As more drivers make the switch from fossil fuel to electric, it’s family cars that are proving the most popular.
With their more generous proportions, these do-it-all machines can accommodate a larger battery for a better range without impacting practicality. Which means you can avoid feeling stressed about journey distances and remaining charge levels each time you climb aboard.
Moreover, as the cost of EV technology continues to fall, it’s these family-friendly cars that benefit the most, because their higher production volumes allow manufacturers to really sharpen their pencils when it comes to pricing.
Perhaps even more importantly, for people like us at least, manufacturers are starting to inject some genuine driver appeal into these cars beyond the exciting but short-lived thrill of their instant, and often savage, acceleration.
So here’s our list of the best full-size family EVs you can currently buy. Our top pick is the BMW iX, which impresses with a winning combination of comfort, technology and good all-around driving dynamics.
Best for: Luxury
Some drivers may not click with the BMW iX’s divisive styling, but we think this luxury SUV is the best electric family car on sale today.
Offering excellent all-around ability, the iX combines generous SUV-level cabin comfort and versatility with a genuinely relaxing and understated luxury ambience.
That’s not all: it also offers world-class rolling refinement and drivability, instant and effortless performance and credible real-world range. Few rivals in its segment can offer the same blend of ability.
Starting at around £75,000, price is the obvious barrier for the iX. That said, its qualities are undeniable. Even the entry-level iX 45 will give you 374 miles of range, while xDrive60 models offer all-wheel drive and 426 miles of range for just £2500 more.
Read our BMW iX review
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I am glad that others are spending their cash buying these things as one day I will have to acquire one that is hopefully lighter, more efficient, and fun than now.
MG 5 SW - not sure what a Vauxhall Aston is but if you mean Astra that's a coincidence since it comes off the platform of a Chinese Buick/Roewe which is based on the Vauxhall/Opel Astra. There is a nose facelift kicking around and back in China a new 5 series which IMO is remarkably ugly.
For example, that Enyaq 58kWh will only achieve the claimed 258 miles if you start at the top of a very large hill, or drive everywhere at 40mph. Whereas the quoted 230 miles for the E-Niro (a realistic figure for motorway driving in poor weather conditions) is some way short of its WLTP figure of 282 miles.