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Electrifying.com Awards 2025
Car of the Year: Kia EV3
It’s been a remarkable year for Kia, which is rapidly positioning itself as one of the most innovative and exciting brands in the industry. Having wowed us earlier in the year with the seven-seater EV9, Kia followed up with an updated EV6 that featured a raft of improvements over the original. But in many respects, both these were a warm-up act for the headliner of 2024 – the EV3.
Remarkably faithful (on the outside at least) to the Concept EV3 that appeared late last year, the production version is one of the most exciting small electric cars we’ve seen in a very long time. What marks the EV3 apart from the competition? Well, for us, it's a combination of factors. Kia knows that in order to tempt buyers into switching from petrol and diesel, it needs to win the range argument. Ignore the fact that most of us need far less range than we think we do, switchers will always look for a car that won’t give them range anxiety. By offering an 81kWh battery pack and a range of 372 miles, the EV3 offers total peace of mind. And even when a recharge is needed, the EV3’s peak charging speed of 135kW is significantly higher than most rivals can muster.
Then there’s the design, which takes all the best elements of the EV9 and EV6 and distils them into a compact package that turns heads wherever it goes. The interior cleverly matches form with function, and adds a host of lovely design touches that elevate the driving and ownership experience. It’s clearly a car designed by people who actually use cars, rather than just design them. The infotainment system is slick, easy to navigate and is neatly integrated into the cockpit. There’s no iPad tacked to the centre console here - it all feels considered and designed around the driver – a rare quality.
The icing on the EV3’s cake is the driving experience. Kia’s chassis engineering has advanced in leaps and bounds over the past few years, and the EV3 delivers the perfect drive. The ride quality, even on the largest wheels, is exceptional, while the steering is perfectly weighted and a joy to use. Factor in an intuitive and full adjustable braking regen system and you have a car that feels at home on every kind of road.
Will the EV3 become a game-changer in the electric car market? It very well might. In terms of value, range and what you get for your money, it stands head and shoulders above everything else in the sector. And for those reasons, it is a clear winner of our Car of the Year title for 2025.
Ginny Buckley, founder of Electrifying.com, said:
“As the electric experts we consider Kia to be one of the most innovative and exciting car brands around, and we believe the EV3 is a game-changer in the electric car market. In terms of style, range, space, tech and sheer value for money, it stands head and shoulders above everything else in its class. We think the EV3 will give buyers new to electric cars the confidence they need to make the switch, and it’s the clear winner of our Car of the Year title for 2025.”
Brand of the Year: Hyundai
The Electrifying.com Brand of the Year 2025 title goes to Hyundai for another incredible year in the world of electric cars. Although we’ll have to wait until next year for all-new products to land in the UK – spearheaded by the quirky but clever INSTER and its forthcoming seven-seater – the brand has consolidated its position in the UK with both the IONIQ 5N and the facelifted IONIQ 5.
The IONIQ 5N arrived in Spring and took the performance car world by storm. Developed by Hyundai’s acclaimed N division (headed up by former BMW M chief Albert Biermann), the N redefined the concept of performance car driving in the electric era. Not only is the 5N incredibly fast, thanks to its 640bhp output, it also drives like a proper (if rather large) hot hatch. And while some of the gadgets and gizmos like the artificial ‘gear change’ sound like the stuff of nightmares, most are so well integrated that they genuinely enhance the driving experience. Factor in a vast cabin, all-day comfort and a 287 mile range, and the 5N becomes even more impressive.
Meanwhile, the facelifted IONIQ 5 ironed out the very few wrinkles the original 2021 model had and added a host of small but significant improvements, including the arrival (finally) of a rear wiper! Elsewhere, the increase in battery size from 77kWh to 84kWh will come as welcome news to potential buyers requiring a range of more than 350 miles.
This award also reflects Hyundai’s product pipeline, which suggests that the best is yet to come. The brand’s decision to bring the quirky INSTER to Europe raised eyebrows when it was announced, but having experienced it in the metal and discovered its generous specification, it makes complete sense. Aimed at drivers who want all the tech and comfort of a range-topping EV without the price tag or the parking hassles, it’s one of the smartest packages we’ve seen in a long time.
