The most family-friendly electric automobiles
When selecting the ideal family vehicle, practicality, value for money, and operating costs are frequently the most significant factors.
As electric cars become more prevalent in the United Kingdom, you may be surprised to learn that making the switch isn't as difficult as you may believe – you may only need to consider a few extra characteristics, such as range and rapid charging speed, if you're planning a well-deserved family road trip.
The glad tidings? Finding a family-friendly electric vehicle is straightforward.
In recent years, electric car manufacturers have heavily targeted the family market, and there are now more options than ever before.
With electric car ranges increasing, charging times decreasing, and the availability of rapid chargers expanding, there has never been a better time to go electric.
The question is, though, which are the greatest electric family cars now available?
top electric family automobiles 2022
bmw i4
BMW has been linked with both style and functionality. With an amazing lineup of electric vehicles, including the innovative i3 and the ultra-luxurious i7, as well as the futuristic iX.
In actuality, BMW is making enormous strides in the field of electric cars. We deemed the BMW i4 deserving of special recognition.
BMW's first all-electric Gran Coupé is the i4. It incorporates all the classic BMW efficiency and power you'd expect from the German automaker into a stunningly sleek and stylish electric vehicle.
The BMW i4 is not merely an exercise in form over function; this vehicle packs a big punch. The high-end i4 M50 handles like a sports car, accelerating from 0 to 62 mph in 3.9 seconds.
It's worth noting that the i4 is one of the more expensive vehicles on this list, but for the money, you get a 470-litre trunk, which is larger than, for example, a Polestar 2 or Tesla Model 3.
However, there is one limitation here. Even while there is a reasonable amount of boot capacity, there is not much room in the rear, especially if you have three children.
In terms of range, the 84kW battery provides well over 300 miles of driving range, and the battery can be recharged in just 100 minutes.
ford mustang mach-e
Ford Mustang is not often associated with family vehicles, but the Mustang Mach-E, Ford's first electric vehicle, is an excellent addition to this list.
The Mustang Mach-E offers an impressive blend of flair and performance in a well-executed and reasonably priced electric family SUV. One of these will also provide a substantial driving range, however the quantity will vary depending on the battery you select. With the entry-level 70kWh battery, you can expect a range of 273 miles, and with the 91kWh battery, [up to] 379 miles.
Rapid charging is also a plus. With a maximum charging speed of up to 107kW, assuming the charger is capable of delivering it, you will be able to charge from 10 to 80 percent in approximately 45 minutes.
The Mustang Mach-E is offered with either an entry-level single motor (rear-wheel drive) model or a two motor (four-wheel drive) option for families seeking a more gripping, all-terrain companion for their off-road excursions.
hyundai ioniq 5
Hyundai entered the electric vehicle market with this aggressively styled Ioniq 5, the much-anticipated successor to its popular Ioniq and Kona predecessors, with the Ioniq 6 (2022 delivery) and the Ioniq 7 to follow in its family of electric vehicles (2024 release).
The vintage hot hatch shape is deceptively roomy on the inside and one of the best available family EVs. It is packed with cutting-edge technology and constructed from eco-friendly materials like as eco-processed leather and recycled yarn.
On the same Hyundai E-GMP platform as the Kia EV6, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 share many characteristics, including their lightning-fast charging speeds. With a 350 kW DC charger, such as those found at our Electric Forecourts®, the Ioniq 5 can charge from 10 to 80 percent in just 18 minutes.
Let's put this into perspective...
In just five minutes, you can get approximately 60 miles of range.
There is ample interior space here as well. The three-metre wheelbase contributes to the illusion of room created by the fully flat floor. The capacious 527-litre trunk can comfortably accommodate all of your belongings.
kia ev6
We couldn't include the Hyundai 5 without also mentioning the Kia EV6 because they share so many of the same technical specifications due to the E-GMP platform we described earlier.
Kia opted for a more conventionally elegant design, with aerodynamic contours that allow for a pleasurable driving experience. It is roomy and quiet, with enough of passenger and cargo space, though somewhat less than the IONIQ 5. (490-litre boot space and a 2.9-metre wheelbase).
This electric vehicle is a good cruiser with a range of at least 300 miles, but it can also be quick and ruthlessly efficient. Similar to the IONIQ 5, this EV will charge from 0 to 80 percent in approximately 18 minutes and gain 60 miles of range in less than five minutes.
mg 5
With the MG 5 estate, MG Motor UK has carved out a solid place in the market for family-friendly electric vehicles. You won't find many electric estates on the market right now, and if you're searching for a vehicle that can get the job done, the MG5 is an excellent choice.
If you're searching for a family car that will be a dazzling display of affluence in the driveway, this is probably not the vehicle for you. However, if you're looking for a vehicle that's really affordable, has a spacious cabin, is inexpensive to operate, and can go the distance when you need it to, this is ideal, and for that reason we couldn't leave MG5 off our list of the best electric family cars.
Let's talk numbers.
With its 61kWh battery, the MG5 EV Long Range offers a WLTP range of 249 miles. The highest charging speed is 87kW DC, which is not the fastest, but you'll still notice a 10-80 percent charge in roughly 42 minutes if the charger's power is available.
The boot has 464 litres of storage capacity, which is more than adequate for most families, and both the front and rear seats offer ample space for passengers.
This is a fantastic alternative for most families and one of the least expensive electric cars on our list; for the price, you can't do much better.
kia niro (kia e-niro)
There aren't many vehicles with a better price-to-value ratio than the Niro, Kia's flagship electric SUV, which is why we couldn't leave it off our list of the best electric family cars for 2022.
By eliminating the 'e for electric' designation from the former name of the e-Niro, Kia has made plain its long-term commitment to sustainability. In fact, the new Niro lineup is only available in hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and all-electric variants (though, of course, we recommend the latter!).
Despite the fact that its 451-litre trunk isn't quite as roomy as, say, the Skoda Enyaq iV's, it's a worthy contender among family vehicles.
We believe the Kia Niro is one of the greatest electric family cars now available, mostly because of its official range of 282 miles and affordable price. As one of the least expensive family vehicles on the list, it is extremely practical, with 451 litres of trunk space, a high roofline, and ample space for child seats if necessary.
We found that the infotainment system doesn't quite measure up to some of the more expensive options on this list, but for the price, it's hard to beat.
volkswagen id.4
The Volkswagen ID.4 is one of the most cost-effective electric family cars available for lease this year. The ID.4 is positioned as the larger sibling of the ever-popular Volkswagen ID.3 and the cousin of the Skoda Enyaq iV. It is stylish and spacious throughout. There is ample space for front and back passengers, as well as a capacious 543-litre trunk.
You can select between two battery sizes, 52kWh or 77kWh, with respective ranges of 211-309 miles (WLTP). With up to 135kW DC charging speeds, you can charge from 10 to 80 percent in around 33 minutes.
volvo xc40 recharge
As one might expect from Volvo, the XC40 Recharge pure electric is an exceptionally good choice for an electric family car.
Its city-friendly dimensions make it more nimble than some of the other family-oriented electric vehicles in its class, but it still offers ample capacity in the front and back seats, as well as the all-important trunk.
In fact, the trunk is larger than the Kia Niro (previously e-Niro) at 452 litres, however it cannot compete with the Skoda Enyaq or Volkswagen ID.4 in terms of practicality.
The Volvo XC40's upscale appearance and sturdy feel, along with its impeccable record for safety, make it a perfect vehicle for families.