The 10 Best Electric Cars To Buy Or Lease In 2022

10 minutes Published: 22/06/2022
Emily Hanson

Electric car adoption has been rapid over the past couple of years. According to the SMMT, the number of EVs registered in 2021 was 76.3% higher than the previous year! By the end of 2021, they held a solid 11.6% market share - higher than diesel.

The popularity is partly down to the growing choice of models - the past year has seen the launch of tons of options with longer electric ranges, crowd-pleasing designs, and top-tier technology.

By 2030, sales of new petrol and diesel cars will be banned in the UK. By making the switch to electric now, you can enjoy savings on fuel and lower your CO2 emissions for an extra 8 years!

Whether you're looking for the cheapest electric car on the market or the EV with the longest range, this list is here to help you narrow your options. Check out our picks for the best electric cars to buy or lease in 2022.

1. Tesla Model 3 Saloon

  • Doors:
  • Engine:
  • Fuel:
  • Body: Saloon
  • Drive:
  • CO2:

Pros

  • Super safe - incredible results in roof crush test.

  • Excellent electric range.

Cons

  • Only has a vegan interior option - may not be your bag.

  • Autopilot and TACC are unavailable in poor weather conditions.

The Tesla Model 3 is the best-selling EV in the UK and for good reason. It has a generous range of 375 miles! Charging time is rapid - top up 172 miles in just 15 minutes at a Tesla Supercharger.

The interior is minimalistic with a clean dash with a 15-inch touchscreen. You can have fun exploring Tesla’s many “Easter Egg” modes. Interior materials are 100% vegan, boosting the car’s eco-creds further.

Tesla models are renowned for their awe-inspiring safety specs. The aluminium-steel body underwent a roof-crush test and resisted four times its mass (the size of 2 fully grown African elephants!). The AutoPilot feature steers, accelerates, and brakes within lanes for you - full self-driving capability is just a system update away! Naturally, it has a 5 star NCAP rating.

2. Skoda Enyaq IV Estate

  • Doors: 5
  • Engine: N/A
  • Fuel: E
  • Body: SUV/Crossover
  • Drive: A
  • CO2:

Pros

  • Broad choice of interior designs to suit you.

  • Very roomy interior - great for growing families.

Cons

  • Customisation comes at a cost!

  • Not for sporty drivers - see the Enyaq IV Coupe instead.

The Enyaq IV Estate is Skoda’s first EV attempt, and they’ve done a wonderful job. This SUV is available in two variations, both with excellent range: the iV80 can do 329 miles, whilst the iV60 can do a very respectable 252 miles. You can juice up from 0-80% in as little as 34 minutes at a rapid charger.

The Enyaq IV’s interior is highly customisable. The Entry “Loft” option features fabric upholstery and black/grey tones. “Lodge” impresses with seats made of recycled plastic bottles and wool, while “Suite” uses ecoSuite material which is tanned using olive tree leaves instead of chemicals!

Skoda’s mantra is “Simply Clever” so the tech is pared back but practical. The 13-inch infotainment system can be paired with Skoda Connect, allowing you to easily plan your route and check weather forecasts.

The Enyaq IV Estate received a 5 star rating from Euro NCAP.

3. BMW i4

  • Doors: 5
  • Engine: N/A
  • Fuel: E
  • Body: Saloon
  • Drive: A
  • CO2:

Pros

  • Infotainment is slick.

  • M50 model is perfect for speed junkies.

Cons

  • Costly compared to competitors.

  • Not undergone official Euro NCAP test yet (correct as of April 2022).

The BMW i4 has adopted the good looks of the 4 Series Gran Coupe, but with all the benefits of electrification. The i4 has a fantastic 365 mile range and can charge 0-80% in just 34 minutes at ultra-rapid chargers..

BMW does interiors well. Seats are available in cloth/Sensatec (BMW’s vegan leather) or Vernasca leather in red, black, or oyster. Interior trim comes in your choice of black high gloss or aluminium “mesh effect”. The i4 has a premium and futuristic feel.

The cockpit is driver-oriented, featuring a sleek, flat instrument panel. The display combines a 12.3-inch instrument cluster and a large 14.9-inch control display. BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant responds to voice commands, so you can stay organised and entertained while keeping your eyes on the road!

Whilst the i4 features an array of top-tier safety features - including the BMW Driving Assistant package - it hasn’t yet been tested by Euro NCAP. BMW cars normally fare well so it should receive a 5 star rating.

4. Kia EV6

  • Doors: 5
  • Engine: N/A
  • Fuel: E
  • Body: SUV/Crossover
  • Drive: A
  • CO2:

Pros

  • Quick charging!

  • Real world electric range is very impressive.

Cons

  • No official Euro NCAP safety data yet (correct as of April 2022).

  • Rear headroom is a tad pokey - those taller than 6ft will feel cramped!

