Best New Electric Cars of 2026 in Each Category

Electric vehicle technology has come on leaps and bounds in recent years, so much so that cleaner, more economical motoring comes in all shapes and sizes now.

And that’s great news because it means there is a zero-emission, state-of-the-art electric car for everyone across a variety of price points.

So, whether you’re on the hunt for your first car, you have a family to chauffeur around town or you want something a little spicier, electric power forms the basis for some of the very best models on the market right now.

With so much variety comes a lot of choice, so to help you find the right electric car for you, we’re highlighting our favourites in each major category.

.

Best Electric City Car – Hyundai INSTER

The trusty, value-for-money i10 might have served as Hyundai’s city car for many years, but it looks positively ancient alongside its new electric sibling, the Hyundai INSTER.

Appearing like an SUV that shrunk in the wash, the INSTER might be tiny, but its bold detailing and chunky proportions command attention wherever it goes.

Inside, the INSTER could have been named TARDIS thanks to some expert packaging – such as the sliding rear seats and a high-set dashboard – that make it feel more spacious than you might expect.

Couple that with some impressive big car features like a live view monitor and alloy wheels, not to mention the potential for plus-200 miles of range, and the INSTER is a tiny yet bright city car star.

Also consider:

BYD Dolphin Surf – BYD turns on the funk for its smallest offering yet, the Dolphin Surf complementing its cute looks with generous standard kit and a refined drive

Citroen e-C3 – The long-running French hatchback takes on a new identity with taller, boxier proportions endowing it with surprising practicality in compact dimensions.

Best Small Electric Hatchback – Renault 5 E-Tech

The Renault 5 E-Tech is a veritable treat for the senses, regardless of whether you are old enough to remember the original model to appreciate the fabulous attention to detail wherever you look.

What starts as a familiar blocky silhouette blends into multiple cheeky stylised flourishes like the eyelet headlights and squared off daytime running LEDs, not to mention the chunky haunches, sprinkling of the ‘5’ motif and some bold colour combinations.

Indeed, the Renault 5 is both desirable and fun at the same time, but it consolidates its polish with a high-quality interior and a refined driving experience.

Two battery options are available with the entry-level 40kWh unit returning 193-miles of range, while the larger 52kWh battery – which comes with the full £3,750 discount as part of the UK’s Electric Car Grant – carries on to 249-miles.

Also consider:

Nissan Micra – The sister model to the Renault 5, the new Nissan Micra takes a more sophisticated styling approach but stands out in its own way just the same, while it retains all its French sibling’s (many) positive traits.

MG4 Urban – It might be a ‘small hatchback’ in price (starting at £23,495*) yet the MG4 Urban is anything but in terms of practicality with its enormous 577-litres of boot space

Best Electric Family Car – Nissan LEAF

In electric car terms, the Nissan LEAF is now something of a veteran and having played a major part in moving the EV game along with its first two generations, the third – launched this year – breaks new ground again.

Indeed, the innovative spirit of its predecessors remains very present in the new LEAF, which has morphed from a conventional hatchback into a trendier – and more attractive - coupe-style SUV format.

Whereas previous LEAF models existed as an alternative to ICE-equipped members of the Nissan range, the new model takes the lead as the marque’s foremost family car option.

This raised status is reflected in the state-of-the-art, immensely practical interior, not to mention class-lead rivalling range figures of up to 386-miles (WLTP).

Better yet, the LEAF comes with the UK government’s full Electric Car Grant of £3,750 applied.

Also consider:

Hyundai IONIQ 5 – Few cars have done more good for the electric car movement than the Hyundai IONIQ 5, a model that made such huge strides in range, practicality and efficiency when it was launched that its top line specification remains very competitive

Peugeot E-408 – Peugeot’s stalwart family car has not only evolved into a stylish and spacious coupe-cum-SUV, but it packs in electric power too – ‘Mondeo Man’ has never had it so good.

Best Small Electric SUV – Kia EV3

Kia’s burgeoning ‘EV’ line of electric vehicles has expanded rapidly in recent years but the Kia EV3 is arguably its best creation yet.

Blurring the lines between hatchback and SUV, the EV3 makes a statement out on the road in Kia’s confident design language, while the interior is built to the high standard we have come to expect from the Korean marque in recent times.

Available with the choice of 58.3kWh or 81.4kWh batteries, the EV3 returns up to 385-miles of range in its most generous trim.

Its frugal nature is backed up by the appeal of its large 460-litre boot, while the refined and comfortable driving experience allows the EV3 stands out as great all-rounder amid stiff opposition.

Also consider:

Ford Puma Gen-E – The top-selling Ford Puma strengthens its appeal with the addition of an electric version – the Gen-E – which is just as fun to drive, just as well built and even more practical with its 556-litre boot, all while delivering over 250-miles of range

Volvo EX30 – The Volvo EX30 distils all the Swedish marque’s core strengths – quality design, refined manners, sophistication – into a compact package that oozes desirability

Best Family Electric SUV – Skoda Elroq

The Skoda Elroq doesn’t skip a beat when it comes to delivering the practicality, quality, and smart touches we’ve come to expect from the Czechia manufacturer over the years but does so with electric power here.

