Top 10 best electric cars 2023/2024

We’re almost spoiled for choice when it comes to electric cars these days. Though we’re hardly complaining as it means there's a plethora of EVs ranging from city cars to funky family minibuses now on showroom floors, and the selection is constantly growing!

Almost every manufacturer offers an electric car nowadays – including the likes of Lotus, Jeep and even Rolls-Royce – while there are plenty of new electric cars coming out in the near future to be excited about, too.

It’s not just EVs that are evolving, though; the UK’s network of rapid and ultra-rapid electric-car chargers continues to expand, making it easier to live with EVs and cover long distances in them, too.

Electric cars are also more relaxing and easier to drive than their petrol and diesel-powered counterparts thanks to silent powertrains and stunning performance on tap, while zero tailpipe emissions and rock-bottom running costs make EVs extremely appealing to company-car drivers.

So, if you're in the market for a new electric car, you’ve come to the right place! We’ve put together a round-up of the top 10 best electric cars on sale right now in 2023 and in 2024:

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1. Kia EV9

Forget everything you know about Kia; the EV9 is representative of how far the brand has come in the last few years. Available with up to seven seats, the Kia EV9 is incredibly spacious, yet it’s packed to the brim with all the latest technology. We like Kia’s tri-screen infotainment system – even if it does lag sometimes – and are pretty impressed by the quality of the materials used around the cabin. Of course, that’s without even mentioning the brand’s industry-leading seven-year warranty.

Entry-level Kia EV9 models are able to cover an impressive 349 miles on a charge, while Dual-Motor cars offer pretty substantial levels of performance. Starting from around £60k, it is rather expensive for a Kia, but few rivals offer this level of space, comfort and technology for the price. With that in mind, we think the Kia EV9 is thoroughly deserving of the prestigious title of DrivingElectric Car of the Year for 2024.

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

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2. Tesla Model 3

Although it may not be able to match its SUV sibling in the sales charts, a recent facelift means the Tesla Model 3 no longer exists in the Model Y’s shadow. Thanks to some refinements in efficiency, Long Range cars can now cover an impressive 421 miles on a single charge. It’s the base Rear-Wheel Drive model we’re most taken with, though; few EVs offer the same level of range, performance and tech – especially for under £40,000.

Like all Tesla models, the Model 3 gets full access to Tesla’s Supercharger network, as well as a heap of technology as standard. As before, there’s a 14-inch screen in the front, loaded with features, games and gizmos, however, there’s now also an eight-inch display in the back for the rear passengers, making longer journeys a breeze. This, alongside the Model 3’s pretty decently-sized boot is why we gave it the Best Family Electric Car award for 2024.

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Read our full review of the Tesla Model 3 to find out more.

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3. BYD Dolphin

Few people here knew of BYD (Build Your Dreams), until the Dolphin washed up in the UK offering near-unrivalled value for money. When entry-level versions eventually go on sale in the spring, the Chinese electric supermini will start from as little as £26,490, making it the cheapest electric car you can buy. Top models are already on sale and still cost less than £30 grand, making them an ideal choice for penny-pinching electric motorists.

That’s not to say the BYD Dolphin is cheap and nasty; all models get plush-feeling leatherette upholstery and responsive rotating touchscreen (yes, we’re serious). All models are capable of at least 200 miles, with Comfort and Design-spec cars capable of up to 265 miles – ideal if you plan to take the occasional longer journey. Throw-in a pretty solid four-year warranty and you’ll see why the Dolphin was awarded the title of DrivingElectric’s Best Value Electric Car for 2024.

Read our full review of the BYD Dolphin to find out more.

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4. MG4

Last year’s DrivingElectric Car of the Year, the MG4 is still going from strength to strength and remains a fantastic budget-friendly alternative to the VW ID.3 and Nissan Leaf. Representing a major step forward for the age-old brand, the MG4 hatchback uses an all-new, EV-specific platform and can currently cover up to 323 miles on a charge in Extended Range form. For the same price there’s also the 429bhp MG4 XPower which, with a 0-62mph time of under four seconds, is one of the fastest electric cars you can buy.

This is all good news, but even the basic car is fun to drive, has a spacious cabin and every version gets a lengthy standard kit list. Its styling may divide people, but the MG4’s starting price of under £27,000 is undeniably impressive. Simply put, the MG4 EV is one of the best electric cars on sale today, it just also happens to be one of the cheapest.

