The electric vehicle (EV) revolution is in full swing, and some of the most compelling options on the market are found in the compact category. Looking ahead to 2025, the landscape of small electric cars is becoming increasingly exciting, with a host of new models poised to make their debut. Here at mercedesbenzxentrysoftwaresubscription.store, we understand the appeal of nimble, city-friendly vehicles that offer both environmental benefits and driving enjoyment. Small electric cars are not just about affordability; they represent a smart approach to urban mobility. They deliver the signature EV advantages – instant torque and a quiet cabin – in a package perfectly suited for navigating city streets. Energy regeneration systems work more effectively in stop-and-go traffic, maximizing efficiency and range in urban environments.
Choosing a small electric car means embracing the core advantages of EV technology while minimizing some common concerns. You get the same quick acceleration and serene interior experience as larger EVs, but with the added benefit of enhanced efficiency and reduced range anxiety, especially in urban settings where charging infrastructure is more readily available. These cars are designed for city life, excelling at lower speeds and in typical urban traffic conditions, making them exceptionally efficient for everyday commutes and errands.
Discover the Top Small Electric Cars at a Glance:
While small electric vehicles are ideal for many, we acknowledge they may not suit everyone. Families needing substantial passenger and cargo space might find our recommendations for the best electric SUVs more appropriate. However, for individuals or couples living in urban areas, particularly those navigating ultra-low emissions zones, a small electric car from our curated list could be the perfect solution to simplify your daily commute and enhance your driving experience.
Continue scrolling to explore our detailed selection of the Best Small Electric Cars available for purchase. And for those seeking a more spirited driving experience, be sure to check out our guide to the best electric hot hatches.
Top Small Electric Cars to Buy in 2025
Renault 5 E-Tech
The best all-around small electric car – a truly exceptional choice!
Pros: Iconic design, premium interior feel, attractive entry price point.
Cons: Real-world range can be limiting, rear passenger space is somewhat confined.
The Renault 5 E-Tech is arguably one of the most significant car launches of 2025 in the UK market. Renault has masterfully reimagined a classic icon, and we predict its popularity will be immense. Its striking aesthetics are undeniable, drawing attention in a way that even vehicles many times its price can’t match.
This car embodies everything desirable in a small car: perfectly sized for urban environments, agile and enjoyable to drive, and boasting a superb interior with a cutting-edge infotainment system that includes integrated Google Maps and Google Assistant. Buyers can choose between a 40kWh or a 52kWh battery, providing WLTP driving ranges of 194 and 255 miles, respectively. Perhaps the most compelling aspect of the new Renault 5 is its price. Starting at £22,995, it stands out as one of the most affordable new EVs available, offering excellent value both for outright purchase and financing.
For a comprehensive analysis, read our Renault 5 E-Tech review
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Fiat Grande Panda
The best small electric car for bold design, practicality, and affordability combined.
Pros: Stylish and practical design, rich in detail, comfortable for city driving, class-leading affordability.
Cons: Rear seating is not as spacious as anticipated, some concerns regarding real-world driving range.
Closely following the Renault 5 is the Fiat Grande Panda, set to debut in 2025. This model marks the beginning of a new Panda family, also drawing inspiration from its heritage. However, instead of merely electrifying a previous design, Fiat’s design team has truly unleashed their creativity. While there are nods to the original 1980s Panda – including practical interior features like the dashboard shelf – the overall design is a bold statement of modern Italian automotive artistry.
Consider the distinctive shapes within the cabin, the use of transparent yellow Perspex, the sustainably sourced blue plastics, and the intricate exterior details. It even features a cleverly concealed charging cable port behind the front grille. Built on the same budget-conscious platform as the Citroen e-C3, the Grande Panda prioritizes comfort over razor-sharp handling. While initial tests raised some questions about achieving the claimed 199 miles WLTP range, the starting price of just £20,975 positions it as an exceptional bargain, perfectly balancing desirability and value.
For a detailed examination, see our Fiat Grande Panda review
Citroen e-C3
The best small electric car for ride comfort.
Pros: Excellent value proposition, spacious rear seating, exceptionally comfortable ride quality.
Cons: Handling can feel somewhat ungainly, the boot shape is not optimally practical.
The new Citroen e-C3 stands out as a small electric car that impressively balances numerous key attributes. It’s a compact EV capable of handling longer journeys, boasting a claimed range of 199 miles and supporting rapid 100kW DC charging. The rear seat space is also surprisingly generous, rivaling many vehicles in higher classes.
With a starting price of £21,990, the e-C3 significantly undercuts many of its electric supermini competitors, yet it offers a refined and contemporary interior with ample standard equipment and technology. The e-C3’s plush, comfortable suspension is ideally suited for navigating roads with imperfections, though this focus on comfort does result in more pronounced body roll during more spirited driving.
