More and more of us are switching to electric cars, as the 2030 ban on petrol and diesel models looms nearer and the choice and affordability of electric cars increases.
Electric cars offer many potential benefits, especially if you're choosing one as a family car. Cost is a factor, of course, and if you have a home charger an electric car can make sound financial sense. Many are especially practical, too, because electric cars don't have a bulky engine, fuel tank or gearbox taking up space and their battery packs are usually tucked away under the floor.
Here, we've gathered together our top 10 new and used electric cars for families, each of which delivers in terms of practicality, value and battery range.
The Best Electric Cars for Families 2025
- Kia EV3 (2024-)
- Skoda Enyaq (2021-)
- Hyundai Kona Electric (2023-)
- Renault Scenic E-Tech (2024-)
- MG ZS EV (2017-2025)
- Kia EV9 (2024-)
- Skoda Elroq
- Volkswagen ID.Buzz
- Tesla Model Y (2022-)
- Mercedes-Benz EQB (2022-)
Kia EV3 (2024-)
Kia’s family of electric cars is expanding rapidly and the EV3 has the kind of bold design and excellent battery range that siblings such as the EV6 and EV9 have become known for. Despite being much more compact than those two, the EV3 is still impressively practical. There's lots of space in the back seats and a 460-litre boot space is well above average for a car that's shorter than a Ford Focus.
While the EV3’s interior isn't as futuristic as its exterior, it still has a high-tech look and plenty of useful gadgets. Even the entry-level model has heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support and a 12-inch driver display. Prices are a bit higher than you might expect, but few rival cars are as well-equipped, or can match Kia’s seven-year warranty. Range is above average, too, at 270 miles or 375 miles, depending on whether you go for the standard or larger battery option.
Kia EV3 Review
Skoda Enyaq (2021-)
The Skoda Enyaq was the outright winner of our electric SUV megatest in 2021 and it remains one of the best of the breed whether you're buying a used model or the latest version. Earlier larger-battery versions have a range of up to 333 miles, but an update in 2025 boosted that to 360 miles and introduced a sleeker front end and upgraded spec. In each case, the cheaper versions have a smaller battery but still provide more than 200 miles fron a full charge.
Skoda’s cars are known for their roomy interiors, and the Enyaq very much lives up to that. It has a huge 585-litre boot and there’s a frankly ridiculous amount of space in the back. Both are reduced a smidge if you go for the rakishly styled coupe version. Standard equipment is very generous, as every model comes with the likes of part-leather seats, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, satnav and parking sensors, so there’s more than enough to justify the price. It's smooth and especially quiet on the move, which might help to make those long family trips a bit more peaceful.
Skoda Enyaq Review
Hyundai Kona Electric (2023-)
The first-generation Hyundai Kona Electric was a very popular electric car, but the second-generation model introduced in 2023 really moves the game on and is now a great choice as a family car. Increased dimensions give it a lot more legroom and headroom in the back, and much more boot space, yet it remains fairly compact. The minimalist interior has a high-quality finish, and the retro-futuristic styling means it stands out a mile in the car park.
Two powertrain options are offered, an entry-level one with a 154bhp motor and a 48kWh battery for up to 234 miles of range on a full charge, and a long range one with a 215bhp motor and a 65kWh battery for a range of up to 319 miles. A maximum charging rate of 101kW isn't class-leading, but if you have a home charger you can take the battery from 10 to 100% charged in eight hours. Standard equipment is extremely generous, with all versions having a heat pump and rear-view camera. All but the entry-level model also have heated front and rear seats, a heated steering wheel and an electrically powered tailgate.
Hyundai Kona Review
Renault Scenic E-Tech (2024-)
If you’re going to put a ‘Scenic’ badge on a car it had better be a practical one because the name is synonymous with some groundbreaking MPVs. Well, the Renault Scenic E-Tech is a five-seat, mid-size SUV and, while it might not quite have MPV-style versatility, it’s still one of the best electric cars for families. That's because there’s loads of space in the back seats, as well as a 40/20/40 split backrest that allows you to vary the luggage/passenger ratio in an instant. The boot is large, too, although a lot of its 545-litre capacity is in a cubby under the floor.
A smooth ride boosts the Scenic E-Tech’s credentials as family transport, as does a rear center armrest with charging ports and bespoke device holders. The interior is an appealing place to be, too, with an attractive design, interesting materials and a user-friendly infotainment system. Standard kit is comprehensive, with entry-level trim including features such as heated front seats, front and rear parking sensors, a reversing camera and an electrically operated tailgate. Maximum range is well ahead of many rivals at 379 miles, while a maximum charging speed of 150kW is competitive, if not class-leading.
Renault Scenic E-Tech Review
MG ZS EV (2017-2025)
Opting for an SUV over a hatchback usually bumps up a car's price, while choosing electric power usually bumps it up again. What's remarkable about the ZS EV is that it's an electric SUV that costs about the same as (or even less than) a petrol-powered hatchback. It's a great choice as a family car, offering lots of interior space and a decent boot within a car that's shorter than a Nissan Qashqai, so very car-park friendly. The ride is comfortable and there's plenty of oomph, and although the interior looks plain it's simple and easy to use.
