Best electric cars 2025: Which? Best Buy EVs to buy now

The best electric cars are smooth to drive and have the potential for very low day-to-day running costs. But our lab tests show not all electric cars are created equal.

You can trust our new and used electric car reviews because we subject each one to over 200 individual lab tests. We also factor in EV reliability, based on feedback from our latest owner survey.

Read on to discover the best electric cars for 2025 and those to avoid.

Looking specifically for an SUV or smaller model? Check out our guides to the best electric SUVs and best small electric cars

Best electric cars available to buy new

These are the new electric cars that did best in our lab tests. Although available to buy new, big discounts can be found when buying used, even on models with very little mileage on the clock.

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Should I buy an electric car? We explain the pros, the cons and the questions to ask yourself

What is the most popular electric car in the UK?

These are the UK's top five best electric cars in terms of sales figures, according to data from the industry body SMMT (Society of Motor Manufacturer Traders) for last year, complete with links to our full reviews.

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1. Tesla Model Y

New registrations in 2024: 32,862*

The Model Y is one of the world’s best-selling EVs, so it’s no surprise that it tops the UK list too, as it did in both 2022 and 2023.

It’s a large SUV that’s available with five or seven seats and sits above the Model 3 in Tesla’s UK range. It also features a striking interior and can be ordered with advanced autonomous driving technology.

According to Tesla, the longest range models can travel up to 373 miles on a single change, but read our review to see what it achieved in our lab tests.

Tesla updated the Model Y in 2025 with revised exterior styling and an updated infotainment system.

Read our Tesla Model Y (2022-) review to see what we thought of it.

2. Audi Q4 e-tron

New registrations in 2024: 17,622*

Audi’s Q4 e-tron range marks the current entry point to Audi’s EV line-up.

It’s available in SUV and Sportback body styles and is proving a popular choice in the UK. Rear and all-wheel drive options are available, along with a more powerful 340hp model (entry-level cars have 286hp).

Audi updated the Q4 e-tron range in 2023, adding more equipment as standard and revising the suspension, which was timely as the first Q4 e-tron we tested performed poorly in our hazard-avoidance test.

It’s not a cheap option, though, and Audi’s reliability record isn’t the strongest.

Our Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback (2021-) review tells you all you need to know about this model.

3. Tesla Model 3

New registrations in 2024: 17,425*

The cheapest Tesla model is also a popular choice in the UK.

Launched back in 2019, it’s much less expensive than its rivals and is available in a wide range of battery and drive combinations. The longest-range version of the current model has a claimed driving range of 436 miles, while Tesla says high-performance models can travel 328 miles on a single change.

The brand revised the Model 3 in 2023, the most prominent changes being in the cabin, including reducing the amount of physical controls even further. Tesla fans may love it, but we’re not so sure.

We explain why (and how it performs for range) in our full Tesla Model 3 (2019-) review.

4. MG 4

New registrations in 2024: 15,651

MG’s low-priced EVs have quickly become a common site on UK roads, with the MG 4 hatchback the most popular of all.

Launched in 2022, it’s available in several versions, including a performance XPower model with 435hp and an extended-range model with a claimed range of 323 miles.

All MG 4 models come with a lot of equipment as standard, while MG also offers a very competitive seven-year warranty on all its cars (you may need this, as our latest car survey highlighted reliability issues with the MG 4).

We also had issues with the lane-departure warning system of the first MG 4 we lab tested, although MG is releasing a software update to fix this.

Read more in our full MG 4 (2022-) review.

5. BMW i4

New registrations in 2024: 12,953*

This large BMW model is a sports coupé and sits below the larger BMW i5 and BMW i7 saloon models in the brand's EV range. It also has a hatchback boot, which should aid practicality (find out more in our review).

It goes up against plenty of talented competitors, such as the BYD Seal and Hyundai Ioniq 6. BMW gave the i4 a small update in 2024, with the most notable change being the brand’s curved display screen added as standard across the range. 

