The British built third generation Nissan Leaf has been named the top electric car in Britain by Auto Express in a new ranking of 161 vehicles.
To mark World EV Day 2026, expert road testers evaluated every battery-powered model currently on sale across price, real-world range, comfort, practical interior space and performance to determine an overall position for each car.
Steve Walker, of Auto Express, said: "We wanted to create the ultimate guide for drivers, helping them understand which electric cars stand out and which fail to meet the required standard, all in one place."
He added: "Our ranking also demonstrates the incredible breadth of choice now available to EV buyers. Even beyond the 161 models featured, there are countless body styles, powertrain configurations and trim levels, meaning there truly is an electric car for almost everyone."
The publication of the countdown comes as electric vehicles become an increasingly common sight on UK roads. Official figures show total registrations passed the one million mark by the middle of last year, while charging app Zap-Map estimates around 2.1 million battery-powered cars were on British roads by the end of August 2026.
Market choices range from the diminutive two-seat £7,765 Citroen Ami quadricycle to the £350,000 Rolls-Royce Spectre grand tourer. Mainstream car manufacturers are accelerating their transition away from fossil fuels as the 2030 ban on the sale of new pure petrol and diesel vehicles approaches.
Top ten electric cars in Britain
The all-new third generation Nissan Leaf took top overall honours in the road test rankings. First launched 15 years ago as the world's first purpose-built mass-market electric vehicle, the latest British-built Leaf is manufactured at Nissan's Sunderland factory in North East England.
Prices start from £28,849 for the entry-level 52kWh model when discounted by the UK Government's £3,750 Electric Car Grant. The entry trim delivers 280 miles of driving range, while higher specification models offer up to 386 miles on a single charge, which Auto Express noted is enough to travel from Cambridge to Edinburgh without stopping.
The Leaf features a single electric motor producing 174bhp and 345Nm of torque, completing 0-62mph in 8.3 seconds with a top speed of 100mph. Rapid 105kW charging recharges the battery from 10 to 80 per cent in 35 minutes. The mid-size SUV includes a 437-litre boot, Google-powered infotainment and rear seating designed for six-foot adults.
Auto Express road testers described the model as "an outstanding electric family car that offers excellent value and hits the sweet spot in every area."
Second place went to the BMW iX3 premium SUV, which starts from £53,250. Powered by an 82.6kWh battery and a single electric motor generating 315bhp and 500Nm of torque, it achieves 0-62mph in 5.9 seconds and a top speed of 124mph.
The BMW iX3 boasts an official range of up to 500 miles and features ultra-rapid 300kW charging capabilities that add 230 miles of range in 10 minutes or go from 10 to 80 per cent in 21 minutes. Testers praised its Neue Klasse design language, uncluttered cabin layout and responsive driving dynamics, calling it "a hugely impressive start to BMW's new era."
High performing family SUVs and superminis
The Skoda Elroq secured third place with prices starting from £32,470. The mid-size compact SUV incorporates a 61kWh battery and a 201bhp electric motor delivering 350Nm of torque, a 0-62mph time of 8.2 seconds and a top speed of 99mph. Range is rated up to 371 miles, with 165kW charging taking 10 to 80 per cent in 26 minutes.
Featuring a 470-litre boot along with signature brand details such as an umbrella in the driver door and an ice scraper in the tailgate, the Elroq was previously named Auto Express Car of the Year in 2025 before winning Best Mid-size SUV in 2026.
Fourth spot was awarded to the Cupra Raval supermini, priced from £25,495 including a £1,500 Electric Car Grant. Equipping a 37kWh battery and a 133bhp electric motor with 264Nm of torque, it reaches 62mph in 7.1 seconds with a top speed of 99mph. Range reaches up to 277 miles, with 88kW charging refilling 10 to 80 per cent in 24 minutes. Auto Express noted that the Raval is available in standard form or as a hot VZ version, representing the first in a new generation of compact EVs from the Volkswagen Group.
