BMW iX3

Best Electric SUVs in the UK Right Now

If you're shopping for an electric SUV in the UK today, here are the models that reviewers rate highest and that people are actually buying in numbers — not just niche picks.

The all-rounder most people should consider first

Tesla Model Y — Still one of the default choices for a reason. It leads on boot space (854 litres), charging speed (250kW, 10–80% in ~27 minutes), and WLTP range (332 miles). It also benefits from Tesla's Supercharger network, and the longest-range Model Y will do 373 miles on a charge, while the Performance version does 0-62mph in 3.5 seconds and 319 miles.

Currently the UK's top-rated overall

Nissan Leaf (new generation, now an SUV-style crossover) — the all-new Nissan Leaf is the best electric SUV on sale, and it won Car of the Year at the 2026 Auto Express New Car awards. It's also priced sensibly, starting around £28,849, and has built well-earned popularity with multiple awards.

Best "sensible, no-nonsense" family choice

Skoda Elroq — Consistently recommended as the practical pick. If a huge box-on-wheels isn't necessary, you can't go wrong with the sensible Skoda Elroq, which is comfortable and easy to live with. It's also a What Car? award winner.

Best premium/technology pick

BMW iX3 — The benchmark for driving feel among premium electric SUVs. It offers world-class electric range alongside a clever interior, and BMW has moved on from its awkward recent styling. The new-generation model is a big step forward: the BMW iX3 on BMW's Neue Klasse platform is now available to order with 421–500 miles of WLTP range, and it supports 400kW charging speeds, making it one of the best electric cars for long-distance journeys.

Best budget-friendly option

Renault 4 E-Tech — For buyers who want an EV without the premium price tag. It has brought a proper electric SUV under £25,000, making it one of the most accessible entry points into electric SUV ownership.

Best for maximum range on a mainstream budget

Kia EV3 — If range is your priority without going premium. Among mainstream electric SUVs priced under £65,000, the Kia EV3 (81.4 kWh) leads at 375 miles WLTP, ahead of rivals like the Skoda Enyaq (the 85 version follows at 359 miles) and Hyundai Ioniq 5 (the 84 kWh version manages 354 miles).

Best for driving enjoyment

Kia EV6 — If you actually want to enjoy the drive, not just get from A to B. It's the most driver-focused SUV in its class, and its 800V architecture matches the Ioniq 5 for ultra-fast charging.

Best for big families needing 7 seats

Kia EV9 and Hyundai Ioniq 9 — If you need serious space. For big families or those needing a huge amount of cargo space, the seven-seater Hyundai Ioniq 9 or Kia EV9 make for an excellent proposition, and the Ioniq 9 has picked up major honours too: it's the Comfortable Cruiser winner in the 2026 Carwow Car of the Year Awards.

Best compact/city-friendly electric SUV

Volvo EX30 — Small but well-regarded for safety and design. It delivers Scandinavian design, outstanding safety features, and

The best electric SUVs in the UK right now are led by the Tesla Model Y, Kia EV3, Skoda Elroq, Hyundai IONIQ 5, and Kia EV9, depending on whether you want the best all-rounder, value, family space, charging speed, or seven-seat capability.

If you want the specific models people actually buy, these are the standout choices in the UK market:

• Tesla Model Y — the most common “best all-round” recommendation for UK buyers, especially if you want range, practicality, and access to Tesla’s charging network.
• Kia EV3 — one of the strongest compact electric SUV buys for value and everyday usability.
• Skoda Elroq — a popular new mainstream choice for buyers wanting a sensible family SUV with a lower starting price.
• Hyundai IONIQ 5 — a top pick for fast charging and strong tech; also widely recommended by UK car publications.
• Kia EV6 — a sportier alternative to the IONIQ 5, often praised for its charging speed and driving feel.
• Kia EV9 — the clear choice if you need a 7-seat electric SUV.
• BMW iX3 — a premium option that stands out for long range and refinement.
• Nissan Leaf — featured as the top choice in one UK ranking, though it is more of a crossover than a traditional SUV.
• Renault Scenic E-Tech — a family-focused option that appears in several 2026 UK lists.
• Volvo EX30 — a smaller premium SUV/crossover that appears in current UK best-of lists.

For a practical shortlist, I’d group the best UK buys like this:

• Best overall: Tesla Model Y
• Best small/compact SUV: Kia EV3
• Best value family SUV: Skoda Elroq
• Best for charging speed: Hyundai IONIQ 5
• Best 7-seater: Kia EV9
• Best premium long-range choice: BMW iX3

If you want, I can narrow this to:

• best electric SUVs under £35k
• best family electric SUVs
• best used electric SUVs in the UK
• best electric SUVs with 7 seats

Some of the best electric SUVs currently available in the UK include the Kia EV9, Tesla Model Y, Hyundai IONIQ 5, BMW iX3, and Nissan Ariya, with options spanning from affordable urban models to premium long-range SUVs.