Kia are no strangers to EVs. The EV6 is their first original EV, with the e-Niro and Soul based on a conventionally fuelled predecessor. This crossover is capable of 328 miles on a single charge (or 314 miles if you opt for the AWD version). Charging times are swift - just 18 mins to power up 10-80% at a rapid charger!

The EV6 is a great family electric car. Its long wheelbase and short overhang means the cabin floor is fully flat, maximising interior space - a godsend for cramming 3 kiddos in the back seats! Interior trim is made of recycled plastic, and you can choose vegan leather seats.

Tech is great in the EV6. With Kia Connect (UVO), you can link your smartphone to the car and easily schedule home charging, check your battery status remotely, view live traffic information, and much more. You can also option a futuristic augmented reality head-up display so you can see your speed and other stats on the windscreen!

It hasn’t yet been Euro NCAP safety tested but does include a whole host of safety tech as standard. This includes driver attention warning, forward collision avoidance assist, and lane keep assist.

5. Hyundai Ioniq 5

  • Doors: 5
  • Engine: N/A
  • Fuel: E
  • Body: SUV/Crossover
  • Drive: A
  • CO2:

Pros

  • Customisable, roomy cabin to suit your daily driving needs.

  • Ultra-quick charging.

Cons

  • The 58 kWh battery doesn’t have as good a range.

  • VW ID.4 boasts better Euro NCAP stats.

The Ioniq 5 is Hyundai’s third EV, pipped to the post by the original Ioniq and the Kona Electric. This “CUV” is capable of 300 miles of electric range (73kWh battery) - you can add 62 miles in just 5 minutes of charging at a rapid charger!

The interior is clean, modern and very customisable to suit your driving needs. Cloth upholstery comes as standard but you can option leather seat trim on the Ultimate spec. Hyundai makes good use of eco materials throughout the cabin, using recycled PET bottles, wool, and leather processed with plant-based extracts and “bio” paint.

The digital cockpit is a dominant presence on the dashboard which may suit your tastes more. The infotainment screen is 12.3-inches and is seamlessly integrated with the cluster screen. The Ioniq 5 is available with Level 2 Autonomous Driving and an Advanced Head-Up display.

The Ioniq 5 received a 5 star Euro NCAP safety rating - adult occupant protection scored 88% and 86% for the kiddies.

6. Volkswagen ID.3

  • Doors: 5
  • Engine: N/A
  • Fuel: E
  • Body: Hatchback
  • Drive: A
  • CO2:

Pros

  • Optional heat pump improves range in winter.

  • Plenty practical for small families.

Cons

  • Touchscreen sliders and touch-sensitive steering wheel buttons are annoying.

  • Interior not as exciting as others on the list!

The ID.3 is a direct rival to the Nissan Leaf. Voted 2021’s Best Electric Family Car by What Car, it caters nicely to the average family’s daily driving needs. You’ll manage up to 259 miles of electric range on a single charge, and with a 5-80% rapid charging time of just 35 mins, it’s incredibly practical and economical!

You can choose from 3 interior colour schemes with grey as a focal point, and grey, white or orange highlights. All seat covers are vegan too. There’s enough legroom in the backseat for 3 small kiddies or 2 six footer adults.

Volkswagen has equipped the ID.3 with some clever tech. The 10-inch infotainment touchscreen is controlled by touch screen sliders and you can even option in the Augmented Reality Head-Up display! It can be fitted with a heat pump to heat the cabin, meaning less energy is diverted from the battery - perfect for improving its range in winter!

To round it off, it scored 5 stars in the Euro NCAP testing. It boasts an 87% adult occupant safety rating and 89% for children.

7. Hyundai Kona

  • Doors:
  • Engine:
  • Fuel:
  • Body: SUV/Crossover
  • Drive:
  • CO2:

Pros

  • Generous 5 year unlimited mileage warranty on the vehicle (and 8 years on the battery).

  • Comfortable, agile driving experience.

Cons

  • Rapid charging is slower than alternatives on this list.

  • Interior isn’t that exciting or innovative.

The Hyundai Kona Electric is an electrified version of a petrol and hybrid model that remains in Hyundai’s line-up. The 64kWh battery version manages a very healthy 300 miles of electric range and can charge from 10-80% in 47 minutes at a rapid charging station.

The Kona’s interior is nice but not as exciting as some alternative models. If you’re intrigued by eco-friendly alternative materials, you won’t find any here - cloth is standard. It’s practical for small/medium sized families, with lots of convenient storage pockets.

The Kona Electric’s tech is more impressive. It features a 10.25-inch touchscreen navigation system and a 10.25-inch fully digital cluster in the cockpit. The Head-Up Display is standard on the Ultimate trim, keeping all important information in your line of sight. You can also keep a healthy state of charge with adjustable regenerative braking!

Like most models on this list, it received a 5/5 Euro NCAP score! It received an 87% adult occupant score and 85% child occupant score.

8. Nissan Ariya

  • Doors: 5
  • Engine: N/A
  • Fuel: E
  • Body: SUV/Crossover
  • Drive: A
  • CO2:

Pros

  • User-friendly tech.

  • Zen interior which captures Nissan’s Japanese DNA.

Cons

  • More impressive standard range on rivals.

  • No formal Euro NCAP score.

The Ariya is Nissan’s third electric vehicle. Following the roaring success of the Leaf and the production of the e-NV200 Combi, they’ve been perfecting the Ariya behind-the-scenes. This SUV is capable of 310 miles of electric range. The 63 kWH model is best suited to daily commutes, whilst the 87 kWh is better for regular longer range driving. If you want something with a little oumph, the e-4ORCE 87 kWh rolls power, performance, and range into a single package. You can rapidly charge 186 miles in just 30 minutes!

The Ariya’s design team set out to create something that embodied “timeless Japanese futurism”. The cabin has an airy feel and Nissan describes it as “lounge-like”. The colour scheme is classy, with blue-grey leather and copper accents, and an open-pore wood effect trim on the dashboard. It is a very zen, comfortable space!

Tech-wise, this Japanese giant comes up trumps.  There’s two curved 12.3-inch display screens equipped with features like ProPilot with Navi-Link to keep you centred in lane and ProPILOT Park which auto-steers into parking spots. It also features a Head-Up display, Alexa built-in, and Nissan Connect.

The Ariya hasn’t yet received a Euro NCAP score but similarly-sized models like the Qashqai received a 5 star rating with a 91% score for both adult and child occupants.

9. Volkswagen ID.4

  • Doors: 5
  • Engine: N/A
  • Fuel: E
  • Body: SUV/Crossover
  • Drive: A
  • CO2:

Pros

  • Very comfortable.

  • Super safe!

Cons

  • Standard features of entry trim are limited.

  • Not as agile as other models on the list.

If you liked the sound of the ID.3 but you need a bit more space, the ID.4 is an excellent pick. It even won “World Car of the Year” in 2021! With the 77kWh Pro Performance battery, this electric crossover is capable of 320 miles of electric range, taking only 38 minutes to charge from 5-80% at a fast charger.

Volkswagen focused on creating an “impressive sense of space” in the ID.4. You can add a pop of personality in the cabin with background lighting, illuminating the dash panel and doors to suit your mood. The seats are made of a combo of leatherette and ArtVelours, which is microfibre made of 20% recycled PET bottles.

There are multiple trim levels so shaking up the tech to meet your needs is easy. The Entry “Life” trim has a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The Hello.ID Voice Assistance makes life easier, allowing you to control the radio, your phone, and navigation by simply speaking to the car.

The Volkswagen ID.4 is one of the safest cars on this list. Unsurprisingly it has a 5 star Euro NCAP score. It also has a 93% adult occupant rating and an 89% child occupant safety score.

10. MG ZS EV

  • Doors: 5
  • Engine: N/A
  • Fuel: E
  • Body: SUV/Crossover
  • Drive: A
  • CO2:

Pros

  • Perfect for lower budgets.

  • Practical for growing families.

Cons

  • Interior is a bit boring.

  • Range is not great on the standard model.

The MG ZS EV may not have been on your radar before but it’s a cracking budget option with impressive stats. If you opt for the Long Range version, you can expect up to 273 miles of electric range. MG states that if you mainly do town/city driving, you can even expect 370 miles, but if you hit the motorway regularly, it’ll be closer to 207 miles. 0-80% charging times are a bit sluggish compared to other models (1 hr 3 mins at a rapid charger).

For the price, we think the interior is pretty nice! Fabric upholstery is standard or you can option leather-style upholstery. You don’t get the wow factor of some of the more forward-thinking models on this list, but it definitely doesn’t feel cheap.

Tech in the ZS EV is intuitive and convenient. You’ve got a 10.1-inch touchscreen, and with the MG iSMART app, you can control features like battery charging scheduling and climate control settings all from your phone!

You’ll feel nice and safe in the MG ZS EV with its 5 star Euro NCAP rating. It can be equipped with a bunch of driver assist systems like adaptive cruise control, collision warning, and automatic braking too, giving you peace of mind!

Conclusion

Before you know it, the petrol/diesel ban will be in full swing, and electric cars will be your only option! Leading manufacturers have spent years refining their EV offering, so if you make the switch in 2022, you can easily find a model that slots easily into your lifestyle.

Leasing is an excellent way to start your EV journey. With technology improving so rapidly, a 2-4 year lease is a cost-effective way to make sure you’re not left behind the times. 

Lease Fetcher is a car leasing comparison website, so we compare electric car lease deals from brokers all across the UK so you can find the best price with ease.