The Skoda Elroq has been ranked as the best electric car on sale in the UK for 2026, according to a comprehensive assessment by expert road testers. The compact SUV secured the top position ahead of the BMW iX3 and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, with the Renault 5 and Porsche Taycan completing the top five.
The Elroq, which starts at £33,970, was praised for its blend of versatility, range, maturity and value for money. It offers an official WLTP range of up to 372 miles, with testers recording a real-world figure of 370 miles. Several derivatives also qualify for the UK government's £1,500 Electric Car Grant, further reducing the cost for buyers. It received a rating of 4.5 out of 5.
Electric vehicles now account for almost 30 per cent of the UK car market, a dramatic shift from the early years of EV adoption when limited real-world ranges, high prices and slow charging speeds deterred many buyers. Advances in battery technology, public charging infrastructure and energy efficiency have made electric cars far more desirable, while lower production costs have helped democratise them. The government's Electric Car Grant has also played a role in driving down costs, making EVs a go-to choice for families and fleets.
The BMW iX3, priced from £60,655, took second place and was highlighted for its range and charging speed. It offers an official range of up to 500 miles and can charge at 400kW, with testers achieving 435 miles in real-world conditions. It also scored 4.5 out of 5. The iX3 features a large, practical cabin and retains the driving character expected of a BMW.
Third place went to the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, which starts at £65,800 and was described as offering sports car thrills. Its official range is up to 278 miles, with a tested range of 230 miles. Despite the lower range, it achieved a perfect 5 out of 5 rating, reflecting its performance-focused appeal.
The Renault 5, starting at £21,495, was recognised as the best option for stylish and affordable motoring. It offers an official range of up to 248 miles and exceeded that figure in testing with 260 miles, earning a 4.5 out of 5 rating. The Porsche Taycan, priced from £88,200, completed the top five and was commended for its handling and performance. It has an official range of up to 421 miles and a tested range of 360 miles, also scoring 4.5 out of 5.
The rankings are based on evaluations by expert road testers who have driven and assessed every electric vehicle on sale in the UK. Some models are also put through instrumented road tests at the MIRA proving ground, where empirical performance and refinement benchmarks are gathered. The list spans a broad and diverse range of EVs, from 250-mile superminis to 500-mile SUVs capable of serving as excellent all-rounders.
The findings underscore how far the electric car market has come. Where early EVs were compromised by limited range and slow charging, today's models offer credible and usable alternatives to internal combustion engine vehicles. The Skoda Elroq's victory highlights that buyers no longer need to sacrifice practicality or affordability to go electric, while the presence of the Renault 5 at the affordable end of the list shows that cost-effective options are now available alongside premium performance models like the Porsche Taycan.