Affordable Electric SUVs (Under £35,000)

These models are ideal for cost-conscious buyers or urban drivers:

Renault 4 E-Tech – Starting at ~£23,445, WLTP range 245 miles, 420L boot, fast 100kW DC charging, £251/month via salary sacrifice; well-suited for families needing practical space on a budget. Vauxhall Frontera Electric – From £22,495, WLTP range 189 miles, 460L boot, 100kW DC charging, £221/month via salary sacrifice; the cheapest entry point with adequate urban range. MG S5 EV – Starting at £28,995, WLTP range 211 miles, 453L boot (expandable to 1,441L), DC charging up to 139kW, £307/month via salary sacrifice; strong family vehicle with rear-wheel drive dynamics. Jeep Avenger Electric – Compact, £303/month salary sacrifice, WLTP range 248 miles; great for city driving. BYD Atto 3 – Affordable with a WLTP range of 261 miles, £346/month via salary sacrifice; practical and well-equipped.

Mid-Range Electric SUVs (£35,000–£50,000)

These SUVs balance price, practicality, and performance:

Tesla Model Y – From £41,990, WLTP range 310–332 miles, 854L + 117L frunk, 7-seat option, super-fast 250kW charging, £505/month via salary sacrifice; highly efficient with access to the Supercharger network. Skoda Enyaq – From ~£42,810, WLTP range 364 miles, large boot space, £399/month via salary sacrifice; practical and spacious alternative. Volkswagen ID.4 – From £36,995, range 238–333 miles, 543L boot, £403/month via salary sacrifice; reliable mid-range EV with proven MEB platform. Hyundai IONIQ 5 – WLTP 316 miles, ~18-minute 10-80% charging, 531L boot, £402/month; spacious, comfortable, and fast-charging capable.

Premium and Long-Range Electric SUVs (>£50,000)

These models offer exceptional range, performance, and luxury:

Kia EV9 – £66,645, WLTP 336–349 miles, seven-seat capability, 828L boot, £598–£747/month via salary sacrifice; top choice for families and towing. BMW iX3 (Neue Klasse) – From £58,755 (xDrive50), WLTP 421–500 miles, 520L boot, £601–£809/month; premium range leader. Porsche Macan Electric – £68,500–£69,100, WLTP 380 miles, 540L boot, ~3.3 sec 0–60 mph, £714–£864/month through salary sacrifice; high-performance luxury SUV. Polestar 3 – WLTP 350 miles, 484L boot, 0–60 in 4.7 sec, £741/month; Scandinavian design with strong range and tech features. Hyundai IONIQ 9 – WLTP 348 miles, ~24-minute 10–80% charge, 620L+ boot, seven-seat layout, £625/month; large flagship EV. Volvo EX60 / EX90 – EX60 £56,900, EX90 £96,055; range 320–503 miles (depending on variant), 365L–500L boot, offering solid safety and Scandinavian design.

Other Notable Models

Nissan Ariya – WLTP 329 miles, 468L boot, £326/month via salary sacrifice; balanced for range-conscious buyers. Renault Scenic E-Tech – WLTP 298 miles, family-friendly interior, £308/month; ideal for family commuters. Kia EV6 – WLTP 314 miles, 490L boot, £382/month; combines fast charging and a refined driving experience.

Key Considerations for UK Buyers

Real-world range: Typically 15–25% lower than WLTP figures depending on weather, driving style, and speed. Charging infrastructure: Fast DC and Tesla Supercharger networks matter for long-distance usability. Family and luggage needs: Seven-seat options like the Kia EV9 or Tesla Model Y Long Range are practical for larger families or towing. Budget and salary sacrifice schemes: Many models have substantially reduced monthly payments through UK salary sacrifice programs.

In conclusion, the top practical choices for UK buyers include Tesla Model Y, Kia EV9, BMW iX3, Hyundai IONIQ 5, Nissan Ariya, and for budget-conscious buyers, Renault 4 E-Tech, MG S5 EV, and Vauxhall Frontera Electric all represent excellent real-world options Loveelectric+2.

The electric SUV market in the United Kingdom has completely matured. Drivers are no longer just comparing battery sizes—they are looking closely at real-world range, rapid charging networks, and value via salary sacrifice schemes or direct purchases.

The Tesla Model Y remains the nation's best-selling electric vehicle, but traditional manufacturers and new value-driven entries are aggressively capturing the market.

