The Best Electric Cars 2026 – Driven, Rated And Ranked
These are the best EVs on sale in the UK today in our view – each with its own trump card
Electric cars have taken remarkable strides forward in recent years, so much so in fact that they have never been a more credible and usable alternative to ICE machines.
The first flock of EVs were mired by a number of major shortcomings, most notably their limited real-world ranges, high prices and slow charging speeds.
Fast-forward to 2026 and the outlook could not be more different, with EVs accounting for almost 30% of the UK car market.
Battery technology, public charging infrastructure, energy efficiency have all improved dramatically to make EVs far more desirable, while lower production costs have helped democratise them.
The UK government’s Electric Car Grant (ECG) has also helped drive the cost of EVs down further, making them the go-to choice for families and fleets.
Happily, there’s a broad and diverse range of EVs on sale today, from 250-mile superminins to 500-mile SUVs that have the space and range to make them excellent all-rounders.
But which should you actually buy? To help you decide, our expert road testers have driven, assessed and evaluated every EV on sale. Some cars are also put through our instrumented road test, in which we gather empirical performance and refinement benchmarks at MIRA proving ground.
At a glance
| Make and Model | Best For | Starting Price | Official Range (WLTP) | Autocar Tested Range | Autocar Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Skoda Elroq | Versatility and value | £33,970 | Up to 372 miles | 370 miles | 4.5/5 |
| 2. BMW iX3 | Range and charging speed | £60,655 | Up to 500 miles | 435 miles | 4.5/5 |
| 3. Hyundai Ioniq 5 N | Sports car thrills | £65,800 | Up to 278 miles | 230 miles | 5/5 |
| 4. Renault 5 | Stylish and affordable motoring | £21,495 | Up to 248 miles | 260 miles | 4.5/5 |
| 5. Porsche Taycan | Handling and performance | £88,200 | Up to 421 miles | 360 miles | 4.5/5 |
The best electric cars
At present, we think the Skoda Elroq is the best EV you can buy right now.
Few compact SUVs can match its clever blend of versatility, range, maturity and sheer value for money. Plus several derivatives qualify for the £1500 ECG.
If you’re after something bigger – and with an incredibly long range – the BMW iX3 is a brilliant electric SUV. It will charge at 400kW, has a large practical cabin and feels like a true BMW to drive.
Our list also includes sporty saloons like the Porsche Taycan and superminis like the Renault 5.
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