The Top 10 Best Electric Cars for Families

Electric Vehicles 

When it comes to a family car, certain factors stand out among others in deciding which car is ideal for your family. The most important consideration is how safe the vehicle is and what safety features it offers. For the purposes of this top ten list, we have given each vehicle a point per safety feature offered and a position point between 1-10, based on the total features offered in comparison to the other cars on the list.

The other main factor to consider is of course financial. The initial cost to purchase the vehicle and the average fuel costs. The average annual car mileage in 2022 was 7500 miles, and the average price for electricity is currently 30p/kWh. We have used these values to calculate how these cars stack up against each other when it comes to annual running costs. We have given ten points to the most economical vehicle and one point to the most expensive. All others have fallen into position according to their annual running cost.

Remember, you will incur additional costs like insurance, but that will vary based on your own personal circumstances and so can't be included as a factor in our general list.

10. Volkswagen ID3

Coming in at number 10 on our top 10 best electric cars for families list is the Volkswagen ID3. Released in 2019 with a low-end purchase price from new of £42,870 and annual fuel costs of £490.20, the VW ID3 is an economical car to run but on the expensive side for initial purchase. The VW includes standard safety features of driver, passenger and side airbags, forward collision warnings and lane follow assistance. As these features are simply expected, the VW ID3 finds itself at number 10 on our list. However, making the list is an achievement in itself.

Total Points: 19

9. BMW iX1

In ninth place is the BMW iX1 which was released in Autumn 2022 and as expected from BMW, came at a high initial low-end purchase price from new of £53,000. The annual fuel costs for the iX1 were also on the high side, costing £775.86 to complete 7500 miles. The BMW safety features include driver, passenger and side airbags, lane follow assistance, full surround collision warning, anti-lock braking system (ABS) and cornering brake control (CBC). These additional features helped it beat the VW ID3.

Total Points: 22

8. Tesla Model 3

Possibly the most synonymous name around when it comes to electric cars, the Tesla Model 3 was released in 2017 and finds itself still in such great demand that 1800 new reservations are made daily. The initial outlay for a brand-new Tesla Model 3 at its low end is £42,990 but it makes up for this with an annual fuel cost of only £493.42. The Tesla Model 3 offers driver, passenger, side and curtain as well as front knee airbags. It includes lane follow assistance and full surround collision avoidance assistance. Helping it achieve the eighth spot on our list of the top ten best electric cars for families.

Total Points: 23

7. Skoda Enyaq iV Coupe

Skoda were always known for their rally cars but spent many years enduring a less than complimentary reputation for their road offerings. They have been developing fantastic automobiles over the last few decades to leave that opinion firmly in the past. In seventh is the Skoda Enyaq iV Coupe, released in 2022 with a low-end purchase new price of £37,821, putting it in the middle group. However, the annual fuel cost of £608.11 is slightly steep against its rivals which has hindered it in this list. Safety features include driver, passenger, side and curtain airbags, lane follow assistance and an alarm.

Total Points: 26

6. Hyundai IONIQ 5

Completing the lower half of our top ten list of best electric cars for families is the Hyundai IONIQ 5. Released in 2021 the Hyundai IONIQ 5 has a slightly higher initial cost for a brand-new model with a low-end price of £42,665 and is also on the more expensive side for annual fuel costs, matching the Skoda Enyaq iV Coupe at £608.11. However, what puts the Hyundai IONIQ 5 higher up the list is the great range of features keeping you and your family safe including, driver and passenger airbags, full surround collision avoidance, lane follow assistance, ABS, blind spot avoidance, speed limiter, alarm and immobiliser.

Total Points: 30

5. Kia EV6

Another of 2021's offerings to the EV market was the Kia EV6, and it has made it into the top half of our top 10 list of best electric cars for families. The low-end cost for a brand-new model will set you back £43,911 and the annual fuel costs will total £608.11 for 7500 miles but for that money, the Kia EV6 offers lots of safety features, including driver, passenger, front centre and twin curtain airbags. Highway driving assist, lane follow assist, ABS and multi-collision brake assist, fully surround collision avoidance system, speed limiter, alarm and immobiliser. This great range of safety features helped the Kia EV6 into fifth place.

Total Points: 32

4. MG4 EV

First released in June 2022 in China under the name ‘MG Mulan', the MG4 EV was introduced to the European market a month later. It is available at the fantastic initial price of £26,995 at its low-end brand-new purchase price and the annual fuel costs are under the £600 mark for 7500 miles, coming in at a healthy £592.11. The MG4 also offers ample safety features, including driver and passenger airbags, lane follow assist, rear collision sensors, blind spot avoidance, speed limiter, autonomous emergency braking (AES), ABS, alarm and immobiliser. With a strong array of safety features and an economical price, the MG4 has earned its place of fourth on our top 10 list of best electric cars for families.

Total Points: 33

3. Kia Niro EV

Into the top three of our top ten best electric cars for families finds the second model from Kia. The Kia Niro EV. Released in 2022, the Kia Niro EV comes in a little more expensive than the MG4 but less than its sister the EV6 at a mid-range price of £35,103 for the low-end cost of a brand-new model. It has a superb annual fuel cost of £512.53 for 7500 miles and a great selection of safety features really helping it to land high on our list. Safety features include driver, passenger, knee, side and curtain airbags, lane follow assist, full surround collision avoidance, emergency stop signalling, ABS, alarm and immobiliser.

Total Points: 34

2. Peugeot E-208

Just missing out on the top spot is the Peugeot E-208. One of the earliest electric cars, it was released in 2019 and has gone from strength to strength. The Peugeot E-208 is available brand new at the fantastic low-end price of £24,747, making it the cheapest vehicle on our list. It also boasts an annual fuel cost of just over £500 to achieve 7500 miles. These two great price points combined contributed highly to the Peugeot E-208 taking the second spot on our list of top ten electric vehicles for families. Safety features include driver, passenger, side and curtain airbags, lane follow assist, blind spot avoidance, speed limiter, alarm and immobiliser. All in all, making it a worthy vehicle to sit at number two on our list.

Total Points: 35

1. Hyundai Kona EV

Topping our list of the top ten best electric cars for families is the Hyundai Kona EV. The second Hyundai included in our list was released in 2018, which has given it ample time to really make it the ideal choice for a family car. The low-end initial purchase price for a brand-new model is around the mid-range of £34,995 but where it really excels is in its annual fuel costs. With the Hyundai Kona EV, you can achieve 7500 miles for as little as £468.75 at the current electric rates in the UK. Safety features include driver, passenger, side and curtain airbags, highway drive assist, lane follow assist, forward collision avoidance, speed limiter, AEB, alarm and immobiliser.

With all these safety features included and the fantastic annual fuel prices, the Hyundai Kona EV has accrued the highest points out of all cars on our list and deservedly sits in the top spot.

Total Points: 37

Make it even more economical

There are many fantastic electric vehicles on the market and all cars that made this list are available to lease from Gateway2Lease with fantastic deals. An electric vehicle offers great advantages to a family as displayed above, including safety features, superb control and cheaper annual fuel costs than petrol and diesel. The only stumbling block for many is the initial price.

This is why car leasing options are a great alternative. Not only do they majorly reduce any initial outlay, but monthly payments are much lower, and you don't have to worry about repairs and services as that is all included. Get in touch with one of our electric car experts and find the perfect car and the perfect lease for your family.

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