The Mercedes-Benz CLA ranked fifth overall, with prices starting at £39,150 for the mid-size executive car. Offered as a sleek saloon or Shooting Brake estate on an all-new multi-powertrain platform, the EV version pairs a 58kWh battery with a 221bhp electric motor and 335Nm of torque. It reaches 0-62mph in 7.5 seconds, has a top speed of 130mph, and achieves up to 483 miles of range (with longest-distance spec offering up to 438 miles). Rapid 200kW charging takes 10 to 80 per cent in 20 minutes, while peak charging speeds reach 320kW.
People carriers and executive saloons
Kia's PV5 electric people carrier placed sixth, carrying a starting price of £31,695. Equipped with a 51.5kWh battery and a 120bhp electric motor delivering 250Nm of torque, it reaches 0-62mph in 12.8 seconds and a top speed of 84mph. Range is rated at up to 258 miles, while 150kW rapid charging takes under 30 minutes from 10 to 80 per cent. The MPV features heated seats, a powered tailgate and a 1,300-litre load bay.
The Volvo EX60 premium SUV captured seventh position with a starting price of £56,860. The Swedish model features an 83kWh battery, 369bhp, 480Nm of torque, 0-62mph acceleration in 5.9 seconds and a top speed of 112mph. Boasting an official maximum range of up to 503 miles, it supports 175kW charging from 10 to 80 per cent in 25 minutes while competing directly against the BMW iX3 with advanced driver assistance and safety technology.
Tesla's Model 3 executive saloon finished eighth at a starting price of £37,990. Featuring a 60kWh battery, 279bhp, 420Nm of torque, a 0-62mph time of 6.2 seconds and a 110mph top speed, it delivers up to 436 miles of range. Supported by Tesla's Supercharger network and 175kW charging (10-80 per cent in 24 minutes), the Model 3 also topped the executive category in the 2026 Driver Power customer satisfaction survey.
Retro compacts and versatile small SUVs
Ninth position went to the Renault 4 E-Tech small SUV, starting from £23,445. Utilising a 52kWh battery and a 148bhp motor with 245Nm of torque, it reaches 62mph in 8.2 seconds and tops out at 93mph. The practical French model offers up to 249 miles of range, 100kW charging (10 to 80 per cent in 33 minutes), a 420-litre boot and an optional "Plein Sud" power-folding fabric roof.
Rounding out the top ten in tenth place was the Kia EV3 small SUV, priced from £31,555. Combining a 58.3kWh battery with a 201bhp motor and 283Nm of torque, it completes 0-62mph in 7.5 seconds with a top speed of 105mph. Big-battery versions deliver up to 375 miles of range, with 101kW rapid charging taking 29 minutes for a 10 to 80 per cent boost.
Complete Auto Express EV ranking
The full 161-vehicle ranking by Auto Express spans every electric car currently available in British showrooms:
- 1. Nissan Leaf
- 2. BMW iX3
- 3. Skoda Elroq
- 4. Cupra Raval
- 5. Mercedes-Benz CLA
- 6. Kia PV5
- 7. Volvo EX60
- 8. Tesla Model 3
- 9. Renault 4 E-Tech
- 10. Kia EV3
- 11. Renault 5 E-Tech
- 12. Tesla Model Y
- 13. Renault Twingo
- 14. Audi A6 e-tron
- 15. Nissan Micra
- 16. Kia EV2
