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Updated: MAR 25th 2022

Dan Trent

The 13 best electric family cars of 2022

The electric car’s evolution from lifestyle statement for tech bros and trendy urbanites to simply a means of transport for regular drivers is gathering pace. And for a lot of families that means the next car on the driveway may well be purely plug-in, not petrol, diesel or hybrid-powered. Range, practicality and – increasingly – near price-parity with existing ICE and hybrid-powered models makes this more realistic than ever for a wider group of people. So, if you’re looking at electric alternatives for the next family wagon here are some of our favourites we think should be on your shortlist… 

Updated: 25th March 2022

Volkswagen ID.4

There remains a lingering sense the latest Golf may have been phoned in while Volkswagen devoted its real attention to going electric. As such the internal designation ‘MEB’ is one you need to be aware of, this being the name of VW’s adaptable platform on which both its ID.3 hatchback and larger ID.4 family SUV are built, along with others from Cupra, Audi and Skoda. Advantages include a modular battery pack so you can pick the combination of range and performance to suit your needs and much-improved packaging over rivals based on converted ICE platforms. Options range from a price point special ducking a fiver under the new plug-in grant threshold to a new 299PS (220kW) GTX model costing nearly £50,000. All will do 200-plus miles by official range figures, the 322 miles of the 204PS (150kW) 77kWh battery Pro Performance an easy transition from the mid-level petrol or diesel you may currently be running. 

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Skoda Enyaq IV

If the pseudo-futurism of the ID.4 isn’t your bag, or the idea of what sticky fingers could do to the minimalist white interior are giving you palpitations, Skoda’s sensible pants spin off the same MEB foundations is arguably as big a moment for electric cars as any Tesla. OK, it’s perhaps not as fast, glam or high tech. But the Enyaq IV represents the moment a family-sized electric car with sensible range and performance can be considered on equal terms with equivalent models powered by petrol, diesel or hybrid powertrains. And if you’re reaching the end of a PCP or PCH deal on a mid-size SUV you could switch into this without any worries whatsoever. More conventional-looking than the ID.4 but with the same huge interior space and an even bigger boot, the Enyaq IV also ekes out a fraction more range from the same 77kWh and 204PS (150kW) configuration as its VW relative for less money. An all-wheel-drive vRS version going against the GTX version of the ID.4 will also follow. 

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Hyundai IONIQ 5

If VW was feeling pretty pleased with itself for creating the MEB platform the satisfaction won’t have lasted long, given how quickly the competition is arriving into the market. In Hyundai’s case having established an impressive foothold with electric versions of existing ICE products like the Kona Electric, the IONIQ 5 demonstrates the advantages of a clean-sheet EV platform by squeezing even more interior space between its three-metre wheelbase (a chunk more than the ID.4 or Enyaq) and pairing that with 300 miles of (official) range in its most efficient powertrain and battery combination. Inside and out it also raises Hyundai’s design game with looks that are just futuristic and distinctive enough without appearing too wacky or outlandish. If not cheap it’s certainly priced competitively for what you get, and comparable with a well-equipped ICE or hybrid model of similar size. 

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Nissan Leaf

‘Family car’ doesn’t necessarily have to mean electrified SUV or crossover and if the daily commute and/or school run duties can be covered within its 168-mile official range – let’s face it – the vast majority can be – the Nissan Leaf offers a no-nonsense and affordable way to go electric. That it comes based on Nissan’s already extensive experience of building and selling EVs should also give you confidence you’re not inadvertently playing a part in ‘live’ R&D of unproven technology. Sure, there are more glamorous ways to do it but family cars should put function first and the Leaf is packed with tech to take the heat out of parking and other real-world stresses. Priced well within the Government grant threshold that money off makes a significant difference to the cost, and monthly deals make it an affordable finance option, too. If you need more range the Leaf e+ should see you to over 200 miles on a charge. 

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Volvo XC40 Recharge

Chuckle at the ‘Waitrose on wheels’ image if you like but Volvo has nailed the formula for cars that can carry off premium image without appearing too pushy or pretentious. And the XC40 is a stylish crossover with space enough for a small family and the choice of petrol, hybrid or – now – fully electric powertrains. True, being based on a platform designed for ICE vehicles means it can’t compete with the cars like the ID.4, Enyaq or IONIQ 5 for interior space but the XC40 Recharge is perfect for making a worthy statement about being transportationally ‘woke’ without shouting it too loudly. Full Google integration means it can fit as smoothly into family life as your Nest smart speaker system and take your virtual assistant on the road with you, strong performance and the 259-mile official range enough to convince you it’s worth paying the extra.

