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Best affordable electric cars for the family in 2023

Want a family EV without breaking the bank? Here are our picks of the best affordable electric cars for you and your kids

By Gareth Herincx
April 18, 2023

If you’re in the market for a reasonably priced EV that can accommodate your family, we’ve got a shortlist of 11 great value options.

A mixture of crossovers, hatchbacks, estates and multi-purpose vehicles, they are all capable of squeezing in five people, plus there’s space in the boot for a dog and/or luggage.

All the electric cars below start in the £30,000-40,000 price bracket.

The prices below are correct as of April 2023. EV ranges quoted use official WLTP (Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure) figures achieved in a laboratory. Real world ranges will vary.

Our pick of the best affordable electric family cars

Volkswagen ID.3

From £39,425

Verdict

A well-built and practical family EV

The futuristically designed ID.3 is slightly shorter, yet wider and taller than the latest Golf, and offers lots of space inside and a useful boot capacity. The UK’s third best-selling electric car in 2021, it's safe, smooth, pleasant to drive and available with a 58kWh battery offering a range of up to 264 miles. The ID.3 can be charged from 5-80% in just 35 minutes using a rapid 120kW connection. Boot capacity: 385 litres.

Read our review of the Volkswagen ID.3

Hyundai Kona Electric

From £32,450

Verdict

A family favourite now in its second generation

The 100% electric version of the boldly styled Hyundai Kona family crossover comes with two sizes of battery (39Wh and 64KWh), giving it a range of between 189-300 miles. Originally launched in 2018 and refreshed in 2021, it’s easy to drive, safe and has space for five. There's peace of mind too because it comes with a decent five-year, unlimited mileage warranty. The Kona Electric will add 10-80% of charge in 47 minutes via 100kW connection, extending to 64 minutes using a 50kW charger. Boot capacity: 332 litres.

Read our review of the Hyundai Kona Electric

MG ZS EV

From £30,495

Verdict

A great value for money electric SUV

MG's electric crossover is another value for money option. Stylish, simple to drive, well equipped, and spacious, its 72.6kWh battery offers a range of up to 273 miles. Refreshed in 2021, it can be charged up to 80% using a 50KW public chargepoint in just over an hour and it accelerates from 0-60mph in 8.2 seconds. The ZS EV comes with a generous seven-year/80,000-mile warranty. Boot capacity: 470 litres.

Read our review of the MG ZS EV

Kia Niro EV

From £37,295

Verdict

A great blend of good looks, space and practicality

New for 2022, the second generation Niro EV is better than ever. Offering a winning blend of good looks, space, safety, practicality, generous equipment levels and comfort, it's another winner from Kia. Combining a 64.8kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack and a 201bhp electric motor, it can accelerate from 0-62mph in 7.8 seconds. As with all Kia cars, it comes with a seven-year warranty. Range: up to 285 miles. Boot capacity: 475 litres.

Read our review of the Kia Niro EV

Peugeot e-2008

From £35,900

Verdict

Bold styling offering plenty of space in a small footprint

This bold SUV is offered with petrol, diesel and all-electric powertrains. The EV version (badged e-2008) is powered by a 50kWh battery and 134bhp electric motor, delivering a range of up to 214 miles. Supporting up to 100kW rapid charging, a 0-80% charge can be completed in just 30 minutes. At first sight it looks substantial, but it has a smaller footprint than a Ford Focus hatchback. Offering a smooth driving experience, there's plenty of room inside and the whole package is nudging premium quality. Boot capacity: 434 litres.

Read our review of the Peugeot e-2008

Citroen e-C4

From £30,995

Verdict

An easy-to-live-with electric family crossover

Introduced in 2021, the stylish new C4 is a distinctive family car that’s a cross between a hatchback and a crossover. Also available with conventional petrol and diesel engines, the pure electric version (badged e-C4) has a 217-mile range. Comfortable and roomy, the smooth and refined e-C4 is a doddle to drive and easy to live with. Its 50kWh battery pack can be charged to 80% in just 30 minutes using a rapid 100kW charger - or charge it overnight from a home wall box. Boot capacity: 380 litres.

Read our review of the Citroen e-C4

Kia Soul EV

From £32,845

Verdict

Funky design mated with practicality and a seven-year warranty

Kia was one of the first companies to go electric, launching an EV version of its quirky Soul in the UK way back in September 2014. Fast forward to now and the latest third generation Soul is electric-only with a genuine 280-mile range. Kia has softened the Soul's divisive looks and it's actually quite cool now. Most of all, it's spacious, a doddle to drive, well-equipped and comes with a seven-year warranty. Boot capacity: 315 litres.

Read our review of the Kia Soul EV

MG5 EV

From £30,995

Verdict

Currently the only affordable electric estate you can buy

Currently the only electric estate on the market, this self-effacing car is selling well because it offers honest, practical, zero emissions motoring at an affordable price. It won't win awards for driving dynamics, but it does deliver a boot capacity of 578 litres to the roof (1,367 litres with the rear seats folded down), while its 61kWh battery has a range of up to 250 miles. Add a seven-year/80,000-mile warranty and the MG5 is a tempting proposition.

Read our review of the MG5 EV

Nissan Leaf

From £28,995

Verdict

A legendary EV that's still well worth a look

The pioneering British-built Nissan Leaf was the UK's fourth best-selling EV in 2021, but the reality is that it's gradually getting overtaken by cooler, newer rivals. Depending on whether you choose the 39kWh or 59kWh battery, your range will vary between a maximum 199-239 miles. Practical and pleasant to drive, a Leaf will charge overnight using a 7kWh home charger and takes as little as 60 minutes to get to 80% via a 50KW fast charger. Boot capacity: 435 litres.

Read our review of the Nissan Leaf

MG4 EV

From £26,995

Verdict

Great value for money and a fun drive to boot

And finally, the third MG in this guide. The striking new MG4 EV adds serious style to a brand already known for its value for money, no-nonsense approach. Range will depend on the battery size chosen, so it's up to 218 miles with the 51kWh, or up to 281 miles (64kWh battery). Whichever you choose, it's well equipped, great to drive and comes with a seven-year warranty as standard. Charging time is as low as 35 minutes via a rapid 150kW connection and, naturally, it will also charge overnight at home. Boot capacity: 363-1,177 litres.

Read our review of the MG4 EV

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Tags:

Citroen, Hyundai, Kia, MG, Nissan, Peugeot

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Gareth Herincx

Gareth Herincx is an experienced motoring journalist with a background in news and features gained at high-profile brands including the BBC, ITV and GMTV. When he's not road-testing cars, attending launch events or hunched over his laptop, Gareth can be seen being taken for walks by his Jack Russell terrier near Bath in Somerset.