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Top 10 best electric cars 2024

Electric cars are part of the mainstream these days – here are the 10 best currently on sale

best electric cars

With a surge of new EVs hitting the market from all manner of brands, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to keep on top of which electric cars are the best. Once considered a niche prospect, the list of electric cars on sale is now more diverse than ever, from family hatchbacks, to seven-seater SUVs and even performance cars.

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The best electric cars should offer good value for money, practicality, reliability, a great driving experience and cheaper running costs than an equivalent petrol car. We consider all of the above when reviewing new electric cars and have ranked the top 10 that we feel do the best job. The selection below covers a range of bodystyles and price points, so there should be an EV to suit all buyers.

The best electric cars on sale

If you often drive long distances, take a look at our guide to the longest-range electric cars, while our list of the best plug-in hybrids may also appeal to town drivers who aren’t quite ready for a full EV. We’ve also covered the top 10 cheapest electric cars on sale for budget-conscious buyers.

BYD Dolphin review - our favourite new car

carbuyer car of the year 2024
Carbuyer rating

4.3 out of 5

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While the BYD brand might not be a household name yet, the BYD Dolphin recently won not just our Best Small Electric Car Award in the Carbuyer Awards, but also ran away with our Carbuyer Car of the Year Award. Quite simply, it’s hard to ignore the great value the brand’s smallest electric car offers. It’s one of the cheapest electric cars on sale, and yet it boasts a respectable 265-mile official range and a great amount of tech and gadgetry inside. 

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When we tested the BYD Dolphin we were even impressed with how well it drove – although it’s not a sporty model, it’s actually quite fun to drive, with plenty enough power for most drivers, sent to the front wheels by a 201bhp electric motor. The Dolphin is offered in a choice of four trims: Active, Boost, Comfort and Design, but with so much tech provided even on the entry-level models, including a 12.8-inch rotating infotainment screen, a five-inch digital gauge cluster, adaptive cruise control and a full suite of safety systems, we actually think most buyers would be satisfied enough with Active trim.

Hyundai Kona Electric review

Hyundai Kona Electric
Carbuyer rating

4.5 out of 5

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The main thing that struck us about the latest Hyundai Kona was how it looked – quite honestly there’s nothing else on the roads like it at the moment, thanks to its wide front and rear light bars and futuristic styling. Of course, looks can be subjective, but there’s plenty more to like about the Kona Electric.

For starters, it feels a lot more grown up, polished and upmarket compared with its predecessor. We liked the high-quality materials used throughout the interior, and in the face of many other modern electric cars, the Kona Electric retains a good balance of physical and touchscreen-based controls, rather than ditching dials and switches entirely in favour of virtual ones. 

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It’s also larger than the old model, so its increased practicality now fits with its SUV looks. Hyundai is a brand at the forefront of the shift to electric power, so the Kona Electric’s powertrain is also pretty well sorted. It’s relaxed and refined to drive with even the lower-powered version providing enough oomph for most. You can expect up to 234 miles or 305 miles from a single charge, depending on the battery size, and both are fairly competitive given the price brackets they sit in.

Kia EV9 review – a great seven-seater electric SUV

Kia EV9 front quarter dynamic
Carbuyer rating

4.5 out of 5

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We were mightily impressed by the Kia EV9 when we tested it earlier this year. It isn’t just one of the best large electric SUVs on sale, it's one of the best large SUVs full stop. With masses of interior space, an excellent electric powertrain and a good driving experience, it ticks all the boxes that family car buyers need, while looking sharp from the outside, too.

Sure, it’s expensive at just under £65,000, but the EV9 couldn’t be any more different to a humble Kia Picanto or Ceed. It lives up to that lofty price tag with an interior that’s streets ahead of any model we’ve seen before from the brand in terms of quality and space. As expected, you get all the tech you could possibly want, plus physical controls for important interior functions and a choice of six or seven-seat configurations. Fold down the third row of seats and you have an enormous 828 litres of boot space.

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All UK cars come with a 100kWh battery, hooked up to either a 201bhp single motor or a pair of motors in top-spec models, combining to produce 378bhp. The latter is surprisingly quick for a car of this size, but we think most buyers will be better off with the slower and cheaper option. It gets a better range, too, with up to 349 miles possible on a single charge.

