Top 10 Best Family Electric Cars 2022
These are the very best electric cars that effortlessly will fit into everyday life and carry the family and its paraphernalia.
Full-size, daily-usable electric vehicles have been a long time in rising to prominence, but they’ve now well and truly arrived, with more options available to buyers than ever before. Because the battery pack is usually hidden in the floor, many are SUVs, but there are some hatchbacks, saloons and crossovers to choose from also.
Battery technology has come a long way here, bringing down prices of new EVs and also making range anxiety much less of a problem than it used to be. Charging infrastructure still leaves much to be desired, but if you can charge at home and don't travel long distances frequently, you may never need to visit a public charger.
Add in the fact that EVs let you travel in silence and produce zero emissions, are exempt from road tax and the London Congestion Charge, and qualify for low benefit-in-kind taxes as fleet options, and they start to become a truly viable family transport picks.
While we have yet to see many true driver’s cars with electric power, the instant, silent punch, uninterrupted by gearchanges that even fairly basic EVs offer will surprise and delight many drivers used to conventional powertrains.
This is a list of our top 10 electric cars for families, compiled considering factors such as range, usability, driving dynamics and value for money. Some EVs are still subject to relatively high prices compared with combustion-engined cars, but their premiums can be offset against lower running costs.
-1. Hyundai Ioniq 5-
Twenty years ago, it would have been surprising to see a list like this dominated by Korean car-makers Hyundai and Kia, but the duo have not only managed to build a range of impressive mainstream cars, they were also quick out of the gate with electric versions of regular cars.
The Ioniq 5 is the start of one of them getting truly serious about EVs, and it's built on a bespoke EV model platform with 800-volt architecture. An 800v system allows for much faster charging and the only others doing something similar are the Porsche Taycan and Audi E-Tron GT, plus the closely related Kia models. Pretty good company.
It’s not just a technical exercise. The Ioniq 5 draws attention with its distinctive retro-futuristic design and modern, high-quality interior.
Despite its size and weight, the Hyundai suprisingly engaging to drive, with strong performance, decent grip and just enough adjustability to keep things interesting. It's also a lovely relaxing cruiser, with good noise suppression, a comfortable ride, and a really convincing luxury aura that suits an electric car perfectly. Good packaging means that space in the back is more than generous, with a usable boot.
The long-range rear-wheel drive version (the dual motor four-wheel drive model has been dropped from the range for now) narrowly saw off the Skoda Enyaq in a recent group test, proving a more engaging drive and winning over our tester with its more daring design. The range starts from £39,400 for a 168bhp rear-wheel drive car with a 240-mile range, rising to at least £44,400 for a 281-mile, 214bhp version.
You need more encouragement? Well, there's a hot N-badged version in the pipeline.
*Save money on new Ioniq 5 deals on What Car?*
-2. Skoda Enyaq iV-
Skoda often takes Volkswagen Group mechanicals and wraps them up in an even more sensible, spacious package that’s better value to boot. So too with the Skoda Enyaq iV. It uses the same VW Group MEB electric ‘skateboard’ platform that underpins the VW ID 3 and ID 4, and the Audi Q4 E-Tron. Clever design choices ensure it hits a sweet spot in the EV SUV market, though.
It impresses with a roomy and cleverly thought-out cabin that is a match for the Audi’s on tangible quality and personalisation. The chassis set-up proved very mature during our road test: it won’t appeal to keen drivers, but feels medium firm and fairly tightly controlled to inspire confidence without any meaningful detriment to the range.
The 201bhp ‘80’ version we tested showed performance that should satisfy most drivers and the 333-mile range makes the Enyaq very usable on longer journeys, too. For the more budget-conscious, Skoda offers a ‘60’ model with a 58kWh battery pack that yields a 250-mile range. An even smaller 50 exists but isn’t available over here at the moment. The 80X Sportline adds a front motor for extra power and all-wheel drive and, while a302bhp vRS complete with bespoke coupe styling cues will be in a showroom near you soon.
Only the added character of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and a handful of awkward design decisions, some slightly annoying active safety features and a slightly mean standard equipment tally keep it from finishing at the very top of this list.
*Save money on new Skoda Enyaq iV deals on What Car?*
-3. Kia EV6-
Kia has come closer than anyone so far to bringing real driver appeal to the market for usable, affordably-priced, 'normal' electric cars. With the EV6, sister car to our class champion the Hyundai Ioniq 5, it has taken a state-of-the-art electric-specific model platform, clothed it in a handsome body, thrown in a good-sized cabin, and finished the package with keen-feeling ride and handling delivered by a natively rear-wheel drive chassis that feels significantly more interesting and involving to drive than so many EVs have thus far.
