Electric cars are becoming ever more popular. Indeed, the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) reveal they now account for 27.5 percent of all new car registrations in the UK.
Also, while we still treat EVs to some extent as a separate entity, with their own buying guide (yep, you’re reading it), after 2035 this may be the only type of car sold new in the UK. In other words, the best cars and the best electric cars will be one and the same.
We have rounded up the best electric cars on sale in 2026, from the proletarian Kia EV3 to the plutocratic Rolls-Royce Spectre. Each one is not only a great EV, but an excellent car in its own right. Our choices are presented in alphabetical order.
Audi E-Tron GT
First launched in 2020, the svelte Audi E-Tron GT received a midlife makeover in 2023, mirroring updates to the closely related Porsche Taycan. Highlights included a bigger 105kWh battery, faster charging (up to 320kW) and new two-chamber air suspension. The three-tier range comprises the 680hp S E-Tron GT, 856hp RS and 925hp RS Performance.
The RS Performance we tested is the quickest and most powerful production car Audi has ever built, with the ability to hit 62mph in 2.5 seconds using launch control, along with a WLTP range of 364 miles.
We said: ‘It has more power than you really need, but the RS E-Tron GT Performance combines long-distance range and comfort with handling poise and nuanced feedback – plus a generous helping of futuristic style. If EVs leave you cold, driving this one might change your mind.’
Read our Audi RS E-Tron GT Performance review
BMW i7
BMW’s electric flagship is a luxury saloon to rival the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and EQS. A huge 101.7kWh battery offers up to 372 miles of range in the XDrive 60 model we tested. The i7’s styling will will divide opinion, to put it politely, but the big BMW is wonderfully refined, comfortable and relaxing to drive. It’s even better in the back seats, where passengers can recline and enjoy a widescreen cinema experience.
Even the entry-level i7 exceeds £100,000 and the range-topping M70 xDrive pictured above will set you back £165,000. However, consider that much of its technology is shared with the Rolls-Royce Spectre, which is also on our ‘best electric cars’ list, and suddenly the BMW doesn’t look so expensive after all.
We said: ‘Your field of vision is filled by a 31.3-inch 8K ‘Theatre Screen’ that folds down from the roof. Bolstered by 36 speakers and 1,965 watts of Bowers & Wilkins surround-sound, it’s hands-down the best in-car entertainment system on the market.’
BMW iX3
It’s hard to overstate the importance of the iX3 to BMW. As the first vehicle in the German company’s ‘Neue Klasse’ range of electric cars, it needs to be a standard-setter and a sales success. Thankfully, early indications suggest it will be both.
For starters, the iX3 has one of the longest ranges of any EV currently on sale – at up to 500 miles in the official WLTP test. It’s also comfortable, spacious and packed with technology, including a new Panoramic iDrive display that helps you keep your eyes on the road. Best of all, despite being a 2,360kg family SUV, the iX3 still drives with the finesse and feedback of a ‘proper’ BMW.
We said: ‘I wasn’t alone in thinking BMW had lost its way in recent years, straying too far from the values of the original Neue Klasse – particularly in terms of design and technical complexity. The brilliant iX3 is a hard reset, and one that bodes well for the future. It’s a car that goes straight to the top of a very crowded class.’
Ford Puma Gen-E
The Ford Puma Gen-E is a significant EV for British car buyers. The regular Ford Puma has been the UK’s best-seller for several years now, so the much-anticipated electric Gen-E will introduce thousands to owning their first electric car.
Keen prices are an immediate advantage, starting from a little over £26,000 after the UK Government’s full £3,750 Electric Car Grant is deducted. The Gen-E has all the regular Puma’s head-turning style and its recently-refreshed interior. Also, instead of the usual ‘MegaBox’ boot, the Puma Gen-E has an even bigger ‘GigaBox’ beneath its boot floor. You’ll be amazed at how much space is in there.
Ford has worked hard to retain the dynamics of the existing Puma, making this a neat and nimble drive. And while a 43kWh battery sounds a bit on the small side, it offers a range of over 230 miles in the official WLTP test. There’s growing evidence that the Ford Puma Gen-E’s real-world battery efficiency is noteworthy too, delivering more miles per kWh than many of its direct rivals.
