Electric Vehicles Perfect for Families with Children

Top 10 best electric family cars 2024

Electric cars come in all shapes and sizes these days, from hatchbacks to seven-seat SUVs, which can make choosing the right one to be your next family car a bit of a daunting task. Thats why weve sorted through the plethora of EVs on sale today to find the best electric family cars all offering a strong level of practicality, efficiency and value-for-money.

Advertisement - Article continues below

There are more than a fewelectric SUVs that fit these criteria as they offer a high driving position, easy access, lots of cabin space, and a big boot in most cases. But zero-emissions hatchbacks are a great option for those looking for that same blend of spaciousness, practicality and style, just in a slightly more compact package.

If neither of those offer the levels of practicality or versatility youre after, a few brands have put an electric twist on the humble estate car and no-nonsense MPV and you can find examples of both on our list below. The majority of these EVs also offer well over 200 miles of range, while some are able to cover 300 or even 400 on a charge no problem, so you neednt worry about completing the school run before the battery goes flat.

So without further ado, heres our list of the best family EVs you can buy. Once youre finished, make sure to check out the winners of the 2024 DrivingElectric Awards and our list of the best electric cars as well to see whats impressed us the most over the past year. Also, don't forget to follow DrivingElectric on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube for the very latest news and reviews.

1. Kia EV9

For a long time, if you were after a seven-seat electric car, you were limited to either a dowdy van-based MPV, or a top-of-the-range SUV like the Tesla Model X. The Kia EV9 has arrived to sit neatly in the middle, offering people-hauling practicality without a sky-high price tag. Were big fans of Kias new design language, while the EV9s piles of interior tech and 314-mile range are sure to appeal to families planning long road trips. What could make the EV9 even better? we hear you ask. Well, how about a long list of standard equipment, ultra-fast charging and an industry-leading seven-year warranty? We think thatll do quite nicely and makes the EV9 more than worthy of our Best Premium Electric Car award for 2024.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Read our full review of the Kia EV9 to find out more.

2. Skoda Enyaq

Skoda put all its family-car know-how into making the Enyaq and knocked it out for the park as far as were concerned. The Enyaq tops the list as our favourite electric family car thanks to its spacious cabin, refinement, vast 585-litre boot and handy Simply Clever features that Skoda has become known for, like umbrellas hidden in the doors. Visibility is also excellent, its easy to fit a child seat if needed, and the Skodas starting price, range and rapid charging speeds are all highly competitive. If youre happy to sacrifice a little bit of boot space, the sleeker Enyaq Coupe carries extra supermarket car park kudos, as does the high-performance Enyaq vRS.

Read our full review of the Skoda Enyaq to find out more.

3. Hyundai Kona Electric

The original Hyundai Kona Electric was already a pretty good electric family car, but the Korean maker has truly outdone itself for the models second generation. Its futuristic styling may divide people but its hard to deny the superb value-for-money the Kona offers. Two versions are available, with top models capable of over 300 miles on a charge. Out on the road, the new electric Kona feels a lot more grown-up to drive than the outgoing car, while Hyundai has ensured the Konas interior is outfitted with a good balance of touchscreen and physical controls. Then, of course, theres that five-year warranty, which is just the cherry on the top of a superbly impressive cake.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Read our full review of the Hyundai Kona Electric find out more.

4. Tesla Model Y

The Model Y is the electric SUV to beat in many peoples eyes as it boasts a very spacious cabin, slick infotainment and boatloads of practicality. The 117-litre frunk under the bonnet is paired with an 854-litre boot, and you get over 2,000 litres of space to play with when you fold the rear seats down. Performance is still staggering, but perhaps more important is that Long Range versions of the Model Y can cover more than 330 miles on a charge. Of course, one of the added bonuses of Tesla ownership is full access to the brands Superchargers, which only need about half-an-hour to recharge the Model Ys battery from 0-80% ideal on long journeys.

Read our full review of the Tesla Model Y to find out more.

5. MG5 EV

The MG5 is far from the most exciting electric car you can buy, but an update in 2022 introduced a much-needed styling, interior and technology upgrade that brought the electric estate bang up-to-date. Supple suspension means the MG5 rides nicely over bumps, while light steering makes it perfect for nipping around town. Offering a respectable 250 miles of range and a roomy 479-litre boot, the MG5 is by far the cheapest electric wagon you can buy; starting at around 31,000, a Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo costs more than twice as much.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Read our full review of the MG5 EV to find out more.

6. Hyundai Ioniq 5

Hyundais latest electric family car has garnered plenty of attention for its retro-inspired styling, but its ultra-rapid charging capability, enormous boot, luxury-car-like ride quality and interior comfort are what won it a place on this list. The Ioniq 5 is also reasonably priced for an electric car that offers so much, starting from just over 43,000. For that, you get a 240-mile range, but there is a version capable of over 300 miles on a charge should you want a bit more range. Plus, all models can be topped up from 10-80% in just 18 minutes if you find a fast enough charging point. Feeling the need for speed? Theres now also an N-tuned version which is, in our opinion, one of the most enjoyable EVs out there to drive.