And at the other end of the scale, we have Hyundai’s much-anticipated seven-seater, which is set to arrive early next year. Expected to wear the IONIQ 9 badge, it will top the brand’s electric range and offer a vast 300 mile range as standard. Equipped with Hyundai’s 800 volt electrical system, it also comes with the promise of ultra-fast charging, always a plus for long distance driving.
Ginny Buckley, founder of Electrifying.com, said:
“We believe Hyundai is the only brand that offers a complete range of high-quality electric cars that appeal to buyers across the entire market spectrum. There’s a car for everyone in Hyundai’s model line-up - from the great value-for-money INSTER to its forthcoming seven-seat SUV, along with cars that appeal to both family and business drivers alike. Topping its range is the brilliantly fun IONIQ 5N, which has redefined the concept of performance car driving in the electric era. Hyundai’s leadership in electric cars shines through when you look at the breadth of its model line-up, and it's a worthy winner of our EV Brand of the Year.”
Best Value Electric Car of the Year: Renault 5 E-Tech
This year has really been the year when affordable electric cars arrived, so when we all got together and considered the winner for this award, it was a surprisingly long one. Maybe the Citroen e-C3, with its cute styling and roomy cabin? Maybe the dinky Hyundai INSTER, with its novel packaging solutions and quirky looks? Or there’s also the Dacia Spring, which is still about as cheap as an electric car gets?
In truth, there was one car that got mentioned more than any other, and that’s the Renault 5. It has to be our winner, doesn’t it? I mean, just look at it! The new Renault 5 E-Tech is a rare thing; a modest, everyday electric car that has aspiration appeal. It’s a car that we all want, as well as one that just makes sense on all of the financial and practical levels.
When it goes on sale in January, the Renault 5 will cost from £23,000 for the 40kWh Evolution, with its 194-mile WLTP range, or £27,000 for the more generously equipped and longer range 52kWh Techno model with a WLTP range of 255 miles. That’s a brilliant list price, but of course we expect most buyers to go for monthly PCP or leasing. While Renault hasn’t confirmed these costs yet, we do know that the 5 will be available from around £250 per month with a fairly low deposit, making it one of the most affordable electric cars out there.
But low cost isn’t enough on its own to justify this award; affordability is only worth shouting about when it’s in regard to a great product, after all, and the Renault 5 is definitely that.
Bar a couple of niggles we loved the way it drove, almost as much as we liked the way it looked, you can get the kids in it, and it’s brimming with tech including bi-directional charging so that you can power your devices, and even your home.
When we sat down to discuss this one there wasn’t a single member of the Electrifying team who didn’t reckon that the Renault 5 is the best value electric car of 2024.
Like we said: It’s not just about pricing, it’s about being an all-round brilliant car at a price that makes it attainable to a lot of people. With the Renault 5, you’re getting that. It’s a car that makes you happy and saves you money.
Ginny Buckley, founder of Electrifying.com, said:
“Renault is on a roll, and the new Renault 5 E-Tech is leading the charge. This 21st-century reboot of a much-loved classic combines retro charm with modern tech and has nailed its comeback. It’s a car guaranteed to make you smile, it’s fun to drive, turns heads, and comes at a competitive price. We think it’s the one to beat in the compact electric car class. Small but mighty, the Renault 5 packs a punch proving that affordable can also be aspirational.”
Used Electric Car of the Year: Citroen ë-C4
It’s been a rollercoaster ride for used electric car prices over the last few years, but 2024 has seen the market calm down and second-hand EV prices are slowly rising and finding an even footing. Not only that, but with so many new models having been introduced in the last three years, there’s now a brilliant variety to choose from.
Which made our job even harder when it came to picking a champion, but the Citroen e-C4 came out on top. It really is the best used electric car you can get for balance of value, roominess, real-world range and cushy comfort
The e-C4 originally arrived in 2020 with a 50kWh battery and a WLTP range of just over 200 miles, or real-world range of some 130- to 180 miles depending on conditions. A slightly bigger 54kWh battery was added to the lineup in 2023, with a WLTP range of up to 260 miles, a touch more power and various efficiency tweaks. We saw 170- to 220 miles in real-world running without trying very hard! Every e-C4 gets 100kW rapid charging for zippy battery top-ups on the go, too.
