Top 10 best electric family cars 2023/2024

Electric cars come in all shapes and sizes these days, from hatchbacks to seven-seat SUVs, which can make choosing the right one to be your next family car a bit of a daunting task. That’s why we’ve sorted through the plethora of EVs on sale today to find the best electric family cars – all offering a strong level of practicality, efficiency and value-for-money.

There are more than a few electric SUVs that fit these criteria as they offer a high driving position, easy access, lots of cabin space, and a big boot in most cases. But zero-emissions hatchbacks are a great option for those looking for that same blend of spaciousness, practicality and style, just in a slightly more compact package.

If neither of those offer the levels of practicality or versatility you’re after, a few brands have put an electric twist on the humble estate car and no-nonsense MPV – and you can find examples of both on our list below. The majority of these EVs also offer well over 200 miles of range, while some are able to cover 300 on a charge no problem, so you needn’t worry about completing the school run before the battery goes flat.

So without further ado, here’s our list of the best family EVs you can buy. Once you’re finished, make sure to check out the winners of the 2023 DrivingElectric Awards and our list of the best electric cars as well to see what’s impressed us the most over the past year. Also, don't forget to follow DrivingElectric on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube for the very latest news and reviews.

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1. Skoda Enyaq

Skoda put all its family-car know-how into making the Enyaq and knocked it out for the park as far as we’re concerned. The Enyaq tops the list as our favourite electric family car thanks to its spacious cabin, refinement, vast 585-litre boot and handy ‘Simply Clever’ features that Skoda has become known for, like umbrellas hidden in the doors. Visibility is also excellent, it’s easy to fit a child seat if needed, and the Skoda’s starting price, range and rapid charging speeds are all highly competitive. If you’re happy to sacrifice a little bit of boot space, the sleeker Enyaq Coupe carries extra supermarket car park kudos, as does the high-performance Enyaq vRS.

Read our full review of the Skoda Enyaq to find out more.

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2. Hyundai Kona Electric

The original Hyundai Kona Electric was already a pretty good electric family car, but the Korean maker has truly outdone itself for the model’s second generation. Its futuristic styling may divide people but it’s hard to deny the superb value-for-money the Kona offers. Two versions are available, with top models capable of over 300 miles on a charge. Out on the road, the new electric Kona feels a lot more grown-up to drive than the outgoing car, while Hyundai has ensured the Kona’s interior is outfitted with a good balance of touchscreen and physical controls. Then, of course, there’s that five-year warranty, which is just the cherry on the top of a superbly impressive cake.

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Read our full review of the Hyundai Kona Electric find out more.

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3. Tesla Model Y

The Model Y is the electric SUV to beat in many people’s eyes as it boasts a very spacious cabin, slick infotainment and boatloads of practicality. The 117-litre ‘frunk’ under the bonnet is paired with an 854-litre boot, and you get over 2,000 litres of space to play with when you fold the rear seats down. Performance is still staggering, but perhaps more important is that Long Range versions of the Model Y can cover more than 330 miles on a charge. Of course, one of the added bonuses of Tesla ownership is full access to the brand’s Superchargers, which only need about half-an-hour to recharge the Model Y’s battery from 0-80% – ideal on long journeys.

Read our full review of the Tesla Model Y to find out more.

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4. Kia EV9

For a long time, if you were after a seven-seat electric car, you were limited to either a dowdy van-based MPV, or a top-of-the-range SUV like the Tesla Model X. The Kia EV9 has arrived to sit neatly in the middle, offering people-hauling practicality without a sky-high price tag. We’re big fans of Kia’s new design language, while the EV9’s piles of interior tech and 314-mile range are sure to appeal to families planning long road trips. “What could make the EV9 even better?” we hear you ask. Well, how about a long list of standard equipment, ultra-fast charging and an industry-leading seven-year warranty? We think that’ll do quite nicely.

Read our full review of the Kia EV9 to find out more.

