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Best electric SUV 2022

British new car buyers can’t get enough of SUVs. They are a fast-growing sector of the market, with SUVs of all shapes and sizes drawing customers into car showrooms.

SUVs are also embracing the looming switch to electric power from 2030. There are already plenty of highly desirable electric SUVs on the market, with strong sales quickly proving their appeal.

In many ways, SUVs lend themselves perfectly to the switch to electric. They are generally larger and high-riding machines, making it easy to package batteries big enough to offer driving ranges of 300 miles or more.

Car manufacturers can also equip them with powerful motors, sometimes with dual electric motors to drive both the front and rear wheels. Some can offer, to coin a phrase, genuinely electrifying performance, with 0-62mph acceleration times more akin to a supercar.

The electric SUV sector is an exciting one, then. Here is our guide to the 10 best models on sale right now.

Skoda Enyaq iV

The Skoda Enyaq iV is our favourite electric SUV currently on sale. Buyers can choose from both Enyaq iV 60 and 80 versions: the number refers to the battery capacity in kWh. The most affordable 60 battery offers a driving range of more than 250 miles, while the largest battery in the most efficient setup provides a fine 330-mile range. All Enyaq iVs have a huge 13.0-inch touchscreen and snazzy two-spoke heated steering wheel, plus beefy 19-inch alloys and the convenience of rear parking sensors. A really roomy five-seat SUV, there’s also a sleeker Enyaq Coupe iV arriving this year.

MG ZS EV

The MG ZS EV stands out as an electric SUV that offers great value for money. It has recently been facelifted, further boosting its appeal with a crisp 10.1-inch touchscreen and a more wind-cheating front end – including a closed-off grille and sharp LED headlights. Even the entry-level version has received a boost in range to almost 200 miles, while there’s a Tesla-inspired ‘Long Range’ model with a 72.6kWh battery for a fully-charged total of 273 miles. It costs £2,000 more than the smaller battery: a competitive premium given the extra functionality it offers. MG is expanding the ZS line-up with well-equipped Trophy versions, which look to reference its sports car heritage.

Volkswagen ID.4

The Volkswagen ID.4 is the SUV sister car to the ID.3 hatchback. It is currently offered with a healthily-sized 77kWh Pro Performance battery, giving an electric driving range of up to 320 miles. It can also be topped up using rapid chargers: a 100kW device will boost it from five percent to 80 percent charge in 38 minutes. A high-sided SUV, the ID.4 is roomy inside, and the sense of spaciousness will be appreciated by families. For any parents who still yearn for their hot hatch days, Volkswagen has a ready-made solution: the ID.4 GTX, a GTI-inspired version that does 0-62mph in just 6.2 seconds.

Vauxhall Mokka-e

The Vauxhall Mokka-e is one of the most distinctive-looking cars on the road. It’s been transformed from the previous Mokka into a head-turning SUV with a sporty stance and the distinctive Vauxhall ‘Vizor’ black panel front end. The pure electric SUV has a 50kWh battery for a driving range of just over 200 miles, and the electric motor delivers decent performance. It isn’t the most spacious of small SUVs in the rear, but there’s enough room for children, and the boot is well-shaped thanks to the batteries being located beneath the floor. The ‘dual screen’ wraparound dashboard looks modern, too.

Volvo XC40 Recharge

The XC40 Recharge is Volvo’s ‘electrified’ range of XC40 family SUVs, including both plug-in hybrid and pure electric versions. The electric model comes in single-motor and twin-motor guises; their ranges are similar, at around 260 miles, but the twin-motor version has an eyebrow-raising 408hp for 0-62mph in 4.9 seconds. Mind you, the single-motor XC40 certainly isn’t slow, with 0-62mph in 7.4 seconds. The Volvo has a smart appearance, a high-quality interior and a useful 419-litre boot, backed up by an additional front ‘frunk’ where you can store charging cables and soft holdalls.

