The longest-range EVs for every budget

Gone are the days of electric cars being pricey or limited in range, but the variety of long-range EVs can be baffling to pick from. Our expert road testers have put together this list of the best choices, for a variety of budgets

Thanks to improvements in battery technology over the past few years, there’s now a plentiful mix of EVs with usable range from small hatchbacks all the way to big, luxurious saloons and SUVs. They’re not all cross-country capable in one charge, but you get what you pay for when it comes to batteries, and the more expensive cars tend to offer longer range.

Our expert reviews team has tested every electric car on sale in the UK and come up with this list of the longest-range EVs on sale. There are cars in this list to suit a variety of budgets and needs, whether you’re looking for something cheap, cheerful and rugged, or an EV that can cruise long distances in blissful comfort.

Up to £25,000

Our recommendation: Citroen e-C3 Aircross – 248mi, £24,995

The Citroen e-C3 Aircross is a highly capable small car, and it isn’t just good because of its low price. It’s good to drive, very spacious inside and offers a usable 248 miles of range when equipped with the optional 54kWh battery. Even with that option checked, the e-C3 Aircross comes in under £25,000 – just.

The cost savings are apparent when you step inside, but Citroen has trimmed hard plastics in on the dashboard and door cards with funky fabric. It’s the drive comfort that impresses most, as the e-C3 Aircross deals with rough roads well, while its big boot and loads of headroom make it practical, too.

If you don’t need as much space inside, the BYD Dolphin Surf offers 200 miles of range at a much lower price. The Hyundai Inster is definitely worth considering, as it’s even more comfortable than the e-C3 – and more affordable, too.

£25,000 – £40,000

Our recommendation: Kia EV3 Air- 375mi, £36,005

The Kia EV3 is one of our favourite small cars on sale, with its space-age looks, funky cabin with loads of room inside and impressive 375-mile range – when fitted with the 81.4kWh battery option. In this form it only costs £36,000, and it’s well-equipped, too.

It’s up against some compelling alternatives at that price bracket, but none quite offer the same blend of style and substance as the EV3. It’s oh-so-comfortable on the move, absolutely soaking up speedbumps and potholes at any speed. Just don’t go expecting a sporty driving experience on a country lane.

The Skoda Elroq doesn’t feature sci-fi styling, but it’s just as comfortable and even more practical inside. The MG4 is a left-field choice, offering a bit less range but at a much lower price.

£40,000 – £60,000

Our recommendation: Mercedes CLA 250+ Sport Edition – 483mi, £45,615

Mercedes has achieved a pretty staggering feat with the CLA, being a small saloon car with a reasonably-sized battery that manages to travel almost 500 miles on a charge. It looks good, has a high-tech interior and offers great value for money when it comes to range-per-pound.

It’s not the most practical option in this price range, but for most people the CLA is all the car you’ll need, day-to-day. It’s comfortable around town and fun on a country lane, while feeling effortless to drive on the motorway. If you need more boot space then an estate version is on the way, too.

But if a big boot is a dealbreaker then the Tesla Model 3 is hard to beat, as it’s frankly cavernous inside. For long-distance cruising though, the Peugeot E-3008 is one of the best cars on sale, with pillow-soft suspension and a near silent driving experience.

£60,000-£80,000

Our recommendation: Audi A6 e-tron performance – 461mi, £69,940

The A6 Sportback e-tron is one of the sleekest cars to ever come out of Audi’s design studio, and the aero-optimised shape is part of why it can travel up to 461 miles to a charge. You’ll need the larger 100kWh battery to achieve that, though.

It’s a shame the interior isn’t as convincing as the exterior, because there’s just a bit too much going on inside. Still, it’s very comfortable around town and soothing to drive over long distances. There’s an estate version too, but its less-swoopy shape means it can’t travel as far as the Sportback model.

The Polestar 3 doesn’t look anywhere near as slippery as the A6 e-tron, but it’s even more handsome and imposing on the road. The Mercedes EQE, however, looks even smoother than the A6 – though it doesn’t offer quite as much range.

£80,000+

Our recommendation: Mercedes EQS 450+ AMG Line Premium – 480mi, £112,620

The Mercedes EQS in 450+ is the most expensive car on this list, but it isn’t the one with the longest range. It was previously king of the hill for electric range at 480 miles, but it was overtaken by the much smaller, much cheaper Mercedes CLA Electric.

It’s a different kettle of fish though, because if you can look past its egg-shaped styling and ridiculous heft, the EQS is one of the most technically impressive and most comfortable cars on sale; not just in EV circles. You’ll struggle to thread it through tight roads around town though, even with its trick four-wheel steering.

For something more agile and far sportier, the Porsche Taycan is another one of our favourite saloons on sale. If a high-seating position rings your bell though, then Mercedes also offers the EQS’s tech in EQS SUV form – though it’s worse to drive than the saloon.

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