Best electric cars 2025: Which? Best Buy EVs to buy now

The best electric cars are smooth to drive and have the potential for very low running costs, but our lab tests show not all are created equal.

You can trust our new and used electric car reviews because we subject each one to more than 200 individual lab tests.

Read below to discover the best electric cars for 2025 and those to avoid.

Looking specifically for an SUV or a smaller model? See our guides to the best electric SUVs and best small electric cars

What is the best electric car?

There's no single 'best' electric car; what's right for you ultimately depends on numerous factors, including your driving habits, what size of electric car you want and, of course, your budget.

Our new and used electric car reviews cover everything from range and efficiency to handling and reliability, making it easy for you to find the best EV for your needs.

What is the most popular electric car in the UK?

These are the UK's top five best electric cars in terms of sales figures, according to data from the industry body SMMT (Society of Motor Manufacturer Traders) for 2024, complete with links to our full reviews.

Which? members can log in to read our reviews of the five best-selling EVs. Not yet a member? Join Which? today to unlock all our expert reviews.

1. Tesla Model Y

New registrations in 2024: 32,862*

The Model Y is the world’s best-selling EV, so it’s no surprise that it tops the UK list, too, as it did in 2022 and 2023.

It’s a large SUV that’s available with five or seven seats and sits above the Model 3 in Tesla’s UK range. It also features a striking interior and can be ordered with advanced autonomous driving technology.

According to Tesla, the longest-range models can travel up to 387 miles on a single charge, but read our review to see what it achieved in our lab tests.

Tesla updated the Model Y in 2025 with revised exterior styling and an updated infotainment system.

Read our Tesla Model Y (2022-) review to see what we thought of it.

2. Audi Q4 e-tron

New registrations in 2024: 17,622*

Audi’s Q4 e-tron range marks the current entry point to Audi’s EV line-up.

It’s available in SUV and Sportback body styles and is proving a popular choice in the UK. Rear and all-wheel drive options are available, along with a more powerful 340hp model (entry-level cars have 286hp).

Audi updated the Q4 e-tron range in 2023, adding more equipment as standard and revising the suspension, which was timely as the first Q4 e-tron we tested performed poorly in our hazard-avoidance test.

It’s not a cheap option, though, and Audi’s reliability record isn’t the strongest.

Our Audi Q4 e-tron Sportback (2021-) review explains everything you need to know about this model.

3. Tesla Model 3

New registrations in 2024: 17,425*

The cheapest Tesla model is also a popular choice in the UK.

Launched back in 2019, it’s much less expensive than its rivals and is available with a wide range of battery and drive combinations. The longest-range version of the current model has a claimed driving range of 436 miles, while Tesla says high-performance models can travel 328 miles on a single charge.

The brand revised the Model 3 in 2023, the most prominent changes being in the cabin, including reducing the number of physical controls even further. Tesla fans may love it, but we’re not so sure.

We explain why, and how it performs for range, in our full Tesla Model 3 (2019-) review.

4. MG 4

New registrations in 2024: 15,651

MG’s low-priced EVs have quickly become a common sight on UK roads, with the MG 4 hatchback the most popular of all.

Launched in 2022, it’s available in several versions, including a performance XPower model with 435hp and an extended-range model with a claimed range of 323 miles.

All MG 4 models come with a lot of equipment as standard, while MG also offers a very competitive seven-year warranty on all its cars (you may need this, as our latest car survey highlighted reliability issues with the MG 4).

We also had issues with the lane-departure warning system of the first MG 4 we lab tested, although the manufacturer has released a software update to fix this.

Read more in our full MG 4 (2022-) review.

5. BMW i4

New registrations in 2024: 12,953*

This large BMW model is a sports coupé, and sits below the larger BMW i5 and BMW i7 saloon models in the brand's EV range. It also has a hatchback boot, which should aid practicality (find out more in our review).

It faces plenty of talented competitors, such as the BYD Seal and Hyundai Ioniq 6. BMW gave the i4 a small update in 2024, with the most notable change being the brand’s curved display screen added as standard across the range. 

BMW claims that the longest-range models can travel up to 370 miles on a single charge, while driving fun, it's also something the brand has worked to prioritise with the i4.

Our BMW i4 (2021-) review tells you all you need to know about this EV.

