With the UK's 2030 ban of new petrol and diesel cars getting ever nearer, the race to deliver affordable and practical family EVs is hotting up.
The task for manufacturers hasn't been made easy by the supply-chain crisis, the economic downturn and the government's total scrapping earlier in 2022 of its financial incentives for buyers of new EVs.
The good news is that there are plenty of usable, five-seat, five-door, electric hatchbacks that shouldn't break the bank, government grants or otherwise. But which should you pick for an easy transition into EV ownership?
Even in this segment, there’s plenty of choice: front-driven hatchbacks play off against compact crossover SUVs, compact saloons and even the odd estate car. There are rear-wheel-drive options here too, as well as cars with a dose of driver appeal – although with some of them, that comes only at a price.
Even if you need an EV with a real-world range above 250 miles, with room for several adult passengers and a usable boot, you can now find it here. If you know where to shop, you can actually find most of that for less than £35,000 in 2023. Read on to learn exactly where.
Meanwhile, if it's a smaller and cheaper supermini EV you're after, or a larger, more versatile and more luxurious family EV, our related top 10s should summarise our current class favourites.
Best mid-sized electric cars 2023
1. MG 4 EV
Don't worry, there's no need to adjust your set: it really is an MG at the top of this list. For years the Chinese brand has been floating around in the bargain basement, offering cars with eye-catchingly low prices, plenty of kit and a decent warranty but hobbled by a lack of dynamic sparkle and the sort of perceived quality that wouldn't pass muster on most pound-shop purchases. Yet with the all-new MG 4 EV, it has achieved a turnaround in terms of driving dynamics and showroom appeal.
Make no mistake, this is no hot hatch in disguise, but the 4 steers sweetly and its well-developed suspension serves-up a winning blend of agility and comfort. It's a car that's genuinely satisfying to drive, scything through a series or corners with poise and panache. Even in top-spec 200bhp guise (there's also a 168bhp model), the 4 is brisk rather than quick – but then what do you expect from a compact family hatch that weighs an executive saloon-rivalling 1700kg? On the plus side, go for the larger 64kWh battery and you
Other highlights? Well, while the detailing is fussy there's no doubt the shark-nosed 4 looks distinctive, while its interior is neatly styled and far more upmarket than you would expect. There are couple of cheap-feeling components (the door handles and centre cubby lid), but otherwise it's a match for the mainstream, plus it's roomy and practical too.
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