Renault 5 E-Tech Electric

As a UK buyer, I’d weight this toward cars that are both well reviewed and showing up in UK registration charts, not obscure “great on paper” EVs.

Data point: in September 2026, the UK’s best-selling BEVs were Tesla Model 3, Tesla Model Y, BYD Sealion 7, BYD Seal, Kia EV3, Skoda Enyaq, Volvo EX30, Mercedes-Benz CLA, Skoda Elroq and Leapmotor B10; SMMT notes the September figures are preliminary until 5 October 2026. Full-year 2025 UK BEV leaders included Tesla Model Y, Tesla Model 3, Audi Q4 e-tron, Audi Q6 e-tron, Ford Explorer, BMW i4, Skoda Enyaq, Kia EV3, Skoda Elroq and Volvo EX30. (smmt.co.uk)

My UK shortlist — specific models

If I had to narrow it to five

1. Tesla Model Y — best default family EV.
2. Tesla Model 3 — best long-distance/company-car EV.
3. Kia EV3 — best mainstream non-Tesla compact family EV.
4. Skoda Elroq — best sensible family SUV.
5. Renault 5 E-Tech Electric — best small EV people are actually buying.

Quick buying advice for the UK

• If you can charge at home, EV ownership is much easier and cheaper; if you rely mostly on rapid public charging, do the maths carefully. Carwow notes public charging can be expensive enough to affect the running-cost advantage. (carwow.co.uk)
• Check insurance quotes before ordering; some EVs, especially higher-performance Teslas and premium models, can surprise you.
• For families, test the Tesla Model Y, Kia EV3, Skoda Elroq and Skoda Enyaq back-to-back.
• For company-car drivers, start with Tesla Model 3, Tesla Model Y, BMW i4, Audi Q4 e-tron and Mercedes-Benz CLA with EQ Technology.
• If buying used, I’d also look at Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia Niro EV, Polestar 2, Tesla Model 3 and MG4 EV, depending on budget.

Here's a practical, UK-focused rundown of the electric cars that reviewers rate highest and that people are actually putting on their driveways right now.

Best overall pick

Nissan Leaf – The latest generation has just been crowned Auto Express's top car, and reviewers call it the best electric car on sale with its superb mix of efficiency, comfort and practicality, all at a fantastic price, starting from £29,000 with up to 375 miles of range. It's also tipped elsewhere as one of the most established names in electric motoring, with the latest generation bringing it firmly into the current EV market as a strong all-round option.

Best family/mid-size SUV

Skoda Elroq – This was last year's Car of the Year and remains a firm favourite with testers. Autocar rates it the best EV you can buy right now, saying few compact SUVs can match its clever blend of versatility, range, maturity and sheer value for money. Certain versions, like the 85 SE L, have a WLTP range of 355 miles and qualify for the £1500 Electric Car Grant.

Best premium electric car

BMW iX3 – The new-generation model is winning awards across the board, rated as Auto Express's 2026 Mid-size Premium SUV of the Year and currently the best premium electric car, with battery range stretching up to 500 miles and a starting price around £53,000.

Best small/city car

Cupra Raval – A genuinely fun small EV that's climbing the charts fast. It's described as a real firecracker with sporty style and a fun drive, but also comfortable and well priced, starting from £24,000 with up to 277 miles of range, and named Supermini of the Year 2026.

Renault 5 E-Tech – If you want the small EV that started the current retro-chic trend, this is it. It's widely considered the best small electric car you can buy in 2026, and won the 2025 Car of the Year award from a jury of 60 European motoring journalists.

Best value SUV under £35k

Kia EV3 – Big battery, big practicality, small price tag. Its large 81.4kWh battery outshines rivals, enabling a range of 375 miles, but the clincher is its price, which kicks off at just £32,215.

Best all-round SUV under £50k

Tesla Model Y – Still the default choice for many UK buyers. It's the top all-round pick under £50,000, leading on boot space (854 litres), charging speed (250kW, 10–80% in ~27 minutes), and WLTP range (332 miles).

