The six cars you loved reading about in 2021

For the second year running, electric and hybrid cars dominate our top six most viewed car reviews of the year, with no petrol or diesel-only cars making the list. Electric cars win out convincingly overall, taking four of the top six positions - and the entire top three.

But remember, these are just the most viewed car reviews on our website - not our top-scoring cars. In fact, popularity is no guarantee of greatness, and some could be getting lots of views for all the wrong reasons.

Click through to our full reviews using the links below to find out whether buying any of these cars is actually the best use of your money.

The best cars for 2022 - don't leave an expensive purchase to chance. Our professional reviews cover every nook and cranny, so you can choose a car that won't catch you out.

1. Kia E-Niro (2019-), £29,912

In first position is a car you can buy as a full hybrid, plug-in hybrid (PHEV) or - our most viewed review of the year - the pure-electric version.

It's the clear favourite among Which.co.uk readers, easily earning top place. The E-Niro may not be as cheap as other models in Kia's Niro range, but it's more affordable than many electric cars, while also claiming a remarkable 282-mile range on a single charge.

That's even longer than the claimed mileage of the Tesla Model 3, but our independent, real-world tests reveal which one really comes out on top.

The Kia E-Niro rises to the top spot after coming second last year. So what's all the fuss about? Find out in our expert Kia E-Niro review.

For the other Niro versions, see our Kia Niro full hybrid review and Kia Niro plug-in hybrid review.

2. Volkswagen ID.3 (2020-), £30,270

New to the list for this year after its 2020 launch, the ID.3 is the latest car in Volkswagen's drive towards a cleaner future. And if interest in our review is anything to go by, it appears to be paying off.

Unusually, the car is rear-wheel drive, which should give it a more sporty feel. You have a choice of three battery capacities depending on the range you'd like per charge. Volkswagen claims the smallest 45kWh battery provides 216 miles, while the 58kWh and 77kWh batteries are apparently good for 264 and 340 miles respectively.

But does this claimed range convert accurately to real-world use? We test all electric cars in the same way, so you can compare their mileage and make the right choice.

Find out whether this is the ideal electric car for you (or has something to hide) in our full Volkswagen ID.3 review.

3. Kia Soul EV (2020-), £32,445

Kia's on a roll, with its smaller Soul EV SUV debuting high on the list. It just pips the Honda Jazz - a perennial favourite of Which.co.uk readers - into third position.

It's styled for those looking for something different to the norm, and this latest-generation model is available only as an all-electric car, powered by a 201hp front-wheel-drive electric motor.

The 64kWh battery pack gives a claimed range of up to a long 280 miles, but our assessments deliver the definitive verdict on whether this rings true typical in real-world use.

Of course, for prospective electric car buyers the big benefit of this Kia is its seven-year/100,000-mile warranty. This should help any buyer with lingering concerns about whether an electric car will continue to go the distance in its later years.

Is this the perfect practical car for you and your family? Find out in our Kia Soul EV review.

4. Honda Jazz (2020-), £18,764

Hybrid cars have garnered huge interest in recent years by those who are considering going electric but not yet willing to take the plunge with a pure electric car. But the top hybrid only gets fourth place this year.

The Honda Jazz is a five-door hatchback famed for being highly practical, with a tall roofline that maximises interior space and a small exterior footprint for easy driving around town.

Its signature feature is Honda's 'Magic Seat' system, which allows you to completely fold down the rear seats into the floor for a huge boot.

Although not exactly a budget car, the Jazz is the most affordable model in this list.

Are hybrids your cup of tea? See if this car is a great all-rounder and whether there are any notable downsides in our Honda Jazz review.

5. Toyota RAV4 (2019-), £29,711

The Toyota RAV4 hybrid SUV climbs one place to fifth on the list this year. While the rival Nissan Qashqai claims to be the first crossover SUV, the RAV4 was actually the first car to combine modern crossover SUV styling with 4×4 drive.

So Toyota will be pleased it's holding its own, despite legions of SUV rivals now vying to grab the headlines.

Like the Honda Jazz, the RAV4 is a full hybrid - what Toyota likes to call a 'self-charging' hybrid - so you don't need to worry about plugging it in. And if its claimed fuel economy is accurate (49.2-51.2mpg for front-wheel-drive models), this could provide a hefty fuel saving compared to diesel rivals.

We uncover if it really lives up to the promise in our Toyota RAV4 review. It's also available as a plug-in hybrid, which we'll be reviewing in January 2022.

6. Mini Electric (2020-), £26,000

The much-loved Mini feels like it was made to go electric.

The Mini Electric comes with 'Cooper S' branding since Mini regards it as a sporty small car, promising a decent mix of high performance, fun driving and - of course - zero tailpipe emissions.

The Mini may not be as small as it once was, but it's still an ideal size for nippy trips around town and further afield. It's not designed for your road trip across the country though, with Mini claiming a range of up to 144 miles per charge.

That said, Mini claims its small battery can be charged to 80% in 35 minutes with a 50kW rapid charger, or 150 minutes using an 11kW charger.

Is this the dream car for you? We put the new Mini through its paces in our extensive Mini Electric review.