Read our full review of the MG4 to find out more.

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5. Hyundai Kona Electric

We fell in love with the Kia Niro EV when it first launched, but its sister car, the Hyundai Kona Electric, takes everything we love about that model to the next level. If you can get past its strikingly futuristic exterior, you’ll find the Kona is a practical and easy to live with electric family car. The Kona’s well-built cabin features all the latest tech, yet Hyundai hasn’t forgotten ergonomics, meaning there’s plenty of tactile buttons that are easy to press whilst on the move. Its 466-litre boot is also up there with the roomiest in class, while supple suspension makes the Kona ideal for driving around town.

Speaking of town driving, the entry-level Hyundai Kona Electric starts from just over £36k and is ideal for urban-based buyers with its 234-mile range. Those looking to go further afield can upgrade to the 65kWh car with its 305-mile range, however, both versions are capable of a 10-80% rapid charge in around 40 minutes. Oh, and did we mention that, like all Hyundai models, the Kona Electric gets a superb five-year, 100,000-mile warranty? We think that’ll do just nicely.

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

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6. Skoda Enyaq

The Enyaq is Skoda’s first dedicated electric car, and undeniably one of the best on sale today. In typical fashion for the Czech brand, the Skoda Enyaq is all about space; its 585-litre boot is one of the largest of any electric family cars, while the flat rear floor means it’s easy to sit three adults abreast in the rear. That’s not forgetting all of Skoda’s signature ‘Simply Clever’ features which include an ice scraper built into the charging port flap, a folding crate in the boot and an umbrella hidden within the driver’s door – just like in a Rolls-Royce.

There are several versions of the Skoda Enayq to choose from; we’d skip the base ‘60’ model, unless you only plan to use the SUV for the school run. The mid-spec Skoda Enyaq 85 Edition marks the sweet spot in the line-up, with a long list of equipment and, more crucially, a strong 345-mile range figure. If you’re after something to set your pulses racing, Skoda also offers the Enyaq in sleek Coupe form, as well as in high-performance vRS guise with over 330bhp.

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

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7. Hyundai Ioniq 5

Looking a bit like an 8-bit arcade machine on wheels, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 is undoubtedly one of the most head-turning electric cars you can buy. It’s not all style and no substance, though; the Ioniq 5 has an utterly cavernous interior, strong tech offering and a surprisingly gentle ride for an EV. The Hyundai’s square, 527-litre boot is big enough to rival many SUVs and the lack of a load lip means it’s easy to slide in larger items like suitcases and prams.

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 line-up ranges from the 240-mile base model, all the way to the driver-focused Ioniq 5 N that is, in our opinion, one of the best electric driver’s cars out there thanks to its sharp steering, insane performance and ludicrous list of features which includes a sound generator and synthesised gearbox. It’s the mid-spec cars that’ll suit most buyers, though, as these offer a lengthy 315 miles of range on a charge. Plus, no matter which model you pick, all Ioniq 5s come with ultra-rapid DC charging for quick top-ups.

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

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8. BMW i4

Fundamentally, the BMW i4 is a zero-emissions take of the German brand’s winning four-door saloon formula that has come to define what we expect from company cars – and the i4 lives up to those expectations. The BMW i4 gets a very similar interior to the petrol-powered 3 Series; that’s no bad thing, as build quality is superb and we’re big fans of BMW’s latest iteration of its iDrive infotainment system which now features two glossy screens mounted alongside each other in one curved panel.

It’s the driving experience you’re probably most curious about and, thankfully, the i4 doesn’t disappoint here, either. Sharp steering, a well-tuned chassis and a line-up of punchy powertrains make the BMW fastback a proper driver’s car, despite having four doors and a hatchback boot. We expect the mid-spec eDrive40 will be the more popular variant with its 365-mile range, but buyers also now have the choice of the value-focused eDrive35 that can do 299 miles on a charge. There’s a fire-breathing 537bhp i4 M50 that can sprint from 0-62mph in 3.9 seconds, too. 

Read our full review of the BMW i4 to find out more.

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9. Renault Megane

More than a decade has gone by since the Renault ZOE landed in showrooms, but the French brand’s follow-up was certainly worth the wait. Aside from the Renault Megane’s transformation from a dowdy family hatchback into a stylish SUV, perhaps the headline feature is its Google-powered infotainment system. Much slicker than the ones in almost all of its rivals, the Megane’s centre touchscreen is packed with features and responds just as quickly as the latest smartphones. We also like how the sat-nav is powered by Google Maps, providing satellite imagery, as well as the latest live traffic information.

