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Knowing which electric vehicle (EV) to choose can be a tough decision, especially when choosing a car that suits your whole family.
You might be wondering:
- What is the most affordable family car?
- Which family car has the longest range?
- How easy is it to charge and run an electric car in the UK?
- What is the best EV in the market?
In order to help you in the decision-making process, here is a list of some of our EV recommendations for families, to help you pick out which one may work best depending on your circumstances.
Note: are you an employee and want access to an electric car? With loveelectric, you can save up to 60% by setting up an electric car scheme and the loveelectric salary sacrifice scheme. Learn more here!
Best Electric Family Cars
We'll cover:
- Tesla Model 3
- Volkswagen ID3
- Kia Niro EV
- MG Motors MG4
Tesla Model 3 Lease
The Tesla Model 3 is a very popular car at the moment, in fact it was the best-selling car of September not just in the UK, but throughout all of Europe(The Sunday Times Driving). While this Tesla is on the more expensive side of the spectrum, it offers a ton of benefits.
One of the main reasons is that this EV is well known for its incredible range.Depending on which Model 3 you choose, you can get a range between 260-360 miles, which is the furthest range in our list. It also has rapid charging capabilities and can go from 0-60 in between 5.6 - 3.3 seconds.
Tesla Model 3 Interior
It has to be said that the design of the Model 3 interior feels cleaner and more luxurious than the previous Tesla interiors, and the Model 3 itself has been updated to feel even more premium following customer feedback.
The steering wheel, mirrors and seat positions are adjusted through the infotainment screen, as opposed to manually. Once your ideal settings are saved for your profile, you can set up a profile of an additional driver and save their ideal steering wheel, mirror and seat settings as well - and it’s all automatically configured every time you step into the car - taking all of the manual work out. With the Tesla 3 you’ll have to sacrifice having a dashboard, as most things are controlled through the infotainment screen. This may not be a drawback for most people, however it could be argued that this may take the drivers attention away from the line of sight from the road, so that’s something to keep in mind.
The infotainment screen does have some pretty amazing and unique features which are brilliant for long journeys with children, such as karaoke (with lyrics on screen), games, and a sketch screen which can be used for games such as Hangman or car Pictionary. There’s also a wireless charging spot for mobile phones, meaning you can now charge two phones at the same time.
There’s a great amount of space in the boot, although not quite as spacious as a Kia E-Niro, making it a great option for busy families. There is a decent amount of storage space within the car itself, so it’s a good all-rounder option.
Tesla Model 3 Price
With loveelectric, you could get a Tesla model 3 for as little as £266, but we recommend checking out our website for an illustrative quote or sending an enquiry to access our web app where you can see exactly what the cost will be per month.
VW ID.3 Lease
The Volkswagen ID3 is a great option if you would like a smaller car but don’t want to sacrifice performance. With this VW there are a couple of different battery options; so depending on your budget and how long you’d like the range to be, you have some different options to choose from. This EV has a nice futuristic and minimalist feel and is a good allrounder for most families.
VW ID.3 Interior
Like most EVs, the VW ID3 has a futuristic and minimalist feel to the interior and it’s relatively spacious, with a low centre console and a decent amount of legroom. There’s a good amount of adjustment of the seats as well, meaning you can get comfortable while driving. In general, this EV feels pretty spacious although it’s not quite as spacious as a Tesla model 3, and not quite the same amount of boot space as the Kia E-Niro, although that being said it does come pretty close.
One great feature in the ID3 is the digital driver display screen that is connected to the steering wheel, meaning that it actually moves with the wheel so if you need to adjust the steering wheel, you’re still able to see everything on the screen, rather than having it obscured by the wheel itself.
Just like the Tesla 3, there are no manual buttons and most things have to be done through the infotainment screen and through touch screen buttons. Although not a bad feature by any means, this may take a little getting used to, as at first it may be difficult to tell if the buttons you’ve pressed have worked or if they are actually doing what you wanted them to do. Again, not a deal breaker but something to keep in mind.
Along with this, the software in the ID3 is not quite as developed as their competitors, so you may have to sacrifice a bit of the ease of use due to the competitive price, but it’s by no means a step down, again just something to keep in mind.
VW ID.3 price
At loveelectric you can get a brand-new Volkswagen ID3 for a fraction of the typical lease price. Sign up via our enquiry page to get started on your all-electric journey.
Kia Niro EV Lease
The Kia Niro is a medium-size SUV well-suited to families. With a very impressive 285 miles of range from a single charge, the Kia Niro EV punches well above its weight for the price point. Its 150kW motors give the Niro a responsive and engaging drive, going from 0-62mph in just 7.8s. If you enjoy driving, the Niro EV is far more fun behind the wheel than it has any right to be. There are also front/rear parking sensors and a reversing camera, making parking a doddle.
Kia Niro EV Interior
The interior of this EV is pretty simple and not overly complicated, although not quite in the same way that the Tesla Model 3 is simple. Rather, the Niro EV is more comparable to the design found in most internal combustion engine cars. This EV does have a touch screen and still has the typical shortcut buttons most people are used to, so it sits nicely between a modern EV feel while not alienating those who are more comfortable with a more traditional interior.
There’s a good amount of room in this car for both drivers and passengers, and there is a good amount of space in the backseats also so if passengers have longer legs or need more space this would accommodate them nicely. It also has the ability to fit two child seats in the back but there probably won’t be enough space for someone to sit in between them, so keep that in mind. Otherwise, there are big door bins and decent amount of storage space inside, particularly useful for family life.