The car comes with a choice of three trim levels, and in either single-motor rear-driven- or twin-motor four-wheel drive form. Power outputs range from 226- to 321bhp, with a range-topping GT version coming soon with 577bhp to call upon (imagine that). Public rapid charging at up to 239kW is possible in the car (where available), at which pace the car's 77.4kWh battery can be topped up roughly the time it takes to order a cup of tea and consume an iced bun; while range extends up to 328 miles on the WLTP lab test standard.
The EV6's package has a few limitations, one of which is price (this isn't the most affordable electric option among its peers). Because it's a bit sporty, it's also not the smoothest-riding, refined EV of the current bunch; cabin quality isn't nearly as rich or inviting as that of the car's Hyundai relation; and lifeless, numb steering takes the edge of the car's dynamic appeal a little.
Nevertheless, the EV6 is remarkably agile-handling, its performance is spirited (even in the case of single-motor models), and it gives plenty of heart to keen drivers who have assumed that zero-emissions motoring simply won't nurture their enthusiasm quite like they're used to. And if you fancy a laugh, few cars at any price can match the GT model in terms of performane per pound. Yes, £60,000 isn't cheap, but it'll blast from 0-62mph in 3.5 seconds and has a Drift Mode that's so hyperactive you'll probably crash laughing.
*Save money on new EV6 deals from What Car?*
-4. Ford Mustang Mach-E-
The Blue Oval was a little late to the full-sized electric car market, but has made something of a splash in any case by appropriating its much-loved Mustang sub-brand for its first battery-electric production model. The Mustang Mach-E isn't a square-jawed muscle coupé, though, but a proper five-seater with an appealing-looking crossover bodystyle, as well as impressive real-world range potential and a more affordable price than some of the cars listed here.
It's available from just over £40,000 in the UK, so it’s not as affordable as some key rivals. If you want the WLTP-accredited 379-mile Extended Range version, you’ll need almost £50,000. However, it's a proper, usable family car that beats premium rivals by up to 30% on both claimed range and value.
In Extended Range RWD form, Ford’s first proper EV doesn’t dazzle with warp-speed acceleration. Instead it is the chassis that brings some driving satisfaction, with its appreciable poise and even a little playfulness when the moment takes you. Outright fun? Like its rivals, the Ford is too heavy for that, and its steering too synthetic, but this is certainly one of the more pleasing driver’s cars of its ilk. And the GT is certainly quick in a straight line and can be coaxed into some giggly muscle car angles on the exit of slower corners if you're so inclined, but gets scrappy if pushed up to and over its limits.
Fears that the Mach-E would be very much ‘style over substance’ are further dispelled by what is a truly spacious and airy cabin, even if the look of the place is somewhat unimaginative and perceived quality a rung or two below what you’ll find in European rivals.
*Save money on new Mustang Mach E deals from What Car?*
-5. VW ID 4-
The ID 4 is the second Volkswagen to be launched on the group’s MEB platform, following on from the ID 3. It’s a bigger, pricier car than that earlier model, but also one that will play just as crucial a role in helping VW become a dominant player in the global EV market. The world is, after all, crazy for SUVs, and Volkswagen claims the ID 4’s packaging allows it to offer Touareg levels of practicality in a Tiguan-sized package. That sounds like a winning combo.
In practice, it works pretty well, too. There’s loads of space up front, and its 531-litre boot is larger than a Tiguan’s. Even better, since locating the battery under the floor allows for clever packaging, space in the rear is similar to a Mercedes E-Class. The only slight niggle is that it also means the rear bench sits a bit higher than you might like, which restricts head room.
Speaking of the battery, two sizes are available, and they correspond to the output of the rear-mounted electric motor. The 146bhp and 168bhp models come with a 52kWh unit, while the 201bhp model has a 77kWh battery that’s good for a WLTP range of 324 miles. A dual-motor, four-wheel-drive 295bhp GTX model tops the range, though it’s more of a fast cruiser than a true GTI for the electric age.
Performance of the normal 201bhp version is usefully brisk as well, and it’s very refined, even on big wheels. But there’s also enough character to ensure that it doesn’t leave you cold: neatly tuned control responses, sharp initial performance, interesting little design cues and a sense of maturity on the move.