All electric Renault Megane models come fitted with a 60kWh battery, which provides a 280-mile range – enough for most family buyers. It’s also pretty comfortable and quiet, while the Renault’s nippy electric motor and tight body control makes it rather fun to drive, too. A recent price cut makes the Megane even more affordable and if you’re after something with a little more space, Renault now also offers the electric Scenic SUV, too.

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

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10. Cupra Born

If the Volkswagen ID.3 is a bit too vanilla for your liking, the Cupra Born is like that same ice cream topped with hundreds and thousands. While it uses the same running gear as the VW, the boffins at Cupra have tweaked the setup to make it more fun to drive, with tight body control and sharper steering making the Born almost feel like an electric hot hatchback. E-Boost models produce a pretty punchy 227bhp and reach the 62mph benchmark in just 6.6 seconds.

All that said, we think the base V1 model represents the best value for money. Unlike top models, it has five seats, making it ideal for families, while kit levels are pretty strong for what is supposed to be the entry-level car. Range stands at a respectable 265 miles, too, which is more than enough for the school run, a trip to the shops or even longer trips away – especially given the Born’s rapid charging capability. Cheaper and more fun to drive than the Volkswagen, the Cupra Born is one of our favourite electric family hatchbacks.

Read our full review of the Cupra Born to find out more.

Best electric cars to buy now

1. Kia EV9
2. Tesla Model 3
3. BYD Dolphin
4. MG4 EV
5. Hyundai Kona Electric
6. Skoda Enyaq
7. Hyundai Ioniq 5
8. BMW i4
9. Renault Megane E-Tech
10. Cupra Born

How to choose the best electric car for you: top tips

1. There’s an electric car for everyone now

Electric cars have come a long way since the days when the G-Wiz and Nissan Leaf were the only EVs on the road. In 2023, the choice is immense. At one end of the spectrum, you have budget-minded models like the MG4 EV and Kia Niro EV, as well as compact city cars like Fiat 500, while at the other end are ultra-premium models like the BMW i7 and Mercedes EQS SUV. There's also more than a few high-performance flagships that casually boast close to 1,000bhp power outputs.

One thing they all have in common is a near-silent running gear that can provide zippy performance and – more importantly for some – a relaxing driving experience previously reserved only for the most luxurious cars on the road. With instant torque on tap, no gearchanges to deal with and regenerative braking that can allow for ‘one- pedal’ driving, there’s a lot to like about being between the wheel of an EV.

2. Make sure you can reliably top up your electric car 

There’s a lot to like about owning an electric car, however you need to think about how you’re going to keep your zero-emissions pride and joy topped up! It’s not a problem if you have private off-street parking, as installing a home wallbox will allow you to recharge overnight, ready for the next day.

Don’t worry if you’re one of the many people who use on-street parking, as cities like London are now well served by public charging points, so you can get away with not having a charger at home or work. If you do less than 200 or so miles a week, a top-up from a public charging point every few days should be sufficient.

You may need to think twice about switching to electric if your average daily mileage exceeds the range of the car you’re considering. But, thanks to the growing number of rapid-charging points you can find dotted around the UK, particularly at service stations, longer journeys are now a cinch for most electric cars, too.

3. Low running costs make up for higher price tags

One unavoidable downside of switching to electric is the higher starting prices of EVs compared to their combustion-engine counterparts. For example, while the petrol-powered version of the Vauxhall Corsa hatchback starts from just over £18,000, the zero-emissions Corsa Electric is currently priced at over £32,000.

But the real savings are to be made in running costs. Electric cars attract just 2% company-car tax, require less frequent servicing and on average cost less to ‘fuel’ than their petrol or diesel equivalents. Plus, all electric cars are zero-rated for VED (road tax) and exempt from the London Congestion Charge zone until 2025, so you’ll avoid those fees for a few more years, too.

4. Consider leasing an electric car

Because electric cars generally sport higher price tags than their petrol-powered counterparts, and because their features and technology are evolving fast right now, leasing may be a better option for some. There are downsides, such as there being no option to own the car at the end of the contract, but electric cars are so popular right now that there are plenty of deals out there, allowing you to get behind the wheel of the latest models for a fixed monthly amount.