Skoda Enyaq iV SUV review

Skoda Enyaq iV SUV - front 3/4 dynamic
Carbuyer rating

4.5 out of 5

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The Skoda Enyaq is, on paper, a cut-price alternative to the Volkswagen ID.4 SUV. However, it’s far from inferior, offering more practicality and better value for money than the VW. For example, entry-level Enyaqs have a range of over 250 miles, while the equivalent VW has to settle for 213 miles between charges. We reckon the interior is better too, feeling more spacious and featuring a more intuitive infotainment system.

Skoda has packed the Enyaq with plenty of its innovative features, such as an umbrella in the door. For the eco-conscious, the interior can be made from recycled plastic bottles or leather that was tanned using olives from sustainable trees. Pair that with plenty of boot capacity and interior space, and this is an impressive electric SUV built for everyday life. For those willing to sacrifice a bit of space for more style, the svelte Skoda Enyaq Coupe is also available. 

Hyundai Ioniq 5 hatchback review

Hyundai Ioniq 5
Carbuyer rating

4.5 out of 5

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Few cars stand out in the school car park quite like the Hyundai Ioniq 5. The retro-inspired design broke new ground for the brand when it appeared in 2021, proving that electric cars didn’t have to look bland. The boxy, squared-off silhouette has the added benefit of maximising interior space – there’s room for five with an impressive 527 litres of boot space behind.

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Buyers will be pleased to know that the Ioniq 5 is just as good to drive as it is to look at. It’s heavy, but the batteries are mounted in the floor so that weight is kept low down, helping the Ioniq 5 corner with minimal body roll. It definitely leans more towards comfort than sportiness, but we think it’s all the better for it. The interior comes with Hyundai’s usual tech, with a pair of 12.3-inch screens sitting above separate, physical climate controls.

There’s a choice between 58kWh or 77.4kWh battery packs, providing 238 and 315 miles of range respectively. More impressive is the charging time, which is significantly faster than most rivals – a 10-80% charge can be completed in as little as 18 minutes using a public rapid charger.

Tesla Model 3 review - one car to rule them all?

Tesla Model 3 facelift
Carbuyer rating

4.4 out of 5

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The Tesla Model 3 set out to be a successful, more mainstream model than the pioneering Model S, and just as CEO Elon Musk planned, it’s proven incredibly popular. A recent facelift has only served to keep the Model 3 ahead of many of its main rivals, bringing tweaked styling, a redesigned interior and improved range and refinement. Even the entry-level version will now travel up to 318 miles on a single charge, while the Long Range can manage up to an impressive 421 miles – that alone will make it popular with buyers.

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As is now expected of the brand, the facelifted Tesla Model 3’s interior is even more minimalist than before, but quality has been much improved over the outgoing model, giving an even more premium feel. The infotainment screen has increased in size from 14 inches to 15.4 inches, and now rear passengers even get a small screen to control functions and provide entertainment in the back – we found the new Model 3’s infotainment to be slicker than ever in testing, and although it doesn’t get Android Auto or Apple CarPlay compatibility, it offers some of the best in-car software on the market.

Renault Scenic review - class-leading range

Renault Scenic
Carbuyer rating

4.4 out of 5

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The Scenic has been reborn for 2024 as an all-new electric SUV. Despite ditching the old model’s MPV form factor, the new Scenic is still packed with plenty of family-friendly features, including a flat floor to improve passenger space and a vast boot. Perhaps the Scenic’s biggest selling point is its 388-mile range – an admirable figure for a car of this size and price point.

The impressive range is achieved through some clever engineering that has kept the Scenic’s weight down to around 1,800kg. That pays dividends when it comes to the driving experience, too; the suspension is soft, taking the worst out of our lumpy roads, but there’s still decent body control. The 217bhp front-mounted motor isn’t going to pin you back in your seat, but it has more than enough punch for family buyers.

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The cabin represents a big leap forward from the Renault of a few years ago. Materials are excellent, the technology is up there with the best in its class, while physical buttons remain for important functions like the climate controls. We think it's an excellent all-rounder and a compelling family SUV, electric or otherwise.

BMW i4 hatchback review - electric cars can be fun

Carbuyer best company car BMW i4
Carbuyer rating

4.4 out of 5

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The BMW i4 offers all of the luxury and performance one expects of a sports saloon in a zero-emissions package. The top-of-the-range i4 M50 is the first electric car to be tinkered with by BMW’s ‘M’ division and provides sports-car-like thrills while remaining practical, thanks to four doors and a hatchback tailgate.

The i4 retains the striking styling of its petrol and diesel-powered cousin, the 4 Series, with the large kidney grille on the nose. However, on the i4, the grille is blocked off and the would-be exhaust pipes are replaced by trim pieces to improve airflow and efficiency. The i4 has a maximum range of 367 miles but expect to pay handsomely for it, since this BMW is far from the most affordable electric car around.

