Top 10 best electric SUVs 2023
Electric SUVs combine style and practicality with low running costs, making them a very popular choice in the UK. Here are our top 10 favourites to buy in 2023
If you’re in the market for an electric SUV, there’s no shortage of choice these days. From the affordable MG ZS EV and Kia Niro EV to the exciting Mercedes EQS SUV with its Hyperscreen infotainment and the ridiculously fast Tesla Model Y: the UK's best-selling electric car last year. These zero-emissions family haulers boast a desirable set of attributes: fashionable styling, useful practicality and low running costs.
In addition, company-car drivers will appreciate electric SUVs' rock-bottom Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) rates and zero road tax until 2025, while those who frequently drive into central London will enjoy exemption from the Congestion Charge (also until 2025).
The number of electric SUVs on the market is constantly expanding, too. Polestar, Jeep, Volvo, Mercedes, Ford, Peugeot and Lotus are all launching new ones during 2023, while Kia’s upcoming flagship, the EV9, is a zero-emissions seven-seater and a pure-electric Range Rover is set to arrive by 2024.
So, to make finding the electric SUV that’s right for you a little easier, we’ve put together our round-up of the top 10 best electric SUVs on sale in 2023, with video reviews on all of them below so you can learn more:
Make sure to check out the winners of the 2023 DrivingElectric Awards and our list of the best electric cars as well to see what’s impressed us the most over the past year – and don't forget to follow DrivingElectric on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube for the very latest news and reviews.
1. Kia Niro EV
The Niro EV picks up right where the hugely successful e-Niro left off, adding sharper styling, more boot space and intuitive infotainment to the brand’s popular electric family-car package. Every model comes with a 10.25-inch digital driver’s display and either an eight or 10.25-inch touchscreen, depending on the exact specification. The range is a healthy 285 miles, while the addition of one-pedal driving capability makes it great around town. Ride quality is on the firm side of comfortable, but overall the Niro EV is another example of sensible electric motoring that’ll be easy to live with.
Read our full Kia Niro EV review to find out more.
2. Skoda Enyaq iV
Skoda is renowned for producing great-value and well thought-out family cars with petrol and diesel engines, but the Enyaq iV is the first to do the same with electric power. Using the VW Group's MEB electric-car architecture means an enormous amount of interior space for both passengers and luggage, not to mention great all-round visibility. You can choose from three different powertrains: the Enyaq iV 60, Enyaq iV 80 and all-wheel-drive Enyaq iV 80x. They deliver between 246 and 339 miles' range and there’s also a sporty-looking Enyaq Coupe iV model if you’d rather sacrifice a tiny bit of practicality of an extra dose of style.
Read our full Skoda Enyaq iV review to find out more.
3. MG ZS EV
Since it launched in 2019, the ZS EV has offered a very affordable route into zero-emissions motoring. For 2022, MG gave it a facelift, updating its styling and introducing a new Long Range version, with a range of up to 273 miles. The starting price is just over £30,000 now and there’s lots of interior space, along with a 470-litre boot that should make the ZS EV ideal for families. The refresh also brought a new digital driver’s display and a 10.1-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
TrustpilotRead our full MG ZS EV review to find out more.
4. BMW iX
The iX is the premium German brand's flagship electric SUV, and the largest model in its rapidly expanding i range of zero-emissions models. Thanks to the dual-motor setups in all three versions available to UK buyers, you get all-wheel-drive and impressive performance. The iX is also great to drive for a car of this size, and can cover up to 380 miles on a charge. The centrepiece of the cabin is the slim instrument panel, which incorporates a 14.9-inch curved screen and 12.3-inch digital driver’s display. Inside, the iX overall feels light and airy, plus there's room for adults in the back and a 500-litre boot.
Read our full BMW iX review to find out more.
5. Tesla Model Y
The Model Y is the electric SUV many people were waiting for. Based on the Model 3 saloon, it boasts a spacious cabin, slick infotainment and boatloads of practicality thanks to a 117-litre ‘frunk’ under the bonnet and a whopping 854 litres of boot space. Performance is still staggering, thanks to dual-motor setups in both the Long Range and Performance models. Prices now start from under £45,000, thanks to the addition of a new Rear-Wheel-Drive variant, plus one of the major benefits of Tesla ownership is the brand’s extensive Supercharger network. Use one of its latest V3 Superchargers and you can top up the Model Y's battery from 0-80% in just 36 minutes.
Read our full Tesla Model Y review to find out more.
6. Ford Mustang Mach-E
The Mustang Mach-E is Ford's first proper effort at a purpose-built electric car: designed to beat Tesla at its own game. It drives well enough to justify the Mustang badge, but at the same time it's no hardcore sports car: it's large and practical to fulfil the family SUV brief. A variety of models is offered, with ranges from 273 to 372 miles, either rear or four-wheel drive and great rapid-charging capability. There’s a high-performance GT model, too.
Read our full Ford Mustang Mach-E review for more, and check out our twin test of the Mach-E and Tesla Model 3 here.
7. Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron
The Q4 Sportback e-tron uses the same underpinnings as the Skoda Enyaq iV and VW ID.4, so it has a range of up to 324 miles and 135kW rapid-charging. It's also Audi's most affordable electric car and is great for families, because it’s spacious inside and comfortable to drive. The Q4 Sportback’s interior is as upmarket as you’d expect from an Audi, while there’s lots of rear leg and headroom – despite the sloping roofline – and a big boot. At just under £1,000 more than the standard Audi Q4 e-tron, we think the Sportback is a great deal for the sleeker looks and boot space it offers.
Read our full Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron review to find out more.
8. Nissan Ariya
It took Nissan more than a decade to launch a follow-up to the pioneering Leaf hatchback, but the Airya was well worth the wait. The Ariya’s striking looks help it stand out in the crowded electric family-car class, as do the comfortable ride, impressive refinement and spacious cabin. With a starting price of a little over £46,000, it’s not the cheapest entry on this list, but the Ariya is a premium-feeling product – despite what you may expect from the Nissan badge – that comes with loads of kit for the money. To top it all off, it can deliver a range of up to 329 miles and 130kW rapid charging.
Read our full Nissan Ariya review to find out more.
9. BMW iX1
If you’re not so keen on the looks (and high price) of the iX, but want an electric SUV that’s good to drive, the smaller BMW iX1 is a solid option. With a similar curved dual-screen infotainment setup as its larger sibling, the iX1’s interior feels as premium as it does spacious, with its boxy shape providing plenty of headroom and a roomy 490-litre boot. While rivals do offer more range, the 270 miles possible in the iX1 should be more than enough for most buyers. The Beemer’s pair of electric motors also provide serious punch, with 0-62mph taking just 5.7 seconds. A less powerful single-motor model is expected later. Read our full review of the BMW iX1 to find out more.
10. Mercedes EQB
Before the EQB arrived on the scene, the only seven-seater EVs around were van-derived minibuses and the ultra-premium Tesla Model X. All EQBs sold in the UK come with three rows as standard; the rearmost seats provide enough room for children and get ISOFIX points. Both the EQB 300 and EQB 350 get a 66.5kWh battery for a range of over 250 miles, plus all-wheel drive, with enough power in even the entry-level version for a smooth and relaxing driving experience. The EQB also gets the same great MBUX infotainment setup as the more expensive EQC.
Read our full Mercedes EQB review to find out more.
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