For an in-depth perspective, check out our Citroen e-C3 review
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Fiat 500 Electric
The best small electric car for iconic style and image.
Pros: Stylish and iconic design, enjoyable driving dynamics, excellent build quality.
Cons: Limited interior space, shorter driving range in the base model.
The Fiat 500 Electric echoes the retro-chic aesthetic of its internal combustion engine (ICE) predecessor, but underneath, it’s a completely different vehicle. The traditional petrol engines have been replaced with a battery pack and an electric motor driving the front wheels. The standard version comes with a 24kWh battery and 94bhp motor, offering a claimed range of 118 miles. A more powerful variant features a 42kWh battery and 116bhp motor, extending the claimed range to 199 miles.
The 500e is visually appealing, pleasant to drive, and perfectly adapted for tight urban streets thanks to its diminutive size and exceptional turning radius. It packs a significant amount of technology into a small footprint. However, with prices starting at £24,995 for the smaller battery and £27,995 for the larger battery, it is positioned at the higher end of the small EV price spectrum.
For a detailed assessment, read our Fiat 500 Electric review
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Peugeot e-208
The best small electric car combining style and practicality.
Pros: Attractive exterior and interior styling, convenient five-door access, respectable electric driving range.
Cons: Driving experience is not particularly engaging, higher trim levels can be expensive.
Peugeot has recently updated the e-208, giving this electric supermini a refreshed, more stylish appearance, enhanced technology, and a new, longer-range option. It now features a more potent 154bhp motor and a 51kWh battery pack, which Peugeot claims delivers up to 258 miles of range on a single charge. This version joins the existing 50kWh and 134bhp model, which offers a claimed 225-mile range. Peugeot has also recently reduced the e-208’s pricing by approximately £3,000, with the 50kWh model now starting at £29,950 and the 51kWh version priced just £1,000 higher.
For city dwellers, the e-208’s appeal lies in its stylish design and everyday usability. It is a well-constructed and visually appealing car that subtly integrates its eco-credentials. The most noticeable difference from the petrol version is the green accent on the EV number plate. The five-door configuration provides significantly better rear seat access compared to the three-door Fiat 500 Electric, and the Peugeot also offers a superior driving range.
For a deeper dive, see our Peugeot e-208 review
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Hyundai Inster
The best small electric car for maximizing interior space.
Pros: Exceptionally spacious for its compact size, distinctive and modern design, commendable driving range.
Cons: Limited to four seats, ride quality can be firm.
If maximizing interior space in a small footprint is your priority, the Hyundai Inster is highly recommended. It excels in packaging efficiency, featuring individually adjustable rear seats that slide forward and backward, and a generous boot space of up to 351 liters. The flat floor design in both the front and rear further enhances the feeling of spaciousness within the cabin. The amount of space Hyundai has managed to incorporate into a small car is truly remarkable.
While it is configured as a four-seater, accommodating five adults in any car of this size would be a challenge. The design may not appeal to all tastes, but we find it to be visually striking and genuinely unique in the current market. Prices start from an attractive £23,495, and buyers can choose between a 42kWh or 49kWh battery, offering claimed ranges of 203 and 229 miles, respectively.
For an in-depth analysis, read our Hyundai Inster review
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MINI Cooper Electric
The best small electric car for driving enjoyment.
Pros: Exceptionally fun to drive, competitive pricing, significantly improved driving range.
Cons: Practicality remains limited, interior doesn’t feel as premium as previous generations.
The Mini Electric was a resounding success upon its launch in 2020, particularly popular among style-conscious urban drivers. However, its range and price were often cited as limitations. The new Cooper Electric addresses these concerns, offering a lower starting price (from £30,000) and a substantially increased range – up to 249 miles for the top-spec Cooper SE.
Like its predecessor, this Mini remains incredibly fun to drive, potentially setting a new benchmark for small electric hot hatches. It delivers engaging handling, brisk performance, and the agile, responsive feel that Mini hatchbacks are known for.
For a detailed perspective, see our Mini Cooper Electric review
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Vauxhall Corsa Electric
The best small electric car for those seeking conventional familiarity.
Pros: Shares technology with the e-208 but with a more traditional dashboard layout, Long Range model available, widely popular model.
Cons: Design is perceived as bland, historically suffers from rapid depreciation.
The Peugeot e-208, with its distinctive French styling and upscale interior, is appealing, but its i-Cockpit driving position, characterized by a small steering wheel and high-mounted instruments, isn’t for everyone. If you appreciate the underlying technology of the Peugeot but prefer a more conventional cockpit, the Vauxhall Corsa Electric is an excellent alternative. It essentially offers the same technology in a more understated (or, some might say, less exciting) package.
