SUVs were once considered a luxury province for the well-off motorist, but for decades now the SUV has been the default practical car for most of us - so it's no surprise that SUVs have also dominated the electric car classes. The Tesla Model Y SUV outsells the Model 3 saloon by some three-to-one, if you need proof of that. We just love the space that SUVs offer, not to mention the looks, the high seating position, the road clearance... It's all about the SUV, these days. But that's great as it means that there's a huge array of electric SUVs to pick from, whether you want compact and affordable, big and luxurious - or there are even some brilliant seven-seat options, these days. 

We got the Electrifying team together, put the kettle on and had a really big argument discussion, so that we could bring you our top 10 best electric SUVs. 

10. BMW iX

Our pick: xDrive 50 M Sport   Price: £104,285   Range: 382

Yes, the BMW iX is the most expensive on our list, but this behemoth is the most luxurious electric SUV out there.

We’ve driven the xDrive40 and xDrive50 versions of the iX, and both are as quiet as a Rolls Royce. However, the xDrive 50 has air suspension, allowing it to waft you and your passengers happily for hundreds of miles at a time, something the former car on standard steel springs can’t manage so convincingly. 

The xDrive50 also adds a four-wheel steer system to make this enormous car feel a little more wieldy on country roads, and it’s especially helpful we found for reversing into tight parking spaces. It also helps that the priciest iX has an extra 200bhp to pin you back in your set when accelerating (0-62mph takes just 4.6 seconds), and a larger battery pack that brings official WLTP range up to 382 miles, although we'd expect more like 300- to 340 miles to a charge in real world use. 

9. Genesis GV60​

Our pick: Premium   Price: £54,105   Range: 321 miles

The Genesis GV60 proves you can get close to the refinement of the lavish iX, but for half the price.

Yet it isn’t half the car because the GV60 has a more advanced 800-volt architecture means you can top up the battery from 10-80% in 16 minutes, or around half the time of the iX. That architecture for the GV60 comes from the Kia EV6 and Hyundai Ioniq 5, with which it shares a platform. We feel the driving experience treads a happy medium between the two, being softer than the EV6, but tauter than the Ioniq 5.

The GV60 has a nicer interior than its siblings. It has high-quality materials and an easier-to-use infotainment system with a rotary dial similar to the iX’s iDrive. It’s also got all the equipment you’d need, along with heated and ventilated electric front seats and a full body massage function for the driver’s side. It's one of the most comfortable driving positions we’ve experienced in a car, with the latter function particularly helpful in staving off a numb bum. You don't get the space in the GV60 that you do in some more traditional SUVs, though; this is a bit of a fastback-crossover style SUV. If you like Genesis' style, but want a bit more space, there's always the electric GV70, which is bigger than the GV60 but still pretty luxurious and rather good value given the equipment and practicality it offers.

8. Citroen e-C3​

Our pick: Max  Price: £23,690   Range: 199 miles

The Citroen e-C3 arrived recently, and while it may be stretching the truth to call it an SUV, this dinky hatchback does have a raised ride height, boxy roofline and rugged styling cues. Basically, it's got a bit of a ruff'n'tuff feel despite the urban focus of Citroen's new small electric car. And d'you know what? We absolutely love it. It looks great, plus it's comfy, practical, great value, efficient and is just a total breath of fresh air in a market that's been desperate for more affordable electric cars. You can also consider the new Fiat Grande Panda, which arrives in 2025 and is based on the same platform as the Citroen e-C3. It does a very similar job, but with a rather different style attitude.

7. Kia Niro EV​​

​Our pick: Horizon  Price: £37,995   Range: 285 miles​

The Kia Niro EV’s predecessor, the Kia e-Niro, was a trailblazer when it came out, and this latest version continues to be a great all-rounder.

It’s a comfortable car with a supple ride and safe, predictable handling that helps relieve driving stress. You also get handy paddles behind the steering wheel to vary the level of regenerative braking, which we love as it gives you the best control and means you can make the most of the regen's efficiency.

There’s only one power output (201bhp) and one battery size (64.8kWh usable), both of which are plenty for everyone’s needs. We would like it to charge faster but can’t knock the range you get for a relatively small battery. Plus, it’ll handle all your daily family needs with aplomb thanks to lots of space inside, a decent boot, and a handy space under the bonnet to store the charging cables. You even get Vehicle-to-Load charging provided you avoid the most basic '1' trim level, which is very handy. 

6. Peugeot E-5008​

Our pick: Allure   Price: £48,000 (est)  Range: 311 miles

The Tesla Model X was the first electric SUV to offer a useful seven-seat layout, but that's not been on sale for a few years now, and the other options if you want an electric seven-seater have been limited to short range van-based options, the excellent but rather pricey Mercedes EQB or EQV, and the recent (also rather pricey) Kia EV9. Finally, Peugeot has done what nobody else has, and has brought out an electric family SUV that gets seven seats and doesn't cost the earth. It's a smart-looking thing, too, the E-5008. It gets a very funky dashboard, plenty of standard equipment, comfy ride and masses of space inside including a huge boot that hides two occasional seats that pop up easily from the flat boot floor. It's a really brilliant family SUV, the E-5008, and it's decent value given the range, space and kit. We love it, and reckon it'll be a big seller when deliveries start before the end of 2024. 