Best large family SUV / 7-seater

Kia EV9 – For bigger families who need space and towing capability. It's the standout choice for families needing seven seats and towing, starting from £66,645 with 349 miles WLTP range and 2,500kg braked towing on AWD.

Best budget EV

Fiat Grande Panda Electric – Proof that affordable EVs don't have to feel cheap. Priced from £20,995, it makes 111bhp and 90lb ft of torque for a fairly gentle 11-second sprint to 60mph.

Renault 4 E-Tech – A strong alternative in the same price bracket, pitched as the most convincing all-round electric SUV under £25,000 to arrive in the UK market.

Quick summary by use case

The electric vehicle (EV) market in the UK is booming, with battery-electric cars making up nearly 30% of all new registrations. This surge is driven by manufacturer discounts, the ZEV mandate, low Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) company car tax rates, and the "76" registration plate change.

When looking at what UK buyers are actually signing on the dotted line for, a few standout models dominate the registration data and lease league tables. Rather than recommending abstract brand names, the specific models and trim levels that actual buyers choose in the UK include:

1. The Default Best-Sellers (The UK’s Volume Kings)

These are the cars you see at almost every public charging station and school run in the country. They dominate the SMMT (Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders) registration charts.

• Tesla Model Y (Specifically the Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive)
  • Why people buy it: The Model Y is the UK's default electric family SUV. Buyers choose the Long Range RWD version because it hits the sweet spot of range (up to 373 miles WLTP) and price, avoiding the extra cost of the Dual-Motor All-Wheel Drive unless they genuinely need it for muddy country lanes. Its cavernous boot (with an massive underfloor storage area) easily swallows pushchairs and suitcases.
  • The UK perk: Unrivalled, seamless access to the UK's Tesla Supercharger network, which makes motorway road trips completely stress-free.
• Tesla Model 3 (Specifically the Rear-Wheel Drive / Standard Range)
  • Why people buy it: If you don't need the taller SUV ride height of the Y, the Model 3 saloon is the go-to executive lease car. The standard Rear-Wheel Drive model is the volume seller because of incredibly competitive lease deals. Following its "Highland" refresh, it has a whisper-quiet cabin on rough British tarmac and a real-world range that easily clears 250 miles on a charge.

2. The Best-Value Gamechangers (Budget-Friendly)

With the cost of living still front of mind, budget-conscious buyers are looking for the absolute maximum range and tech for their monthly PCP payment.

• MG4 EV (Specifically the MG4 EV SE Long Range or MG4 EV Urban)
  • Why people buy it: The MG4 has been a runaway success in the UK. Buyers looking for a cheap runabout opt for the Urban trim (which won What Car?’s Best Electric Small Car award), while those needing to commute longer distances choose the SE Long Range. It drives better than cars costing twice as much, feels sporty, and offers a proper hatchback shape that fits perfectly into tight UK parking bays.
  • Pricing: Under £30,000 brand new, with highly aggressive lease and PCP rates.
• Renault 5 E-Tech (Specifically the Techno trim)
  • Why people buy it: If you want something stylish and retro to replace a petrol supermini, this is the car of the moment. The mid-spec Techno trim is the sweet spot, giving you retro-futuristic looks, a high-tech cabin, and a highly respectable 52kWh battery (offering nearly 248 miles of range) for around £23,000. It has taken the UK urban EV market by storm.

3. The Family SUV Sweet Spots (Highly Rated & Practical)

These mid-sized family crossovers are aimed directly at buyers stepping out of a petrol Nissan Qashqai or Kia Sportage.