*SMMT new car registrations, Jan-Dec 2024

Our latest electric car reviews

Whether they're of brand-new electric cars or updates to previously released models, see our latest EV reviews.

Should I buy an electric car? We explain the pros, cons and the questions to ask yourself

Best new electric cars under £35,000

Although EVs typically cost more than their petrol and diesel counterparts, our lab tests show that there are plenty of models for less than £35,000 that provide decent range and a good overall driving experience.

If you're already a member, log in now. If not, join Which? today to reveal the best electric cars and all our expert car reviews.

Best new electric cars over £35,000

If your budget can stretch to more than £35,000, you can expect an EV with greater range, more features and improved performance. However, time and time again, we've found expensive models that fall down for practicality, performance and more.

Best electric cars available used only

The used market for EVs is increasing, and our testing has uncovered some real gems if you have a lower budget. These are the best EVs that are no longer available to buy new.

Best cheap used-only electric cars for less than £15,000

Many premium EVs are only available used. Below are some of the best cheaper models you can buy.

Cheapest new electric cars

These are the cheapest electric cars we've tested that are available to buy new.

Note, this list is ordered by price, not by Which? score. We've removed Don't Buys, but click through to our reviews to see how each one performed in our lab tests.

Cheapest used electric cars

Are you simply looking for the cheapest electric car? According to our pricing data, these are the electric cars we've tested that cost the least to buy used.

As with all used cars, the price you pay will depend on factors such as age and overall condition.

Note, this list is ordered by price, not by Which? score. We've removed Don't Buys, but click through to our reviews to see how each one performed in our lab tests.

Which electric cars have the longest range?

If you're planning to buy an electric car, check the maximum range of the electric cars in your shortlist, especially if you regularly drive long distances. And don't forget to factor in your charging time, too, if you need to top up at any time other than overnight. 

The maximum driving range available can vary greatly between models. Luxury models with larger batteries offer greater claimed driving ranges, but even entry-level models should offer a driving range of around 150 to 250 miles. 

However, don't just look at the official figures. At Which?, we conduct our own realistic range tests because, just like fuel tests, the figures manufacturers quote are often quite ambitious.

Of all the electric cars we've tested, the one with the biggest claimed range is the Mercedes EQS, which the manufacturer says can travel up to 481 miles between charges. 

However, lab tests consistently show that real-world range is often much lower than claimed range, so it's important to check our reviews before buying. Also, bear in mind that most electric cars come with a range of battery sizes, so be sure to check the battery of the car you're considering buying. If you don't want to be caught out, make sure you check the real, independently tested ranges in our electric car reviews.

Electric cars to avoid

Based on our lab tests and Euro NCAP safety, there are some electric cars we recommend you avoid at all costs.

Not found the one you're after? See all of our electric car reviews.

Is it worth buying an electric car in the UK now?

Due to factors such as government targets on EV sales, there's never been a better time to buy an electric car. And we've spotted some great deals on nearly new models – some of which will have just a few miles on the clock (see our news story on EV bargains from last year for more).

To benefit from low running costs, you'll need to be able to charge at home. It's far cheaper than using public charging points (see our guide on how much it costs to charge an electric car for comparison).

If you don't think an electric car would suit you, a hybrid may be a better bet. Our guide to the best hybrid cars shows the models that we recommend

How should you charge an electric car?

Unless you don't use your vehicle that often, don't even think about using a domestic three-pin socket to charge your car. This is very slow. Depending on the car, it can take in excess of 35 hours.

If your property allows regular charging at home, you'll be best off investing in a dedicated fast charger. This normally takes the form of a wall box mounted on the outside of your house. The type of charger, connector and voltage you need will depend on your car, budget and electricity connection.

When you're away from home, you can use websites or apps to find the nearest public charging point. These include on-street charging points in city centres, for example, and the growing number of high-voltage fast chargers and rapid chargers at strategic service stations on the motorway network. 

Currently, charging points are run by various separate networks, so you’ll need to work out which ones are compatible with your car and register with them accordingly. Bear in mind that some public charging points can be very costly compared with rates for home charging.

How much does it cost to charge an electric car? We explain all

We test cars more thoroughly than anyone else

Our tests go further than those carried out by other organisations – and because Which? is independent, you can trust our reviews to give you the full, honest and impartial truth about every car we test.

To find out more, see our how we test cars guide.