Triple test: Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs BMW iX3 vs Volvo XC40 Recharge

While electric cars of all shapes and sizes are available these days, and even more are in the works, the sheer amount of zero-emissions SUVs you can buy right now is undeniably staggering.

At one end of the spectrum you’ve got the likes of the compact Vauxhall Mokka-e, Peugeot e-2008 and Kia e-Niro, which focus more on value for around the £30,000 mark or less, while more exclusive, luxury options like the BMW iX and Tesla Model X can crack the £100,000 mark with ease.

Slap bang in the middle of those extremes are the three premium, zero-emissions family cars we’ve decided to pit against one another here: the BMW iX3, Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Volvo XC40 Recharge, all of which we’ve commended individually in the past for their exceptional interiors, soothing refinement, useful practicality and up-to-the-minute technology.

BMW iX3

Pros: Practical, well built, clever regenerative braking

Cons: High starting price, only two trim levels, most expensive to insure

Hyundai Ioniq 5

Pros: Styling, interior, comfort

Cons: Only top spec gets all-wheel-drive, no rear wiper, performance compared to rivals

Volvo XC40 Recharge

Pros: Excellent refinement, Google infotainment, dual-motor performance

Cons: Not the most fun to drive, rivals have longer range, quite expensive

We’ve heaped praise on the Ioniq 5 in particular since our first test drive in the South Korean model, however, it must be said that Hyundai isn’t exactly the first brand you'd think of when considering spending £50,000 or more on a car. So does that mean even the space-age Ioniq 5 is unable to hold its own against the electric SUV heavy-hitters from BMW and Volvo? Let’s see which one comes out on top...