- 17. Honda Super-N
- 18. Skoda Enyaq
- 19. MG4 Urban
- 20. Hyundai Ioniq 5
- 21. Mercedes-Benz C-Class
- 22. Kia EV4
- 23. Volkswagen ID.7
- 24. Fiat Grande Panda
- 25. Renault Scenic E-Tech
- 26. Porsche Taycan
- 27. Cupra Born
- 28. Citroen e-C5 Aircross
- 29. Mercedes-Benz GLB
- 30. BMW iX
- 31. BMW i5
- 32. Mercedes-Benz GLC
- 33. Hyundai Ioniq 6
- 34. Ford Puma Gen-E
- 35. Polestar 5
- 36. Toyota C-HR+
- 37. Citroen e-C3 Aircross
- 38. Kia EV9
- 39. Porsche Cayenne
- 40. Alpine A290
- 41. MG4
- 42. Peugeot E-5008
- 43. Ford Explorer
- 44. Audi e-tron GT
- 45. BMW i4
- 46. Volkswagen ID.3
- 47. Polestar 4
- 48. Citroen e-C3
- 49. Porsche Macan
- 50. Volvo EX30
- 51. Kia EV6
- 52. Vauxhall Frontera
- 53. Polestar 2
- 54. Hyundai Inster
- 55. Polestar 3
- 56. Audi Q4 e-tron
- 57. Hyundai Ioniq 9
- 58. Hyundai Kona
- 59. Volkswagen ID. Buzz
- 60. BMW iX1
- 61. Mini Cooper
- 62. Rolls-Royce Spectre
- 63. BMW i7
- 64. Audi Q6 e-tron
- 65. Cupra Tavascan
- 66. Mini Countryman
- 67. Smart #5
- 68. Alpine A390
- 69. Nissan Ariya
- 70. Lotus Emeya
- 71. Vauxhall Grandland
- 72. Renault Megane E-Tech
- 73. Peugeot E-3008
- 74. Volvo ES90
- 75. Jeep Compass
- 76. Kia EV5
- 77. Vauxhall Astra
- 78. Mazda 6e
- 79. Volvo EX90
- 80. Vauxhall Corsa
- 81. Ford Capri
- 82. MGS5 EV
- 83. BMW iX2
- 84. BYD Dolphin Surf
- 85. Volvo EX40
- 86. Peugeot E-308
- 87. MG IM5
- 88. Peugeot E-208
- 89. Genesis GV60
- 90. Jeep Avenger
- 91. Peugeot E-408
- 92. Volkswagen ID.4
- 93. BYD Seal
- 94. Peugeot E-2008
- 95. Lotus Eletre
- 96. Genesis GV70
- 97. BYD Dolphin
- 98. Smart #1
- 99. Fiat 500e
- 100. Toyota bZ4X
- 101. Maserati GranTurismo Folgore
- 102. DS No8
- 103. Aion V
- 104. MG Cyberster
- 105. MG IM6
- 106. Lexus RZ
- 107. Vauxhall Mokka
- 108. Volvo EC40
- 109. Smart #3
- 110. Volkswagen ID.5
- 111. Alfa Romeo Junior
- 112. XPeng G6
- 113. Mercedes-Benz EQS
- 114. Lexus ES
- 115. MGS6 EV
- 116. Geely EX5
- 117. Abarth 600e
- 118. Toyota Proace City Verso
- 119. Mini Aceman
- 120. Genesis G80
- 121. Ford E-Tourneo Custom
- 122. Leapmotor B10
- 123. Mercedes-Benz EQE Saloon
- 124. Leapmotor T03
- 125. Fiat 600e
- 126. Citroen e-C4
- 127. Changan Deepal S05
- 128. BYD Atto 2
- 129. Subaru Solterra
- 130. Abarth 500e
- 131. BYD Sealion 7
- 132. DS No4
- 133. Ford Mustang Mach-E
- 134. BYD Atto 3 Evo
- 135. Vauxhall Combo Life
- 136. Mercedes G 580 with EQ Technology
- 137. Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV
- 138. Geely EX2
- 139. Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV
- 140. Ford E-Tourneo Courier
- 141. Dacia Spring
- 142. Maserati Grecale Folgore
- 143. KGM Torres EVX
- 144. Peugeot E-Rifter
- 145. Citroën ë-Berlingo
- 146. Jaecoo E5
- 147. Toyota Proace Verso EV
- 148. Omoda E5
- 149. Mercedes-Benz EQV
- 150. Peugeot E-Traveller
- 151. DS 3 E-Tense
- 152. Citroën ë-SpaceTourer
- 153. Vauxhall Vivaro Life
- 154. Leapmotor C10
- 155. Toyota Urban Cruiser
- 156. Changan Deepal S07
- 157. Suzuki e Vitara
- 158. Maxus Mifa 9
- 159. Maxus Mifa 7
- 160. Fiat Topolino
- 161. Citroen Ami
