Best electric SUVs 2024 – the top 10, plus the ones to avoid
Thanks to big advancements in battery and charging technology, the best electric SUVs are now as usable as they are desirable. Here we name the top 10 – and reveal the models to avoid...
EVs and SUVs are two types of car that almost every manufacturer is focusing on right now, so the electric SUV class is perhaps the most competitive of all.
The best models in it are as practical as they are classy, and as good to drive as they are cheap to run. But which ones are we talking about?
Well, our experienced team of reviewers evaluate electric cars in 18 different areas, and after applying this rigorous testing to every model on sale, have concluded that the Smart #3 is the best electric SUV you can currently buy.
Below we'll take a look at why that is and name the best version of the #3. What's more, we'll reveal the rest of the models in the top 10 – and the ones we'd avoid.
If anything on the list take your fancy, simply click on the relevant link to find out more or see how much you could save with our electric SUV deals.
The 2024 What Car? Reliability Survey is live, tell us about your car now
Our pick: 200kW Premium 66kWh 5dr Auto
Strengths
- Good to drive
- Smart interior
- Great safety rating
Weaknesses
- Slightly choppy low-speed ride
- Efficiency could be better
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 Smart #3 review
Our pick: 168kW Premium 77.4kWh 5dr Auto [Comfort]
Strengths
- Wonderful interior
- Extremely quiet on the move
- Great infotainment system
Weaknesses
- Boot isn't huge
- Rear space is average
- Optional cameras not as good as traditional door mirrors
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 Genesis GV60 review
Our pick: 200kW Premium 66kWh 5dr Auto
Strengths
- Great to drive
- Plush, high-quality interior
- Great safety rating
Weaknesses
- Small boot
- Slightly choppy low-speed ride
- Efficiency could be better
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 Smart #1 review
Strengths
- Good to drive
- Great infotainment system
- Comparatively well priced
Weaknesses
- Not as fast as rivals
- Audi Q6 e-tron is quieter
- Shorter range than rivals
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 BMW iX3 review
Strengths
- Extremely practical
- 85 version has an impressive range
- Comfortable and easy to drive
Weaknesses
- So-so performance from entry-level 60 version
- You'll want to add options, such as a heat pump
- Faster charging capability limited to 4x4 Enyaqs
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 Skoda Enyaq review
Our pick: 200kW Single Motor Plus 51kWh 5dr Auto
Strengths
- Great to drive
- Smart interior – particularly in Ultra spec
- Starting price undercuts many rivals
Weaknesses
- Rear space isn't great
- Efficiency could be better
- Fiddly touch-sensitive controls on steering wheel
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 Volvo EX30 review
Our pick: 1.6 GDi Hybrid Advance 5dr DCT
Strengths
- Impressive range
- Plenty of space for occupants and their luggage
- User-friendly dashboard layout
Weaknesses
- Steering wheel short on reach adjustment
- Not much fun to drive
- Some motor whine around town
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 Hyundai Kona Electric review
Strengths
- One of the quietest cars we’ve ever tested
- Spacious and luxurious interior
- Great infotainment system
Weaknesses
- Air suspension and rear-wheel steering available only on pricier xDrive50
- xDrive40 has a disappointing real-world range
- Teslas have a better charging infrastructure
The BMW iX is beautifully appointed inside, mixing the visual appeal of the rival Mercedes EQC with the build quality of the Audi Q8 e-tron. The result is an interior which you'll be very happy to spend lots of time in.
It helps that the iX is extremely quiet. And while the ride of the xDrive40 version is a little unsettled, upgrading to the xDrive50 brings air suspension, which can soak up all manner of lumps and bumps on the road.
Go for the xDrive50, and you'll also get more performance (the 0-62mph sprint takes just 4.4sec) and a bigger battery (enough for a range of 284 miles between charges). It's just a pity it pushes the price up by more than £30,000.
"Personally, I'd choose the iX over the Q8 e-tron for it's more relaxing set-up. But if handling is a higher priority for you than ride comfort, it's the Audi that has the edge." – Stuart Milne, Digital Editor
Read our BMW iX review
Our pick: 160kW Techno 87kWh Long Range 5dr Auto
Strengths
- Bigger battery version offers a long range
- Cheaper than many rivals
- Five-star Euro NCAP safety rating
Weaknesses
- Rear seat versatility could be better
- Spongy brake pedal feel
- Not particularly quick
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 Renault Scenic review
Kia EV6
Our pick: 166kW Horizon 77.4kWh 5dr Auto
Strengths
- Long range and fast charging
- Loads of rear legroom
- Seven-year Kia warranty
Weaknesses
- Shallow boot
- Expensive top trim
- Slightly firm ride
The Kia EV6 is a former What Car? Car of the Year. And while newer rivals have now surpassed it in a number of areas, it remains an excellent choice.