Read about the launch of the Ford Puma Gen-E
Hyundai Ioniq 5
The former World Car of the Year looks like nothing else on the road – and its lounge-like interior is pretty radical, too. Choose the reclining ‘relaxation’ seat and it’s a restful spot to have a nap while you charge. There’s also no shortage of space; the Ioniq 5 might resemble a hatchback, but its proportions are more like an SUV.
Buyers can choose between a 63kWh battery with a 238-mile range, or an 84kWh model that will manage up to 354 miles. Just don’t expect a sporty driving experience – unless you choose the riotously entertaining Ioniq 5 N, that is. The hot Hyundai (pictured above), with its simulated manual gearbox, is one of the most surprising cars we’ve driven this decade.
We said: ‘A killer feature in the Ioniq 5’s armoury is the ability to charge at 800 volts. It’s the way forward, until now only possible on high-end electric cars from the likes of Audi and Porsche. It will revolutionise roadside charging with its sheer speed. Unfortunately, a widespread network of suitable chargers is not available quite yet.’
Read our Hyundai Ioniq 5 review and Ioniq 5 N review
Kia EV3
The Kia EV3 is one of the best – and best value – electric SUVs on the market. Choose one with a 58.3kWh Standard Range battery and you can look forward to 270 miles of range. This rises to an impressive 375 miles in the 81.4kWh Long Range version.
As usual, you benefit from Kia’s seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty, but there’s much more to the EV3 than an extended guarantee. It looks funky, has a practical and spacious interior, and comes with all the tech you’d expect. If you need more space, you could also consider the much larger, seven-seat Kia EV9.
We said: ‘The Kia EV3 is a likeable, practical and affordable electric SUV that rarely puts a foot wrong. We’re slightly lost for words when trying to articulate how the EV3 drives. For journalists, that isn’t ideal, but Kia should take it as a compliment. It calmly and competently gets on with the job.’
Read our Kia EV3 review
Polestar 2
The Polestar 2 sprinkles some Scandinavian style over the electric car segment. It’s a sophisticated, technologically advanced and aethetically appealing rival to the Tesla Model 3 (see below). The Scandi-noir drama to the Hollywood blockbuster.
The lineup now consists of a choice between Single Motor variants in Standard or Long Range trim, or a Dual Motor version with the option of a Performance Pack. Range figures are anything between 343 and 409 miles, with prices starting from £45,000.
We said: ‘The Polestar 2 has evolved substantially during its lifetime, and it remains one of the best EVs on sale. Being able to drive more than 400 miles on one charge is the best tonic for range anxiety, and it’s all wrapped-up with a premium ownership experience.’
Read our Polestar 2 review and used Polestar 2 long-term review
Porsche Cayenne Electric
Porsche’s large SUV is available in petrol and plug-in hybrid guises, too – see our Best Luxury SUVs roundup – but the Cayenne Electric offers sleeker styling, newer technology and potentially lower running costs. It’s also considerably more powerful, especially the flagship Turbo, which musters a walloping 1,156hp when launch control is activated.
You can have your Cayenne Electric as a traditional, upright SUV or a slightly more curvaceous Coupe, and prices start from around £83,000. Both models are abundantly spacious and beautifully appointed, with features such as a curved ‘Flow Display’ touchscreen and adaptive ‘Mood Modes’ interior lighting. Best of all, the Cayenne still drives like a Porsche – despite a kerb weight that exceeds 2.5 tonnes.
We said: ‘The Cayenne also has remarkable levels of energy recuperation. Under braking, it’s able to recover up to 600kW, which is on a par with a Formula E racing car. And inductive charging is now available as an option – simply drive over a pad installed on your driveway and wireless charging will begin automatically.’
Read our Porsche Cayenne Electric review and Porsche Cayenne Coupe Turbo Electric review
Renault 5
The Renault 5 E-Tech was an instant hit with both critics and the car-buying public. Cute styling and strong value for money (prices start at £21,490 at the time of writing) both help the retro Renault’s cause, while a smart interior add to its appeal. Much like the original R5, it’s rather too small for a family car, but the design and quality are hard to fault.
