Here are 10 of the best family friendly electric cars to buy

“The most important Ford since the Mondeo? The Model T? Probably somewhere between the two in terms of what it means to the brand and its future. As crucial as the original Mustang, then – another car that kick-started the blue oval and launched it into a new and exciting future. Make up your own mind about the look of the car and what it says about you, but be in no doubt that underneath this is a fundamentally very well executed machine.”

Read Top Gear’s Ford Mustang Mach-E review

“That Hyundai is now confident enough to put a car as bold-looking as the Ioniq 5 on sale is impressive. But the fact this retro XXL hot hatch bodywork conceals one of the most complete family EVs money can buy is downright remarkable. If Hyundai can maintain this momentum behind the upcoming members of the Ioniq family, then the likes of VW’s ID cars and even Mercedes’s EQ clan ought to be extremely worried.”

Read Top Gear’s Hyundai Ioniq 5 review

“The EV6 proves that forward-thinking doesn’t need to be entirely wacky. Distinctive yet not likely to immediately fall off a fashion cliff, interesting to drive but not likely to worry a dedicated sports car, the EV6 carves a very different path dynamically to the Hyundai Ioniq 5 with which it shares bones and blood. And that’s no bad thing. But it’s also spacious, quiet and a very capable cruiser. This is a well-judged, rounded, interesting and satisfying car from Kia. And it puts other manufacturers on notice; ‘good enough’ won’t cut it.”

Read Top Gear’s Kia EV6 review

“On the face of it, the MG 4 doesn’t seem like a very exciting car. But when you dig into what it does for the money, how high it scores on multiple levels, it’s probably the only car in the class to recommend. It rides and drives very well, comes with a decent slug of standard kit, and most importantly - although very boringly - has immense residual value. MG really has played a bit of a blinder here: where ‘legacy’ manufacturers are busy making electric cars expensive, MG has thrown a large cat among the pigeons.”

Read Top Gear's MG 4 review

“We like the Tesla Model 3 and Polestar 2, but there's still a vacancy for a really sweet-driving alternative. The i4, especially in RWD spec, is that alternative. It's snug and well-made, while this is a car with the sort of range that should allow almost anyone to do almost any of their road trips. It charges fast, and brisk driving or low temperatures don't harm the range as badly as some EVs. It doesn't look like a spaceship, but lots of people don't want that. Which is why BMW does so well. This is a proper BMW.”

Read Top Gear’s BMW i4 review

“We love the Polestar 2 because it’s handsome, the build quality will give Audi drivers PTSD, and there’s a real sense of common sense about the car – that it’s been designed to work seamlessly, not to wow you with gimmicks then wind you up further down the line. It’s well-finished, practical and drives pleasingly, but it’s that sense of a brand really believing in its approach and starting to show its potential that’s exciting about Polestar in general, and the 2 in particular. And yep, Tesla ought to be paying attention. As should anyone else who fancies a slice of the electric future.”

Read Top Gear’s Polestar 2 review

“Once more Skoda has built a car that could well be a better buy than the equivalent Volkswagen. The Enyaq edges the ID.4 on several fronts. It drives just as well as its cousin, has a less annoying, more practical interior and is cheaper to buy. The Skoda also looks and feels a bit more conventional – you wouldn’t mistake an ID.4 for a normal car, but you might an Enyaq – which will please as many people as it disappoints. Which camp are you in?”

Read Top Gear’s Skoda Enyaq iV review

“This is the first Tesla we’ve driven where the standout impression isn’t necessarily the acceleration, or the driver assistance tech, or the world-class touchscreen, or even the built-in games and memes. It’s the packaging. The Model Y is now the poster-car for ‘if you delete the engine, the gearbox, the exhaust and all that fuel tank plumbing, then look how roomy you can make the cabin, look how much storage you can offer in the boot'.”

Read Top Gear's Tesla Model Y review

“The Cross Turismo is the most complete fast estate available today. It’s a better car than a regular Taycan – similar underneath they may be, but this is a different car in terms of outlook, ability and ethos and further distanced from the four-door than we expected. Its comfort and dynamic range is dazzling, it comes across as even more thoroughly developed and capable. Porsche has moved the game on. Not cheap, but quite possibly the best electric car on sale today.”

Read Top Gear’s Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo review

"We love the ID.Buzz because it’s different, because it’s a new anti-SUV template, because it’s fun to be in and around. For those up front this is unique and special, while those behind, apart from sliding doors and intensely generous headroom, have less to lift their spirits. But right now, if you’re looking at any other premium crossover or SUV – be it electric or internal combustion – doesn’t this look like a brighter, more engaging and interesting alternative? It’s beguilingly simple and yet entirely uplifting."

Read Top Gear's Volkswagen ID.Buzz review