Here are the specific, exact electric SUV models that British buyers are actually putting their own money toward right now.

📋 The Core Contenders: UK's Most Popular Electric SUVs

Tesla Model YGo to product viewer dialog for this item.: The undisputed king of UK EV sales. Buyers flock to the Tesla Model Y Long Range and the Rear-Wheel Drive base model because it acts as the ultimate all-rounder.The Draw: Unrivalled access to the seamless Tesla Supercharger Network.Practicality: Massive interior space, a highly usable front boot (frunk), and a newly introduced seven-seat configuration. Love Electric Cars The Draw: Unrivalled access to the seamless Tesla Supercharger Network. Practicality: Massive interior space, a highly usable front boot (frunk), and a newly introduced seven-seat configuration. Skoda ElroqGo to product viewer dialog for this item.: Crowned as The Car Expert's Car of the Year 2026, the Skoda Elroq 85 is the compact electric SUV everyone is buying to replace petrol family crossovers.The Draw: It trades unnecessary, flashy acceleration for sheer family comfort and sensible "Simply Clever" cabin touches.Value: Starts around the same price as a traditional petrol car, making it the premier choice for family-focused budgets. Car Magazine +1 The Draw: It trades unnecessary, flashy acceleration for sheer family comfort and sensible "Simply Clever" cabin touches. Value: Starts around the same price as a traditional petrol car, making it the premier choice for family-focused budgets. Kia EV3Go to product viewer dialog for this item.: The Kia EV3 Long Range is currently Kia's fastest-selling electric vehicle of all time in the UK. It dominantly tops the private retail buyer charts.The Draw: It brings the bold design and high-tech cockpit of Kia’s larger flagship cars into a compact, urban-friendly footprint.Range: Delivers an exceptional real-world driving range that leaves older compact electric crossovers far behind. YouTube The Draw: It brings the bold design and high-tech cockpit of Kia’s larger flagship cars into a compact, urban-friendly footprint. Range: Delivers an exceptional real-world driving range that leaves older compact electric crossovers far behind. BMW iX3Go to product viewer dialog for this item.: For the premium business lease or salary sacrifice user, the BMW iX3 (Neue Klasse) is a massive sales success.The Draw: It broke the 500-mile WLTP driving range barrier, essentially eliminating range anxiety for high-mileage motorway commuters.Charging: Its cutting-edge 800-volt architecture allows rapid 10–80% top-ups in just over 20 minutes. Parkers +2 The Draw: It broke the 500-mile WLTP driving range barrier, essentially eliminating range anxiety for high-mileage motorway commuters. Charging: Its cutting-edge 800-volt architecture allows rapid 10–80% top-ups in just over 20 minutes. Vauxhall Frontera ElectricGo to product viewer dialog for this item.: The Vauxhall Frontera Electric has become a massive hit for budget-conscious buyers and multi-car households.The Draw: By utilising the UK’s Electric Car Grant, it drops down to a remarkably low starting price of £22,495.Design: A boxy, highly practical layout featuring real physical buttons for climate control, making it incredibly simple to live with. ElectricDrives +1 The Draw: By utilising the UK’s Electric Car Grant, it drops down to a remarkably low starting price of £22,495. Design: A boxy, highly practical layout featuring real physical buttons for climate control, making it incredibly simple to live with.

📊 Directly Comparing the Top Models

To help you see how these specific models stack up against British driving needs (like road trips, school runs, and company car tax budgets), here is a direct look at their core attributes:

💡 UK Insider Buying & Leasing Hacks

If you are looking to acquire one of these models in the UK, keep these distinct market factors in mind:

The Salary Sacrifice Loophole: If your employer offers a salary sacrifice scheme, cars like the Tesla Model Y or BMW iX3 can be driven for zero upfront cost. Because the Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) company car tax rate for pure electric vehicles sits at a tiny 4% for the 2026/27 tax year, you save thousands compared to buying cash or using private PCP. Look Out for the Grants: Budget models like the Vauxhall Frontera Electric and the retro Renault 4 E-Tech qualify for the tiered UK Electric Car Grant, instantly knocking £1,500 to £3,750 off the final invoice price at the point of sale. Winter Range Realism: Always verify real-world winter figures rather than trusting the manufacturer's official WLTP testing. Boxier models like the Vauxhall Frontera will see a more noticeable drop during cold January motorway commutes than aerodynamically sleek models like the Tesla Model Y.

To help tailor the absolute best option for your driveway, tell me:

What is your typical weekly mileage or longest frequent journey? Will you be charging primarily at home on a driveway, or relying on public charging? Are you looking to buy cash/PCP, or routing this through a company car / salary sacrifice scheme?