Early ZS EV models have a 163-mile range, which is enough for a good few school runs but not as well-suited to motorway trips. Updated versions known as Standard Range and Long Range arrived in 2022, promising 198 and 273 miles, and later models have a redesigned front end that looks much more modern. All versions are well-equipped, and with prices for early used models dipping below £10,000 the ZS is outstanding value for money.
MG ZS Review
Kia EV9 (2024-)
The Kia EV9 is the brand’s biggest, bravest car yet – a step into the world of luxury seven-seat SUVs that has traditionally been the domain of Audi, BMW, Land Rover and Mercedes-Benz. Prices kick off at more than £65,000, which might seem a lot for a Kia, but considering that it’s both huge and stacked with kit it’s actually decent value. Especially when you realise that the cheapest version of its nearest electrically-powered rival – the Volvo EX90 – costs about £18,000 more.
While the EV9 doesn’t quite have the premium ambience of some rivals inside, its interior is classy and stylish. It’s also extremely spacious, with room for seven adults to sit comfortably. With the third-row seats in place there’s more boot space than you get with most superminis; fold them away and you’ve got a ludicrous 828-litre capacity. Four-wheel drive versions have a competitive 313-mile range, while rear-wheel-drive models boost that to 349 miles. Peak charging rate is a mighty 210kW, so a 10-80 percent is possible in just 24 minutes.
Kia EV9 Review
Skoda Elroq
No, we haven’t listed the Skoda Enyaq twice – although you could be forgiven for thinking that because the Skoda Elroq is essentially just a shorter, cheaper Enyaq. The two cars share most parts, with the only major difference being at the back, where the Elroq has less bodywork behind the wheels and a smaller boot as a result. Smaller, yes, but not small – a capacity of 470 is still very good, albeit slightly down on what you get in most mid-size SUVs, including Skoda’s own Karoq. Cabin space is a match for the Enyaq, so the Elroq is just as accommodating. The two cars share the same tech and interior design, too, so there’s a high-quality look and feel and a fairly intuitive infotainment system.
Like the Enyaq, the Elroq is especially quiet on the move, and it feels solid and reassuring to drive. With the addition of a sporty new vRS version in mid-2025, there are now four battery options, with official maximum range figures of between 232 and 355 miles. While the Enyaq is slightly roomier and better equipped, you pay about £5,000 less for an equivalent Elroq. So unless you need that extra boot space it’s well worth a look.
Skoda Elroq Review
Volkswagen ID.Buzz
If there’s one car that proves emphatically that MPVs can be cool it’s the Volkswagen ID.Buzz. In fact, there can be few other cars – regardless of body type – that will get you more school-run street cred than this one.
There is, of course, more to the ID.Buzz than just its gorgeous retro-modern design. It’s also very spacious, as you’d expect given that it’s also sold as a van. The standard-wheelbase model is available as a five-seater or six-seater, offering oodles of headroom and legroom for everyone, plus a huge boot. Opt for the long-wheelbase model and you get seven seats. Both have sliding side doors that make access easy, as well as the option to fold all but the front seats for a van-like load area. A maximum battery range of 291 miles isn’t bad considering the ID.Buzz’s size and weight, and a charging speed of up to 170kW means it’s possible to add 100 miles of range in 15 minutes. There’s no getting around the fact that the ID.Buzz is expensive – prices start at almost £60,000 and the must-have two-tone paint job is a four-figure option.
Volkswagen ID.Buzz Review
Tesla Model Y (2022-)
Whatever the noise around Tesla these days, its cars remain a step ahead of many rivals. After a thorough update in 2025 the Tesla Model Y is better than ever, with a smoother ride, smarter looks and higher-quality materials inside. Maximum range has been boosted to 311 miles for standard models and 387 miles for long-range models – figures that many rivals can’t match.
As with every Tesla, the interior is minimalist in the extreme, with a huge central touchscreen used to control just about every function. It’s also very roomy and the huge boot is supplemented by a useful ‘frunk’ under the bonnet. Even by electric car standards, the Model Y is quiet and fast. Really fast. A maximum charging rate of 250kW means you can also top up the battery quickly, as long as you can find a powerful enough charger. Having access to the Tesla Supercharger network certainly helps.
Tesla Model Y Review
Mercedes-Benz EQB (2022-)
The Mercedes EQB combines seven seats and an electric powertrain in a surprisingly compact footprint. That makes it a great choice if you want the the flexibility that a seven-seater electric car can offer but don't want a huge SUV or MPV. We won’t pretend that space in the third-row seats is especially generous, but they’re useful if friends or family members want to tag along on a day trip and they fold away easily to give you as much boot space as some estate cars.
That versatility isn’t the sum total of the EQB’s achievements, either. Like most Mercs, it has a gorgeously trimmed interior that’s packed with safety and luxury equipment, plus a cutting-edge infotainment system. It’s a comfortable and pleasant car to drive, too. Single-motor and twin-motor variants are offered with varying levels of power and range, and the most long-legged version has an official range of up to 321 miles. It supports rapid charging of up to 100kW, so find yourself a powerful enough public charging station, and you can get a 100-mile top up in 20 minutes. New prices start at about £53,000, but the cheapest used examples now cost less than half that.
Mercedes-Benz EQB Review