Best electric SUVs to buy in 2024: our top picks | CAR Magazine

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If you’re looking to buy the best electric car, regardless of your needs the chances are you’ll have at least one electric SUV on your shortlist. Almost every manufacturer makes them these days, which means there’s plenty of choice. Too much choice can be overwhelming, though – so we’ve updated our list of the best electric SUVs to help you decide, covering everything from the most practical to the very latest and best to drive.

Electric SUVs make a lot of sense from an engineering perspective. Their taller nature and larger bodies make them well-suited to electrification, as they have enough spare room in their platforms to accommodate a large battery pack and a couple of electric motors without impacting passenger space. Indeed, most battery-powered SUVs are more practical than petrol-powered SUVs because electric motors are (generally) much smaller than petrol and diesel engines.

So if you are interested in owning a zero-emissions model, scroll down for our full list of the top electric SUVs on sale in the UK now. Our round-up covers a broad spectrum of vehicles, ranging from affordable family runabouts to budget-busting, warp-speed-capable battle cruisers, not to mention some innovative high-performance models and clever alternative thinking. If you don’t need so much space we have a list of small electric cars, while those not quite fully ready to commit to the EV lifestyle might be better served by one of the best hybrid SUVs.

Best electric SUV to suit almost every requirement

Pros: Great performance, long range, super-fast chargingCons: New safety tech is annoying, more physical buttons would have been good

The updated Kia EV6’s biggest change is a new battery pack. Capacity is up from from 77.4kWh to 84.0kWh, which has jacked up its maximum WLTP range from 328 to 361 miles. That’s a 10% improvement. Kia has also cranked up the EV6’s maximum DC charging speed from 239kW to 258kW, so it now only takes 18 minutes to get from 10–80% capacity.

The new battery tech means it’s more usable than before, the styling tweaks have increased its kerb appeal and it’s still absolutely brilliant to drive.

To find out more, read our full Kia EV6 review

Best for luxury and power – not so great if you value looks

Pros: Staggering acceleration, sumptuous interior, great build qualityCons: Image isn’t for everybody – and nor are the looks

The BMW iX is a technological tour de force. It was somewhat of a pet project, which means it was designed with the sorts of manufacturing methods normally reserved for supercars. So, it has an exotic carbon fibre body, an enormous 111.5kWh battery pack and up to 610bhp. In short, if you go for the range-topping M60 variant, you’ll have a terrifically capable electric SUV that’s ferociously quick and incredibly long-legged.

The problem? Well, it isn’t the most accessible electric SUV on the market. Prices start from around £70,000, but if you want the M60, you’ll spend more than £120,000. It’s almost worth it for the entertainment value alone, though, because driving an iX is utterly incongruous. It’s a 2.5-tonne SUV that takes corners like a sports car and which accelerates like it’s being propelled by afterburners.

To find out more, read our full BMW iX review

Best electric SUV if you’re a keen driver

Pros: Taycan electric tech in an SUV, superb to drive, near 400-mile rangeCons: Not that practical, Taycan hasn’t been super reliable

Porsche has doubled-down on its electric offerings by following-up the Taycan with an all-new, all-electric generation of Macan SUV. Almost certainly there are going to be some disgruntled previous-generation Macan owners who won’t be able to make an electric lifestyle work, but with up to 381-mile claimed range capability, 800v fast charging (10-80 per cent in 21 minutes – with the right charger) and stonking performance, there may be fewer of these than you’d first thought.

Especially since, for keen drivers who want an electric SUV but don’t want to look like they’ve reverted to being a teenager (see the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, below), the new Porsche Macan is absolutely it. Fab steering, sweet-riding air suspension and a Turbo model with 630bhp makes this better to drive than anything else on this list – even the 402bhp Macan 4 would do for us, arguably proving an even better blend of all-round usability and emissions-free thrill-seeking. Being a Porsche, you’ll need to get sucked into the options list for the full effect, though…

To find out more, read our full electric Porsche Macan review

Best family SUV that just happens to be electric

Pros: Spacious cabin, impressive range, loads of clever add-onsCons: Not that engaging to drive, nor that quick

Skoda has a history of building sensible cars, and the electric SUV market has been a better place since the firm decided to participate in it. Cars like the Kia EV6 and BMW iX are very striking, but they compromise on space and price for their performance. The Enyaq adopts a more moderate approach, focusing on practicality rather than headline-grabbing performance figures – and it’s all the better for it. It’s a great family car with loads of passenger space and a staggering 640-litre boot.