BMW claims that the longest-range models can travel up to 370 miles on a single charge, while driving fun is also something the brand has also worked to prioritise with the i4.

Our BMW i4 (2021-) review tells you all you need to know about this EV.

*SMMT new car registrations, Jan-Dec 2024

The best electric cars to buy used

Cheapest new electric cars

These are the cheapest electric cars we've tested that are available to buy new.

NOTE: This list is ordered by price, not Which? score. We've removed Don't Buys, but click through to our reviews to see how each one performed in our lab tests.

Cheapest used electric cars

Simply looking for the cheapest electric car? These are the electric cars we've tested that cost the least to buy used, according to our pricing data.

As with all used cars, the you pay will depend on factors such its age and overall condition.

NOTE: This list is ordered by price, not Which? score. We've removed Don't Buys, but click through to our reviews to see how each one performed in our lab tests.

Discover everything you need to know about charging an electric car from home

Should you buy a used electric car?

With the potential for much lower running costs compared to a petrol or diesel, and a supremely smooth driving experience, used electric cars have a lot going for them. However, there are some important potential drawbacks to consider.

As with all cars, the price of a used electric car will vary depending on factors such as the make and model, its age and overall condition. And although our data shows electric car batteries typically don't lose much of their original charge (even for models over five years), it's still something worth checking before you buy.

The main issue is that of driving range. In recent years, larger batteries and improved efficiency have seen the latest electric cars manage more than 300 miles between charges. However, many older used models struggle to manage 200 miles – some can't even reach half that figure. Depending on the car you choose, you may find yourself looking for a charge point nearly every time you set off.

As always, manufacturer-claimed mileage is often wide of the mark. We test every electric car under the same, real-world conditions, so by reading our electric car reviews you'll know exactly how far you'll be able to travel in your chosen car.

Along with reduced mileage, older electric cars probably won't include the latest charging technology. This means it's unlikely you'll be able to benefit from the ultra-rapid charging stations, so you’ll be waiting a tad longer to recharge.

That said, the majority of used older models do offer some form of rapid-charge compatibility, so you won’t necessarily be reliant on far slower 7kWh ‘fast’ chargers. For more on charging, read our guide on charging electric cars.

We reveal how much it costs to charge an EV, and the costs you should be aware of in our guide.

What to check when buying a used electric car

If you’re still concerned about the state of the battery and are buying from a dealer, ask them to provide a health report. This should show the battery's remaining capacity.

If you're buying privately or via an online car-buying service, you probably won't be able to get a battery report. However, you should still treat buying a used electric car just like you would any other used car.

Most important of all, ensure the car has a full service history. You should also use the free tool on Gov.uk to check whether the car is subject to any recalls and to see its MOT history – simply enter the registration number to find out (and be very suspicious of owners who won't tell you the registration of the car they're trying to sell you).

For a small fee, services such as HPI will tell you if the car's been reported as stolen, written off or saddled with outstanding finance. Buying through a manufacturer approved-used scheme should ensure all these checks have been carried out and you’ll typically get a year’s warranty thrown in if the original one has expired.

Find out more on how to buy a used car.

Electric cars to avoid

Based on our lab tests and Euro NCAP safety, there are some electric cars we recommend you avoid at all costs.

Our latest electric car reviews

Whether they're of brand new electric cars or updates to previously released models, here are our latest EV reviews.

Not found the one you're after? See all of our electric car reviews.

If you don't think an electric car would suit you, a hybrid may be a better bet. Our guide to the best hybrid cars shows the models we recommend

What is the best electric car?

There's no single 'best' electric car; what's right for you ultimately depends on numerous factors, including your driving habits, what size of electric car you want and, of course, your budget.

Our electric car reviews cover everything from range and efficiency through to handling and reliability, making it easy for you to find the best EV for your needs.

Is it worth buying an electric car in the UK now?

Thanks to factors including government targets on EV sales, there's never been a better time to buy an electric car. And we've spotted some great deals on nearly new models, some of which will have just a few miles on the clock (see our news story on EV bargains from last year for more).

