‘Not a Tesla, BMW or Kia – the best electric car named’
Hand Plugging In Electric Car Outside Office In Car Park Charging (Image: SouthWorks via Getty Images)
As fuel prices across the UK have remained stubbornly high following America’s conflict with Iran and the resulting closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a growing number of motorists have been switching to electric vehicles.
With an ever-expanding range of models now available on the market, selecting the right one can prove a daunting task. Thankfully, the team of motoring journalists at Auto Express have compiled a rundown of what they consider to be the finest electric cars currently on sale in Britain, reports the Mirror.
Topping their list was the Skoda Elroq, an electric SUV starting from £32,000, which earned praise for its roomy interior, outstanding value for money, and a cabin that manages to be both comfortable and highly practical.
Summing up the vehicle, journalists Steve Walker and Ryan Birch said: “Skoda doesn’t tend to miss the mark when it launches new cars, and the Skoda Elroq, a small electric SUV, is no different. In fact, the marque has done such a good job with the Elroq that we named the car as our Car of the Year at the 2025 New Car Awards.”
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A Skoda Elroq (Image: Getty)
The Skoda was not entirely without shortcomings, however, with reviewers highlighting a somewhat “spongy” brake pedal, the absence of rear USB ports on entry-level trims, and an “energy-efficient heat pump” that comes only as an optional extra.
Despite this, the Skoda edged out the BMW iX3, a rival premium electric SUV priced from £59,500. Auto Express praised the BMW for its charging capability, ride quality, handling, performance and efficiency, though critics pointed to an “odd steering wheel” and a “limited range of powertrains” as notable drawbacks.
A BMW iX3 (Image: Mike Stobe, Getty Images)
They concluded: “The ride might be slightly firm for some tastes, partly due to the standard 20″ wheels, and the steering wheel design is certainly quirky, but otherwise the iX3 puts in a spotless performance.”
Coming in third was the much-lauded and award-winning Renault 5, competitively priced from £21,500. The reviewers said the positives of the car were that it was “great to drive in all conditions”, offered good value, and had “user-friendly” technology.
On the downside, they said its ride was “slightly bouncy at lower speeds”, and that the boot lip was a bit high. The boot lip refers to how high the edge of the boot sits off the ground — the lower it is, the easier it is to load and unload items.
A Renault 5 (Image: Christopher Sharp)
It is not just motoring publications that have tested the Renault 5. When Reach plc attended Goodwood’s Media Day, car reviewer Christopher Sharp got behind the wheel of one.
He said: “To drive it is impeccable; it is a car that at road speeds rotates around your hips. I couldn’t believe it because from the outside it looks quite big, but on Britain’s potholed, bumpy roads it was all the clichés of driving excellence.
“Yes, it’s not the most powerful, it’s not rear-wheel drive, but of the modern cars I’ve driven it’s one of the best. Talking to others afterwards, we couldn’t quite believe what Renault had done, because it will take a lot for other small electric cars to feel this good.”