Historically, the Corsa Electric has faced challenges with a high initial price and significant depreciation. However, in an effort to boost sales, Vauxhall introduced the ‘Yes Edition,’ which reduces the starting price by over £6,000, bringing it down to £26,895. Despite the somewhat unconventional name, this represents excellent value. Similar to the e-208, it’s available with a 134bhp/50kWh configuration or a 154bhp/51kWh setup, with the latter offering a claimed range of up to 248 miles. However, top-spec models can reach prices close to £35,000, which is considerable for a Corsa.
For a comprehensive review, see our Vauxhall Corsa Electric review
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Jeep Avenger
The best small electric car if you prefer a crossover SUV style.
Pros: Appealing and distinctive styling, easy to drive and maneuver, well-suited for city environments.
Cons: Rear seat space is limited, interior material quality feels somewhat basic.
You might question whether a Jeep qualifies as a small car, but the brand’s new electric crossover is surprisingly compact. At just 4.1 meters in length, it’s only marginally larger than the Corsa, yet it retains the iconic Jeep look with its robust stance and signature seven-slot grille. Its compact dimensions and excellent visibility make it exceptionally practical for city driving. The raised driving position appeals to SUV enthusiasts, but in a more manageable size.
Being part of the Stellantis group, the Avenger shares the 154bhp electric motor and 51kWh battery found in the Corsa Electric and e-208. This powertrain delivers adequate performance and a claimed range of up to 248 miles. While the Avenger is a compelling small EV, it’s not without compromises. Rear seat space is comparable to typical superminis, and the interior finish feels somewhat budget-oriented in certain areas. Jeep has recently reduced prices by £5,000, bringing the starting price down to £29,999.
For an in-depth assessment, read our Jeep Avenger review
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Small Electric Car Buyer’s Guide and FAQs
The Pros and Cons of Small Electric Cars
Small electric cars offer several key advantages. They are incredibly easy to park and maneuver on congested city streets, they are among the most affordable electric cars available, and they provide unrestricted access to areas with emissions restrictions. Additionally, they operate much more quietly than small petrol cars, contributing to a more relaxed and peaceful commute.
However, there are trade-offs to consider with small electric cars. Due to their size, they typically come with smaller battery packs, which translates to limited maximum driving ranges. This is less of a concern for daily city driving, where average distances are shorter, but it can be a significant limitation for those who frequently undertake longer journeys.
Price is another factor. While small EVs are more affordable within the electric car market, they are still generally more expensive than comparable petrol-powered vehicles. For example, the petrol Peugeot 208 automatic is considerably less expensive than the base electric model, although this price difference is gradually narrowing.
Charging infrastructure and costs also present considerations. Relying solely on public charging for a small electric car can sometimes result in higher electricity expenses compared to petrol costs.
The most cost-effective way to operate an EV is typically by having access to off-street parking where a personal charging point can be installed. However, this is often a financial and logistical challenge for residents in densely populated urban areas.
Are Small Electric Cars Reliable?
While electric vehicle technology is still evolving, EVs generally have fewer moving parts compared to internal combustion engine cars, which can contribute to greater reliability. However, like all electronic devices, components can fail, and battery capacity does gradually degrade over time, reducing the car’s driving range. Current data and experience suggest that significant battery degradation is not a major concern in the initial years of ownership, particularly for new or nearly new vehicles. Therefore, reliability should not be a primary concern for most buyers in the short to medium term.
What is the Smallest Electric Car Available?
The cars featured in our list are comparable in size to conventional superminis or city cars—compact and city-friendly, but not truly tiny. For genuinely diminutive electric vehicles, you would need to explore the quadricycle category. Historically, this category includes EVs like the G-Wiz and Renault Twizy, while the Citroen Ami represents the current market offering in this ultra-compact segment.
Are Small Electric Cars Suitable for City Driving and Short Trips?
Absolutely. This is precisely where small electric cars excel. The instant torque delivery of electric motors makes them exceptionally well-suited for navigating city traffic. The stop-and-go nature of urban driving also maximizes the effectiveness of regenerative braking, helping to maintain battery charge. Typically, small EVs are equipped with smaller batteries, resulting in shorter driving ranges, making them inherently better suited for shorter, urban-centric journeys.
This doesn’t mean they are incapable of longer trips; most offer adequate performance for highway driving. However, longer journeys will require more frequent charging stops compared to larger EVs with extended ranges.
How We Tested
As with all reviews published on CAR, each of the vehicles in this guide has undergone thorough testing by our highly experienced team of motoring journalists and specialist writers. For more information on our testing methodology, please refer to how we test.
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