Best electric SUVs 2025 – the top 10, plus the ones to avoid

Back in 2019, the Kia EV3’s forefather, the e-Niro, was our overall Car of the Year because it proved that going electric didn’t have to be expensive. Now it’s the EV3 which moves the game on yet again, this time for the growing small electric SUV class.

It might be a little smaller than the e-Niro which preceded it, but the EV3 is still a very practical car, with more space for rear passengers than in the rival Jeep Avenger Electric or Mini Aceman. Indeed, it’s not far off that of the Skoda Elroq from the class above.

The EV3 will be a hit with buyers who want to sit high up inside their cars, because it offers a proper SUV driving position, and places you noticeably further from the road than in the Volvo EX30. It drives like an SUV, too, with a ride that has no trouble soaking up the lumps and bumps from battered British roads.

While the aptly-named Long Range model can beat even the Tesla Model Y on range, we think the Standard Range model, with its 55kWh battery, will be better suited to most buyers. Not only can it still officially take you 270 miles between charges, but it helps to keep the price down.

"I like quiet electric cars, and Kia has made the EV3 exceptionally quiet – you’ll hear less wind and road noise than you would in either the Mini Aceman or Smart #1." – Will Nightingale, Reviews Editor

Read our in-depth Kia EV3 review

The Skoda Elroq is relatively late to the electric SUV party, but by waiting and tweaking the formula of the larger Skoda Enyaq, the Czech brand has gotten things just right.

As we’ve come to expect of Skoda, the Elroq majors on practicality, with plenty of space for a six-footer to sit behind a driver of similar height without feeling hemmed in. The boot is a good size, too, and the reasonably priced Transport Package helps you to make the most of its space.

In town, the Elroq’s small turning circle and nippy acceleration help you to make the most of any overtaking opportunity, while it’s also a composed motorway cruiser. Its brakes are more consistent in feel than those of the rival Renault Scenic, too. Plus, with 360 miles of official range, longer trips are a doddle.

Then there’s the price, with even range-topping versions undercutting rivals significantly.

"I was impressed with the interior quality of the Elroq, because it manages to feel more plush than its price would suggest. The steering wheel feels premium in your hands, too" – Stuart Milne, Digital Editor

Read our in-depth Skoda Elroq review

Contrary to what its name suggests, the #3 is the second model to join Smart's revitalised line-up. And contrary to what you might think from looking at it, it's more than just a #1 with a lower roofline.

Although they share many components, the #3 is longer and wider than its sibling. As a result, rather than being compromised by its sleeker shape, it improves on the already excellent #1 in useful ways.

That extra length means a larger boot, which makes the #3 a more practical proposition for families. What's more, it still has plenty of space in the rear seats and an interior that's made from high-quality materials and packed with tech.

The #3 is also even better to drive than the #1 and has a slightly longer range (283 miles, officially, in our recommended trim). And yet the #3 is only slightly pricier than its sibling – and it's cheaper than coupé SUV rivals such as the Skoda Enyaq Coupé and Volvo EC40.

"I'd recommend paying extra for Premium trim, because you not only get the most efficient motor and largest battery, but also some desirable extra kit." – Will Nightingale, Reviews Editor

Read our in-depth Smart #3 review

When we first drove the latest Scenic, it was let down by an overly firm ride, but Renault has since retuned the suspension, and it now does a fine job of keeping things comfortable.

True, you do pay for this with more body lean in corners than you get with some rivals. However, there's plenty of grip and accurate steering allows you to place the front end exactly where you want it.

A spacious and high-quality interior that features several thoughtful touches that make family life easier adds to the Scenic's appeal. And if you go for the bigger battery, you get an official range of up to 379 miles.

"The Scenic's standard panoramic glass roof can be turned opaque at the touch of a button. But as a parent, I think the best thing about it is the way it's divided into individually controllable segments so you can keep your children cool on hot days by covering the back seats in shade, while you enjoy the sun in the front." – Steve Huntingford, Editor

Read our in-depth Renault Scenic review

With the GV60, upmarket Korean brand Genesis took the underpinnings of the excellent Kia EV6 and added an extra layer of polish. 

The GV60 not only offers a generous range of up to 321 miles and ultra-fast charging (meaning a 10-80% top up can take as little as 20 minutes), but is also very refined and has a wonderfully classy interior. 

