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The all-electric SUV is going to be one of the hottest purchases in 2022. In recent years we have seen an unrelenting demand for SUVs, as buyers look for stylish and imposing cars with room for all the family.
However, petrol or diesel SUVs are not renowned for their kindness to the environment, so in today's more conscientious world manufacturers are looking to find the perfect balance between the sought-after SUV style and a zero-emission pure electric platform.
The large body of an SUV allows for plenty of batteries to be stored under the skin, offering plenty of range without intruding on passenger space. New electric cars are being launched all the time as the market grows, meaning that most buyers should be able to find their perfect car without too much difficulty.
Electric cars such as the ubiquitous Tesla Model 3 and nippy Renault Zoe are popular choices, but many customers are still very attracted to the idea of an electric SUV, rather than a Tesla Model 3 like everyone seemingly has these days. With this in mind, it's fair to say that they are spoilt for choice when it comes to electric SUVs!
To save you the Google research, let's take a look at some of the best electric SUVs on sale at the moment, and others that are coming in the next few months, to help you on your way to making your electric SUV choice.
Where better to begin than with the premium-badged Audi Q4 e-tron? This classy German model is available as either a traditional SUV or a lower, coupe-style Sportback, depending on your tastes. This Audi is compact but still has plenty of road presence and lots of room inside for your family and luggage.
There are three different power versions to suit your budget and your range requirements. The initial 35 model offers 168bhp and 208 miles range from its 52kWh battery pack, the 40 provides 201bhp and 316 miles from a 77kWh battery, and the 50 quattro has two motors driving all four wheels, with a combined output of 295bhp and slightly lower 298-mile range from a single charge.
Choose between the Sport, S Line, Edition 1 and Vorsprung trim levels based on your taste for luxury or sporty touches, but even the entry-level Sport has plenty of standard equipment including 19" alloy wheels, LED headlights and sat nav. Whichever one you choose, you can be sure to have plenty of features to play with while you're behind the wheel.
The luxurious Jaguar I-Pace was Jaguar's first electrified model, and was built from the ground up as an all electric car. With its coupe-like roof line and broad shoulders, The I-Pace looks unique, modern and athletic, but this car still unmistakably belongs to the Jaguar family.
The Jaguar I-Pace is a big and heavy car, but thanks to its impressive 396bhp electric motor it delivers breath taking acceleration and performance, reaching 60mph in just 4.5 seconds and giving the driver that sports car experience. Its twin-motor setup gives it four wheel drive to help put all that power down on to the road, and the I-Pace has an official WLTP range of up to 292 miles, so it should realistically be capable of 250 miles on a single charge.
This EV400 model is currently the only available power output, but we may see a few more options offered in the coming years. The batteries are mounted low to give it a low centre of gravity, giving the I-Pace a very sure-footed and nimble driving experience. This also helps give it seemingly cavernous amounts of interior space, combined with its long wheelbase.
The I-Pace range starts with the S at just over £65,000 on the road, offering 19" wheels, sat nav with automatic map updates, LED headlights and a Meridian sound system as standard. Dig further into your pockets for the SE or HSE trims, or alternatively look for a Black model for some dark and handsome touches. This is not a low cost car, but if you can afford the price, you will struggle to find a better choice for the money. It's also currently available with 0% finance, if you are quick.
The Skoda Enyaq iV was launched in 2021 and was an eagerly-awaited addition to the market. It is fair to say that this car was worth waiting for. Sitting alongside its combustion-engined Kamiq, Karoq and Kodiaq siblings, the Enyaq was born to be a fully electric vehicle and slots into the range perfectly to cater for buyers who love Skoda SUVs, but want to make the jump to an all electric version.
There is plenty of room for all the family including lots of space in the rear, and a good amount of boot space. Your main route to personalising your Enyaq is through the interior designs, which range between Loft, Lounge, Suite or eco Suite depending on your taste for luxury, style and sustainability. This is reminiscent of the BMW i3 with its almost identically named interior design experiences.