A word to wise, though – don’t be sucked in by the promises of the quickest vRS variant because it isn’t any faster than the middling 80x variant in the real world. The smart choice is to stick with the 201bhp single-motor 80 model and spend your money on the biggest 77kWh battery. That way, you’ll have just enough performance to have fun and a range of more than 300 miles.

To find out more read our full Skoda Enyaq review

Best electric SUV for those after flair and good range

Pros: Engaging handling, efficient powertrain, good rangeCons: Ride can be jiggly at times, poor rear visibility

The new Renault Scenic can’t decide if it wants to be an MPV or an SUV, but it makes our list of the best electric SUVs in any case. It’s spacious and – true to the original Scenic philosophy – it keeps the safety and well-being of passengers front and centre.

It’s relatively light for a car in this sector, and that comes with two key benefits: first its official efficiency and range figures are impressive, and best of all, it has a little old-school Renault va-va-voom.

It’s no sports car and its performance isn’t electrifying for an electric car, but there’s enough spirit in its dynamic DNA to at least provide a semblance of fun for keen drivers – while also proving easy to drive around town.

It also showcases Renault’s attention to sustainability – in its production and at the end of its life.

To find out more, read our full Renault Scenic review

Best electric SUV for style

Pros: Interior is unique, huge range, comfortable ride Cons: Back row is cramped, tech could be more intuitive

Peugeot’s range-topping electric SUV is finally here, and we’re big fans. On paper it’s just another people mover – now with room for seven – but in reality, it’s a full of character and space in equal measure. It’s been built to a price, but it’s good-looking inside and out, and feels like a premium piece of kit.

Throw in competitive range, even in the basic model we drove, as well as impressive legroom and the e-5008 does the basics right too. It’s significantly cheaper than many other electric SUVs: The £65,025 Kia EV9 and the vastly more expensive Volvo EX90, which retails at £96,255 both eclipse this in price, as does the Mercedes EQB.

If an electric powertrain isn’t your main concern, we’d also recommend checking out the 5008. The base EV in Allure spec starts at £48,550. That’s around £11,000 more expensive than the mild hybrid, and exactly £5000 more than the entry-level plug-in.

To find out more read our full Peugeot e-5008 review

Best for those looking for performance and luxury

Pros: Great handling, luxurious interior, looks fantastic Cons: Too much reliance on touchscreen, poor boot space

Don’t be confused by the number, the Polestar 3 is the biggest SUV that the brand does – and we think it’s the best. It’s positioned as a more driver-focused and sporting alternative infused with a large shot of quality Nordic minimalism for good measure. We’ve spent time with it on UK roads now too, and think it’s worthy of inclusion on this list.

Jump in and the spacious, luxurious and well-appointed interior impresses. Plain yet sophisticated, it’s very Polestar. However, the handling is good too, as is the driving experience and battery range.

The downsides? Boot space isn’t as large as you’d hope for given the 3’s footprint, and there’s just too much reliance on the admittedly excellent central touchscreen.

To find out more, read our full Polestar 3 review

Best electric SUV for leftfield luxury and performance

Pros: Affordable luxury, 300-mile-plus range, loads of technologyCons: Interior is a little tacky, handling isn’t that precise

Genesis is to Hyundai what Lexus is to Toyota – and the GV60 is the brand’s first go at a dedicated electric car. It’s a good one, too. That swoopy bodywork hides the same platform as the excellent Kia EV6, which means you get strong performance across the line-up and a maximum range of 321 miles. Thanks to its 800V electrical system, charge speeds are also lightning-fast. Find a 350kW charger, and it’ll surge 10-80 per cent in 18 minutes.

It isn’t perfect, though. It might be based on the same underpinnings as the EV6, but Genesis has slackened off its suspension to help it roll over lumps like a luxury motor. That change has blunted the car’s handling, though – on a windy road, the Kia will show it a clean pair of heels. The GV60’s cabin isn’t the most sophisticated, either. The materials all feel very premium, but the optional side-view cameras are a little crude, and the built-in satnav is frustratingly slow.

