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Best large electric family cars 2023

Need more space for a growing family or just lots of stuff? These are your best EV options right now

By Gareth Herincx
January 1, 2023

If you’re looking for a new EV that has space for five, plus a bit extra for luggage or a dog, then you have no choice but to look at bigger cars.

As you will see from the suggestions below, most are crossovers and they nearly all have long ranges of 250-plus miles. They are also in the £40,000-£60,000 price bracket, which means you can expect a little premium quality and cutting-edge technology.

So, fasten your seatbelts for a selection of large EV with space for all the family…

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.

The best family electric cars in 2023

Nissan Ariya

From £46,145

Verdict

A great electric crossover with an all-wheel-drive option

New in 2022, Nissan’s first all-electric crossover comes with bold styling and impressive performance in top-of-the-range spec (0-62mph in 5.7 seconds). Choose from two battery sizes (63kWh and 87kWh battery), which Nissan claims are good for 250 miles and 329 miles respectively from full charge. Entry-level models use a single 160kW electric motor to power the front wheels, while the faster range-topping variant is all-wheel drive (motors in the front and back). With a premium, minimalistic interior packed with tech (two 12.3-inch screen stretched across the dashboard), the Ariya is creating quite a buzz. Boot capacity: 466 litres.

Read our review of the Nissan Ariya

Kia EV6

From £44,195

Verdict

A fast and sporty car that's also spacious and practical

Kia's futuristic five-door fastback was crowned 2022 European Car of the Year, so it's a class act. Refined, spacious, practical, packed with tech and entertaining to drive, it's available with rear or all-wheel drive. There's one battery size (77.4kWh), power output ranges from 226-321bhp and the fastest version sprints from 0-62mph in just 5.2 seconds. The EV6 will charge from 10-80% in just 18 minutes via an ultra rapid 350kW public chargepoint, and just like all Kia cars, it comes with a seven-year warranty. Range: up to 328 miles. Boot capacity: 490 litres.

Read our review of the Kia EV6

Tesla Model 3

From £51,087

Verdict

Easy to drive with a range of up to 360 miles and a dedicated charging network

The most affordable model in the Tesla range was only launched in 2020 and is already one of the world's best-selling EVs. Its looks are slightly divisive, and the minimalist interior takes some getting used to, but this BMW 3 Series-sized saloon has a range of up to 360 miles and is effortless to drive. Swift, smooth and agile, the fastest 'Performance' version can hit 60mph from standstill in just 3.1 seconds. Boot capacity: 425 litres.

Read our review of the Tesla Model 3

Volvo XC40 Recharge / C40 Recharge

From £45,750

Verdict

A high quality EV with SUV and coupe options

Whether you choose the XC40 SUV (pictured) or the sleeker C40 coupe-SUV variant, Volvo's mid-sized EV blends practicality with premium quality, refinement, extensive safety features and technology (it's fully connected and comes with Google Assistant and the Spotify app). Its 78kWh battery gives it a range of up to 259 miles. Charging the battery from 10-80% at a 150kW fast-charger takes just 28 minutes. Boot capacity: 452 litres.

Read our review of the Volvo XC40 Recharge / C40 Recharge

Hyundai Ioniq 5

From £41,900

Verdict

Loads of space, quick styling and THOSE looks

The retro-modern Ioniq 5 looks like nothing else on the road. Sharing its underpinnings with the Kia EV6, it's bigger in the metal than you think so there's a lots of space inside, plus there's a range of battery and motor options available, plus rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. Packed with technology and futuristic inside, it's nothing short of a revelation. The Ioniq 5's 0-62mph sprint time is as quick as 5.2 seconds, while charging to 80% using an ultra rapid 350kW chargepoint takes as little as 17 minutes. Boot capacity: 527 litres.

Read our review of the Hyundai Ioniq 5

Skoda Enyaq iV

From £38,480

Verdict

Big and comfortable family electric car that's surprisingly fun to drive

Skoda's first purpose-built EV is well worth a test drive. Available with either a 62kWh or 82kWh battery, it has a range of up to 339 miles, while its bold design delivers serious road presence. Swift, spacious and well built, it’s surprisingly good fun to drive too. Overall, the big EV even outshines its Volkswagen Group cousin, the ID.4 (they share a platform). The Enyaq iV will charge from 20-80% in around 30 minutes via a rapid 150kW connection. Boot capacity: 585 litres.