The ID 4 offers a neat, simplified and intuitive electric-car experience, though the interior ergonomics have been simplified a bit too much. Despite a very appealing ambiance inside the ID 4, the loss of most buttons means it’s not very user-friendly – a common complaint with modern Volkswagens.
*Save money on new Volkswagen ID 4 deals from What Car?*
-6. Tesla Model Y-
The Tesla Model Y is the slightly gawkier-looking, more practical and grown-up brother of the big-selling Model 3. It's 50mm longer than the Model 3 but importantly some 180mm taller, offering significantly more cabin space but a similar chassis specification and miniamalist interior. Oh, and of course it gets the same access to the firm's excellent Supercharger network, which for many will be worth the price of entry alone.
Speaking of which, the financial barrier to Model Y ownership has been lowered to £51,900 following the introduction of the entry-level Rear-Wheel Drive model. That's hardly a snip, but you get a single motor ith enough poke for a 6.6 seconds 0-60mph time and a claimed range of 287 miles. If you want to go further, the Long Range version has 434bhp, does 0-60mph in just 5.0sec flat and promises 331 miles between visits to a charging station. Finally, if making your famiy feel sick through violent g-forces is your thing, then the Performance packs 507bhp and a 0-60mph time of 3.5 seconds.
Regardless of motor, the Model Y offers plenty of passenger space and an airy interior feel, and its cabin is minimalistically furnished and fairly well-presented. Storage space, split between boots at both ends of the car, is also generous. Yet the interior lacks the premium appeal you’d expect at this price point, while the brand’s obsession with putting all the functions in the vast, centrally-mounted touchscreen creates both characterless and an ergonomic sticking point, with numerous finger stabs at the display necessary to access various features.
The car follows a familiar-feeling dynamic template, with relatively quick-geared and quite heavily weighted steering, and handling that demands precision, with very little room for expression or adjustability. The firm suspension set-up means the Tesla rarely settles down, with constant movements that jostle occupants. This shortfall in comfort is compounded by the poor acoustic insulation, with noises off from the suspension and roar from the tyres undoing any refinement benefits of an EV drivetrain.
Ultimately, the Model Y is a very effective electric SUV, but not a totally convincing premium one.
*Save money on new Tesla Model Y deals from What Car?*
-7. Nissan Ariya-
Given the Nissan pioneered the mainstream EV with the Leaf, it's a surprise it's taken so long for the Japanese brand to add a follow-up model to the line-up (assuming we ignore the van-based eNV200 people carrier). Unsurprisingly, the Japanese brand has chosen the lucrative premium family SUV class as the target for its latest all-electric offering, and in many repsects the Ariya represents a welcome addition to this increasingly crowded corner of the market, not least because some versions delivers a range of 329 miles.
For starters, it looks smart, in a modern and slick SUV way, while the interior is more than deserves to mentioned in the same breath as premium-badged rivals in this list. Not only is it eye-catchingly designed, its packed with high grade materials that give it an agreeably plush vibe. There's all the tech you'd expect too, including a pair of 12.3-inch screens mounted on top of the dash - one for the intrument cluster and one for the infotainment. You also get a good amount of room front and back, plus some thoughful touches, such as the sliding centre console between the front seats and handy drawer that slides out of the dashboard.
As you'd expect, there's a choice of single motor with front-wheel drive and four-whee drive dual motor layouts. The former features a choice of 63kWh or 87kWh batteries and that deliver 215bhp and 239bhp respectively. The latter set-up, dubbed e-4ORCE, can only be specified with the larger battery and serves-up a handy 302bhp in standard guise or 388bhp in the flagship Performance model, which is good for 0-62mph in 5.1 seconds. Whichever battery and motor combo you go for, the Ariya is composed and capable to drive, but is never likely to get your pulse racing. The steering is light and precise, there's very littl body roll and decent grip, plus of course it's refined and comfortable on a run.
So, not the gamechanger the original Leaf was, but there's lots to like here. However, with prices starting at just under £50,000, you'll have to like the Nissan a lot to take the plunge.
-8. Audi Q4 E-tron Quattro-
If you can't quite justify the cost of a full-sized Audi E-tron Quattro for your first foray into premium EV ownership, there is this: the smaller Q4 E-tron. LIke its bigger sibling it comes in both regular-bodied and extra-swoopy 'sportback' silhouettes, but unlike the bigger car it uses the VW Group's specially developed 'MEB' model platform. Those underpinnings allow it to offer four-wheel drive to those who want it, and in excess of 300bhp; but they also give it a mechanical link to cheaper sibling cars like the VW ID4 and Skoda Enyaq iV, which we rank elsewhere in our family EVs chart.