• Škoda Elroq (Specifically the Elroq 85 SE L)
  • Why people buy it: Škoda’s newest mid-sized SUV is widely regarded by UK automotive experts (including Autocar) as the best all-round EV you can buy. The Elroq 85 SE L is the most popular choice because it pairs Škoda's "Simply Clever" practical touches (like the umbrella in the door and a brilliant boot-net system) with a large battery that delivers up to 372 miles of WLTP range—all for a starting price of roughly £34,000.
• Kia EV3 (Specifically the EV3 Air Long Range)
  • Why people buy it: Kia has achieved massive success in the UK with the EV6 and EV9, and the compact EV3 brings that same bold, blocky styling down to an accessible size. Buyers buy the Air Long Range because it packages an enormous 81.4kWh battery into a small footprint, yielding a class-leading range of up to 375 miles. It is highly popular as a primary family car for those with tight driveways.

4. The Premium Fleet & Company Car Favorites

Thanks to the UK's 2% Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) tax rate for fully electric cars, company car drivers represent a massive portion of the premium EV market.

• Audi Q4 e-tron (Specifically the Q4 45 e-tron S Line)
  • Why people buy it: The Q4 e-tron is a common sight in corporate car parks across the UK. Company car choosers flock to the Q4 45 e-tron (which offers a rear-wheel-drive 286bhp motor and over 300 miles of range) in the S Line trim, which adds the sporty styling, larger wheels, and premium cabin feel that British buyers love.
• BMW iX3 (Specifically the iX3 M Sport)
  • Why people buy it: While some premium EVs look like spaceships, the iX3 is popular because it looks and feels like a conventional, high-quality BMW X3. The M Sport trim is highly specified as standard (including a panoramic sunroof, leather seats, and aerodynamic wheels) and offers superb real-world efficiency on the motorway.

Summary: Which should you choose?

• If you want the safest, most practical family choice with seamless charging, get the Tesla Model Y Long Range RWD.
• If you want the best value for money, buy the MG4 EV SE Long Range.
• If you want a superb family SUV that feels like a 'normal' car, test-drive a Škoda Elroq 85 SE L.

If you want the best electric cars actually sold in the UK, the strongest all-round picks right now are the Kia EV3, Tesla Model Y, Renault Scenic E-Tech, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Tesla Model 3, and Skoda Elroq.

The clearest “best buy” recommendations from current UK tests are:

• Kia EV3 — repeatedly named best overall EV and one of the top-rated family-sized choices.
• Tesla Model Y — a standout family EV and one of the UK’s most popular EVs by registrations.
• Renault Scenic E-Tech — a highly rated all-rounder in UK best-EV lists.
• Skoda Elroq — a strong-value compact SUV that appears in top UK rankings.
• Hyundai Ioniq 5 — praised as one of the best mainstream EVs and widely recommended in UK roundups.
• Tesla Model 3 — still one of the best electric saloons/cars overall, especially for efficiency and long-distance use.

If you want UK-buyer-focused shortlists by use case, these are the most useful exact models:

A few UK-specific notes:

• Kia EV3 is the model most often singled out as the current best overall pick in UK coverage.
• Tesla Model Y remains one of the most relevant “people actually buy” EVs in the UK, not just a review darling.
• Nissan Leaf still appears in UK best-EV rankings as a lower-cost option.
• Citroen e-C3 is one of the cheapest mainstream EVs frequently recommended for UK buyers.

If you want, I can turn this into a ranked top 10 for the UK with prices, range, and best pick by budget.

Assuming you’re in the UK and shopping new or nearly new, these are the EV models that actually sell in real numbers here — not just niche favourites. I’d shortlist these:

If you only test drive five:
Tesla Model Y, Tesla Model 3, MG4 EV, Kia Niro EV, Hyundai Kona Electric.
Add BMW i4 or Polestar 2 if you want premium/company car. Add Vauxhall Corsa Electric or Renault 5 E-Tech Electric if you want small and city-friendly.

Also worth a look: Volvo EX30, Kia EV3, Ford Explorer EV, Ford Puma Gen-E, Cupra Born, Volkswagen ID.3, BYD Atto 3, BYD Dolphin, BYD Seal, Smart #1, Mini Cooper SE, Fiat 500e, MG S5 EV, Skoda Elroq.