Read our review of the Skoda Enyaq iV

Tesla Model Y

From £57,985

Verdict

A Twin-motor crossover EV that's fast and spacious

Effectively a more practical crossover version of the big-selling Tesla Model 3, the all-wheel drive Model Y is offered as a 'Performance' or 'Long Range AWD'. The former can accelerate from 0-60mph in just 3.5 seconds, while the latter has a range of up to 331 miles. Both use two electric motors, powered by a 75kWh battery. Just like the Model 3, there's a minimalist interior built around a huge centrally mounted 15-inch landscape touchscreen. Class act, but at a price. Boot capacity: 854 ( filled to the roof).

Read our review of the Tesla Model Y

Audi Q4 e-tron

From £43,975

Verdict

A well-equipped and well-built family car available as an SUV or a Sportback

Launched in 2021, the Q4 e-tron is available in both SUV and Sportback versions. There are two battery options and three power levels on offer. The entry level 125kW '35' and mid-range 150kW '40' versions both have a single electric motor driving the rear wheels, while the top-spec 220kW '50' models are powered by two electric motors that drive all four wheels. Refined, roomy and well equipped, it boasts an Audi trademark top quality interior. Range: up to 316 miles. Boot capacity: 520 litres.

Read our review of the Audi Q4 e-tron

Ford Mustang Mach-E

From £50,030

Verdict

One of the most dynamic EV crossovers to drive

Ford’s first fully electric vehicle is available with rear or all-wheel drive and two different battery sizes (70kWh and 91kWh), delivering a range of up to 379 miles and a 0-62mph time as fast as 3.7 seconds (GT model). Practical and good looking, it's one of the most dynamic EVs to drive in the crossover sector. Find a rapid 150kW public charger and it will deliver around 73 miles in just 10 mins. Boot capacity: 402 litres.

Read our review of the Ford Mustang Mach-E

BMW iX3

From £62,865

Verdict

A classy electric SUV with great attention to detail

Effectively an electric version of the existing BMW X3 SUV, the iX3 is at the expensive end of our selection. The 80kWh battery pack should give a range of up to 285 miles and the electric motor drives the rear wheels. With space for all the family and great build quality, it's a classy option capable of 0-62mph in 6.8 seconds. Boot capacity: 510 litres.

Read our review of the BMW iX3

Polestar 2

From £43,150

Verdict

A striking five-door fastback EV that oozes Scandi chic

This striking five-door fastback from Volvo's all-electric sister brand, Polestar, oozes kerb appeal outside and Scandi chic inside. A winning blend of performance, superb driving dynamics and cutting-edge technology, you can choose from standard range, long range (single motor, rear-wheel drive)) or long range (dual motor, AWD) versions, the fastest of which delivers a 0-60mph time of 4.5 seconds. There are two sizes of battery (69kWh and 78kWh) and if you can find a rapid 150kW charger, 0-80% should take about 40 minutes. Range: up to 341 miles. Boot capacity: 405 litres.

Read our review of the Polestar 2

Toyota bZ4X

From £43,780

Verdict

A practical and comfortable EV for the whole family

Considering it was a hybrid pioneer back in the 1990s with the Prius, it's taken Toyota a while to bring its first EV to market. The good news is that it's been worth the wait. A little longer, lower and wider than a RAV4, the bZ4X is available with front or four-wheel drive and its 71.4 kWh battery offers up to 317 miles of range. Practical, smooth, comfortable and easy to drive, there's loads of room in the back. Oh, and don't forget, Toyota's warranty provides cover for up to 10 years if you have the car maintained at one of its dealers. Boot capacity: 452 litres.

Read our review of the Toyota bZ4X

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Tags:

Family, Load carrying

Audi, BMW, Ford, Hyundai, Kia, Nissan, Skoda, Tesla, Toyota, Volvo

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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.