In the RWD form we recommend, it’s officially capable of travelling up to 328 miles on a full charge – which is more than the Volkswagen ID 4 can manage – so family days out shouldn’t include a charging stop. However, if they do, then the EV6’s peak charging rate of 238kW means topping up the battery can be completed in as little as 16 minutes.
Then there’s the comfort the EV6 offers, because not only does it look suitably upmarket inside – even beating its Hyundai Ioniq 5 sister car for quality – but there’s enough space for everyone to stretch out. Plus, we managed to fit seven carry-on suitcases into the EV6’s boot – enough for the holiday luggage of most families.
"The ride of the Kia EV6 has a firm edge, which means you feel urban bumps more acutely than you do in the rival Renault Scenic. Then again, the EV6 is more fun in the corners, with tighter body control, so I can see why some people might prefer it." – Will Nightingale, Reviews Editor
Read our Kia EV6 review
For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter here
And the electric SUVs to avoid...
This electric SUV is comfortable and has a strong record for reliability, but its short range, slow charging and frustrating infotainment stop it from being anything other than an also-ran. Read our review
The Mach-E is a well equipped and relatively spacious large electric SUV, but its abrupt ride, so-so build quality and relatively slow maximum charging rate make it impossible to recommend. Read our review
How we choose the best electric SUVs
In order to determine the best electric SUVs on sale, we thoroughly test every new model, and continually reassess the entire class as we go. That means our list of the top models stays up to date with our latest verdicts.
Our ratings are based on data we receive from thousands of motorists who complete our annual reader survey telling us about the qualities they prioritise when buying a new car. In the latest annual reader survey, electric SUV owners told us the three most important criteria when choosing their car were:
The absence of an engine in electric SUVs means that most are very quiet. However, that comparative calm does mean you’re more likely to pick up on any road, wind and tyre noise the car emits.
To test how quiet an electric SUV is, we measure the sound inside each car at speeds of 30mph and 70mph. Along with this, our testers carry out further subjective tests to locate where the noise is coming from and in what conditions it might present itself. We also factor in how smooth a car is to drive.
Our annual Reliability Survey allows us to create a unique reliability rating for many electric SUVs, because we ask thousands of car owners to tell us about how reliable their cars have been over the past 24 months. For every car that experienced a fault, we ask in what area the issue occurred, plus how much it cost to repair and how long it spent in the workshop.
Electric SUVs are often premium models, with commensurate price tags, so it’s particularly important that the interior is a nice and welcoming place to be. This is why we examine the perceived quality of the interior – how soft and tactile the materials feel to the touch and the standard of fit and finish. We also assess how robust and well assembled the interior feels.
We don’t stop there, though. Every car is subject to a comprehensive set of tests and assessments. You can read more about that in our how we test cars feature.
FAQs
The electric SUV that can travel farthest on a single charge is the Fisker Ocean, which (according to its maker) can manage up to 440 miles in Ocean One form. That huge range would be enough to get you from London to Glasgow without stopping – and you'd still have enough left over for pottering around town.
True, you're unlikely to match the official figure in real-world conditions. However, that's true of all electric cars, and the reason why we drive a selection of models until they die as part of our annual summer and winter range tests.
The results of our annual What Car? Reliability Survey show that electric SUVs can be very reliable, with the Ford Mustang Mach-E finishing joint top of the 2023 standings. Indeed, there wasn't a single problem reported by any of its owners who contacted us.
Other electric SUVs that performed well include the BMW iX3 and Tesla Model Y, with only a small percentage of problems reported for both models.
At the other end of the scale, the Vauxhall Mokka Electric is Britain's least reliable electric SUV, with more than 60% of owners experiencing an issue in the previous year. Some of those were big, too, with 40% of respondents telling us that they had problems with their car's battery, and 13% the motor.
Although Toyota is well known for its hybrid and plug-in hybrid models, the Japanese brand was relatively late to the party with a modern electric SUV. However, in 2022 it launched the Toyota bZ4X.
Although it doesn't feature on our list of the very best electric SUVs, the bZ4X is still a four-star car that's good to drive and benefits from a spacious interior. On the other hand, it can't charge as fast as the rival Kia EV6 and Tesla Model Y.
It's very likely that some electric SUVs will be able to travel up to 500 miles between charges in the future, because batteries are continuing to get larger and the technology itself is advancing.
Don't expect an electric SUV with a 500-mile range to be cheap, though – indeed, such models are likely to be among the most expensive around.
To keep costs down, it might be better to consider an electric SUV which has a shorter range, but which can charge quickly. The Kia EV6, for example, can charge at a peak rate of 238kW.
