In 2022 there’ll be a bumper crop of excellent electric cars for you to choose from - and they’re coming from all directions, from loads of different manufacturers. While we’re still waiting for a genuinely cheap small electric car - although the value-for-money Dacia Spring is selling brilliantly in other markets - there are cars that should suit pretty much any budget and need, from superminis to sports cars. We’ve come up with some electrifying.com favourites that we’ve tried and tested and that you can actually order now, from a variety of different needs and prices, but do you have a favourite that you think should be included in our top ten? Let us know if we’ve missed anything…
Kia EV6
From £40,945 Models: Air (RWD), GT Line (RWD & AWD), GT Line S (RWD & AWD) Electrifying pick: GT Line AWD
A standout among the new cars of the past 12 months, the EV6 comes as either single-motor, rear-wheel drive or two-motor, four-wheel drive versions, none of which are rubbish. All have a decent 77.4kWh battery and 300+miles of range on the standard WLTP tests, all look like domesticated spaceships. Based on the same bits underneath as the Hyundai Ioniq 5, but with a more driver-focussed and sporty drive, the EV6 impresses in most areas - not least charging, which, at 800 volts can see 10-80% in well under 20 minutes on a big enough charger. Definitely worth a test drive, even if you’ve previously tended to stick to European marques. Note that the boot is slightly less capacious than you might expect. We’d go for a rear-drive model, as it's a little sweeter to drive. A 7-year, 100k warranty doesn’t hurt, either. See also; Hyundai Ioniq 5.
The EV6, or domesticated spaceship, is definitely worth a test drive
Another car from a manufacturer that’s leading the charge (sorry) in interesting, practical electric vehicles, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 is one of the most recognisable cars on sale today. It’s got character and presence, and aims itself more towards soothing away your commutes than being particularly ‘interesting’ to drive - hence our pick of the longer-range rear-wheel drive model. The Ioniq 5 is more relaxed than racetrack. Huge space for all passengers (the 5 isn’t a small thing), some clever tech features and plenty to fall in love with, not least the same 800-volt charging as the Kia EV6, which can see 10-80% in under 20 minutes. Usually, you’d be looking at a Porsche Taycan or Audi e-Tron GT (much more expensive) for that kind of tech. There’s a smaller battery on the way, but it’s not arrived just yet. Again, like the Kia EV6, the boot’s not enormous, but works.
A cracker from BMW, which seems to have really started to hit its electrified stride with the i4. Essentially a modified BMW Gran Coupe, the best thing about the i4 is that it feels just as good as any petrol-powered BMW product to drive, yet offers all the advantages of an electric drivetrain. It’s not cheap, and you can unhelpfully load expensive options without really trying, but the i4 is techy, comfortable, handy to charge and nicely efficient - it’s a great package. The i4 M50 comes with even more charging ability and the small addition of another motor, all-wheel drive and the ability to accelerate faster than most supercars - but that might feel like a bit of overkill. Overkill that starts at twelve grand more than the more useable i40 eDrive.
Models: Standard range single motor (FWD), Long Range Single motor (FWD), Long Range Dual Motor (AWD)
Electrifying pick: Long Range Single Motor
Still a favourite down at electrifying.com towers, even if it’s not the flashiest of the new breed of electrified cars. But that’s kind of the point. Brought to you by the company that also owns Volvo, Polestar is a cool, calm, understated brand that feels like quality, rather than just looks like it. With the latest Google technology bred into the car from birth, the P2 has brilliant connectivity, but is simply less showy about it. The dual motor car is startlingly fast and surefooted, but the sensible choice is probably the long range single motor with more than 300 miles of range on the standard WLTP tests. The kind of car that feels like it should come with a free black poloneck jumper and wire-rimmed glasses, for that ‘off-duty designer’ vibe.
Models: Action 24kWh, Passion, Icon and La Prima (all 42kWh) (all FWD)
Electrifying pick: Icon Long Range (42kWh)
There’s just so much to like about the Fiat 500 it can’t be ignored. First up, it’s an all-new, all-electric line-up that makes a cracking little city car. Almost aggressively cute, a decent interior and generally smiley vibe - the 500 is like an emoji in car form. And they’re useful too, even the smaller-batteried Action trim gets a 115-mile range even with its modest 24kWh ‘city range’ battery. Of more interest are the other cars with the bigger 42kWh power packs; they all get a possible near-200 miles of range, which means less need to attack those public charging stations. Plus, it’s one of the very few convertible electric cars on the market, even if the convertible part is more like a giant sunroof.
