- A note from The Motoring Echo: “As subjective as most surveys can be. This particular report is among the most reliable. However, it still needs to be read and considered with your own needs in mind.”…
The UK’s top electric (EV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) cars received awards at the 2025 What Car? Electric Car Awards, in partnership with Pod, a leading EV charging provider.
Now in their sixth year, these awards assist buyers in selecting the right electrified vehicle, following a surge of interest on the What Car? website.
BMW and Volkswagen emerged as the most successful brands, each winning four awards. BMW secured titles for Best Electric Luxury Car and Best Used Electric Luxury Car (i7 eDrive50), along with Best Used Hybrid Executive Car (330e) and Best Used Hybrid Estate Car (530e Touring). Volkswagen won awards for Best Electric Seven-Seater (ID Buzz LWB), Best Electric Estate Car (ID 7 Tourer 77kWh Pro), Best Hybrid Estate Car (Passat 1.5 eHybrid), and Best Hybrid Family Car (Golf 1.5 eHybrid).
The Renault 5 Comfort Range was recognised as the most affordable new electric or hybrid car at £26,995, while the BMW i7 eDrive50 Excellence (Executive Pack) was the most expensive at £112,890. The Cupra Raval won the Reader Award through public voting on What Car?’s social media channels.
What Car? Editor Steve Huntingford observed a rise in reader interest in electric cars, partly due to the reintroduction of the Government EV grant. Meanwhile, Debbie Foley, Chief Revenue Officer at Pod, highlighted their dedication to assisting drivers in switching to electric vehicles, supporting the awards and offering their Pod Drive subscription for easy charging.
Pod Drive* rewards users with over £170 cashback annually and includes a £40 monthly subscription for 24/7 support and a repair or replacement service.
2025 What Car? Electric Car Awards winners, in association with Pod
ELECTRIC CAR WINNERS
– Best Small Car: Renault 5 Comfort Range Techno
– Best Family Car: Cupra Born 59 kWh e-boost 230 V1
– Best Small SUV: Kia EV3 Standard Range Air
– Best Family SUV: Skoda Elroq 85 Edition
– Best Seven-Seater: Volkswagen ID Buzz LWB
– Best Estate Car: Volkswagen ID 7 Tourer 77 kWh Pro Match
– Best Executive Car: Tesla Model 3 RWD
– Best Luxury Car: BMW i7 eDrive50 Excellence
– Best Performance Car: Porsche Taycan RWD
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HYBRID CAR WINNERS
– Best Family Car: Volkswagen Golf 1.5 TSI eHybrid Match
– Best Small SUV: Mazda MX-30 R-EV Prime-Line
– Best Family SUV: MG HS 1.5T Plug-in Hybrid SE
– Best Seven-Seater: Hyundai Santa Fe 1.6T PHEV Premium
– Best Estate Car: Volkswagen Passat 1.5 TSI eHybrid 204 Elegance
– Best Executive Car: Mercedes-Benz E-Class E300e AMG Line
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USED WINNERS
– Best Used Small Electric Car: Peugeot e-208 100 kW Allure
– Best Used Family Electric Car: Cupra Born 58 kWh V1
– Best Used Hybrid Family Car: Mercedes-Benz A-Class A250e AMG Line
– Best Used Small SUV: Smart #1 Premium
– Best Used Hybrid Small SUV: Mini Countryman 17-24 Cooper S E PHEV
– Best Used Family SUV: Skoda Enyaq 60 Suite
– Best Used Hybrid Family SUV: Kia Sportage 1.6 T-GDi 3
– Best Used Seven-Seater: Hyundai Santa Fe 2018-24 1.6 PHEV Premium
– Best Used Estate Car: MG 5 EV 61 kWh SE
– Best Used Hybrid Estate:BMW 5 Series Touring 17-24 530e SE
– Best Used Executive Car: Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus
– Best Used Hybrid Executive Car: BMW 3 Series 330e Sport
– Best Used Luxury Car: BMW i7 eDrive50 Excellence
– Best Used Performance Car: Porsche Taycan 4S Performance Plus 93 kWh
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SPECIAL AWARD
– Readers’ Choice: Cupra Raval