UK-specific buying notes:

• Home charging is key. If you have off-street parking, get a 7kW wallbox and a smart tariff like Octopus Go, OVO Charge Anytime or E.ON Next Drive.
• Public charging: Tesla’s Supercharger network is still a big advantage, though some UK sites are open to non-Tesla. Instavolt, Osprey, Gridserve and Ionity are common alternatives.
• Tax: EV company-car BIK is still low, but VED now applies to EVs and the expensive car supplement can hit cars over £40k. The old Plug-in Car Grant has ended; some chargepoint grants remain for flats/renters.
• London: EVs are ULEZ-exempt, but check current Congestion Charge rules — the EV Cleaner Vehicle Discount has ended.
• Insurance: Get quotes before buying. Tesla and some premium EVs can be expensive to insure.

In the UK right now (as of late 2026), the electric cars people are actually buying in volume are led by a mix of established favourites like the Teslas and strong newcomers from Kia, Skoda, BYD and others. Sales data from the SMMT shows EVs hitting record monthly registrations (99,199 BEVs in September 2026 alone, up 36% year-on-year and 28.3% market share), driven by more model choice, manufacturer incentives, the government’s Electric Car Grant, high fuel prices and favourable company car tax (low Benefit-in-Kind rates).

Here are the specific models topping the sales charts and earning strong reviews for real-world UK use (range, charging, practicality, value and driving experience). These are exact model names based on recent registration data:

• Tesla Model 3 — The current bestseller. It led September 2026 EV sales with 9,929 units (second overall car in the UK that month) and has strong year-to-date figures (around 23,704 so far in 2026). It offers excellent efficiency, strong performance, access to the Supercharger network and good value, especially the made-in-China versions. Ideal for company car drivers or those wanting a saloon with low running costs.

• Tesla Model Y — Consistently one of the top two EVs. It was the UK’s best-selling EV in 2025 (24,298 units) and remains a strong performer (5,946 units in September 2026). Buyers love the SUV practicality, range, space and Tesla ecosystem. It suits families or those needing versatility.

• Kia EV3 — A rising star and frequent top-10 EV seller (3,026 units in September 2026). It’s praised in reviews for its value, range (up to around 375 miles in long-range versions), build quality and family-friendly SUV shape. A smart, affordable choice for many UK buyers.

• Skoda Elroq and Skoda Enyaq — Both Skoda models appear regularly in the top 10. The Elroq (compact SUV, ~1,897 units in September) scores highly for versatility, value and real-world usability; the larger Enyaq (~2,214 units) offers more space. They’re practical, well-equipped and often qualify for grants.

• BYD Seal and BYD Sealion 7 — Chinese brands are gaining fast; these two took third and fourth in September EV sales (3,184 and 3,191 units). The Seal is a sharp saloon alternative to the Model 3, while the Sealion 7 is a larger SUV. They offer competitive range, features and pricing, appealing to buyers seeking alternatives to the mainstream.

• Volvo EX30 — Regularly in the top 10 (1,961 units in September). It’s compact, stylish, safe and good value — popular with those wanting a premium-feeling small SUV.

Other notables that sell well or rank highly in expert round-ups include the Mercedes-Benz CLA (strong efficiency and range), BMW i4 or newer iX3 variants (premium driving dynamics), Audi Q4 e-tron/Q6 e-tron (from 2025 data) and smaller options like the Renault 5 E-Tech for city use.

“Best” depends on your needs — Tesla for tech and charging network, Kia/Skoda for value and warranty, BYD for features/price, Volvo for safety/premium feel. Check the latest Electric Car Grant eligibility (many qualify for discounts), WLTP/real-world range for UK motorways, and home/public charging options. Test drive a few, compare PCP/lease deals (common in the UK) and factor in insurance and servicing. Sales figures can shift with new launches or incentives, so check current SMMT data or dealer stock for the latest.