That’s all very well, if a touch middling in the new car stakes. But as a used buy? From under £16,000? Well, blimey. You get Citroen’s trademark wafty ride comfort and armchair seats, masses of space – you can even opt for a saloon-style body, if you want, in the e-C4 X. We’d stick with the hatch, and don’t discount an older, mid-spec Max model with the 50kWh battery if you don’t need huge range but you want a great purchase price. It gets the kit you want, including the touchscreen infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, adaptive cruise, heated seats and LED headlights.
Top-spec e-series trim with the 54kWh battery, head-up display and audio upgrade will set you back more, of course, but it’s still a great value used buy and worth considering even if you’ve a higher mileage lifestyle.
Sure, we’ll give honourable mentions to the first-gen Kia e-Niro, the MG5 and the Ford Mustang Mach-E, for other great used EVs at a brilliant price. But the Citroen e-C4 really is the complete package; super comfy and safe, a big boot and spacious seats, and just an all-round brilliant electric family car for a great price. It’s a worthy winner of our 2025 used electric car award.
Ginny Buckley, founder of Electrifying.com, said:
“The Citroën e-C4 has been crowned our 2025 Used Electric Car of the Year for good reason - we think it’s an unsung hero. Many buyers in the market for a used EV are going electric for the first time, and the e-C4 stands out as a car that makes switching easy. It’s an all-round brilliant electric family car, balancing value for money, comfort, and strong real-world performance.”
Best Charging Network 2025: Instavolt
The UK’s public charging network has been transformed over recent years and continues to expand at a remarkable rate. Charging locations have gone from being remote car parks with one or two units to futuristic hubs with vast numbers of reliable and easy-to-use chargers located next to shops, cafes and other facilities.
Naturally, the team at electrifying.com are frequent users of the public charging network. In fact, we couldn’t do our jobs without it and rely on the availability of working chargers every day. Over the course of the past three years, we’ve charged our cars hundreds of times and developed a sixth sense for which brands are able to deliver when we really need them to. For availability, location, speed and reliability, one brand stands above all other charge point providers – InstaVolt.
Although the brand’s decision to work with the likes of McDonalds, Costa, Starbucks and KFC has done nothing for our waistlines, it has helped to make charging part of the furniture of modern mainstream motoring. By installing charging facilities at retail and food hubs with high footfall, InstaVolt has normalised the idea of rapid charging and made life with an electric car more convenient.
And it’s not just the hundreds of two and three charger locations that make InstaVolt our charging network champion for 2025. The brand’s larger hubs have become destinations in themselves. From humble beginnings, the Stroud Park Banbury hub now offers 32 rapid chargers, while a new superhub on the busy A34/M3 junction will offer 44 ultra-rapid chargers when it opens next year. Set to feature accessible bays, towing bays and a cafe, the site will be powered by a ground-mounted solar array and a roof-mounted system installed onto the café building. The site will also be supported by the installation of a utility scale energy storage system.
With almost 1,600 live chargers across the UK, and plans in place to install 11,000 ultra rapid chargers in the UK and Ireland, InstaVolt is now the UK’s largest public EV rapid charging network. All of the electricity supplied through the brand’s chargers comes from renewable energy sources, including solar and wind farms.
As the electric car market evolves from early adopters to the mainstream, drivers expect the recharging process to be as simple and as slick as refuelling a petrol or diesel car. As one of the few operators who are able to achieve this on a vast scale, InstaVolt is a worthy winner of our Best Charging Network award.
Ginny Buckley, founder of Electrifying.com, said:
"The team at Electrifying.com frequently uses the UK’s public charging network, and after hundreds of charges across the length and breadth of the UK, one brand stands out for availability, location, speed, and the all-important reliability—InstaVolt. Drivers expect EV charging to be as smooth as refuelling a petrol or diesel car, and InstaVolt consistently delivers this experience on a large scale, making them a deserving winner of our Best Charging Network award."