Ford Mustang Mach-e

Ford hasn’t just used the famous Mustang GT name for its first bespoke EV; it’s also borrowed many styling cues from the beloved muscle car range. The Mustang Mach-e has the pony logo at the front, an aerodynamic GT-style rear and, in ultimate range-topping GT spec, a colossal 487hp for 0-62mph in just 3.7 seconds. It has the price tag to match, mind. More affordable models have either a 70kwh or 91kWh battery, for still-sprightly acceleration in combination with a range of up to 379 miles. The Mustang Mach-e is roomy inside and the centrepiece is an amazing ultra-large portrait touchscreen, through which all the car’s functions are controlled.

Audi Q4 e-tron

The Audi Q4 e-tron (and its more coupe-like Q4 Sportback e-tron sister car) is a premium compact electric SUV from the tech-centric brand. It offers a driving range of up to 314 miles, and fast-charging capabilities come as standard. One of the sportier electric SUVs, you can also buy an S-line variant, with 15mm lower ride height and stiffer springs and dampers. The Q4 e-tron is modern-looking inside, with a dramatic centre console into which the wide touchscreen is set. You can also get a head-up display with augmented reality sat-nav. Special mention goes to the Sonos premium audio system. The Q4 e-tron is so refined, you’ll really appreciate its quality.

Peugeot e-2008

The Peugeot e-2008 is one of the most distinctive small SUVs on the road. This pure electric model has very bold lines, and an unmissable front end complete with Peugeot ‘cat’s claw’ LED running lights. The interior also has a unique feel, with a tiny steering wheel and high-set instrument display as part of the Peugeot i-Cockpit layout. The optional 3D dash display is noteworthy, while the e-2008 has a driving range of more than 210 miles to give plenty of family-friendly flexibility. It’s an easy car to drive – like all electric SUVs, an automatic transmission comes as standard.

Hyundai Kona Electric

The Hyundai Kona Electric was one of the first small SUVs to make electric cars popular. It’s a recognisable machine on the road, with a smooth face and ultra-narrow LED lights. The curves and creases running from front to rear are also eye-catching. Two variants are available: the range-topping 64kWh version with a 204hp electric motor, plus the more affordable 39kWh Kona Electric with a 136hp motor. It serves up 0-62mph in a smooth, silent-running 9.9 seconds and even this version has a 189-mile range. This extends to a seriously impressive 300 miles on the 64kWh model.

Mercedes-Benz EQA

The Mercedes-Benz EQA is the smallest electric SUV in the German firm’s ever-growing line-up. There is an entry-level EQA 250 with 190hp, a 4Matic all-wheel-drive 228hp EQA 300 and a swift 292hp EQA 350. They all share a 66.5kWh battery for a driving range of up to 265 miles. Using a 100kWh public rapid charger, a boost from 10 to 80 percent takes just 32 minutes. The smooth-looking EQA has a crossover-style seating position and a really modern interior that feels high-quality and contemporary. The amount of high-tech functionality is impressive, particularly some of the gadgets available on the options list.

Which electric SUVs have the longest range?

Perhaps unsurprisingly, it’s the SUVs with the very largest batteries that offer the longest range. The Ford Mustang Mach-e comes with a 91kWh battery, for example, for an epic range of almost 380 miles. The Skoda Enyaq iV’s 330-mile range is impressive, though, as is 320 miles from the Volkswagen ID.4. We should also mention the Hyundai Kona Electric, which has a 64kWh battery for 300 miles of range at a reasonably affordable price.

Which is the most affordable electric SUV?

The MG ZS EV ranks among the most affordable electric SUVs, with list prices starting from around £27,500. Vauxhall has also revised pricing for the Mokka-e, meaning it now starts from less than £30,000. Moving to slightly larger electric SUVs, the Skoda Enyaq iV is competitively priced, with the range starting from under £35,000, and the Ford Mustang Mach-e offers plenty of high-performance excitement – with prices starting from around £42,000.

Are electric SUVs good off-road?

Electric SUVs are surprisingly good off-road, certainly more so than many people think. It’s really easy to control their power, for a start, meaning they can clamber up muddy banks with more finesse than a petrol or diesel SUV. Compact electric motors allow easier inclusion of all-wheel drive, and the various electronic aids that help support off-road driving also work more smoothly. You don’t need to worry about splashing through deep rivers, either – there’s no engine up front to get air-locked.

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