To find out more, read our full Genesis GV60 review

Best electric SUV for seven spacious seats

Pros: Huge battery, fast charging, premium feelCons: You’ll need a big garage, not exciting to drive

Kia is becoming quite the force to be reckoned with in the electric SUV market. Following on from the game-changing EV6 there is now this beast, the seven-seater EV9. And it’s another smasher. For a big slab of generally brick-shaped SUV it’s got real style about its exterior design, the interior feels properly premium, and the driving experience – while demure – is very well polished.

On the other hand, it needs to be, as pricing starts higher than the most expensive version of the EQB – the other seven-seater on this list. The EV9 is a bigger vehicle, for sure, but it’s still quite a thing to be paying nearly £65k basic for a Kia. Not that there is much actually basic about it – every version gets tonnes of kit, a huge 99.8kWh battery pack (good for up to 349 miles) and 350kW fast charging capability (which can add 136 miles range in 15 minutes).

To find out more, read our full Kia EV9 review

Best electric SUV for fifth-gen BMW eDrive tech at a lower price

Pros: Plenty of performance and driving range, tempting value given the standard kitCons: Poor touchscreen control decisions, bold interior combos

Once the purists have climbed down from their high horses, even they will probably agree that the latest – and largest – Mini Countryman is the best yet. The dynamics are sorted, the interior is quirky yet high quality, and there’s now enough interior space to properly challenge more traditionally family-sized crossovers, such as the perennial Nissan Qashqai. Ok, so some of the details are weird, and it’s not exactly a looker, but still. This is a super solid family car now.

The reason it’s on this list of the best electric SUVs, however, is because it offers the exact same electric drive technology as the BMW iX1 and BMW iX2, but for a usefully lower price. We’re not all about bargain hunting here, but BMW’s fifth-gen eDrive tech is among the best in the market, and by making it more affordable, this German-made Mini should end up bringing it to more people. Jolly good show.

To find out more, read our full Mini Countryman Electric review

Best electric SUV if you really want to be driving a hot hatch

Pros: An amazing blend of technology and driving excitement, nothing else is quite like itCons: Still weights 2.2 tonnes, not much else

There is ever some debate in the CAR office about whether the Hyundai Ioniq 5 – and the Kia EV6 for that matter – counts as an SUV. In many respects, this is more of a gargantuan hatchback, sort of like a first-gen Golf Plus for millennials. Or something. What’s not in any doubt, however, is that the Ioniq 5 N we’re recommending here is the first high-performance EV that properly captures the spirit of the classic hot hatch.

Who cares if we’re getting the streams crossed here if this is another chance to point out what a diamond this innovative machine really is. As if the twin-motor 641bhp drivetrain didn’t have the potential to be exciting enough on its own, there are substantial upgrades to the body-in-white and a host of chassis and drivetrain tricks that are really only possible in an EV – not to mention a simulated DCT gearbox that actually doesn’t suck. It’s mind blowing.

Watch the video in our full Hyundai Ioniq 5 N review

The Golf R of electric SUVs, apparently

Pros: Neatly updated looks and engineering, hilarious speed, better sorted chassisCons: You don’t get the good tyres as standard (really), range plummets when you’re having fun

The definition of smart obviously evolves over time, and we guess the same now has to be said of the carmaker of that chosen name. No longer a maker of unusually compressed city cars, now a builder of zeitgeisty electric SUV – perhaps Smart should form a little club with Mini – there is none in its burgeoning range more apt to demonstrate this than the #3. This isn’t just an electric SUV but an electric SUV coupe. And you can get a high-performance Brabus version.

First things first, this isn’t just a Smart #1 with a haircut – in addition to the swooping roofline there’s an extended wheelbase, lowered suspension and modified visage. Better yet, the Brabus version of the Smart #3 feels like something that’s been engineered with its 422bhp firmly front of mind. Which is not something we’d said about the equivalent Smart #1 variant. Result is a fast but not massively compromised car that feels just the right blend of sharp and friendly. Much like a VW Golf R for these modern times.

