MG4 hatchback review
The best electric family cars – our top picks of 2024
Are you and your family ready to go electric? We list the 10 best cars to supercharge your school run
The image of an electric car used to almost exclusively be one of a tiny, weedy lightweight hatchback powered by something reminiscent of a washing machine motor, but times have changed and EVs now come in all shapes and sizes which make them great choices as family cars.
There’s now all manner of electric hatchbacks, SUVs and MPVs which parents will love to drive, kids will be happy to ride in and the family dog will fit inside, too. Better yet, electric motors and battery tech has come a long way in the last decade or so, meaning EVs are more refined and easy to live with than ever before.
Admittedly, electric cars are still more expensive than their petrol or diesel counterparts to buy, but get yourself an affordable electricity tariff to charge at home and owning an electric family car could save you money on running costs in the long run, as well as reduce your carbon footprint, helping to leave behind a cleaner planet for the kids, too.
If you do decide to make the switch, then, it’s important to get the best bang for your buck, so we’ve handpicked a variety of electric family cars of different sizes which you should definitely consider. Some are humble electric hatchbacks while others are mammoth-sized seven-seaters that will suit buyers with lots of kids. If you’re not ready to go fully-electric, read our list of the top 10 best family cars, and if you want an electric SUV, read our list of the best here.
Priced from around £27,000
It’s no secret that electric cars are expensive, but the MG4 is one of the first affordable models that is comparable to its petrol and diesel counterparts in terms of price. Undercutting the EV competition by huge margins, the 4 is a striking-looking family hatchback that offers a surprising amount of space and equipment for the price, with all cars getting a 10.25-inch touchscreen, climate control and an extensive suite of driver assistance and safety systems – including rear parking sensors.
What sets the MG4 apart from other models from the British-Chinese manufacturer is the way it drives; with sharp steering and a sporty rear-wheel-drive layout, the 4 comes impressively close to channelling the sensations of MG sports cars of old. No matter whether you opt for the standard model with its range of 218 miles, or the 281-mile Long Range variant, both offer punchy performance and exceptional value for money.
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Priced from around £35,000
The Hyundai Kona Electric is one of our favourite electric family cars because it builds on what was already a very well-received recipe for the model that came before it. It boasts lots of interior space for a car of its size, while build and material quality are impressive and there’s a nice balance between physical and touchscreen-based controls in the cabin.
Behind the wheel, we were impressed by the Kona Electric’s ability to absorb road imperfections and potholes, and while it’s not the most exciting car to drive, it’s certainly smooth and relaxing, which is ideal for a family. Overall the current Kona Electric is larger than before, and Hyundai has put those generous dimensions to good use – the boot is larger than most of its small electric SUV rivals with a generous 466 litres to play with.
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Priced from around £65,000
The Kia EV9 is the brand’s most expensive car ever, but you’ll be getting a lot of car for the money. The large electric SUV is ideal for big families because you can have it with up to seven seats. There’s even the option of a six-seat layout if you want to specify plush captain’s chairs in the middle row for added comfort.
The Kia EV9’s electric motor is whisper quiet, making for a very refined drive. Despite its large size and weight, the potent electric motors in the dual-motor variant deliver 378bhp which propels the EV9 from 0-62mph in a rapid 5.3 seconds. Though the single-motor version delivers less at 201bhp, making the same sprint over four seconds slower, this will be more than enough for a family whose priorities are practicality and a smooth and comfortable drive. The EV9 is well equipped, too, with a large 12.3-inch driver’s display and central infotainment screen of the same size, while the first two rows get heated and ventilated seats. There’s also a 360-degree parking camera to help manoeuvre this behemoth in tight urban environments.
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Priced from around £37,000
If practicality is your main concern when searching for an electric family car, look no further than the Skoda Enyaq. Based on the Volkswagen ID.4, the Skoda surpasses its premium sibling in almost every respect and is packed full of nifty features. Open the standard automated bootlid and you’ll be greeted with 585 litres of space, making the Enyaq one of the roomiest EVs out there. A flat floor in the rear means three adults can sit comfortably abreast and there are even umbrellas hidden within the front doors – just like in a Rolls-Royce.
Skoda offers the Enyaq with a variety of powertrains, which can vary in terms of availability given current global production issues. The range kicks off with the 234-mile 50 model, all the way up to the 358-mile-capable 85. The majority of Enyaq models are best-suited to comfortable cruising on the motorway or around town, however Skoda also offers a sportier Enyaq Coupe model in high-performance vRS guise if you fancy something a bit more engaging.