To benefit from low running costs, you'll need to be able to charge at home. It's far cheaper than using public charging points (see our guide on how much it costs to charge an electric car for a comparison).

Which electric car has the best range in the UK? 

Of all the electric cars we've tested, the one with the biggest claimed range is the Mercedes EQS, which Mercedes claims can travel up to nearly 500 miles between charges. 

However, lab tests consistently show that real-world range is often much lower than claimed range, so it's important to check our reviews before buying. Also bear in mind most electric cars come with a range of battery sizes, so be sure to check the battery of the car you're thinking of buying.

Like all batteries, those in electric cars will degrade over time. However, it's not as bad as you might think, so you shouldn't discount used electric cars for fear of their range dropping drastically. See our story on EV battery degradation for the latest insight.

What is an electric car like to drive?

The lack of pistons and noisy combustion means EVs can ghost along very quietly at city speeds, and they tend to be very nippy. The surprising turn of speed from a standstill can take the uninitiated by surprise, so make sure you take it slowly the first few times you drive one.

The lack of noise can seem peculiar at first, as can the total absence of engine vibration, but these are two big advantages of driving an electric car.

The basics of driving an electric car are the same as any other car. There's still an accelerator and a brake pedal. But in other ways an electric car can seem strange to a seasoned driver. 

Some models, including the Nissan Leaf, can be driven using just one pedal. So when you lift off the accelerator, the car uses heavy regenerative braking to slow down the car significantly (enough to illuminate the brake lights) and feed energy back into the battery. It can take a little time to get used to and there's still a separate brake if you'd prefer to drive conventionally.

How should you charge an electric car?

Unless you don't use your car that often, don't even think about using a domestic three-pin socket to charge your car. This is slow. Very slow. We're talking in excess of 35 hours' worth of slow, depending on the car.

For regular charging at home, if your property allows it, you'll be best off investing in a dedicated fast charger. This normally takes the form of a wallbox mounted on the outside of your house. The type of charger, connector and wattage you need will depend on your car, budget and what electricity connection you have.

When you're away from home, you can use websites or apps to find out where your nearest public charging point is. These include on-street charging points in city centres, for example, as well as the growing number of high-voltage fast chargers and rapid chargers at strategic service stations on the motorway network. 

Currently, charging points are run by a variety of separate networks, so you’ll need to work out which ones are compatible with your car, and register with them accordingly. And bear in mind that some public charging points can be very costly when compared with rates for home charging.

See our dedicated guide on how much it costs to charge an electric car for all you need to know.

Which electric cars have the longest range?

If you're planning to buy an electric car, check the maximum range of the electric cars in your shortlist, especially if you regularly drive long distances. And don't forget to factor in your charging time, too, if you need to top up at any time other than overnight. 

The maximum driving range available can vary greatly between models. Luxury models with larger batteries offer greater claimed driving ranges, but even entry-level models should offer a driving range of around 150-250 miles. 

However, don't just look at the official figures. At Which? we do our own realistic range tests because, just like fuel tests, the figures manufacturers quote are often quite ambitious. 

We've found cars that fall more than 100 miles short of their quoted range. If you don't want to be caught out, make sure you check out the real, independently tested ranges in our electric car reviews. 

We test cars more thoroughly than anyone else

Our tests go further than those carried out by other organisations, and because Which? is independent, you can trust our reviews to give you the full, honest and impartial truth about every car we test.

To find out more, head to our how we test cars guide.

Electric cars reviews by brand

Already know what brand of electric car you want to buy? Head to our complete list of new and used electric car reviews or view those from popular brands below.

• Audi electric car reviews
• BMW electric car reviews
• Honda electric car reviews
• Hyundai electric car reviews
• Peugeot electric car reviews
• Mercedes electric car reviews
• Skoda electric car reviews
• Tesla electric car reviews
• Toyota electric car reviews
• Vauxhall electric car reviews
• Volvo electric car reviews