To find out more, read our full Smart #3 Brabus review

Excellent value compared with the competition

Pros: Great value for the range and performance, well packaged, funky stylingCons: Touchscreen EVERYTHING, 422bhp version feels a bit flighty

The Volvo EX30 uses fundamentally the same electric tech as Smart, which means, yes, you can get a 422bhp twin-motor version. In this instance, however, we rather suggest you don’t. Instead focus on the value available from the single-motor model. This still packs 268bhp, don’t worry – it’s just that it also feels better able to cope with it. And since that’s usefully more power than the equivalent Stellantis rivals can muster, while the Extended Range model claims up to 295 miles per charge – which is better than most rivals as well.

There is a catch. Of course there is. Firstly, the Volvo’s good value but still not cheap – you can get a Fiat 600E for less, for example. More of a concern is the touchscreen-centric interior control situation, which rivals Tesla when comes to making ergonomic functionality decisions that are likely to drive some potential customers right up the wall and onto the ceiling. The campaign to bring back buttons will have a heart attack here.

To find out more, read our full Volvo EX30 review

As with every review on CAR, each of the models has been driven extensively by our exceptionally experienced team of leading motoring journalists and specialist writers. Take a look at how we test cars to find out more.

Here’s our expert take on some of the main frequently asked questions about electric SUVs.

Well, that depends on your family. A small family would probably be served well by a Hyundai Kona Electric or Mini Countryman Electric, while a large family would better appreciate the flexibility of the Mercedes EQB or Kia EV9. Overall, though, we think the best electric family SUV on sale is the Skoda Enyaq. It’s good value for money, it has loads of space inside, and it has a long enough electric range for almost any family outing.

That title is currently awarded to the gargantuan Cadillac Escalade IQ, but at this rate of progress, another manufacturer could soon swoop in and steal the crown. Why are we so confident? Well, it’s already happened. A few short months ago, the biggest SUV on sale was the enormous 4.5-tonne GMC Hummer EV – and when that was launched, all the CAR magazine staff nodded their heads in agreement that there was no way a brand could build a bigger electric SUV. How wrong we were.

They’re all relatively simple mechanically, as their powertrains only feature a few moving parts. What lets them down is their firmware and the chemistry in their battery packs. If you’re concerned about reliability, pick an electric SUV from a brand with a good track record. Nissan’s electric cars have a good reputation for reliability, as do Kia’s. The Jaguar I-Pace is a good example of an unreliable electric car. You can read about some of the problems owners have experienced on our sister site, Parkers, by checking out the owners’ reviews.

They really should be, given the relative lack of mechanical complexity. However, the electronic complexity is something else entirely, and you don’t have to delve far into the internet – or even the national newspapers – to find tales of electric SUV woe. Batteries and software are typically the culprits, and it’s often the more ordinary 12v batteries that can be as problematic as the big lithium ion drive units.

Being so electronically complex doesn’t bode especially well for future longevity, either. Our best advice is to choose a reputable brand and spend a good amount of time surfing owners’ forums and Facebook groups before you commit.

The Mercedes EQS SUV is the most spacious electric SUV on sale in the UK today. It measures 5125mm long, and it has a wheelbase of 3210mm, which translates into copious amounts of legroom for its passengers and 645 litres of boot space. It also comes with seven seats as standard – but if you fold all the seats flat, you’ll have a maximum storage volume of more than 2,000 litres.

This is another ever-changing statistic as electric vehicle manufacturers are constantly trying to outgun each other. Currently, though, the fastest electric on sale is the Tesla Model X Plaid. It features a tri-motor electric powertrain with 1006bhp, which Tesla says is enough to shunt the 2.5-tonne SUV from 0–62mph in 2.6 seconds. For context, that’s 2.1 seconds quicker than a Volkswagen Golf R.

The longest range electric SUV isn’t necessarily one you want to buy, because according to WLTP figures it’s the Fisker Ocean in Extreme specification. This is capable of 440 miles per charge, in official testing, but Fisker’s consistent financial difficulties are the stuff of legend.

As such we suggest you try the Porsche Macan (398 miles) or the Polestar 3 (402 miles). The BMW iX is longer-lived (and therefore more proven) than both of these, and capable of up to 380 miles.

By CJ Hubbard

Head of the Bauer Digital Automotive Hub and former Associate Editor of CAR. Road tester, organiser, reporter and professional enthusiast, putting the driver first