As with most Skodas, it is the Elroq’s easy-to-live-with nature that elevates its status as an excellent car for families, proving spacious inside and built to a premium standard of quality.

Batteries of 63kWh, 82kWh and 84kWh in size comprise the Elroq’s line-up with up 355-miles of range quoted on a combined cycle in its most durable trim.

Also consider:

Renault Scenic E-Tech – The new Renault Scenic E-Tech channels the French firm’s skill in building excellent family cars with lots of practical touches and an efficient 87kWh battery that is good for 370-miles of range. Eligible for full £3,750 ECG.

Citroen e-C5 Aircross – Majors on comfort and quality, the Citroen e-C5 Aircross is also very spacious and returns up to 420-miles of range in flagship trims.

Best Premium Electric Car – Mercedes-Benz CLA

The Mercedes-Benz CLA moves the game along in terms of range and efficiency with plus-400 miles possible on a quoted WLTP cycle.

It achieves these figures in part due to its noticeably slippery profile, which has the added bonus of giving the CLA a decidedly sleek coupe-like appearance, even as a four-door.

Moreover, the range includes the estate-like CLA Shooting Brake, but whichever body style you prefer, it is a quality product through-and-through, from the bold fascia that is entirely made up of screens to the immaculate quality befitting of its premium brand status.

Also consider:

BMW i5 – The BMW i5 seamlessly integrates a quality electric powertrain into a model that has all the strengths of the enduringly popular 5-Series, plus up to 375-miles of range (WLTP) with zero emissions

BYD Seal – The BYD Seal boldly goes where no other Chinese manufacturer has been before by diving right into the premium space, but the result is a stylish, well-equipped and quick saloon that measures up to the esteemed best in the class.

Best Premium Electric SUV – BMW iX3

Not only does the BMW iX3 reign in a new era for the German marque in terms of design and philosophy, it’s gone right ahead to set new standards for electric range and efficiency.

Quoting up to 493-miles of range – depending on which model you choose – the iX3 sets a lofty benchmark for other manufacturers to beat, but even if they do they’ll still have to contend with the BMW’s other many strengths.

Indeed, the iX3 lives up to BMW’s reputation for excellent driving manners, while the bold ideas that went in to overhauling the interior work remarkably well too.

The same could be said for the family SUV’s looks with the iX3 chosen to debut BMW’s fresh ‘Neue Klasse’ design language, which cuts a striking dash on the road and helps to maximise it as a spacious and lavishly appointed package.

Also consider:

Skoda Enyaq – The Skoda Enyaq adds style to impeccable substance, whether you go for the conventional SUV or the more rakish Coupe version. Well-built, refined to drive and frugal with top end trims quoting up to 360-miles of range

Volvo EX60 – A big rival to the iX3’s throne, the Volvo EX60 – due later in the year – sees the Swedish company remix its hugely popular XC60 into a premium electric SUV that is also claiming it can achieve almost 500-miles of range.

Best Electric Estate – Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer

In a sea of SUVs, the humble estate remains the ideal choice for those that want maximum carrying capacity without sacrificing refinement.

With that brief in mind, the Volkswagen ID.7 Tourer makes for a compelling alternative as an immensely practical load lugger that emits zero emissions and is affordable to run.

Two battery sizes are available – 77kWh and 86kWh – with the larger of the two good for 424-miles of range (WLTP).

Behind the wheel, the ID.7 Tourer is endowed with a fuss free, premium quality interior, while the driving experience is smooth and refined.

Its trump card is its vast 605-litre boot, which betters both the BMW i5 Touring and Peugeot E-308 SW, and should make weekend trips to Ikea a breeze.

Also consider:

Kia PV5 Passenger – Kia turns the people-carrier formula on its head with the PV5 Passenger, which is brimming with clever practical touches to aid accessibility and flexibility. All while returning over 250-miles of range.

Peugeot E-308 SW – Sharp looking yet still practical, the Peugeot E-308 SW offers a high-end interior, a 548-litre boot and up to 275-miles of range.

Best Electric Car with Seven-Seats - Hyundai IONIQ 9

The Hyundai IONIQ 9 blends practicality and luxury with all the benefits that come with an electric powertrain to create one of the market’s most refined SUVs.

Grand in size but elegant in detail, the IONIQ 9’s sheer road presence translates to an immense interior that can be configured with either seven or six seats. Plump for the latter and all passengers get comforting captain chairs as standard.

High-end materials and excellent build quality endow the IONIQ 9 with an upmarket feel, while on the road it returns 385-miles on a combined cycle (WLTP) in Long Range trim.

Despite the full complement of seven chairs, there is still a well-sized boot measuring 338-litres, while it can grow to an enormous 2419-litres with the second and third row of seats folded.

Also consider:

Volkswagen ID.Buzz – The funky Volkswagen ID. Buzz channels its camper van ancestor via a modern, practical and economical people carrier. Proof that versatility needn’t come at the expense of style, it also returns up to 292-miles of range

Kia EV9 – The Kia EV9 shares many of the same strengths as the sister IONIQ 9, namely the immensely practical seven-seat interior and a comfortable driving experience.