Despite more competition than ever, Tesla’s electric cars remain at the top of their respective segments.

It was the mid-size Model 3 saloon that really saw this American EV brand’s sales grow, and with prices for used examples becoming more affordable, it represents great value.

The Model 3 is packed full of technology and eclipses almost any EV of this price for both range and performance. You also get access to Tesla’s fantastic ‘Supercharger’ network of EV chargers, which are dotted across the country. Tesla is the only firm to have its own chargers.

BMW was one of the early pioneers when it came to usable, attractive and attainable electric cars, and introduced the i3 in 2013. Available as an EV or a hybrid range-extender, which features a small petrol engine, the latter was later discontinued as buyers realised the benefits of going fully electric.

Production of the i3 ended in 2022 but it still continues to look modern and futuristic, even a decade after it was first introduced. Its light and airy interior, filled with sustainably-sourced materials, wouldn’t look out of place on a new EV launched today.

Look out for a model from 2018 onwards, though, as this brings a much larger battery that allows a claimed range of 186 miles.

Jaguar’s first and only electric car, the I-PACE arrived in 2018 and proved to be an impressively capable model. Arriving ahead of rivals from Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz, the I-PACE features a stylish look inside and out, though the cabin is starting to look a bit dated compared to its rivals.

The I-PACE boasts an electric range of up to 292 miles, while its powerful dual motor powertrain allows for a 0 to 62mph sprint time of just 4.5 seconds.

While a new I-PACE has a starting price of around £70,000, used examples can be had for much less, allowing you to experience a Jaguar for a fraction of this price.

Volkswagen’s Golf is known as being the ‘car for the people’, and that’s what the German firm managed to carry through to the EV world with its all-electric variant, the e-Golf.

Looking almost identical to the standard seventh-generation Golf hatchback inside and out, albeit with subtle differentiation, it’s ideal for those wanting an unintimidating EV that is easy to ‘learn’.

First introduced in 2014, the later 2018 (and onwards) models are the best to go for as they get a larger battery and longer range – Volkswagen claims 144 miles to a charge.

The Nissan LEAF was the first true mass-market EV, and was the most popular electric car across the UK for several years.

First introduced in 2011, a second-generation model followed in 2018, with both being manufactured at Nissan’s large Sunderland factory. The best value will be found within second-generation models (2018 onwards) thanks to better tech and more modern looks, but first-generation examples are well worth considering if you’re working on a tighter budget.

Early LEAFs get a small battery with a real-world range of around 70 miles, but the latest models are capable of 200-plus miles from a charge.

Kia has become one of the most well-respected electric car manufacturers, and a key part of this came from the introduction of the e-Niro in 2019.

Thanks to a good-sized 64kWh battery, Kia claims a range of up to 282 miles, and unlike some other EVs, the e-Niro’s range is trustworthy and quite easily achievable in careful driving. This Kia is practical and represents good value for money, with the majority of used examples benefitting from the remainder of Kia’s 7-year warranty when new.

The e-Niro can also be bought as a hybrid or plug-in hybrid if you want something more familiar.

MG has really earned itself a reputation for its value-packed electric cars, and these have helped this brand to go from strength to strength. It now sells more cars a year than the likes of Peugeot and Skoda.

It was the ZS EV that helped to kick off its electric car success. Launched in 2019, it was the first truly affordable and usable electric SUV, making it one of the best electric cars for families.

The ZS EV was updated in late 2021, adopting larger batteries that allowed for a claimed range of up to 273 miles.

SEAT’s first and only EV was an electric version of the brand’s popular Mii city car.

The Mii’s small size makes it a fantastic city car, as it’s very easy to drive and park with sensors and a reversing camera coming as standard. It’s also surprisingly practical, while a 160-mile range is very respectable for a car of this size.

You may also want to consider the Skoda CITIGOe IV and Volkswagen e-up!, as they feature very similar approaches, yet slightly different styling.

The Hyundai Kona Electric was a milestone EV, being the first model to break through the 300-mile range barrier, while still being sold at an affordable price.

First introduced in 2018, there was limited availability in the first couple of years, so most examples you’ll see will be 2020 or newer.

The Kona is a funky crossover that offers a decent amount of interior space, while standard equipment levels are generous as well.

A signal that electric cars are entering the mainstream is when a mass-market nameplate like the Vauxhall Corsa becomes available as an EV. That’s what happened in 2020 with the introduction of the Corsa-e.

Bringing a claimed range of 222 miles and no compromise on practicality compared to a petrol Corsa, it’s a very attractive EV that makes a lot of sense on the used market.

New, the cheapest Corsa-e you can get is £32,000, but examples on the used market can be had for much less and prove to be a great entry-level option in the EV segment.