I review EVs for a living – these are the top 7 electric cars that blew me away in 2025 | Tech Radar

Overview

News, deals, reviews, guides and more on the newest computing gadgets

Start exploring exclusive deals, expert advice and more

Details

Unlock and manage exclusive Techradar member rewards.

Unlock instant access to exclusive member features.

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.

I've tested all the best new EVs of 2026 — here are my 5 favorites so far, from Honda to Hyundai

Excellent electric vehicles are arriving thick and fast

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

This year has already proved bountiful for brilliant EV releases, with the likes of BMW unleashing the debut models from its groundbreaking Neue Klasse series, Mercedes-Benz unveiling the impressively efficient CLA and Hyundai pushing electric high performance to the max with its Ioniq 6 N.

Granted, I haven’t been able to drive absolutely everything that has gone on sale globally this year, but I have done my best to get behind the wheel of what, to me, feels like a crop of groundbreaking electric vehicles that push the powertrain forward.

From enormous, opulent vans to arguably the first 'kei car' to be sold in the UK, the spectrum of brilliant, battery-powered vehicles is as wide and as interesting as any internal combustion engine counterpart. Here’s my pick of the bunch.

I didn’t think Hyundai could improve much on the brilliant Ioniq 5 N, but the Ioniq 6 N seemingly takes everything that was great about the Korean marque's super hatch and seemingly turns performance up to eleven, while somehow making it more practical.

It takes the same recipe of simulated gears, synthesized engine noise and absurd straight-line performance and packages it in a more mature, long-distance-friendly sedan.

The five electric cars that stole the show at Goodwood this year

I've driven the Honda Super-N — and I'm in love with this seriously fun EV

The new Mercedes VLE proves electric vans can be genuinely luxurious

With 650 hp, 770 Nm of torque and a 0-62mph time of 3.2 seconds, it is seriously quick, but the revised suspension geometry and lower roll center make it considerably more composed at speed than its hot-hatch sibling.

The N e-Shift system now adds another simulated gear, while the upgraded sound system makes the artificial pops, bangs and revs remarkably convincing.

Yet it can switch back into a quiet, comfortable cruiser when the fun is over. Add 291 miles of WLTP range and 350 k W charging, and this might be the most complete performance EV I've driven, erm, ever.

Read more: I didn’t think the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N could get much better — until I drove its bigger brother

The Kia EV2 might be small, but it has the sort of big-car technology and practicality that makes it surprisingly easy to live with. At just over four meters long, it packs a slick triple-screen infotainment setup, a huge array of driver-assistance systems and an interior that feels considerably roomier than its dimensions suggest. Imagine an EV5 or EV9 that’s been hit with a shrink ray and you’re not far off.

The 144 bhp version I drove didn’t feel particularly sporty, taking almost nine seconds to reach 62mph, but that isn't really the point. Its ride is excellent, it remains impressively composed at highway speeds and the Long Range version should comfortably break out of the usual urban EV routine.

I’ve driven the smallest Kia EV yet and there’s a lot to love about the baby of the bunch

The best tech of 2026 so far — the 21 finest gadgets we've tested this year

I’ve driven the new Cupra Raval and it’s proof that the hot hatch can live on in the EV era

Charging is also respectable, with a 10-80% session taking just under 30 minutes. Best of all, it makes a compelling case for ignoring that massive, heavy SUV for daily driving duties and settling for something that will happily slot into a supermarket parking space.

Read more: I’ve driven the smallest Kia EV yet and there’s a lot to love about the baby of the bunch

The Cupra Raval VZ is proof that small EVs don't have to be sensible or boring. With its squat proportions, aggressive styling and 19-inch wheels, it looks like a proper hot hatch, and the driving experience backs that up.

The 222 bhp front-wheel-drive powertrain can deliver 0-62 mph in 6.8 seconds, while Cupra mode brings huge amounts of grip, adjustable dynamic chassis control and a synthesized soundtrack to the party.

Yet it can settle down into a surprisingly comfortable and refined cruiser when required. I averaged around 4.5 miles per k Wh during a day of enthusiastic driving, suggesting more than 200 miles of real-world range from the 52 k Wh battery.