True, you’ll pay more for the GV60 than you would for the EV6, but you get lots of goodies for your money; for example, all GV60s come with wireless phone charging, dual-zone climate control and adaptive cruise control.

"I reckon you'll be surprised by the crispness of the GV60's handling; it certainly leans less through corners than rivals from Audi and Hyundai." – Steve Huntingford, Editor

Read our in-depth Genesis GV60 review

Not so long ago, Smart only made tiny city cars which had poor ranges, whereas now the brand offers two of the best small electric SUVs on sale.

Perhaps surprisingly, the #1's long lists of attributes include serious performance – in fact, in our tests, it actually beat its official 0-60mph sprint time, needing just 5.8sec. That's faster than the similarly priced BYD Atto 3 can manage, or the more expensive Kia Niro EV.

Don't think the #1 is all go and no show, either, because its interior looks and feels premium, and a couple of six-footers won't feel cramped on its rear seats. Only the boot is a little disappointing, unless you move the sliding rear seats forward and sacrifice some leg room.

"The Smart #1 is a smooth and comfortable motorway cruiser; I'd happily cover big miles behind the wheel of this car." – Darren Moss, Deputy Digital Editor

Read our in-depth Smart #1 review

Aside from some styling details and the fact the combustion engine has been replaced with an electric motor, you’d be hard pushed to tell the BMW iX3 apart from its combustion-engined sibling, the BMW X3.

That’s no bad thing, though, because it means you’re getting a classy and spacious SUV with, among other things, a large boot and one of the best infotainment systems you’ll find in any new car.

Combine those attributes with a supple ride, assured handling and a respectable range of up to 285 miles between charges, and the iX3 is easy to recommend. Just be aware that some rivals are faster – both in terms of acceleration and how swiftly they can charge.

"While it isn't as vast inside as the larger BMW iX, I still have enough space to sit behind myself in the iX3, despite being 6'5." – Chris Haining, Sub-Editor

Read our in-depth BMW iX3 review

Skoda's first bespoke electric car is practical and good to drive, with a comfortable ride and reassuring handling.

You get a lot of kit, too; even the cheapest model comes with dual-zone climate control, 19in alloy wheels and cruise control. However, the range of this ‘60’ version is on the short side, so we recommend upgrading to the '85', which can officially cover up to 348 miles between charges.

For the money, the Enyaq’s interior quality is good, with everything feeling built to cope with the rough and tumble of family life.

"I'm not usually a fan of touchscreen infotainment systems, but the Enyaq's is helped by having five customisable icons on the top that take you directly to your favourite functions." – Neil Winn, Deputy Reviews Editor

Read our in-depth Skoda Enyaq review

Volvo's smallest electric SUV counts the Hyundai Kona Electric, Kia Niro EV and Smart #1 among its key rivals, and impresses by offering comfort and luxury for a relatively modest price.

Indeed, despite undercutting some of those cars, the EX30 is properly upmarket inside, with materials that look and feel expensive. Meanwhile, standard kit is plentiful; it includes adaptive cruise control, a powered tailgate, heated front seats and dual-zone climate control.

We'd stick with cheaper, Single Motor Extended Range versions of the EX30, which should provide enough performance for most families, yet will also quell your range anxiety. Indeed, with an official range of up to 295 miles from its 64kWh battery, it'll get you farther between charges than the #1 or Jeep Avenger. And when you do need to stop, a 10-80% top-up  can take as little as 26 minutes.

"If I could add one thing to the EX30 that Volvo doesn't offer, it would be a head-up display, because you currently have to look at the central infotainment screen to check your speed." – Steve Huntingford, Editor

Read our in-depth Volvo EX30 review

Even though it's a small electric SUV (less than 4.4 metres long) the Kona Electric is impressively spacious inside.

Indeed, like the Smart #1, it will easily accommodate four adults or let you put a large, rear-facing child seat behind a 6ft-something driver. And unlike the #1, the Kona can swallow a sizeable amount of luggage at the same time.

The Kona isn’t as smart (no pun intended) inside or good to drive, but light steering makes it effortless to pilot around town, and the suspension soaks up most bumps and potholes with aplomb.

"When testing the Kona Electric, I managed to fit six carry-on suitcases below its parcel shelf, with space left over for a couple of soft bags." – Lawrence Cheung, New Cars Editor

Read our in-depth Hyundai Kona Electric review

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