Combining interior space, lots of tech and smooth driving, these are the best electric hatchbacks to consider this year.
There’s a wider choice of electric hatchbacks than ever before and, as various governments push for increasing sales of fully electric cars, the number of models available is only going to increase. You’ll come across some from unfamiliar brands, too, such as the GWM Ora 03 and BYD Dolphin.
Whether you’re after a cheeky little city car, a well-rounded supermini or a spacious family hatch, you’ll find plenty of great options. All with a smooth, quiet driving experience and a range that’s long enough to only have to recharge every few days.
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Top 10 electric hatchbacks
- Cupra Born
- MG 4
- Renault Megane E-Tech
- Peugeot e-208
- Volkswagen ID.3
- Renault 5
- Fiat 500e
- Mini Cooper SE
- Citroen e-C4
- Nissan Leaf
1. Cupra Born
Range: 265 miles
Charging rate: 120kW
Charging time (5-80%): 35 mins
Essentially a sportified version of the Volkswagen ID.3 – which we’ll get onto, the Cupra Born does a lot of things right. It looks the part, it boasts lovely materials inside and has enough legroom for giants. Also, it’s tremendously well-equipped, with adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera, sports suspension and internet-enabled sat nav all coming as standard. The Born is quick off the line and grippy through corners so you can drive pretty rapidly – but drive more calmly and you could get from London to York without needing to stop to recharge.
Shop used Cupra Born cars for sale or read our Cupra Born review
2. MG4
Range: 281 miles
Charging rate: 135kW
Charging time (10-80%): 35 mins
Beneath its sharp-yet-slightly-fussy exterior, the MG4 is a seriously talented electric hatchback. Drive carefully and you can achieve nearly 300 miles between charges – not all petrol cars offer that much range – and the MG4 can charge faster than many rivals, so there’ll be less time spent in motorway service stations. Like the Cupra, it offers a sporty driving experience – and there’s now an XPower hot hatch version that’ll embarrass most sports cars off the line. The MG4 is fairly affordable and is great value compared to its nearest rivals.
Shop used MG4 cars for sale or read our MG4 review
3. Renault Megane E-Tech
Range: 280 miles
Charging rate: 130kW
Charging time (15-80%): 32 mins
The Renault Megane E-Tech helped to spearhead Renault’s revival, with the sort of styling and driving experience that makes the Zoe look a hundred years old. Every Megane comes with a 60kWh battery for a useful 280 miles of claimed range, plus sprightly performance and a driving experience that’s as smooth as Gregory Porter. It’s comfortable, reactive and agile, and the goodness under the skin is matched by a Google-based infotainment system and plenty of passenger space. Douze points, madame Megane.
Shop used Renault Megane E-Tech cars for sale or read our Renault Megane E-Tech review
4. Peugeot e-208
Range: 225 miles
Charging rate: 100kW
Charging time (10-80%): 30 mins
The Peugeot e-208 definitely stands out for its eye-catching styling, but it doesn’t stand out as an electric car – not in terms of its design, at least. There’s very little to tell it apart from the petrol-powered 208 so, if you don’t have green number plates on yours, few will spot it’s an EV. And, while the petrol engine has been switched for a squeaky-clean, zero-emission powertrain with impressive refinement, you still get the fancy interior design that lifts it above rivals like the Vauxhall Corsa and Citroen C3. Speaking of the Vauxhall, the Corsa is also available with the same electric options.
Shop used Peugeot 208 cars for sale or read our Peugeot 208 review
5. Volkswagen ID.3
Range: 264 miles
Charging rate: 120kW
Charging time (5-80%): 35 miles
Taking on the baton from the Golf, the Volkswagen ID.3 offers many of the same positives you’ll find across the VW range. The driving experience is whisper-quiet, incredibly refined and confidence-inspiring, and the build quality is top-notch. Rear-seat space is a particular highlight, with limousine-like legroom that’ll leave a giraffe with room to spare. Charge it at home and there’s a good chance that the ID.3 will cost less to run than a Golf, too.
Shop used Volkswagen ID.3 cars for sale or read our Volkswagen ID.3 review
6. Renault 5
Range: 249 miles
Charging rate: 100kW
Charging time (15-80%): 30 mins
The Renault 5 is the car to get EV sceptics onside. Le Car, to reference an old advert. The British public seems captivated by the design of the reborn R5, with many people keen on it despite it being electric. Of course, if you’re reading this you probably know how good electric cars are, especially for driving around town; either way, you’re in for a treat with the new 5. Small battery cars manage 193 miles, which increases to almost 250 miles with the larger 52kWh one. If you can stick with the 40kWh battery, the R5 can be yours for under £23,000 new.
7. Fiat 500e
Range: 199 miles
Charging rate: 85kW
Charging time (0-80%): 30 mins
The Fiat 500 has been on sale for more than 15 years now, highlighting just what a fantastic city car it is. After all, its shoebox-sized dimensions and city steering mode are ideal for congested urban streets. But, with a quiet electric powertrain that produces no exhaust emissions, the latest 500 is even better for city slickers. Get one with the larger 42kWh battery and you’ll manage nearly 200 miles between charges – so there’s no need to keep within city limits.
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8. Mini Cooper SE
Range: 250 miles
Charging rate: 95kW
Charging time (10-80%): 30 mins
The latest Mini hatchback is a sleeker take on the classic recipe, with updated tail-lights and some choice new styling details at the front. You’ll have your own opinions on the style, but what’s more important is that there are two electric powertrains now – and both are better than the last one. We’ve chosen the Cooper SE for this list, which combines a range of up to 250 miles with frisky hot hatch acceleration from 0-62mph in 6.7 seconds. There are three trim levels available, and a host of colours and wheels to really make it your own.
Shop used Mini Cooper cars for sale or read our Mini Cooper review
9. Citroen e-C4
Range: 220 miles
Charging rate: 100kW
Charging time (0-80%): 30 mins
For a brand that focuses on comfort and cool, an electric powertrain is the perfect choice. Squidgy seats, no engine noise and lots of driver assistance tech make the Citroen e-C4 ideal for soaking up tired commutes home from the office or trips further afield. And, with a range of well over 200 miles from a full battery, long trips are definitely feasible.
Shop used Citroen C4 cars for sale or read our Citroen C4 review
10. Nissan Leaf
Range: 168 miles
Charging rate: 50kW
Charging time (20-80%): 60 mins
Last but not Leaft is a car that really pushed electric power into the mainstream. The second-generation Nissan Leaf packs in about as much space as a Ford Focus, but typically costs about as much as a Ford Fiesta as a used car. The Leaf no longer has awkward styling and comes with lots of lovely interior features – mid-spec N-Connecta cars get luxuries like a heated steering wheel. Toasty!
Shop used Nissan Leaf cars for sale or read our Nissan Leaf review
Find the electric car for you
Browse our exciting range of used electric cars for sale, or read our guide on how to charge your electric car at home to find out if an EV is for you.
