Five best electric cars to buy in 2025
More choice than ever
We all know 2030 and the ban on the sale of new pure internal-combustion cars is on the way, so why not make the switch from petrol or diesel power to a full electric vehicle (EV) sooner rather than later?
While they’re not for everyone – especially those who do lots and lots of motorway miles every week – modern EVs are better than ever, with excellent real-world driving range, super-smooth and quiet manners, and plenty of innovative onboard tech.
Understandably, with more and more manufacturers launching electric products in the build-up to 2030 and beyond, there’s an incredible amount of choice for the new-EV buyer these days, but we’ve sifted out five of our very favourites for 2025, covering a range of budgets and body types in the process.
Renault 5 E-Tech
From £22,995
We almost don’t need to say anything other than “just look at it” in this section, when it comes to the virtues of the Renault 5 E-Tech. If you were being harsh, you’d say it was a shameless aesthetic rip-off of the original 5 runaround, which was built from 1972 until 1996.
And it is, of course. But it’s also brilliant to look at accordingly. Renault’s designers have modernised that old, familiar shape quite beautifully, incorporating the 2020s EV signifiers so elegantly within a basic form that’s now more than 50 years old.
It’s even better news that the 5 E-Tech is superb to drive as well, blending comfort and a surprisingly grown-up level of refinement with enjoyable handling. And, with the bigger of two battery packs fitted (52kWh), it has an official range of more than 250 miles to a charge.
But aside from its utterly adorable looks, the other knockout blow the Renault 5 E-Tech delivers is that it costs just £22,995 at its cheapest. Even in its highest specification with the more potent 148bhp motor fitted to it, it’s still a fiver less than 29 grand. Remarkable value for one of the most eagerly anticipated EVs since, well… ever.
Hyundai Inster
From £23,495
If you want an affordable electric hatchback with some visual clout but you don’t want something that’s a copy of a classic old supermini, then check out the charming Hyundai Inster.
The Korean effort is a riotous blend of angular bodywork and round detailing, plus a healthy smattering of the pixel-shaped light signatures that are a Hyundai EV telltale feature. It all adds up to something with plenty of kerb appeal.
The interior’s good too, thanks to Hyundai’s typically generous levels of standard equipment and a pleasingly capacious second row of seating, although it should be remembered that the Inster is a strict four-seater only.
Available with two different battery sizes like the Renault above, the Inster has both small and larger options, although neither are massive – the biggest is a 49kWh item that’ll give the Hyundai a range of 229 miles. But that’s more than enough for a car which kicks off for considerably less than £25,000, all backed up by Hyundai’s fantastic five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty.
Kia EV3
From £32,995
The big, boxy Kia EV9, a seven-seat SUV, has been hoovering up all sorts of accolades for providing family-friendly transport for those with larger broods. So, what better way to capitalise on its success than by shrinking it down to create an affordable crossover companion model, in the form of the EV3?
This striking-looking thing might only be a five-seater, but it’s sure to be a hit in its sector. That’s because, aside from the entry-level model which does 270 miles, the EV3 has a huge 81.4kWh battery pack that’ll theoretically take it up to 375 miles to a single charge.
It’s comfortable and quiet to drive, as any self-respecting EV should be, and the Kia also comes with loads of kit as standard, as well as the peace of mind of the company’s seven-year warranty.
And even the range is simple to understand, as there’s just one powertrain: a 201bhp motor that gives the Kia EV3 plenty of zipping capability, thanks to a rapid 0-62mph time of 7.9 seconds. Best of all, unless you go for one of the highest-grade cars or tick too many options boxes, every EV3 costs less than £40,000 to buy – with the entry-level model standing at an impressive £32,995.
Porsche Taycan
From £86,500
The Porsche Taycan has been around since 2020, and in that time has established itself as a benchmark for just how fabulous and desirable an EV can truly be. However, just as other manufacturers were nipping at its heel in terms of quality and all-round abilities, Porsche has gone and raised the bar again.
As part of a midlife facelift for the 2025 model year, the Taycan has gained bigger battery packs, more driving range and even something it didn’t need: more power.
What makes the Taycan so appealing is the variety on offer. Unlike its petrol- and hybrid-powered relation, the Panamera (which is sold in just one body style nowadays), the Porsche EV still comes as a regular fastback, a handsome Sport Turismo estate or an off-road-themed Cross Turismo wagon.
The interior of the car is exquisitely put together and highly intuitive to use, there’s plenty of space for passengers onboard, and just because it’s an EV, don’t think for a minute that the Taycan is not as good to drive as its petrol stablemates, because it’s a dynamic delight. Especially the Turbo GT, which has a colossal 1,020bhp at its disposal…
Volvo EX90
From £96,255
Volvo has mastered the seven-seat prestige SUV format across two generations – and more than two decades’ worth – of the XC90. Therefore, the simple thing to do here was swap out the XC90’s hybridised combustion drivetrains and replace them with an electric motor. Volvo hasn’t quite done that, though you’d not know from a glance that the new EV is built on entirely different underpinnings.
The resulting machine is the all-new EX90, which gets its own design of body that’s a little smoother than that of the XC90 – and it even has fancy headlights that “blink” when you switch between daytime running lamps and main beam.
Inside, it’s another Volvo masterpiece of dignified Scandinavian restraint. Seven wonderfully appointed seats are offered, and adults can genuinely sit in the rear-most two (provided they’re not six-foot-five tall), while the fit and finish are unbeatable.
Admittedly, you’ll need to familiarise yourself with the Volvo’s massive Google-powered touchscreen to operate some of its functions efficiently, and this is the first car from the Swedish manufacturer which can carry a hefty six-figure price tag. But when you consider it’s a genuine rival, in terms of both prestige and capability, for the incoming Range Rover Electric, then you realise just what a special thing the Volvo EX90 really is.
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