The driving experience will make you smile, too. Renault opted to spend a few hundred euros extra per car on multi-link rear suspension – and it shows. And if you want more va-va-voom, the 5 has a sportier sibling in the shape of the Alpine A290. One of the first convincing electric hot hatchbacks, it boasts livelier handling and up to 220hp in GTS guise. It’s proof that affordable EVs can be fast and fun to drive.
We said: ‘The 150hp R5 offers zesty performance, even if you rarely feel inclined to squeeze every joule of energy from its 52kWh battery. I’m not convinced by Sport mode, either, which makes the car feel nervier and less fluid without improving performance. Loose-limbed Comfort mode works best, even on flowing country roads.’
Read our Renault 5 long-term review and Alpine A290 review
Rolls-Royce Spectre
The best electric car in the world? Well, the new Ferrari Luce might have something to say, but let’s not poke that hornets’ nest again. What isn’t in question is the Spectre’s status as a true, blue-blooded Rolls-Royce. Its effortless electric torque and near-silent running are qualities that fit the brand like a velvet glove. If there is a more serene way to travel, we haven’t discovered it yet.
The Spectre recently received a mild ‘Series II’ update, including new trim options and more power: up to 680hp and 811lb ft of torque in the (slightly) sportier Black Badge version. A larger battery also boosts the WLTP-tested range to 390 miles. Naturally, the price is preposterous – £333,185, if you need to ask – but there is nothing quite like a Rolls-Royce.
We said: ‘Apart from being almost inaudibly quiet, what first strikes you about the Spectre is how smoothly it makes progress. There’s no uncouth wallop of acceleration, as in some powerful EVs. All the controls, from the long-travel throttle to the fingertip-light steering, feel calmly and precisely calibrated.’
Read our review of the Rolls-Royce Spectre Series II
Skoda Enyaq
Arguably the most sensible electric car you can buy, the Enyaq is near-flawless family transport. Better value and better executed than its sister Volkswagen ID.4, it is practical and painless to live with. There’s a choice of 63kWh or 82kWh batteries, the latter offering up to 365 miles of range.
A flat floor means plenty of space for passengers, while the boot holds a massive 1,710 litres with all the seats folded flat. Skoda’s neat ‘Simply Clever’ touches, such as an umbrella hidden in the driver’s door, make life easier as well.
We said: ‘The interior of the Skoda Enyaq has a sleek, minimalist design. Many functions are accessed via the 13-inch central touchscreen, but it’s cleanly presented and generally easy to use. Thankfully, the glitchy, touch-sensitive controls of the ID.4 are nowhere to be seen.’
Tesla Model 3
The Tesla Model 3 is approaching middle-age, but it shows no signs of slowing down. It isn’t just one of Britain’s best-selling EVs – it has topped the overall car sales chart several times as well. It boasts serious performance and clever tech, plus the USP of the extensive Tesla Supercharger network. If you can’t charge your EV at home, it’s a compelling choice.
We do have a few gripes, including Tesla’s less-than-perfect build quality and the Model 3’s rather aloof dynamics. You’d be foolish to rule it out, though.
We said: ‘Acceleration is so rapid it squelches your internal organs and scrambles your synapses. You go from zero to warp factor 10 almost instantly, and with a lack of noise that’s entirely alien. No wonder Elon Musk was drawn to space travel.’
One to avoid: Ford Capri
Yes, it shares a name with Ford’s classic coupe, but the reborn Capri is a somewhat less glamorous electric SUV. Beneath that practical body is the same platform that underpins a host of Volkswagen Group cars, including the ID.4 and ID.5. However, Ford has given the Capri its own unique character on the road.Â
The Capri isn’t a bad car, but it fails to stand out in a crowded class. It also commands a premium over the closely related and more practical Ford Explorer, so we’d just choose the latter SUV instead. Or indeed, spend similar money on a Kia EV3 (see above) and enjoy the benefits of its seven-year warranty.
We said: ‘Like 95 percent of today’s SUVs, the Capri has absolutely no intention of ever going off-road. However, this taller, bulkier body style does have its advantages, as anyone who has squeezed into the ‘+2’ rear seats of a classic Capri will confirm. This time around, the Ford is a full-sized family car, with enough space for lanky teenagers on the rear bench and several suitcases in the boot.’
Read our review of the Ford Capri
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