The Best Used Electric 4×4 Cars

Volvo’s XC40 has been instrumental in the growth of this Swedish car firm, with this compact SUV going down a treat with buyers, as well as opening Volvo up to a new audience. While launching in 2017 with conventional engines, it was in 2021 when the line-up expanded to include an electric version.

There’s a choice of a single-motor, front-wheel-drive car or the model we’re focusing on here, which gets twin motors allowing for all-wheel-drive. Packing more than 400bhp, this unassuming Volvo is remarkably quick off the line, yet still manages to offer the comfort and refinement levels that this firm’s cars are renowned for.

While it might be relatively compact, the XC40’s interior is very practical, with a big boot and plenty of rear-seat space making it ideal for families.

Audi may have kicked things off with its original e-tron large electric SUV, but it furthered its presence in the market considerably with the arrival of the Q4 e-tron. A smaller SUV than the range-topping e-tron, the Q4 is based on the same clever platform that you’ll find underneath other Volkswagen Group cars like the VW ID.3 and Skoda’s Enyaq.

However, as you’d expect from an Audi, you’re getting a more polished finish with plenty of good materials and a quirky squared-off steering wheel in some models which gives it a particularly futuristic look and feel. Audi claims a range of up to 342 miles on big-battery versions, so you should be able to conduct those longer trips without having to worry about charging. However, when the time comes, you could conduct a 10 to 80 per cent charge in around 28 minutes when you’re connected to a suitably rapid charger.

While Jaguar is transitioning to become an all-electric brand by 2025, still its first and only model is the I-PACE. Introduced in 2018, it was one of the first electric 4x4s and continues to be an impressive choice, especially used as there are some terrific deals to be had.

Every I-PACE features a four-wheel-drive system, which is called the ‘EV400’. It uses twin electric motors to produce a significant 395bhp, allowing for a 0 to 60mph time of just 4.5 seconds. A claimed range of up to 292 miles also remains competitive, even next to far newer electric SUVs.

With a high-quality interior, enjoyable driving experience and sleek styling, there are plenty of reasons to consider this Jaguar.

The BMW iX3 is the ideal electric SUV for drivers that don’t want to make a fuss about being behind the wheel of an EV. Against a standard X3 it is near-identical, with only a few small badges separating the two. The good news is that to drive, this battery-powered X3 is much the same as its petrol and diesel-powered cousins. There’s good steering to enjoy and even through quicker bends the iX3 controls its body roll well.

BMW claims a range of up to 283 miles from newer iX3 models, too, meaning that there’s plenty enough in the ‘tank’ for most occasions. Inside, the iX3 is well finished and while its 510-litre boot may suffer a 40-litre penalty over petrol and diesel-powered equivalents, it’s still a very usable space with a low load lip and a wide entry point.

BMW’s flagship electric SUV, the iX, certainly attracted plenty of attention when it launched, not least because of its controversial design. But behind that questionable front-end styling is a seriously impressive EV.

The iX is packed full of technology and is available with all manner of options to help it feel more special. These include quilted leather, crystal-like buttons and modern touchscreens that really lift this BMW’s interior. It really is one of the best around.

All iX models also come with four-wheel-drive, with the flagship M60 version producing a monstrous 611bhp, allowing for 0 to 60mph in as little as 3.6 seconds. With an exceptional range of up to 382 miles, this is a cracking electric 4×4 SUV. Unsurprisingly, values have held up far better than other rivals.

Kia has very recently added to its ever-expanding range of electric vehicles with its largest model yet – the EV9. It’s a large seven-seater electric vehicle packed with tech and – importantly for this list – can be made available with all-wheel drive through a dual-motor setup. 

You’re looking at a range of around 313 miles for these more powerful versions – below the 349 miles you’ll get from single-motor variants which are lighter – and it’ll manage the 0-60mph sprint in around five seconds, which is remarkable for a car weighing close to three tonnes. Inside, the EV9 is well-appointed with plenty of good technology and, because of its large, roomy cabin and seven-seater configuration, is a great choice for larger families looking for an EV.

You might regard Porsche for its petrol sports cars, but in more recent years, it’s built up a specialism in electrified models. Starting with hybrid versions of cars like the Cayenne and Panamera, it launched its first EV in 2020 with the Taycan.

It’s gone on to become one of Porsche’s most popular cars, and is considered as the best-driving electric car yet. Packing a stunning interior filled with the latest technology and high-end materials, it is a great premium electric 4×4.

Available as a saloon, estate (Sport Turismo) and rugged (Cross Turismo) version, the majority of models come equipped with four-wheel-drive. With a whole suite of versions, including extreme ‘Turbo’ models, and a range of up to 300 miles, it’s well worth considering.

It was the Model S that was the car to get Tesla noticed, with this practical large hatchback being an ideal choice for showing just how usable EVs could be. At launch, all versions boasted a range of more than 200 miles (the most of any electric car at the time), with the latest versions being able to achieve double this on a single charge.

Renowned for its performance, the Model S is dominated by its large central touchscreen that handles the majority of this EV’s key functions. You can also easily access Tesla’s dedicated network of Superchargers, which are widely considered some of the most reliable and quickest around.

The majority of used Model S examples will use all-wheel-drive, but the firm did sell rear-wheel-drive models, too. The easiest way to make sure you’re buying a 4×4 version is because it will have a ‘D’ at the end of its model name – such as P85D.

BMW now has one of the most extensive line-ups of electric cars around, and if you’re looking for a ‘4×4’ that’s not really a 4×4 to look at, you should take a look at the i4. A rival for the popular Tesla Model 3, it arrived in 2021 as the all-electric equivalent to the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe.

This is a coupe-styled hatchback that is surprisingly practical while retaining BMW’s fantastic reputation for being great to drive.

If you want all-wheel-drive, it’s only the top-spec M50 version to choose from. This is developed by BMW’s ‘M’ division and uses a twin-motor electric powertrain that develops a huge 536bhp. This enables the i4 to reach 60mph in just 3.6 seconds.

Kia has established itself as a key player in the electric car world, with the EV6 being its first specific battery-electric model. Built around a new platform, it allows the firm to be more flexible when it comes to its design and interior packaging – both of which are apparent when you see the EV6’s futuristic design for yourself.

Helping to move Kia upmarket, the EV6 features a high-quality and practical interior that can take the fight to more premium rivals on paper.

The other great thing about the EV6 is how quickly it can charge, as thanks to an 800-volt architecture, its battery can be rapid charged in as little as 18 minutes. You can choose between rear- or all-wheel-drive, but it’s the latter you’ll want if after a ‘4×4’.