In 2025, 23.4% of all new cars sold in the UK were fully electric, and the SUV body style dominates EV sales just as it does the petrol market, according to SMMT data. The appeal is clear: a higher driving position, more boot space, and the visual identity of the segment. Electric SUVs now span from sub-£25,000 compact crossovers to £100,000 luxury flagships, but the most competitive bracket, and where most UK buyers shop, sits between £32,000 and £65,000.
All WLTP range figures are sourced from the relevant manufacturer's UK website or official WLTP certification data.
Top electric SUVs at a glance
| Model | Category | WLTP range | Price from | Peak DC charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skoda Elroq | Compact | Up to 355 miles | ~£32,000 | 175 kW |
| Volvo EX30 | Compact premium | Up to 298 miles | ~£34,000 | 153 kW |
| BMW iX1 | Compact premium | Up to 271 miles | ~£44,000 | 130 kW |
| Volkswagen ID.4 Pro | Mid-size family | ~340 miles | £35,005 | 135 kW |
| Skoda Enyaq 85 | Mid-size family | 359 miles | £39,010 | 175 kW |
| Hyundai Ioniq 5 84 kWh | Mid-size family | 354 miles | £39,900 | 220 kW |
| Kia EV6 84 kWh | Mid-size sporty | 361 miles | £45,575 | 233 kW |
| Tesla Model Y | Mid-size family | 331 miles | £44,990 | 250 kW |
| Kia EV9 | Large 7-seat | ~304 miles | ~£65,000 | 240 kW |
WLTP ranges from manufacturer UK websites. Prices are OTR guide prices; verify with the manufacturer. Range varies by trim level.
How to choose an electric SUV
Electric SUVs split into three practical categories based on size, price, and intended use.
Compact electric SUVs are typically 4.2 to 4.4 metres long with a higher roofline than a hatchback but less interior space than a mid-size SUV. They suit urban and suburban drivers who want the commanding view and style of an SUV without the parking challenges of a larger car. Expect 240 to 360 miles WLTP and prices from around £32,000 to £45,000.
Mid-size family electric SUVs are the dominant segment, typically 4.5 to 4.7 metres long with 500 to 600 litres of boot space and enough rear legroom for adult passengers. They cover the £35,000 to £55,000 range and offer 300 to 375 miles WLTP. These are the cars most families end up choosing.
Large 7-seat electric SUVs are 4.8 metres or longer, with a genuine third row, and are priced from around £65,000. Currently, the Kia EV9 is the standout choice in this category.
Best compact electric SUVs
Skoda Elroq — best overall compact electric SUV
The Elroq won What Car? Car of the Year 2025 and is the most accomplished compact electric SUV under £40,000. Starting from around £32,000, it offers up to 355 miles WLTP on the top battery specification, a 490-litre boot, and the same MEB platform and 175 kW DC charging capability as the larger Enyaq. Its lower entry price means buyers can access substantial equipment without approaching the £40,000 VED threshold. For drivers who want a compact footprint with long-range capability, the Elroq is the best-value choice in this section.
Volvo EX30 — best compact premium electric SUV
The EX30 is the smallest Volvo ever made but follows the brand's full approach to safety and Scandinavian cabin quality. Starting from around £34,000, it offers up to 298 miles WLTP and a 153 kW peak DC charging rate. It is narrower and shorter than most rivals but compensates with an exceptionally well-designed interior for its size. Euro NCAP gives it five stars. For compact SUV buyers who want premium brand values at a mainstream price, the EX30 is the most distinctive option.
BMW iX1 — best premium compact electric SUV
The iX1 brings BMW's premium interior quality and driving dynamics to the compact SUV segment. WLTP range is up to 271 miles from the xDrive30 battery, and the 130 kW DC charging rate is adequate but not class-leading. Priced from around £44,000, it sits above the £40,000 VED threshold, meaning buyers pay the Expensive Car Supplement. However, for drivers who specifically want a BMW premium experience in a compact body, nothing else in this section delivers it.
Best mid-size family electric SUVs
Skoda Enyaq 85 — best family value mid-size SUV
The Enyaq 85 delivers 359 miles WLTP, a 585-litre boot, and an 11 kW onboard AC charger from £39,010, keeping it under the £40,000 VED threshold. Its 175 kW DC charging adds 100 miles in approximately 20 minutes. Five-star Euro NCAP. It is the most boot space, the most range, and the most practical cabin available in a mainstream SUV at this price point. For families choosing their first or second EV, the Enyaq 85 is the most frequently recommended car in this section. Source: Skoda UK.
Hyundai Ioniq 5 84 kWh — best for rapid charging
The Ioniq 5's 800V architecture makes it the fastest-charging mainstream SUV on the market. At 220 kW peak DC charging, a 10 to 80% charge takes around 18 minutes at a 350 kW rapid charger. WLTP range on the 84 kWh battery is 354 miles, and the vehicle-to-home capability lets it export power back to your house. Five-star Euro NCAP. At £39,900, it is £890 under the £40,000 VED threshold on the entry specification. Source: Hyundai UK.
Kia EV6 84 kWh — best for driving dynamics
The EV6 is the most driver-focused SUV on this list. Its 800V architecture matches the Ioniq 5 for charging speed at 233 kW peak DC. WLTP range on the 84 kWh battery is 361 miles, the highest of any mainstream mid-size EV SUV. Five-star Euro NCAP with 90% adult occupant protection. Priced from £45,575 for the 84 kWh variant, it sits above the £40,000 threshold but offers an engaging driving experience that few electric SUVs match. Source: Kia UK.