5. Skoda Enyaq​

Our pick: 85 Edition   Price: £44,540   Range: 358 miles

The Skoda Enyaq has much in common with the Audi Q4 e-tron and Volkswagen ID.4, but we think it’s the best of the bunch - and not just because it has a free umbrella.

For starters, we’ve found it to be one of the more comfortable riding electric cars out there, plus it handles tidily for a heavy electric car.

The interior has a surprisingly premium feel which compares well even with the pricier Q4 e-tron. The Enyaq trounces it for passenger space, though, so even a tall adult in the back will find plenty of space behind a similarly tall driver. The enormous boot will have no trouble with a family’s holiday luggage.

If value's a priority, do look at the Enyaq 50, as this smaller battery model is good value with prices starting from £36,970, and you still get a useful range of 234 miles. We've opted for the bigger battery Enyaq 85 as our pick, as it gets the longer range and also faster charging, but we'd definitely plump for the more affordable model if you're not so worried about driving range and charging convenience for longer journeys.

4. Hyundai Ioniq 5​

Our pick: Premium   Price: £42,400   Range: 354 miles

If the looks of Genesis GV60 aren’t to your liking and you need a bigger boot and rear seat room, then the Hyundai Ioniq 5 will be just the ticket.

Recent updates have altered the suspension of the Ioniq 5 to make it wallow less at speed, and the increased battery size of the long-range version means it can finally mix with the best in this class when it comes to range. 

Behind the brilliant, modern-retro exterior styling is a practical EV, providing ample room for adults in the front and lots of head and leg room should you want to stick a six-footer in the back. The boot isn’t the biggest we’ve ever used, but it does the job. You can always utilise the underfloor storage if you need more room because there’s space for the charge cables to live in a cubby under the bonnet. You also get a heat pump as standard now (you didn't until recently), plus prices have fallen, so the Ioniq 5 is now an even better buy.

3. Renault Scenic​

Our pick: 87kWh techno  Price: £40,995  Range: 379 miles

The Renault Scenic E-Tech is a mid-sized family electric SUV. It resurrects the famous Scenic model name that was previously worn on brilliantly utilitarian MPVs throughout the '90s and '00s, but you can forget the dumpy, delightfully beige Scenic of yore, as this new one is all about the edgy looks and modern tech. It's spacious, you get a fancy rear armrest that doubles as a phone holder, loads of boot space and a great infotainment system. We can't help but wish that there was a touch more cleverness and versatility to the seating, especially given the MPV roots of that model name, but ultimately this is the best mid-range family electric SUV you can buy. It's comfy, well equipped, has a long range and is great value even next to alternatives like the Peugeot E-3008 and Tesla Model Y. 

2. Kia EV9

Our pick: Air Price: £65,025 Range: 349 miles

The Kia EV9 arrived in 2024, and has been a big hit already. We can see why! It looks like nothing else out there, and this huge, full-size seven-seat SUV is luxurious yet good value for such a huge, versatile and rather luxurious car. It's what you would have expected Land Rover to have been coming out with, by now... In fact, Kia has basically just made a new, fully electric Land Rover Discovery. And they've done a good job, as it's great to drive, will genuinely seat seven adults in comfort, yet has a usable range of up to 349 miles. It'll also deliver ultra-rapid 220kW charging, which is good for a 20-80% top-up in around 20 minutes.  It's not cheap, sure, but in context of what it's offering, we'd still call it good value. 

1. Tesla Model Y​

Our pick: Long Range AWD Price: £52,990 Range: 331 miles (351 miles with 19-in wheels)

When we started driving the Tesla Model Y, we saw its potential but found many niggles. But, with each newer version we’ve tried, those concerns have been gradually addressed. Now we’re left with an electric SUV that thoroughly deserves our recommendation.

And it turns out you like it, too. According to the latest SMMT registration figures, the Model Y was the seventh best-selling car of 2023, one spot up from the humble Ford Fiesta, and remains one of the biggest-selling electric cars across Europe and North America. 

Despite being a highly efficient EV with up to 351 miles of range, it can sprint from 0-62mph in less than five seconds. It’s grippy and engaging to drive, plus you can customise things like the accelerator response, regenerative braking, and even the weight of the steering to find your ideal settings.

People of all sizes have plenty of space inside, and there’s so much luggage capacity either in the boot or under the bonnet. The equipment level is also excellent given the price, and the large central touch screen even comes with games to occupy you whilst charging. There’s even a whoopie cushion sound generator to prank your passengers with...

Despite the toilet humour, this is still a sensible electric car choice. Newer rivals like the Renault Scenic E-Tech and Peugeot E-5008 arguably offer better value, but the Tesla does come with some fantastic monthly finance deals. And if that incentive, isn't enough to convince you, having access to the dedicated Tesla charging network probably will. It is the cherry on top of the best electric SUV package.