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Jaguar I-Pace

It's astonishing that by EV standards the Jaguar I-Pace could be considered a bit old-school. Credit should be shown though, for how fast the brand was out of the blocks with its first all-electric car, especially given how slow its German rivals have been with viable alternatives. Recently upgraded with Jaguar’s latest (and much improved) Pivi Pro infotainment system, the I-Pace’s functionality is now in step with its impressive performance and driving dynamics while its crossover stance and spacious interior work well for both drivers and the driven. Whether you’ll want to inflict the ravages of family use on such a swanky interior is another matter but the I-Pace remains the machine to convince your inner EV sceptic cars can still be fun in the post ICE age.

Ford Mustang Mach-E

Repurposing all-American muscle car ideals into an electric crossover remains a culturally mixed message, reflected in the Mach-E’s slightly odd styling. For those less hung up on the legend of ‘real’ Mustangs that probably won’t be too much of a problem, though, and instead, the sense of fun and distinctive look will be a real attraction. And if everything else got garbled in translation the Mustang’s traditional offering of bang-for-buck has certainly endured, the Mach-E over-delivering on performance, range and the other things that may otherwise count as excuses against going electric. There are various mixes of battery and powertrain but the 294PS (216kW) and 379 miles of the rear-driven Extended Range version are a reasonable return on the chunky asking price.

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Tesla Model 3

The exterior looks are somewhat anonymous but the Model 3’s rapid elevation to ubiquity on our roads reflects its perfect intersection between range, performance, relative affordability and the cult of personality beneath the surface. Or occasionally bubbling over on Twitter. Indeed, say what you like about the man but, as a brand, Tesla’s products are difficult to argue with in terms of making the switch from ICE to electric feel exciting and fresh, without having to compromise on the freedom and convenience of petrol and diesel cars thanks to its proprietary (and highly visible) charging network. The spacious, minimal interior has enough novelty to keep all occupants entertained and products from the mainstream rivals seem timid in their ambitions. Resistance is futile.

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Vauxhall Mokka-e

Jumping onto the Stellantis life raft may just have rescued this one-time fixture of British motoring life from extinction, the new Mokka introducing a confident new design language and sense of style rarely seen in the brand’s history. Shared foundations with Citroën and Peugeot – the latter’s e-2008 offers much of the same in Gallic clothes – mean the Mokka benefits from these brands’ existing electrified platforms and the battery version looks good, has more than enough range and performance to satisfy most domestic needs and is usefully affordable too. An encouraging return to form and, along with the related Corsa-e, a strong start for Vauxhall’s move into the electrified era.

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BMW i4 – the posher one

We described this as "an EV for people who want a BMW, not an EV". This is the one that is going to appeal most to people who want to buy an electric car, but struggle to tear themselves away from the traditional cars they've been buying for years. BMW are pretty much the first of the heritage exec brands to plonk a full EV drivetrain into a standard saloon and it seems to have worked. If you find a Telsa a bit too meme-y and aren't sold on Polestar this could be the one for you.

Kia EV6 – the best one?

Yes, the EV6 has the same platform underneath it as the Ioniq 5, but the body is better and the interior does pretty much everything better than the Ioniq 5. It's also excellent to drive, with a rear-biased all-wheel-drive system and friendly, communicative steering. This is the large EV that you will look at when you walk away and want to jump in for every drive. The tech is also top quality, with fast charging and intuitive kit inside. Plus, the controls for the heated seats make you feel like Captain Jean-Luc Picard. 

Polestar 2 – the stylish one

Quietly, Polestar has usurped Tesla as the most exciting EV-only brand in the world. Not only does it carry over all the best things Volvo has been doing for years – Swedish styling, build quality, effeciency – but Polestar has added some touches of its own. The interior is excellent, vegan all around, and the infotainment – taken straight from Google rather than faffing to make Polestar's own – works better than pretty much any other. The EV6 and this compete hard for the title of best in the world.

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Porsche Taycan Sport Turismo – the brilliantly confusing one

Porsche mastered the EV first try with the Taycan. But now its ditched 20 years of destroying the estate with SUVs... to make an SUV. And thankfully it's brilliant. Boot space is decent and thanks to the raised roof there's now more head room in the back for the kids. And, it's a Taycan, so handling and performance are amazing. It will set you back a fair amount though, so don't think it's an EV6 alternative.

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