The on the road price starts at less than £35,000 for the entry level 60 version of the Enyaq iV, which also qualifies for the government plug-in car grant of £2,500, representing a good saving for buyers. The 60 is fitted with a 58kWh battery pack and offers a WLTP official range of 256 miles. If you need better range, you can opt for the 80, which offers a 77kWh battery and an increased range of 336 miles. Its real world range will be at least 200 miles.
The Volkswagen ID.4 is an SUV Crossover based on the slightly smaller ID.3, with chunkier styling and a taller body. It uses the same MEB platform, made just for electric vehicles, which is seen across the Volkswagen Group range, including cars such as the Enyaq iV and the Audi e-tron electric SUVs mentioned above. This means it is practical, and allows for a roomy interior with lots of space for the family.
The ID.4 will appeal to a wide range of buyers, with its entry-level Life model with the smallest power/battery combination coming in at a price under £35,000 in order to take advantage of the government plug-in car grant. The price goes up accordingly for higher spec and more powerful models.
There are two battery choices, either 52kWh or 77kWh, which are each linked to two power outputs. The 52kWh battery is offered in the 146bhp Pure version or the 168bhp Pure Performance, and the larger battery is mated to either a 201bhp motor in the Pro Performance or a 295bhp unit in the GTX model.
Once you've decided between these four choices, there are seven trim levels to choose from depending on how many toys you want, and the price you want to pay. Charging is simple and your real world range will be between 200 miles and 300 miles depending on your power choice, and of course your driving style!
The XC40 is an attractive, classy SUV which is offered in petrol, hybrid and electric versions to suit your preference. The electric car is the Recharge, which you can order and finance directly through Volvo's website, including via its subscription service. This is a fairly new concept in the market, but of course Volvo's financing options are all regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
The interior of a Volvo is renowned as one of the safest places to be on the road, and this one is no different. It is the most compact of Volvo's range of SUVs but is still a substantial and spacious car. Or if you fancy something different, Volvo also offers a coupe-style C40 version.
The XC40 is available with either a 69kWh battery mated to a 228bhp electric motor, or a 78kWh battery attached to two motors that provide combined performance of 402bhp. Expect around 250 miles of driving range from either car. 0-62mph is dealt with in just 4.9 seconds on the higher performance version.
The choice of trims is very simple, with an option of either Plus or Pro, but you'll find both of them packed with tech features and Volvo's trademark safety equipment.
BMW was one of the first to the electric car table with its ground breaking i3, but has since invested in a massive expansion of its range. Among the most eagerly awaited is the iX, which will be the benchmark, Mercedes-rivalling electric SUV.
Once you get over the £90,000 price tag and the massive grille, you will discover that the iX is amongst the very best electric SUVs. The xDrive 50 has a 105kWh battery, one of the largest on the market, which boasts a 380 mile electric range and 516bhp, belying its size and making it a true performance car. The smaller and slightly cheaper xDrive 40 has a 71kWh net capacity battery with 326bhp on offer. Expect to clear 300 miles even in less than optimal conditions.
The iX is bespoke from the ground up and shares little of its equipment with other models in the BMW range, so the high tech interior is a brand new experience even for seasoned BMW buyers. The driving experience is relaxing and near silent, as we have come to expect from luxury electric SUVs such as the Mercedes EQ and Audi E-tron. The interior is cavernous, with cabin space aplenty for you and your passengers, and any luggage they fancy bringing along on the journey.
In this rundown of electric SUVs we have touched on just a few of the fantastic electric cars on the market today, but there are many other cars which are deserving of a mention.
Those on a smaller budget will appreciate the Kia e-Niro, which is compact but spacious, and comes at a great value price, particularly considering its lengthy warranty.
The fellow South Korean Hyundai Kona-e is a significant rival to the e-Niro, and comes with a comprehensive choice of power and options of batteries, making it another excellent value choice.
Mercedes has a broad electric SUV range including the EQA and EQC, with more models coming to market imminently.
If you fancy a Ford Mustang reimagined for the modern age, look no further than the Ford Mustang Mach-E, with its aggressive styling that looks almost more coupe than SUV.
Expect the Audi e-tron electric range to grow too, with some great technology and Audi's perfectly tuned balance of sporting performance and luxury.