Electrifying.com’s Family Car of the Year 2021, and still one of the best picks for anyone that actually needs to live a real life filled with kids and dogs and … stuff. The iV 60 has been taken off the price lists temporarily, but for maximum useful, you’ll need the iV 80 anyway with a possible 331 miles of range. You won’t see those exact figures except in ideal conditions, but they’re strong. And the Enyaq is handsome, capacious and useful. Be careful about over-speccing - it can get expensive quickly - but otherwise, we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the Enyaq. Oh, and we like the Sportline (and the brilliant-looking Enyaq Coupe) simply because they looks a bit meaner. Which isn’t useful, but who said it had to be rational?
We like how the Enyai iV Sportline looks a bit mean
Models: SE, Trophy, Trophy Connect, SE Long Range, Trophy LR, Trophy Connect LR
Electrifying pick: SE Long RangeMG has repositioned itself under Chinese ownership; these days it’s all about value electric. But don’t confuse value-for-money with cheap - even the base SE models are well-equipped and feature kit you might not always get as standard on much more expensive cars. Two battery sizes, and we’d advise that you go for the ‘Long Range’ (273 miles WLTP range, from a 72.6kWh battery), simply because it adds convenience and still isn’t hugely expensive. One of the best things about the ZS though? Criticisms of the first model were taken on board and fixed for the subsequent generation, and listening to your customers matters. Not the sexiest of small SUVs, but it’s a very solid choice.
Criticisms of the first MG ZS EV model have been fixed
With prices ranging from £73,650 to £140,080 and power outputs stretching from just over 400bhp to over 750bhp, Porsche’s most practical semi-estate version of the Taycan offers something for everyone. Well, as long as your bank balance is as robust as your neck muscles. The truth is that the Sport Turismo offers something lightly unique in the electric car market; it’s part estate car, part electric supercar, and actually feels very much like a Porsche to drive. Is this the perfect electric daily-driver? If you’re wealthy enough, it could well be - 800-volt charging ability means that if you can find a public charger big enough, the Taycan Sport Turismo will suck up electrons like Henry the Hoover. And the Turbo S gets to 62mph in 2.8 seconds. Just remember to strap down the Labrador.
No matter which model of Taycan you drive, it feels like a Porsche
Renault Megane E-Tech
From: N/A, 60kWh circa £35,000
Models: 40kWh, 60kWh
Electrifying pick: 60kWh
New to the electric car arena is the the Megane E-Tech, which will be available in two flavours: a 40kWh battery and 129bhp motor and 186-miles of official range, and a 60kWh battery with a 215bhp motor and a possible 292-mile range on the official WLTP cycle. With 130kW DC charging ability, it’ll be convenient even on longer trips. But more than that, this isn’t ‘just’ a Megane. The E-Tech sits on a new set of bones shared with the Nissan Ariya (Nissan’s new flagship SUV), so you’re getting expensive technology in a smaller car. There’s also a handsome and tech-filled interior to enjoy. We’d go for the bigger battery for convenience unless you’re a committed town-dweller.
The Renault Megane E-Tech shares some DNA with the Nissan Ariya
They might seem like they’re everywhere, but the reason that the Tesla Model 3 is so popular is because it’s just very good at being an electric car; love them or loathe them, you can’t ignore them. The basic Model 3 is rear-wheel drive and starts at £42,990, but still comes with over 300 miles of WLTP range (305, to be exact), and a 0-62mph time around six seconds. The Long Range gets a bigger battery and four-wheel drive, but knocks out 374 miles of possible range for £49,990 (and with a 4.2 second 0-62mph time still feels awesome), while the Performance is also dual-motor and four-wheel drive, but with upgraded motors sprint to 62mph in a fraction over 3 seconds. Which is gut wrenching, though you get slightly less range at 340 possible miles. You’ll pay a tenner under 60k for the Performance. And yes, the Supercharger Network is still a huge Tesla advantage in the UK - for the time being