Tesla Model Y — best software and charging network
The Tesla Model Y is the best-selling EV in the UK and one of the best-selling cars of any kind. Its combination of 331 miles WLTP range (2025 Juniper RWD), 250 kW Supercharger peak charging, and the most mature EV app ecosystem of any manufacturer makes it the benchmark for daily ease of use. Euro NCAP: five stars, 97% adult occupant protection. The Supercharger network with over 250 UK locations provides unmatched en-route charging reliability. Priced from £44,990, it is above the £40,000 VED threshold. Source: Tesla UK.
Volkswagen ID.4 Pro — best mainstream family SUV
The ID.4 Pro at £35,005 offers around 340 miles WLTP, 11 kW AC charging, a 543-litre boot, and the strongest dealer network of any EV platform in the UK. It is the least sporty and least technologically distinctive car in this section, but it is also the most familiar, the most reliably serviced, and the most straightforwardly practical. For buyers who want an uncomplicated mid-size EV SUV without configuring their way to an edge case, the ID.4 Pro is a solid choice. Source: Volkswagen UK.
Best large and 7-seat electric SUVs
Kia EV9 — the best 7-seat electric SUV
The EV9 is the defining 7-seat electric SUV in the UK. Built on Kia's 800V architecture with 240 kW peak DC charging, it delivers around 304 miles WLTP from its 99.8 kWh battery. The third row provides genuine space for adults, not just children, separating it from most rivals that offer a nominal third row. Its 2,500 kg towing capacity makes it the most capable EV for towing a large caravan or horse box. Five-star Euro NCAP. Pricing starts above £65,000. For large families who need genuine 7-seat practicality and the confidence of fast en-route charging, the EV9 is the only mainstream choice. Source: Kia UK.
Running costs: electric SUV vs petrol SUV
For a family driving 12,000 miles per year, the annual running cost difference between a mid-size electric SUV charged at home and an equivalent petrol SUV is substantial. At 7 to 8p per mile on a home overnight tariff versus 18 to 20p per mile for a 35-mpg petrol SUV, the saving is approximately £1,200 to £1,440 per year in fuel. Add lower annual servicing costs (no oil changes, reduced brake wear) of around £150 to £200 per year and the total operational cost advantage of the EV exceeds £1,400 per year. Source: Auto Express, loveelectric.cars.
For a full view of the best electric cars across every body style and budget, see our best electric cars UK guide for 2026.
Key takeaways
- Electric SUVs now dominate UK EV sales. In 2025, 473,348 new fully electric cars were registered, making up 23.4% of the total market (SMMT).
- The Skoda Elroq, winner of What Car? 2025 Car of the Year, is the best-value compact electric SUV from around £32,000 with up to 355 miles WLTP.
- The Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 lead the mid-size segment on charging speed, achieving 10 to 80% in around 18 minutes via 800V architecture.
- The Tesla Model Y scored 97% adult occupant protection in Euro NCAP, one of the highest scores ever recorded for any car.
- The Kia EV9 is the only mainstream 7-seat electric SUV with genuine third-row space for adults, 800V charging, and 2,500 kg towing capacity.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best electric SUV in the UK?
It depends on your priorities. For overall value and practicality under £40,000, the Skoda Enyaq 85 at £39,010 is the strongest choice. For fastest charging, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 or Kia EV6 with their 800V architecture are unmatched in the mainstream segment. The Tesla Model Y is the UK's best-selling EV and offers the best software and Supercharger network. For a 7-seat option, the Kia EV9 stands alone.
Can I get a good electric SUV for under £40,000?
Yes. The Skoda Enyaq 85 (£39,010), Hyundai Ioniq 5 (£39,900), and Kia EV6 63 kWh (£39,235) all sit below the £40,000 Expensive Car Supplement threshold. The Skoda Elroq starts from around £32,000 and offers up to 355 miles WLTP. The Volkswagen ID.4 Pro starts from £35,005. There are genuinely strong options across the £32,000 to £40,000 band.
Is an electric SUV cheaper to run than a petrol SUV?
Yes, significantly so when charged at home. Home overnight charging on an off-peak tariff costs around 7 to 8p per mile. An equivalent petrol SUV at 35 mpg and 145p per litre costs approximately 18 to 20p per mile. For a family driving 12,000 miles per year, the saving is around £1,200 to £1,500 per year in fuel alone, before accounting for the lower servicing and maintenance costs of an EV.
What electric SUV has the best safety rating?
The Tesla Model Y scored 97% adult occupant protection in its Euro NCAP assessment, one of the highest scores ever recorded for any car. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 both hold five-star ratings with strong occupant protection scores. The Skoda Enyaq and Elroq are also five-star rated. Every model in our main picks section holds a five-star Euro NCAP rating.
Which electric SUV has the longest range?
Among mainstream electric SUVs priced under £65,000, the Kia EV3 (81.4 kWh) leads at 375 miles WLTP. The Skoda Enyaq 85 follows at 359 miles and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 84 kWh at 354 miles. Premium models above that price threshold, including the BMW iX3 and Mercedes EQS SUV, reach further but at significantly higher prices.