The best electric SUVs for every budget

Want to go electric in style? Check out our expert road testers’ pick of the best electric SUVs – with options for every budget

SUVs make great electric cars – they’re stylish, practical, and their tall bodies have space for big batteries without compromising interior space too drastically.

But they’re also heavy, and can be poor to drive or prohibitively expensive for what you get. That’s why it’s so important to ensure that, no matter what you’re spending, you’re buying smart and getting the best electric SUV for you.

Our expert reviews team has driven every electric SUV on sale, so we’re confident in making the recommendations below. No matter how much you have to spend on your new electric SUV, there ought to be something here to suit you – though you can always check out our used cars if you want even more of a bargain.

Remember, you can buy a brand new or used car right here on Carwow. And you can sell your car, too. We’re here to help you through every step of your car-changing journey.

Up to £30,000

Our recommendation: Citroen e-C3 – £20,595

Our starting budget here leaves you with loads to spare if you go for one of the best cheap electric cars around – the Citroen e-C3. Though this dinky car has the dimensions of a small hatchback, its upright stance, body cladding and high-riding attitude means it’s undeniably an SUV, even if it’s a very compact one.

A comfy and easygoing drive is guaranteed with the e-C3, and though performance is modest you won’t struggle to keep up with traffic. It’s really practical considering its dimensions too, with good space in the back and a reasonable boot. Just note that the maximum range on a charge is just 199 miles – so it’s less than ideal if you really want to do long distances.

If you’ve got a bit more to spend, you could consider the charming-yet-practical Hyundai Inster in its rugged Cross trim, or go for a ‘proper’ car in the form of the impressive MG S5 EV.

Alternatives: Hyundai Inster Cross, MG S5 EV

£30,000 – £40,000

Our recommendation: Skoda Elroq (£31,510)

Skoda is known for building cars which are practical, clever, and great value – so no wonder its electric SUVs are the same. The Elroq, which sits underneath the excellent Enyaq, offers loads of equipment and a long range all for less than £40,000.

The base model has a smaller battery and a range of 233 miles, but for just over £37,000 you can get the ‘85’ model, with a maximum range of 355 miles – that’s enough for even a really taxing commute. And all versions come packed with clever Skoda touches, such as a built-in ice scraper, umbrellas in the doors and an ingenious solution for storing the charging cable.

The Kia EV3 runs the Elroq extremely close on range and value and is a fantastic alternative – or, if you fancy something posher, the Scandi-cool Volvo EX30 is available too.

Alternatives: Kia EV3, Volvo EX30

£40,000 – £60,000

Our recommendation: Peugeot E-5008 (£38,760)

If anything shows how far upmarket Peugeot has managed to push itself, then it’s the E-5008 – an all electric seven-seater family car which may cost nearly £50,000, but certainly feels like it’s worth it.

For starters, there’s practicality – you get seven seats as standard, and if you want that in an electric car your only other real options are vans-with-seats or much more expensive SUVs. You get a range of 310 miles, or for a few extra thousand you can upgrade to the bigger battery for a max range of 414 miles – hugely impressive. And they’ll be comfortable miles, because the E-5008 takes bumps well and has a fantastically plush interior.

If you don’t want seven seats you could also consider the Tesla Model Y – much-improved over its original incarnation and packed with tech – or the new Xpeng G6, which is a very polished Chinese electric SUV that’s great value.

Alternatives: Tesla Model Y, Xpeng G6

£60,000 – £80,000

Our recommendation: BMW iX (£75,405)

Okay, so the BMW iX is no looker. But get past the styling and you’ll find the best large electric SUV to drive, a practical family car and one with an absolutely fabulous interior.

Even the small-battery model that slides under our £80,000 budget here has a maximum range of 374 miles, and you get strong performance with handling that somehow manages to disguise the car’s bulk. The inside is a model of clarity and quality, and it’s both agile around corners and comfortable over bumps. It’s just superb.

If you want something that’s even more of a drivers’ car, think about the Porsche Macan Electric. Or, if you want something larger and more practical, the Kia EV9 is a fantastic option.

Alternatives: Porsche Macan Electric, Kia EV9

£80,000-plus

Our recommendation: Volvo EX90

It may be enormous, expensive, and have a forehead that looks rather like a taxi – but the Volvo EX90 may be the ultimate in electric SUV luxury right now. Its minimalist styling covers a huge interior dripping with Scandinavian cool, and it’s built with a lot of sustainable materials too.

It is very heavy, and you may not like quite how much of the interior is controlled by a single touchscreen. But as electric family cars go, they don’t come much posher than this.

If you want something with staggering performance and surprising practicality, consider the Lotus Eletre, or for something totally different, Mercedes’ electric G-Class offers off-road supremacy and some serious street cred.

Alternatives: Lotus Eletre, Mercedes G-Class Electric

Car change? Carwow!

Looking for a new set of wheels? With Carwow you can sell your car quickly and for a fair price – as well as find great offers on your next one. Whether you’re looking to buy a car brand new, are after something used or you want to explore car leasing options, Carwow is your one stop shop for new car deals.

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