably the best ID car of them all, with good interior quality and a much improved infotainment system. You can even get it in a gigantic estate form.
To find out more, read our full Volkswagen ID.7 review
Pros
- Maximum range of 436 miles
- Comfortable ride
- The interior and boot is huge
Cons
- Heat pump is optional
- Fiddling climate controls
Kia EV9
An impressive seven-seat SUV
This is Kia's biggest car, and that stylish body allows for a simply huge 99.8kWh battery pack to be fitted, enough for an official range of 349 miles. It's available with a single motor and rear-wheel drive or twin-motor four-wheel drive. The single motor has adequate performance while the twin is a fair bit faster.
The EV9 even takes the sting out of charging, the 800-volt/350kW capability means 135 miles of range can be added in as little as 15 minutes. It's even fairly good to drive, favouring comfort over performance, but still more agile than you might expect.
To find out more, read our full Kia EV9 review
Pros
- Well-equipped and spacious
- Useable third row seats
- Fast charging speeds
Cons
- Firm ride on 21-inch wheels
- Leasing deals aren't the most competitive
Best electric family car for all-round capability
We also love how 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, especially after a 2023 update added more power and range.
To find out more, read our full Skoda Enyaq iV review
Pros
- Comfortable ride
- Spacious interior
- Cavernous boot
Cons
- Not particularly exciting to drive...
- ...Even the vRS
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 and 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. If you're leasing it's even better, an MG 4 EV can be picked up for far less than £200 per month, quite simply outstanding value.
To find out more, 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
Plenty of room and performance
The Model Y isn’t perfect, though. It has a firm ride that can get tiring and darty steering that makes it feel nervous. 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.
To find out more, read our full Tesla Model Y review
Pros
- Big boot
- Impressive real-world range
- The best charging network out there
Cons
- Limited number of specifications
- Stiff ride
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.
To find out more, 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
Best for space on a budget
It's pretty comfortable, but there are issues. It's not particularly quick and the 50kWh battery is only good for about 120 miles of range. It's also clearly a van, giving an image that most SUV-loving buyers will steer clear of.
Read our full Citroen e-Berlingo review
Pros
- Ample interior space
- Comfortable ride
- Massive boot
Cons
- Disappointing range
- Sluggish acceleration
An electric slice of seven-seat luxury
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 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.
To find out more, 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
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. Out of this list, the Tesla Model Y and Renault Scenic E-Tech rate highly.
Ryan Gilmore is the Car Buying Editor of Parkers. Having previously worked as Deputy Commercial Content Editor for Parkers, he’s a savvy shopper dedicated to helping you when car shopping. In his spare time, he enjoys going to the gym and walking.
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