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Priced from around £40,000
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is one of our favourite electric cars, and it also happens to be an ideal choice for families. With a striking design like it’s just stepped out of an arcade game from the 1980s, the Ioniq 5 is sure to stand out in any school or supermarket car park. It’s more spacious than you might expect, too; despite being a family hatchback, the Hyundai is larger than your typical Volkswagen Golf and boasts a roomy 527-litre boot – enough to fit the majority of prams or several suitcases.
Buyers can choose one of two battery sizes for the Ioniq 5; the smaller 55kWh unit should be enough for most family car buyers, with a range of around 240 miles and access to ultra-fast charging. While top spec versions of the Ioniq 5 produce over 300bhp, the Ioniq 5 is primarily set up for comfort, but even the entry-level car can offer plenty of fun on a twisty road.
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Priced from around £37,000
We think the Renault Scenic is very cool. It looks unlike many other cars on the roads today thanks to a space-age design, with retro hints such as the asymmetrical alloy wheels that are a nod to the original Renault Espace. It’s not all style and no substance, though, because the Scenic is a thoroughly well thought-out family car.
For starters the interior is incredibly spacious for five occupants and there are lots of neat touches, such as pop-out smartphone and tablet holders in the rear centre armrest to help keep the kids distracted. The interior is beautifully finished yet makes extensive use of sustainable and recycled materials, too, so you’ll be doing your bit to leave a healthier planet for your children. The Scenic achieves up to 379 miles to a charge if you go for the 87kWh battery, which is ahead of many of its rivals, and if you need to top up it benefits from charging speeds of up to 150kW, so a full recharge will take around 30 minutes.
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Priced from around £37,000
We loved the first-generation Kia e-Niro; it offered solid range, plenty of space and great value for money. The second generation (now renamed the Kia Niro EV) takes all of those positive aspects and adds a much more interesting design and the latest technology. Standard equipment also remains strong, with all cars getting a slick dual-screen infotainment setup, rear parking sensors and adaptive cruise control.
The Kia Niro EV is powered by a 201bhp electric motor, mated to a 64.7kWh battery. It gets a range of up to 285 miles, with the Niro able to charge from 10-80% in around 40 minutes when connected to a compatible public fast charger. If you love this car’s looks and tech but aren’t quite ready for a full EV, Kia also offers the regular Niro in self-charging hybrid and plug-in hybrid guise.
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Priced from around £45,000
Tesla has become synonymous with electric cars and it's easy to see why. The Model 3 saloon was instrumental in popularising EVs amongst family buyers and the Model Y SUV offers all of that car’s benefits in an even more practical package. With a boot at both the front and rear, there’s plenty of space for all your family’s luggage. The Model Y’s infotainment system is also packed with unique features and games, all of which are perfect for a family-oriented car such as this.
In a surprise move, Tesla drastically slashed the price of the Model Y in 2023, making it an even more appealing proposition. The American brand offers its smallest SUV in three variants: Model Y, Long Range and Performance. While the latter can rival sports cars in terms of acceleration, we recommend opting for the cheaper rear-driven Model Y as it still offers a range of around 280 miles. Tesla owners also have access to the brand’s superb Supercharger infrastructure, meaning range anxiety should be a thing of the past.
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Priced from around £37,000
The Peugeot E-5008 is another great option if you’ve got a larger family because it comes with seven seats – despite this, the E-5008 only costs a few grand more than the smaller E-3008 coupe-SUV. While the idea of such a large SUV might be daunting, we were surprised at how nimble and agile the E-5008 felt to drive when we tested it, and visibility was great.
While it’s not the quickest EV to drive, the E-5008 is comfortable and power delivery is smooth, which is a priority for family car buyers. From launch there’s just one Single Motor 207bhp version with up to 311 miles to a charge, but a more powerful Dual Motor version will arrive later alongside a Long Range Single Motor model with an impressive 400-mile provisional range (yet to be officially confirmed). All that makes the E-5008 a very usable EV for the rigours of family life.
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Priced from around £40,000
The Nissan Ariya is the brand’s first electric SUV and it happens to be one of the most well-rounded on the market. The Ariya is an impressive family EV which feels upmarket thanks to a simple but swish interior with wood trim, high-quality materials and lighting that’s inspired by Japanese ‘andon’ paper lanterns for a relaxing atmosphere.
The Ariya has a range of up to 329 miles when fitted with the larger 87kWh battery, but the smaller 63kWh unit still delivers an official 250-mile range which might be enough if you tend to do more frequent trips closer to home. The Nissan Ariya handles confidently and stays composed even on twistier roads, but is ultimately best suited to relaxed driving. There are some handy features to help make the most of the space on offer inside the Ariya, such as a sliding centre console which helps free up more space for rear passengers if needed.
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Don't want a traditional saloon or hatchback? Check out our list of the top 10 best electric SUVs...
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