The best electric cars 2025: Our top 10 EVs of the year
The EV Powered team run down our picks for the UK’s best electric cars of 2025 – from cute superminis to spectacular grand tourers
2025 has been another bumper year for EVs.
From newcomer brands launching a raft of high-value options to established players fighting back with style and substance, there’s never been more choice for drivers.
Whether you’re in the market for a compact city hatchback or after a high-powered SUV with all the gadgets, there’s something out there for you.
And in 2025, that old truism that there’s no such thing as a bad car any more stands up (almost). Most of the options out there will serve the basic function of getting you from A to B without fuss. But some do much more than that. Whether they offer exceptional value, eye-catching design, technical innovation or breathtaking performance, there are cars that stand out.
And it’s those cars we’re celebrating here with EV Powered’s list of the best electric cars 2025.
Renault 5/Alpine A290
The Renault 5 and its hot alter-ego the Alpine A290 have scooped virtually every automotive trophy going, and who are we to argue? The reason this Jekyll and Hyde pair have won so many plaudits is because they’re simply brilliant. With a modern design inspired by but not beholden to the original car, the R5 brings much needed flair and character outside and in. Under the surface a brilliantly judged powertrain offers plenty of punch for the class and a usable 250-mile range, and the onboard Google operating system is among the most user-friendly on the market. And it does all of this for less than £23,000. Chuck in the option of a 220bhp hot hatch version that’ll have you grinning from ear to ear, and this dynamic duo deserve their place among the best EVs not just of the last year but of the last decade.
Škoda Elroq vRS
Good looking? Check. Engaging? Check. Practical? Check. The Škoda Elroq vRS is the performance version of the Czech carmaker’s oh-so-capable SUV. As any Škoda vRS worth its salt should, the Elroq vRS delivers its 335bhp effortlessly. The performance, all-wheel-drive control and the chassis tweaks Škoda has made give you enough confidence to turn your inner Marcus Grönholm without ever feeling like you’ll overstep the mark. Thankfully, the boys and girls in Mladà Boleslav have resisted the urge to swap the Elroq vRS’ suspension for an ironing board or to make the steering too heavy in the way that so many manufacturers do when it comes to their zestier offerings, so you can enjoy it even when you’re not channelling your inner rally driver.
Tesla Model Y
Since its launch in 2022, the Model Y has been the benchmark for its segment on space, range and value. There’s a reason any newcomer in the mid-sized SUV class is automatically named a “Model Y rival”. And 2025’s Juniper upgrade has cemented that. The changes, including a handsome redesign, improved range and upgraded tech make this the best Tesla yet. Some will still hate the bland interior and screen-based controls but build quality is lightyears ahead of previous models and there’s still oodles of space for five onboard. Add in rapid performance, nearly 400 miles of range and access to the reliable, quick and cheap Supercharger network and you’ve got a recipe for continued success.
Citroën ë-C3 and ë-C3 Aircross
After having reverted to its core principals of being stupidly comfortable and a bit odd, the Citroëns ë-C3 and ë-C3 Aircross are a much-welcome return to form for the French manufacturer. The ë-C3 Aircross is a slightly larger version of the ë-C3 hatchback, and both are – thankfully – as comfortable as each other. Very comfortable, actually. The ë-C3s glide effortlessly over the UK’s potholed roads, while their feather-light steering adds to one of the most relaxing driving experiences out there. Factor in the silence of the e-motor and a fantastically-quirky cabin complete with ‘90s-style digital speedo, and you end up with two of the most characterful, pleasant EVs around.
Maserati Granturismo Folgore
Some EVs wow with their range, or their value or their practicality. The Maserati Granturismo Folgore does none of those. Instead it wows with jaw-dropping looks, outrageous performance and the sheen of exclusivity that comes with any car costing north of £200,000. The Granturismo (and GranCabrio sibling) is powered by three electric motors producing 751bhp and 996lb ft, meaning it delivers the kind of performance that shames its V8 predecessor – 0-62mph takes just 2.7 seconds. But it’s about more than speed, the chassis is sweet, nimble and supple, striking the right balance between sports car and long-range tourer. Its grand tourer credentials are cemented by a surprisingly spacious and comfortable cabin, plus a near-300-mile range and 270kW charging. Where did we leave our chequebook?
Alfa Romeo Junior Veloce
There are one or two criticisms to be levelled at the Alfa Romeo Junior Veloce. It’s woefully inefficient, the cabin quality is less than brilliant, and it’s expensive at £42,295. All of this is swiftly forgiven when you start driving, though. Sharing the same excellent platform, same excellent 276bhp powertrain, and the same excellent limited slip differential as its riotous cousin, the Abarth 600e Scorpionissima, the Junior Veloce is the best-handling front-wheel drive car Alfa has made for years. Find a B-road, and the Alfa’s chassis remains taut and chuckable. Before that sublime chassis runs out of grip, you’ll run out of talent. With a new take on its iconic ‘Trefoil’ grille, huge red-coloured piston brakes, and a flared bodykit, the baby Alfa is very much as good as it looks.
Kia EV4
Kia seems able to do no wrong with its current electric line-up. The EV4 is the latest offering and, like the EV3, EV6 and EV9, it delivers a compelling package for families. Whether space, value or range is your top priority the EV4 has you covered. It’s Kia’s first all-electric hatchback, intended to rival the VW ID.3 and Renault Megane (although there’s also an awkward-looking fastback). The EV4 uses the same excellent underpinnings as the EV3, which means a 201bhp motor and choice of 58.3 or 81.4kWh batteries for up to 380 miles of range, and a composed and comfortable driving experience. On top of that setup is a spacious and stylish body with room for all the family, rock-solid quality and the latest tech, including onboard Netflix and smart route planning.
Nissan Leaf
The new-for-2025 Nissan Leaf takes everything that was groundbreaking about the original car, and brings it bang into the 21st century. Moving away from the slightly-awkward looks of Mk1 Leaf, this third-gen car boasts a slippery drag coefficient of 0.25Cd thanks to a swoopy crossover body that takes design cues from one of Nissan’s greatest hits from the 1990s. Factor in the top-notch Google built-in system and the optional 75kWh battery with its 386-mile range, the Leaf looks poised to stake its claim in the hotly-contested C-segment against the likes of the Kia EV4, Volkswagen’s ID.3, and the Renault Mégane E-Tech. If Nissan delivers on its customer demand for a performance-focused Nismo version, expect things to get even more interesting. Fast.
Nissan Micra
Nissan invented the mainstream EV segment with the original Leaf, then spent a decade falling behind. But now it’s back with a vengeance and with an instantly recognisable name from the past. The EV-savvy reader will know that beneath the surface the Micra is a Renault 5, but if you’re going to borrow, borrow from the best. The Micra enjoys all the qualities of the R5, from its smart user-friendly interior to its composed chassis and impressive powertrain. To that it adds a uniquely Nissan design and some smart specification choices. It also manages to eke out seven more miles of range thanks to its softer design, improving on already impressive capabilities.
Munro M280
The Munro M280 is an oddity on this list but if we’re looking for the EVs that have impressed us most, then it has to be here. It is designed as a rugged tool for use in the most extreme environments – from mines to military applications – and proves what electric vehicles are capable of. Using a single 276bhp electric motor mated to a traditional 4×4 transmission, it blends seamless torque delivery and zero-emissions driving with the off-road capabilities of the toughest 4x4s. An 85kWh battery offers 16 hours of off-road operation and, unlike the current crop of electric pick-ups, it can tow 3.5 tonnes and has a payload of a tonne. On top of that, Munro offers three different bodies for different use case and plans to offer a bespoke fit-out service for customers.