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5. MG5 EV

The MG5 is far from the most exciting electric car you can buy, but an update in 2022 introduced a much-needed styling, interior and technology upgrade that brought the electric estate bang up-to-date. Supple suspension means the MG5 rides nicely over bumps, while light steering makes it perfect for nipping around town. Offering a respectable 250 miles of range and a roomy 479-litre boot, the MG5 is by far the cheapest electric ‘wagon’ you can buy; starting at around £31,000, a Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo costs more than twice as much.

Read our full review of the MG5 EV to find out more.

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6. Hyundai Ioniq 5

Hyundai’s latest electric family car has garnered plenty of attention for its retro-inspired styling, but its ultra-rapid charging capability, enormous boot, luxury-car-like ride quality and interior comfort are what won it a place on this list. The Ioniq 5 is also reasonably priced for an electric car that offers so much, starting from just over £43,000. For that, you get a 240-mile range, but there is a version capable of over 300 miles on a charge should you want a bit more range. Plus, all models can be topped up from 10-80% in just 18 minutes if you find a fast enough charging point. Feeling the need for speed? There’s now also an N-tuned version which is, in our opinion, one of the most enjoyable EVs out there to drive.

Read our full review of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 to find out more.

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7. Volkswagen ID. Buzz

It may be the styling of the ID. Buzz that draws you in, but buried beneath the VW’s retro looks is a very capable family EV. The ID.Buzz’s long list of family-friendly features makes up for its rather lofty price tag; a neat option is the removable ‘Buzz box’ centre console, which can double as a drinks cooler for family picnics. Volkswagen revealed a LWB version with seven seats that’s coming in 2024 if you need the extra carrying capacity, as well as teasing a high-performance GTX model. For now though, the ID. Buzz is a five-seater only, but a very spacious one at that, offering a cavernous 1,121 litres of space – enough to carry all your family’s luggage, plus the kitchen sink to boot.

Read our full review of the Volkswagen ID. Buzz to find out more.

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8. Renault Megane E-Tech

The faithful Renault Megane is now electric only, but it looks better than ever and remains a great family car option. Boot space stands at 440 litres, which for context is nearly 100 litres more than the MG4 EV offers, although you do have to deal with a large load lip. At least the French hatchback’s light, quick steering makes it easy to manoeuvre around town and tight car parks. It’s also comfortable and very refined, with little road or wind noise able to make its way into the cabin. Speaking of the cabin, it’s spacious, there’s lots of storage dotted around and it features a slick, easy to use, Google-powered infotainment system.

Read our full review of the Renault Megane E-Tech to find out more.

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9. Audi Q8 e-tron

The newly-renamed Audi Q8 e-tron is the ideal candidate if you’re looking for a family car that’s as posh as it is practical. On the inside, the Q8 feels suitably luxurious; everything you touch feels impeccable, while the tri-screen infotainment setup is easy to use and looks impressive. On the road, standard air suspension irons out almost all of the bumps and quattro four-wheel-drive helps maintain traction in slippery weather. Opt for the mid-spec Q8 e-tron 55 and you’ll get a range of up to 333 miles, while the hot SQ8 e-tron can do 0-62mph in a rapid 4.5 seconds.

Read our full review of the Mercedes EQB to find out more.

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10. Nissan Ariya

Forget what you already know about Nissan; the Ariya is a premium-feeling product that can trouble even posh German rivals when it comes to cabin quality and refinement. The main highlight has to be the Nissan Ariya’s well-dressed interior, which features a dual-screen infotainment system and several nods to the brand's Japanese heritage. It may be a spacious family SUV, but the Ariya is pretty enjoyable to drive, too; nicely weighted steering and tight body control make it one of the more enjoyable cars to drive in its class, with top-of-the-range e4ORCE+ models able to do 0-62mph in five seconds. It is rather expensive to buy but low running costs and strong residuals should make that high starting price a bit easier to swallow.

Read our full review of the Nissan Ariya to find out more.

Best electric family cars on sale now

1. Skoda Enyaq
2. Hyundai Kona Electric
3. Tesla Model Y
4. Kia EV9
5. MG5 EV
6. Hyundai Ioniq 5
7. Volkswagen ID. Buzz
8. Renault Megane E-Tech
9. Audi Q8 e-tron
10. Nissan Ariya