Read our full review of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 to find out more.

7. Volkswagen ID. Buzz

It may be the styling of the ID. Buzz that draws you in, but buried beneath the VWs retro looks is a very capable family EV. The ID.Buzzs long list of family-friendly features makes up for its rather lofty price tag; a neat option is the removable Buzz box centre console, which can double as a drinks cooler for family picnics. Volkswagen revealed a LWB version with seven seats thats coming in 2024 if you need the extra carrying capacity, as well as teasing a high-performance GTX model. For now though, the ID. Buzz is a five-seater only, but a very spacious one at that, offering a cavernous 1,121 litres of space enough to carry all your familys luggage, plus the kitchen sink to boot.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Read our full review of the Volkswagen ID. Buzz to find out more.

8. Renault Megane E-Tech

The faithfulRenault Megane is now electric only, but it looks better than ever and remains a great family car option. Boot space stands at 440 litres, which for context is nearly 100 litres more than the MG4 EV offers, although you do have to deal with a large load lip. At least the French hatchbacks light, quick steering makes it easy to manoeuvre around town and tight car parks. Its also comfortable and very refined, with little road or wind noise able to make its way into the cabin. Speaking of the cabin, its spacious, theres lots of storage dotted around and it features a slick, easy to use, Google-powered infotainment system.

Read our full review of the Renault Megane E-Tech to find out more.

9. Audi Q8 e-tron

The newly-renamed Audi Q8 e-tron is the ideal candidate if youre looking for a family car thats as posh as it is practical. On the inside, the Q8 feels suitably luxurious; everything you touch feels impeccable, while the tri-screen infotainment setup is easy to use and looks impressive. On the road, standard air suspension irons out almost all of the bumps and quattro four-wheel-drive helps maintain traction in slippery weather. Opt for the mid-spec Q8 e-tron 55 and youll get a range of up to 333 miles, while the hot SQ8 e-tron can do 0-62mph in a rapid 4.5 seconds.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Read our full review of the Mercedes EQB to find out more.

10. Nissan Ariya

Forget what you already know about Nissan; the Ariya is a premium-feeling product that can trouble even posh German rivals when it comes to cabin quality and refinement. The main highlight has to be the Nissan Ariyas well-dressed interior, which features a dual-screen infotainment system and several nods to the brand's Japanese heritage. It may be a spacious family SUV, but the Ariya is pretty enjoyable to drive, too; nicely weighted steering and tight body control make it one of the more enjoyable cars to drive in its class, with top-of-the-range e4ORCE+ models able to do 0-62mph in five seconds. It is rather expensive to buy but low running costs and strong residuals should make that high starting price a bit easier to swallow.

Read our full review of the Nissan Ariya to find out more.

Best electric family cars on sale now

1. Skoda Enyaq
2. Hyundai Kona Electric
3. Tesla Model Y
4. Kia EV9
5. MG5 EV
6. Hyundai Ioniq 5
7. Volkswagen ID. Buzz
8. Renault Megane E-Tech
9. Audi Q8 e-tron
10. Nissan Ariya

Hello there, Im Tom Jervis and I have the pleasure of being the Content Editor here at DrivingElectric. Before joining the team in 2023, I spent my time reviewing cars and offering car buying tips and advice on DrivingElectrics sister site, Carbuyer. I also continue to occasionally contribute to the AutoExpress magazine another of DrivingElectrics partner brands. In a past life, I worked for the BBC as a journalist and broadcast assistant for regional services in the east of England constantly trying to find stories that related to cars!

9 Best Hybrid Vehicles That Are Perfect for Families

While EVs seem to be getting all the attention, hybrid cars are a great option for families interested in sustainability and fuel efficiency, but who aren't ready to make the jump to a fully electric vehicle.

A hybrid combines a gas engine with an electric motor. It is thus able to recapture energy that would otherwise be lost to the friction of braking or coasting, and store it in a battery as electricity. This electricity can then be fed back, from the battery, into the propulsion system in order to power the vehicle. The intent of a hybrid is generally to enhance fuel efficiency.

There are three key forms of hybridization:

Parallel Hybrid: In this configuration, the electric motor(s) and gas engine are connected via a transmission. The battery is constantly being recharged and discharged while driving.

Series Hybrid: In this design, there is no physical bridge between the engine and the wheels. The engine is used only to recharge the battery, and the electric power provides all the thrust needed to move the vehicle. As in a parallel hybrid, the battery is constantly being recharged and discharged while driving.

Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV): These types of vehicles can either be parallel or hybrid, but they utilize a larger battery. This allows them to power themselves solely on electric energy for longer stretches typically between 15 and 60 miles, depending on battery size and to function in hybrid gas-electric range over longer distances. The larger capacity in the battery is generally recharged by being plugged in at home, at work or at a public charging station, though some vehicles can use the gas engine to recharge while driving.