There are also quite a lot of adjustment options for both the driver’s seat and steering wheel, so if you’re planning to share this car with someone this won’t be a problem.
Kia Niro EV Boot Space
One of the best features this EV has is its large amount of boot space of over 475 litres. If you’re a family that is constantly on the go, doing lots of different activities, and you need a car that can fit a lot of stuff, this will be the perfect choice.
Kia Niro EV Price
The Kia Niro EV is one of the best electric car deals on the market. With a great range and a low monthly price, the Niro EV represents one of the most accessible and practical entry points into electrified motoring. On the loveelectric website you’re able to view an illustrative quote for how much it would cost to lease, however if you’d like a live quote, sign up today and we’ll give you access to our webapp where you can view the deals in more detail.
MG Motors MG4 Lease
All-electric motoring for any budget, any requirement, any driver.
Now available in-app at loveelectric, the MG4 is an electrifying hatchback from the reinvigorated MG Motors. It comes with the option of two motor and battery combinations: the entry level 125kW motor, 51kWh battery model. Or, the slightly higher-spec 150kW motor and 64kWh battery combination.
Even the entry level model combines an impressive 218 mile range, 100mph top speed and 5 seats into an incredibly low monthly lease price.
The MG4 also has some of the shortest lead times for any electric car. It’s currently a well-kept secret - but it won’t stay like that for long.
MG Motors MG4 Interior
Even though the MG4 is one of the most affordable entry points into all-electric motoring, the interior doesn’t disappoint.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come as standard, which are both controlled via a modern 10.5” inch infotainment screen that stretches across the centre of the dash. A smaller screen replaces the traditional analogue clocks, instead displaying key driver information in a crisp digital format.
The coupé-esque styling does lower the headroom in the back a tad, but there’s plenty of room for the kids, with 5 seats and a luggage capacity of 289 litres.
If you're looking to drop your CO2 output, this may well be the most accessible way to ditch the family diesel and go electric.
MG Motors MG4 Price
As one of the most affordable electric vehicles on the market, the MG4 is a great deal. Combine that with up to 60% off via loveelectric’s employee benefit and it becomes an incredible deal. Check out the MG4 on our website for a quote. If you’d like to get your employer on board, refer them here.
Electric Family Cars — FAQ
Which family electric car has the longest range?
If you’re looking for a good reliable family car, the Renault Zoe is what you're looking for. It has a real-world long range of 195 miles (probably the most affordable car with the longest range). It also comes with a great infotainment system featuring a touchscreen multimedia tablet.
What is the most spacious electric vehicle?
There are at least a few dozen of cars that can fit in this category.
- BMW iX: This model is one of BMW's brand new all-electric SUVs. It features 35.5 cubic feet.
- Tesla Model Y: This car can haul 35 cube feet of cargo when you remove the third row of seating.
- Ford Mustang Mach-E: This estate car can haul 29.7 cubic feet.
- Subaru Solterra: Although the electric Subaru has a steeply sloping rear cargo area, the vehicle has considerable space behind the rear seats, measuring a total of 29 cubic feet.
- Audi e-Tron: This all-wheel drive model can carry 28.5 cubic feet. It’s also ideal if you need a vehicle with great practicality because the powertrain supplies all four wheels.
If you are looking for something bigger, you might want to consider cars with seven seats or more. You can search for these in our electric car catalogue.
What is the most inexpensive electric car?
It depends on the type of car you are looking for.
But here are the electric cars with the lowest running costs depending on the type of car. You can get any of these cars with loveelectric’s salary sacrifice scheme from £174 to £254 on monthly payments.
- Most affordable 5-seater electric car: Mazda MX 30
- Most affordable 2-seater electric car: Smart EQ ForTwo
- Best all-rounder electric car: Vauxhall Corsa E
- Most popular electric car: Nissan Leaf
- Most stylish electric car: Fiat 500
- Best compact city car: VW E UP
- Biggest boot space EV: MG ZS
- Fastest acceleration electric car: Mini Hatchback
- Longest real-world mile range EV: Renault Zoe
- Most comfortable electric car: Hyundai Kona
Read more: Affordable Electric Cars: Top 10 Recommendations For You in 2022
How long do car electric batteries last?
Although EV batteries use a similar technology to lithium-ion batteries (often seen on mobile phones), electric car battery packs are designed to have more effective power management systems, ensuring they’ll last longer than the battery in a mobile phone will.
To date, the car with the longest range is the Tesla Model S, boasting an official range of 405 miles with a single charge.
A lot of manufacturers actually have warranties of up to 8 years or 100,000 miles, so you can rest assured that your battery will last. According to OZEV, most EV batteries have a lifespan of around 10 years time and after this, they can be recycled.
How easy is it to charge my electric car?
According to the Zap-Map database, there are 33996 chargers across the country and over 1332 new charging points were added in the month of July 2022. Additionally, Tesla has more than 650 superchargers across the UK.
Do electric cars emit CO2?
No. EVs have zero emissions. Be it new electric cars or used cars, you can feel great driving because your car produces no CO2.
What is the best electric car in the market?
It really depends on your conception of “best.” Maybe you want a sports car, a car with tons of functionalities, a plug-in hybrid car, a rear-wheel drive, or a crossover EV. Each of these categories has tons of cars that could meet your "best car" criteria. So, do your research and screen the cars with your criteria.