That relationship doesn't seem to be putting off European buyers of this car any more than its pug-nosed looks or its glitzy but slightly plain-feeling cabin quality; but it was enough to temper our reaction to the car when we road-tested it. The Q4 E-tron demonstrates how tricky it will be for premium brands to differentiate platform-engineered cars in the all-electric era, when extra value can no longer be added by refined or high-performing combustion engines, and chassis technologies are shared across brands. It's a credible car, with a range of approaching 300 miles in the case of the longest-legged versions: but it isn't well distinguished dynamically, by its only superficially different design, or by the upmarket ambience of its interior.
Even so, we'd take one over some premium EVs - but Audi must do better if it wants to show the superiority of its cars in the mass market of tomorrow.
*Save money on new Q4 E-tron deals from What Car?*
-9. Mercedes EQB-
If you’re in the market for a seven-seat all-electric SUV, then at the moment your options are severely limited - it’s either the £100,00 plus Tesla Model X or this, the Mercedes EQB. The German machine is much smaller than its American rival, but it’s also around half the price - although that doesn’t exactly make it a bargain, as we’ll see.
Essentially an EV version of the German firm’s GLB compact off-roader, the EQB has been rather neatly packaged so that its motors and battery don’t detract too much from the standard car’s versatility. For instance, the third row seats deliver the same amount of room, which means adults will only tolerate short journeys, but kids will be fine. The second row of seats also slides, meaning you can choose between extra room for luggage or legs depending on your priorities.
Elsewhere the interior is well-finished with a real premium vibe, while the wall-to-wall TFT screens (including Mercedes’ excellent MBUX infotainment) create hi–tech vibe. Comfort and refinement are good, a sensation that’s enhanced by a driving experience the places relaxation above heart-racing fun. That goes for the performance, which is decently brisk rather than outright quick, with both the 225bhp EQB300 and 288bhp EQB350 (both are four-wheel drive) not able to match the pace of similarly twin-motored rivals. Speaking of speed, the Merc’s 100kW charging is disappointing in a class where 150kW is the norm, while its maximum claimed range of 257 miles is nothing to write home about (although you’ll certainly have time to do that while you’re waiting for it to charge).
Prices start at just under £55,000, which is similar money to the Tesla Model Y, and quite a bit more than an Audi Q4 e-tron, let alone a Skoda Enyaq iV - all of which are either faster or will go further on a charge, or both. If you need the seven-seat capability, then the easy-to-live with Merc is without rivals, but otherwise there are better options out there.
-10. Toyota bZ4X-
For a long time Toyota didn't believe the all-elecrtric car was the answer, preferring instead the petrol-electric hybrid approach it's made so successful over the last few decades. However, the commercial realisties have finally hit the Japanese brand, and the oddly titled bZ4X (the bZ part stands for 'beyond zero, the 4 is there because the car is a similar size to the firm's RAV4 and the X because, well, it's a crossover of course) is the first of a battery-powered new model offensive.
Underpinned by the company's e-TGNA platform that's also used on the forthcoming Subaru Solterra and Lexus RZ, the Toyota drives with the sort of easy-going precision that we've come to expect from the firm's cars in recent years. It's not exactly a thrill-ride, but with its low centre of gravity, accurate steering and near perfect weight distribution the bZ4X slices through corners in a satisfyingly crisp and tidy manner, while the ride is flat and comfortable for the most part.
There's a choice of two motor configurations (natch), with a 201bhp single motor front-drive option, or a pair of 107.5bhp motors for all-wheel drive and 215bhp. As you'd expect both give brisk, linear acceleration and a quiet, relaxing gait at a cruise. You can only have one battery, but the 71.4kWh pack can charge at 150kW and is capable of a claimed 317 miles of range when paired to lower powered motor. All very competitive, then.
The rest of the car? Well, the angular exterior lines certainly attract attention, while inside it's a mix of Toyota and luxury sub-brand Lexus. Some of the materials used lower down are bit low rent, but the use of fabric inserts on the dash and doors adds interest, as does the large touchscreen infotainment screen that looks good and is easy to use. There's a decent amount of space as well, with good leg and headroom in the back, plenty of handy storage and useful 452-litre boot.
In many respects the rather vanilla Toyota is 'just another family-sized EV', but it's a capable and hassle-free choice that'll find favour with buyers that just want all-electric transport that slips painlessly into thier lives.