Kia Niro EV review

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Carbuyer rating

4.4 out of 5

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Like the Hyundai Kona, the Kia Niro EV is also offered as a hybrid model, but we think the electric variant is the pick of the bunch. It’s affordable, offers a decent range and has excellent interior technology. We liked it so much when we tested it that we awarded it the Carbuyer Car of the Year award in 2023.

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The Niro EV is the smallest electric car offered by Kia and shares its bones with the aforementioned Hyundai Kona Electric. It’s a smart-looking thing, with small SUV proportions and a comfy cabin up front, although the rear seats are rather cramped. Kia clearly prioritised boot space over the rear passengers, as there’s a whopping 475 litres on offer – more than you’ll find in the MG5 EV estate. Tech is strong inside, with a dual display setup providing a clear readout of information. We think the Hyundai feels more premium, but the Kia is still a pleasant place to spend time.

A quoted range of 285 miles may not sound like a lot in this company, but we were really impressed by how accurate the Niro’s range indicator was during testing, something that can’t be said for many of today’s EVs. 

MG4 hatchback review

Best Family Electric Car: MG4
Carbuyer rating

4.3 out of 5

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Arguably one of the best-value new cars currently on sale in the UK, the MG4 is the first model to sit on the British-Chinese brand’s all-new architecture. While MG’s reputation of late has been tarnished by its cheap-feeling, lacklustre interiors, things have improved for the 4; while there are still some budget materials, this has to be expected for such an affordable EV, and these are now counterbalanced by a modern and minimalist design, as well as a plethora of standard equipment.

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When we tested the MG4, we were surprised how much fun could be had behind the wheel, despite it being one of the cheapest EVs of its size. It feels great to drive around a twisty road, with nicely weighted steering with a good amount of feel through it, too. The lineup is simple, with buyers able to choose between entry-level SE and Trophy models, and two battery options – a 51kWh battery with 167bhp motor and 218-mile range, and a Long Range model with a larger 64kWh battery, 200bhp and a 281-mile range. Both are compatible with 150kW fast charging, which will take around half an hour to complete a 10-80% charge.

Of course there are more luxurious electric cars on the market, but the MG4 really does make you wonder where the compromises are, and thanks to its amazing value it secures a spot on this list.

Things to consider when buying an electric car

The best electric car for you will depend on your needs and how you’ll use it, but the good news is that EVs are now offered in as many different body styles as conventional petrol and diesel cars, so there’s plenty of choice in this respect. There are electric SUVs, electric hatchbacks and electric performance saloons to name just a few, and the powerful electric motors of many of these mean they will often have higher performance than you might expect of an equivalent combustion-engined model.

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Electric cars have traditionally been much more expensive than petrol or diesel cars, but the good news is that with more competition now on the market, the tide seems to be changing. We’re big fans of good value at Carbuyer, so you’ll find that many of our best lists include more affordable models that offer so much for a low price, and this is certainly true for our EV list. There are also a few premium electric cars for buyers after a more high-end package.

These days, most electric cars are capable of travelling well over 200 miles on a single charge – more than 350 miles in some cases – and their recharging times have tumbled. The Government expects pure electric cars to account for half of all car sales in the UK car market by 2027, while the number of available charging points continues to increase exponentially. From 2035 onwards, new car buyers will only be able to choose between an electric or hydrogen car.

Electric cars – also known as battery electric vehicles (BEVs) – don’t emit the same harmful exhaust emissions as petrol and diesel cars, offering much lower running costs to offset their typically higher asking prices. For example, electric cars are exempt from paying the London Congestion Charge, while they’re also exempt from paying VED (road tax) until the rules change in 2025. Company car drivers will reap the biggest benefits, however, as all EVs currently fall into the lowest 2% Benefit-in-Kind tax bracket.

You might wonder if an electric car is for you at all, given the fact that they’re still a fairly new prospect for mainstream buyers. This situation is changing, however, with new charging stations continually emerging and support growing for EVs. The range of companies and schemes does seem confusing, but our guide to the best chargepoints should take the hassle out of charging during journeys.

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Charlie writes and edits news, review and advice articles for Carbuyer, as well as publishing content to its social media platforms. He has also been a regular contributor to its sister titles Auto Express, DrivingElectric and evo. As well as being consumed by everything automotive, Charlie is a speaker of five languages and once lived in Chile, Siberia and the Czech Republic, returning to the UK to write about his life-long passion: cars.

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