The best luxury electric cars – driven, rated and ranked

Best for: SUV practicality 

BMW’s electric flagship SUV has grown into an even more complete package after the German brand treated it to a number of updates last year. 

The iX is high, wide and (some cynics say) not so handsome but corners with grace and gusto. Its rolling refinement, despite those 22in alloys, is even more impressive.

Richard Lane, Deputy road test editor

Thanks to the addition of larger batteries across the model line-up, the striking iX is now more efficient than its predecessor. In xDrive60 form it's claimed to travel up to 426 miles on a charge, although it can still charge at only 195kW. 

Being roughly the same size as the ICE X5, the iX is practical and versatile inside, and it brings a level of refinement and material richness that only a handful of rivals can match. 

It’s not short on performance either, with between 402bhp and 659bhp on offer, meaning it can hide its 2.5-tonne mass very well.

Its looks may be divisive, but the iX has compelling fitness for purpose and a real completeness of appeal. 

Best for: Ride and handling

The Taycan is a world-class operator however you configure it: even the estate-aping, ride-height-boosted Cross Turismo has the same dynamic powers as the saloon. 

More than its outright performance, I'm impressed by how nice the Taycan is to drive gently. The long-travel accelerator pedal is tuned for gentle take-up, which all makes driving the Taycan smoothly very satisfying indeed.

Illya Verpraet, Road Tester

It rides with an uncannily absorptive and poised sort of body control, but it retains communicative steering, fine handling response, ideal handling balance and as much real-world pace as you could ever expect to deploy on the road.

Real-world range took a big step forward after the Taycan received a mid-life facelift and a host of updates.

The dual-motor Turbo S model will do around 320 miles on a charge, while the rear-wheel-drive variant should cover 360 miles on real-world conditions. 

With a refined, upmarket cabin and decent-sized boot, the Taycan is one of the most accomplished EVs you can buy.

Best for: Chauffeurs

The original EQS was one of the first electric cars to nudge towards the 400-mile WLTP mark and struck a chord with limo lovers who were looking to go green. 

It addresses the road in a controlled, comfortable way even under full power, building up to full torque at least a little gradually from rest and not even flirting with wheelspin.

Matt Saunders, Road test editor

However, this well-appointed, materially rich EV couldn't quite muster the same luxury appeal as the BMW i7. A raft of updates later and it feels like a real accomplishment in terms of refinement, drivability and performance.

It will easily cover more than 300 miles on the motorway, even when the ambient temperature is fighting against it.

The ICE S-Class still reigns as king of the Mercedes limo class, but as an electric alternative, the EQS has more than enough digital addenda, comfort and efficiency to appeal in an ever-growing market. 

Best for: Long-distance cruising

Audi’s swooping electric saloon received a round of updates last year, gaining a sharp new look, a revised interior and improved range. 

The expansive, curved dashboard, high-ish window lines and enormous panoramic roof create an ambience that's halfway between trad super-saloon and proper sports coupé.

Richard Lane, Deputy road test editor

You can still have it in nutty 912bhp RS Performance form, but its beguiling pace doesn’t add all that much to its overall drive. We would keep it simple and opt for the S variant: its four-wheel-drive powertrain puts out 676bhp for a sub-4.0sec sprint to 60mph and it will still do up to 374 miles on a charge. 

The E-tron GT’s new 105kWh battery pack has improved efficiency, too, helping to build on its grand touring credentials – as does its ability to charge at up to 320kW. 

Best for: Charging speed

Refined, lavish, opulent: for a very long time, these were never adjectives that followed the word Lotus. But that all changed with the arrival of the Eletre SUV and subsequent Emeya saloon. 

EVs this powerful can sometimes feel a little nervous on the road, but this isn't the case with the Emeya. Even in Sport mode, it’s easy to mete out power.

Illya Verpraet, Road Tester

The Emeya’s cabin couldn't be more different to Lotuses of yore, with every surface covered in a plush leather of soft Alcantara. The luxury feel is enhanced by the use of real metal and carbonfibre.

And while it can't quite match the Porsche Taycan, it feels inherently like a Lotus to drive. 

This cosseting cabin suits the grand touring vibe of the Emeya, particularly in entry-level 600 form. This variant makes 603bhp and sprints from 0-62mph 4.1sec, but can still travel up to 379 miles on a charge.

If that isn’t enough, there’s the whip-cracking Emeya 900, which takes a mere 2.7sec to hit 60mph.

Best for: Interior comfort and refinemnt

The Spectre coupé marked the dawn of a new era for Rolls-Royce, as it became the British brand’s first ever electric production car. 

‘Effortless doors’ sound like a great idea, but in practice I struggled with them: when you want to use your own muscle to open or close a door, it can seem to fight you.

Illya Verpraet, Road Tester

But while naysayers were dubious about the prospect of a Rolls-Royce without a super-refined V12 engine, the Spectre stays true to the brand, bringing effortless pace, exceptional refinement and world-class luxury. 

Inside, the Spectre is as opulent as another other Roller, and while the rear seats are a bit of a squeeze, it's well-packaged and comfortable. Plus it irons out the road below like nothing else in its class, with a serene waftability at cruising speeds. 

Range is only up to 250 miles in the real-world, which isn’t much for a car that costs £332,000 before options, but then this is a 2.8-tonne EV. 

Best for: Grand touring

Built in the US and engineered by the man behind the Tesla Model S, this super-sleek saloon boats numbers that would make supercars blush. 

What the Air has in common with most EVs is that sense of calm refinement from the drivetrain, only here there’s a far nicer environment in which to sit back and enjoy it.

Mark Tisshaw, Editor

For instance, the range-topping Sapphire packs 1217bhp and 1430lb ft of torque (yes, really) and will explode from standstill to 60mph in a claimed 1.9sec.

It has the range figures to match its bonkers performance, too, with the Grand Touring model capable of travelling up to a staggering 596 miles on a charge. Rapid charging at 300kW also means you should be able to add 300 miles in just 20 minutes.

It's also neatly designed and lavishly equipped, while its build quality shames the Model S, even if it can't quite cut it against established European rivals.

Best for: Value for money

The ICE G80 is fairly distinctive and packs a luxurious and tech-heavy interior, but it's powered by a limited choice of four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines, neither of which really match its upmarket aspirations.

It rides very well on its extended wheelbase and is amazingly hushed especially on coarse surfaces, thanks to its (optional) noise-cancelling system.

Steve Cropley, Editor-in-chief

However, there are no such issues with the Electrified model, thanks to it packing some of the Korean firm's E-GMP architecture, which means a pair of motors for a healthy 365bhp and a 94.5kWh battery that claims 354 miles of range. An 800V electrical architecture means a charging speed of 350kW, too, allowing for short 10-80% top ups.  

While it can’t quite match rivals like the BMW i5 for ride quality, the smooth and powerful delivery of the motors gives the Electrified G80 strong performance.

The interior, meanwhile, is as beautifully finished and comfortable as the best.