There's also a surprisingly spacious cabin and useful trunk, making the Raval an unusually convincing blend of fun and practicality — like all great hot hatches should be.

Read more: I’ve driven the new Cupra Raval and it’s proof that the hot hatch can live on in the EV era

The Porsche Cayenne Turbo Electric is a handsome demonstration of just how far EV performance has come. With up to 1,156 hp available using Launch Control, it can hit 62 mph in just 2.5 seconds and reach 162 mph, making it the most powerful production Porsche yet.

Those figures are astonishing, but what impressed me most was how effectively Porsche hides the car's considerable bulk. Despite weighing around 2.5 tons, it feels remarkably composed through corners, with superb feedback through the steering wheel, active suspension and optional rear-axle steering helping shrink its footprint on the road. It is also a seriously capable long-distance EV, with up to 415 miles of range in Coupe form and 390 k W charging capable of delivering a 10-80% top-up in as little as 16 minutes.

Oh, and the world’s first 11 k W wireless charging functionality is far from a gimmick, showcasing just how effortless life with an EV can be if you can afford it.

Read more: ‘The performance is otherworldly’: I’ve driven the Porsche Cayenne Turbo Electric — and it’s a serious amount of car for the money

The Honda Super-N might be one of the least practical cars I've driven this year on paper, but that's completely missing the point. This tiny electric runaround is an absolute riot, with 94 bhp sent through the front wheels, a perfectly composed chassis and a big Boost button that encourages you to attack corners with old-school hot-hatch enthusiasm.

At just 1,097 kg, it feels wonderfully light and responsive, while clever regenerative braking and virtual gear changes add to the fun. The 29.6 k Wh battery only offers around 128 miles of range and charging tops out at 50 k W, so it's hardly a road-trip machine. But for urban driving, it makes a brilliant case for small EVs, proving that you don't need huge power or battery capacity to have a genuinely entertaining car.

Read more: I've driven the Honda Super-N — and I'm in love with this go-kart for the daily drive

It’s the posh electric van that makes you wonder if that massive family SUV is really the right vehicle for your daily needs. Mercedes’ all-new VLE combines huge amounts of space with the sort of refinement more commonly associated with an S-Class, while the excellent air suspension delivers an exceptionally smooth, quiet ride.

The clever Roll & Go rear seats are by far my favorite feature, sliding along built-in rails and rolling out of the vehicle on their own wheels when removed — transforming the plush people-mover from a seven-seat bus into the ultimate transportation for active outdoor lifestyles.

Range is impressive, too, with the single-motor VLE 300 capable of a claimed 435 miles thanks to its 115 k Wh battery, while 300 k W charging makes long-distance driving much more realistic. Add superb infotainment technology, rear-wheel steering and limousine levels of comfort, and this is a hugely compelling EV for large families… so long as said families have a healthy vehicle budget.

Read more: I've driven the new Mercedes VLE — and this limousine-like electric van made me rethink what a family car should be

Follow Tech Radar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button!

And of course you can also follow Tech Radar on Tik Tok for news, reviews, unboxings in video form, and get regular updates from us on Whats App too.

Leon has been navigating a world where automotive and tech collide for almost 20 years, reporting on everything from in-car entertainment to robotised manufacturing plants. Currently, EVs are the focus of his attentions, but give it a few years and it will be electric vertical take-off and landing craft. Outside of work hours, he can be found tinkering with distinctly analogue motorcycles, because electric motors are no replacement for an old Honda inline four.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

I've tested all the best new EVs of 2026 — here are my 5 favorites so far, from Honda to Hyundai

'We want photographers to have a proper partner to their camera': Zoner Studio on skipping AI editing gimmicks and the messy reality of shooting

Ahead of one of the best solar eclipses in years, Telefónica boosts mobile coverage to make sure you can post all your videos online

TP-Link Roam 7 review: I tested this travel router at my local café, and it turned public Wi-Fi into a secure private network

I tested the Ring Conn Gen 3 for two weeks and it's the best choice if you don't want to pay Oura prices

Tech Radar is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Key Takeaways

News, deals, reviews, guides and more on the newest computing gadgets
Start exploring exclusive deals, expert advice and more
Unlock and manage exclusive Techradar member rewards
Unlock instant access to exclusive member features
Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards