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

Date:
Sun, 09 Aug 2026 11:00:00 +0000

Description:
These five EVs, the best I've driven in 2026 so far, prove the electric car
is getting seriously interesting.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter 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 havent 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. Heres my pick of the bunch. Latest Videos From TechRadar Watch full video here: 6. Hyundai Ioniq 6 N (Image credit: Hyundai) I didnt 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. You may like 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. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our
trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Yet it can switch back into a quiet, comfortable cruiser when the fun is
over. Add 291 miles of WLTP range and 350 kW charging, and this might be the most complete performance EV I've driven, erm, ever . Read more: I didnt
think the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N could get much better until I drove its bigger brother 5. Kia EV2 (Image credit: Kia) 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 thats been hit with a shrink ray and youre not far off.

The 144 bhp version I drove didnt 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.
What to read next Ive driven the smallest Kia EV yet and theres 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 Ive driven the new Cupra Raval and its 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: Ive driven the smallest Kia EV yet and theres a lot to love about the baby of the bunch 4. Cupra Raval (Image credit: Cupra) 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 kWh during a day of enthusiastic driving, suggesting more than 200 miles of real-world range from the 52 kWh 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: Ive driven the new Cupra Raval and its proof that the hot hatch can live on in the EV era 3. Porsche Cayenne Turbo
Electric (Image credit: Porsche) 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 kW charging capable of delivering a 10-80% top-up in as little as 16 minutes.

Oh, and the worlds first 11 kW 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: Ive driven the Porsche Cayenne Turbo Electric and its a serious amount of car for the money 2.
Honda Super-N (Image credit: Honda) 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 kWh battery only offers around 128 miles of range and charging tops out at 50 kW, 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 1. Mercedes-Benz VLE (Image credit: Mercedes-Benz) Its 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 kWh battery, while 300 kW 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
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