Top Electric SUVs for Families in 2025: Comfort, Safety & Maintenance Guide
Picking the right electric SUV for your family isn’t just about fancy screens or how far it’ll go on a charge.
It’s about comfort for the kids
Safety when it all goes wrong
Space for all the snacks, buggies and bags
And making sure it doesn’t turn into a maintenance nightmare.
In 2025, the choice is better than ever.
But some look great in ads and then fall apart when real family life hits them.
As a mechanic who’s seen what works and what ends up on a flatbed truck
Here’s the real shortlist of the best family-friendly electric SUVs — tested for comfort, crash safety, kid-friendly features and how easy they are to live with.
🏆 1. Kia EV9 – Best 3-Row SUV Without Going Broke
Why Families Love It
You get real three-row seating you can actually use
Loads of boot space
USB-C ports everywhere
And proper family-focused details like a rear occupant alert and 360° cameras.
Range: ~300 miles (RWD) or ~270 (AWD)
Price: from around £45,000 (lower trims expected soon)
👨🔧 From the Workshop
Built on Kia’s reliable E‑GMP platform.
Rear motor’s a bit snug to access but holds up well.
Suspension copes nicely even when packed to the roof with luggage and kids.
🏆 2. Hyundai Ioniq 5 AWD – Best 2-Row Family SUV
Why Families Love It
No third row but it makes up for it with massive rear doors
Comfy reclining back seats
Dual ISOFIX points
And plenty of legroom.
Range: ~260–290 miles
Price: from ~£37,000
👨🔧 From the Workshop
Perfect for city families.
Easy to park and work on.
The 800‑volt charging system is brilliant for cutting down waiting times on long trips.
🏆 3. Tesla Model Y Long Range – Best Tech & Software for Families
Why Families Love It
Roomy and quick
Top crash ratings
And Tesla’s infotainment is so easy even kids can work it.
Netflix in the back seat on road trips? Sorted.
Range: ~320 miles
Price: from ~£38,000
👨🔧 From the Workshop
Simple drive system, rarely breaks.
Heat pump and climate system are efficient.
Only downside — getting parts outside of Tesla can be a pain.
🏆 4. BYD Tang EV – Best Value 7-Seater in Europe
Why Families Love It
This Chinese 7‑seater is packed with kit for the money.
Soft leather seats
Individual rear climate zones
And it feels surprisingly upmarket.
Range: ~265 miles
Price (EU): around £37,000
👨🔧 From the Workshop
Blade battery is one of the safest you can get.
Drives nicely over bumps
Though the third row is more kid‑sized than adult‑friendly.
🏆 5. Ford Mustang Mach‑E Select AWD – Well‑Rounded Family Choice
Why Families Love It
Good ride quality
Top safety scores
Handy frunk for more storage
And Ford’s software keeps improving.
Range: ~250–270 miles
Price: from ~£39,000
👨🔧 From the Workshop
Battery and inverter are solid
But the rear diff on AWD models can get noisy over time — worth listening for.
🏆 6. Volvo EX30 Twin Motor – Best for Smaller Urban Families
Why Families Love It
Compact but clever
Volvo’s unbeatable safety
Premium feel without taking up half the street.
Range: ~260 miles
Price: from ~£36,000
👨🔧 From the Workshop
One of the easiest to service in its class.
Excellent underbody protection for winter roads.
Feels sturdier than you’d expect for the size and price.
📊 Family SUV Comparison Table
| Model | Seats | Range | AWD | Kid‑Friendly Features | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kia EV9 | 6–7 | 270–300 | ✅ | USBs everywhere, proper 3rd row | ~£45K |
| Hyundai Ioniq 5 | 5 | 260–290 | ✅ | Wide doors, dual ISOFIX | ~£37K |
| Tesla Model Y | 5–7 | ~320 | ✅ | Netflix, voice control, OTA updates | ~£38K |
| BYD Tang EV | 7 | ~265 | ✅ | Rear climate zones, leather interior | ~£37K (EU) |
| Ford Mach‑E AWD | 5 | 250–270 | ✅ | Frunk, smooth ride | ~£39K |
| Volvo EX30 | 5 | ~260 | ✅ | Compact, safest in class | ~£36K |
👨🔧 Mechanic’s Top Tips for Picking a Family EV
✅ Check the seats properly — some “7‑seaters” only fit toddlers in the back row.
✅ Go for a heat pump if you live somewhere cold — much more efficient.
✅ Pick a brand with good service near you — especially for newer names like BYD.
✅ Look for OTA updates — future‑proofs the car so it doesn’t feel old after a year.
✅ Test the doors and boot height — kids and prams need easy access.
Final Word From the Garage
If you’re shopping for a family EV
Don’t just stare at the range or the badge
Think about how it’ll feel on a frosty Monday morning with three grumpy kids in the back.
For big families and long road trips → Kia EV9 or BYD Tang
For city life with little ones → Volvo EX30 or Hyundai Ioniq 5
For tech‑obsessed families on the move → Tesla Model Y
Whatever you pick
Make sure it works for your family routine — not just what looks shiny in the showroom.
