What are the UK’s best new and used electric (EV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) cars?

WhatCar? give their summary in this year’s Electric Car Awards.

Now in their third year, the awards are designed to help people charge through the increasingly congested market of new models out there.

Multiple winners

The most successful brands in 2022 were BMW, Tesla and Volvo, who each won three What Car? Electric Car Awards.

The most successful car was the Tesla Model 3, which was named Best electric executive car and Best used electric executive car. This is in addition to winning the Efficiency Award for using the least energy per mile in What Car?’s winter and summer real-world range tests.

Another notable winner was the Kia EV6 RWD GT-Line, which followed up being named overall What Car? Car of the Year back in January. Adding to that it was voted Best electric large SUV. Kia also won Best electric small SUV with its Soul EV Maxx, making it one of three brands – the others being Porsche and Volkswagen – to collect a brace of awards.

Economic choice

The most affordable was the Fiat 500 42kWh Icon, which costs £29,435. Meanwhile, the most expensive model was the BMW iX xDrive50 M Sport Edition, with a price tag of £107,305.

The Lotus Eletre electric SUV won the Reader Award, decided by a public vote. People were asked to choose the upcoming electric model that they are most excited about from a 12-car shortlist.

Electrifying times

What Car? editor Steve Huntingford said: “The number of fully electric and plug-in hybrid cars on offer has increased exponentially over the last few years. However, while this increases the chances of UK car buyers being able to have something that’s perfect for their needs, it can also make life horribly confusing, so our annual What Car? Electric Car Awards are more important than ever.”

The best overall electric and plug-in hybrid cars from across the 15 categories will be named at the 2023 What Car? Car of the Year Awards, which will be held at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel in January.

The 2022 winners:

EV WINNERS

Small car: Fiat 500 42kWh Icon
Family car: Cupra Born 52kWh V2
Small SUV: Kia Soul EV Maxx
Large SUV: Kia EV6 RWD GT-Line
Executive car: Tesla Model 3 Long Range
MPV: Vauxhall Combo-e Life SE
Luxury SUV: BMW iX xDrive50 M Sport Edition
Performance car: Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo 4S

PLUG-IN HYBRID WINNERS


Family car: Audi A3 Sportback 40 TFSIe Sport
Small SUV: Volvo XC40 Recharge T4 Plus
Large SUV: Lexus NX 450h+ F Sport
Executive car: Mercedes-Benz C-Class C300e AMG Line Premium
Estate car: Skoda Octavia Estate 1.4 TSI iV SE Technology
Luxury SUV: BMW X5 eDrive45e M Sport
Performance car: Porsche Panamera 4 E-Hybrid

USED CAR WINNERS


Small car EV: Renault Zoe ZE40 R110
Family car EV: Volkswagen e-Golf
Small SUV EV: MG ZS EV 45kWh
Executive car EV: Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus
Luxury SUV EV: Jaguar I-Pace EV400 S

Family car hybrid: Hyundai Ioniq 1.6 GDi PHEV
Small SUV hybrid: Mini Countryman Cooper S E All4 PHEV
Large SUV hybrid: Volvo XC60 Recharge T8
Executive car hybrid: BMW 3 Series 330e M Sport
Estate car hybrid: Volkswagen Passat GTE Estate
Luxury SUV hybrid: Volvo XC90 Recharge T8

SPECIAL AWARDS


Reader Award: Lotus Eletre
Efficiency Award: Tesla Model 3 Long Range