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Ford was a bit late to the full-sized electric vehicle market, but it still created an impression by adopting its beloved Mustang sub-brand for its first battery-electric production model. The Mustang Mach-E, on the other hand, is a legitimate five-seater with an attractive crossover body style, as well as great real-world range potential and a lower price than some of the vehicles included here.
It starts at slightly over £40,000 in the UK, making it more expensive than several important competitors. The WLTP-accredited 379-mile Extended Range variant will set you back over £50,000. However, it’s a true, useable family vehicle that outperforms expensive competitors in terms of stated range and value by up to 30%.
Ford’s first true EV doesn’t wow with warp-speed acceleration in Extended Range RWD guise. Instead, it’s the chassis that provides some driving pleasure, with its noticeable composure and even a hint of playfulness when the mood strikes. Is it just enjoyable? The Ford, like its competitors, is too heavy for that, and the steering is too synthetic, but it is unquestionably one of the most enjoyable driver’s vehicles of its kind. And, although the GT is speedy in a straight line and can be persuaded into some giggly muscle car angles on the exit of slower corners if you’re so inclined, it becomes scrappy when driven up to and beyond its limits.
Fears that the Mach-E would be all style over substance are allayed by what is a very roomy and airy cabin, even if the design of the place is fairly unimaginative and perceived quality is a rung or two below that of European competitors.
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Number 4. Nissan Ariya
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Given that Nissan pioneered the popular EV with the Leaf, it’s surprising that the Japanese manufacturer has taken so long to bring a follow-up model to the lineup (assuming we ignore the van-based eNV200 people carrier). Unsurprisingly, the Japanese manufacturer has targeted the lucrative luxury family SUV segment for its newest all-electric offering, and in many ways, the Ariya is a welcome addition to this increasingly congested segment, not least since certain variants give a range of 329 miles.
For starters, it looks good in a contemporary and sleek SUV kind of way, and the inside is more than worthy of being described in the same language as premium-badged competitors on our list. It is not only visually appealing but it is also filled with high-quality materials that give it an agreeably fluffy touch. There’s also all the technology you’d expect, such as a pair of 12.3-inch displays positioned on top of the dash, one for the instrument cluster and one for infotainment. There’s also plenty of space in the front and rear, as well as thoughtful features like the sliding centre console between the front seats and a convenient drawer that folds out of the dashboard.
