Top 5 Electric Vehicles for Families
By Kijiji Autos
As families grow, it becomes more of a challenge to prioritize global responsibilities and keep up with changing times. Thankfully, when it comes to environmentally conscious vehicles, there have been some significant strides to help with evolving needs. Electric vehicles (EVs) are changing roadways by bringing down carbon dioxide output and making drivers feel more comfortable about their environmental footprint. Now more than ever, there are plenty of EVs to suit varying consumer requirements, and that includes battery-powered cars that can carry a full family of five, or even seven.
Below are five choice options from the best electric family vehicle market. Listed in no particular order, these are a few of the brands available for growing families.
The five EV family electric cars and SUVs included for families of five are:
A few other competitors that are worth evaluating but are not included on the list below are the Porsche Taycan, Kia EV6 and Ford Mustang Mach-E.
After exploring the best options to fit your family's needs, check out the extensive listings of vehicles in your area on Kijiji Autos. Now, let’s get into five electric family vehicles worth considering, in no particular order:
1. Audi Q4 e-Tron
German automobile manufacturer Audi has invested heavily in producing electronic and hybrid vehicles. Launching the Audi e-Tron brand in 2009, the company has unveiled many environmentally conscious vehicles to a worldwide market. After years of research and concept vehicles, Audi began releasing electric versions of many of their vehicles starting in 2018. Some of the vehicles available under the Audi e-Tron badge include the Audi Q8, the Audi Q5, and the massively popular Audi Q4.
The Audi Q4 e-Tron was first unveiled in 2021. As the fourth fully electric vehicle produced by the German company, it features the refined trimmings that have been learned throughout years of EV production. Most impressively, Audi claims that the production of the Audi Q4 e-Tron features a “net zero” for carbon emissions. Exclusively “eco-electric” parts are sourced, and any unavoidable emissions are compensated by purchasing carbon offsets.
The Audi Q4 e-Tron is a five-door SUV with a Sportback option available. With a lithium-ion battery of 52-77 kWh, the range of the vehicle is between 341 to 520 km. The vehicle is designed with aerodynamics in mind, boasting a drag coefficient of 0.28 for the standard model and 0.26 for the Sportback version. Other features included in the Audi Q4 e-Tron are a voice command system and an augmented reality head-up display. Meanwhile, cargo space is one of the larger options on this list, with a 520-litre capacity of trunk room and almost 1,500 litres when the back seats are folded.
2. Hyundai Ioniq 5
Hyundai, the Korean automobile manufacturer may be new to the electronic vehicle market, but they have made a splash with their first EV, the Hyundai Ioniq 5. The first car released under Hyundai’s intended Ioniq series, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 was released in 2021. It is also consumers' first look at a car built under the new Hyundai Electric Global Modular Platform intended for use by Hyundai and Kia. As part of the release of the Hyundai Ioniq 5, a driverless version was launched in Las Vegas called the Robotaxi, which operates under the company Lyft.
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is a five-door SUV and features a front trunk with 24 litres of cargo space. The vehicle is loaded with unique features, including Vehicle 2 Load reverse charging, which charges electronic equipment in and outside of the vehicle. Two large 300 mm screens fill the dashboard, one for infotainment purposes and the other for instrument display.
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 also features augmented reality support and digital side mirrors. Meanwhile, the interior is primarily built from recycled materials such as plastic bottles. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 utilizes nickel-cobalt-manganese lithium batteries, earning the car a range of 481 km per charge. Every model has a top speed of 185 km/h.
The EV SUV has become a quick favourite in the market. It received the IDEA Design Award in 2021, the 2022 EV of the Year from Car and Driver and the 2022 World Car of the Year from the World Car Awards. Families are finding the car efficient, effective and safe to drive.
3. BMW i4
Marketed as a four-door coupe, the BMW i4 is better described as a liftback sedan. As such, the vehicle comfortably seats five and is ideal for small families looking for a compact executive car. Originally debuting at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show, the BMW i4 only recently hit markets for the 2022 model year. Much of the delay was due to enhancements at the Munch production plant incorporating 1,000 robots into the production of the BMW i4.
Utilizing a high-pressure lithium-ion battery, the BMW i4 has a range of up to 590 km per charge. Over ownership of an estimated range of 200,000 km, the vehicle is claimed to have a 45 percent lower global warming potential compared to diesel engines.
The BMW i4 boasts many features, including acoustic glazing on the windows and a 10-speaker audio system. Additionally, the vehicle includes 40 driver assistance systems, including:
- Lane-departure warning
- Parking sensors
- Intelligent speed adaptation.
On the interior, families can enjoy ambient colour-changing lighting and third-party applications for music streaming. Meanwhile, drivers are treated to a curved display with a touch interface, a sports steering wheel and three-zone climate control. These features make the BMW i4 a luxurious choice for families ready for an EV.
4. Tesla Model 3
There is a reason that Tesla always seems to be a part of the conversation when discussing the best electric family vehicle. The brand has developed a positive reputation. The Tesla Model 3 is a flagship model for the company and has been the world’s top-selling plug-in electric vehicle for three years consecutively starting in 2018. In fact, the Tesla Model 3 is the best-selling EV in world history, with over 1 million units sold as of June 2021. Marketed as more cost-effective than Tesla’s previous models, the Tesla Model 3 doesn’t have to break the bank either.
One of the only sedans to make this list, the Tesla Model 3 is a four-door sedan that comfortably seats five passengers. For something a little larger, the Tesla Model Y is worth consideration. The Tesla Model Y shares many of the same features as the Tesla Model 3 but, as an SUV, has a larger capacity, and the standard two-row five seats can be upgraded to a three-row seven-seat configuration.
The Tesla Model 3 was selected for this list because of its impressive sales and reputation. Popular Mechanics gave the vehicle its 2018 Car of the Year award due to its impressive engineering. And for those concerned with safety, the Tesla Model 3 earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ in 2019. There are multiple trim options available for the Tesla Model 3. The Standard Range models feature a range of 354 to 422 km. Meanwhile, the Long Range trim levels can reach up to 568 km per charge.
5. Volkswagen ID.4
Launched in 2020, the Volkswagen ID.4 is the second model out of Volkswagen’s ID series. Meanwhile, it is the first fully electric SUV that the German automobile manufacturer has produced. Volkswagen has purposefully created the Volkswagen ID.4 as an affordable mass-market vehicle and has begun producing them in high volume. The car company has stated in advertisements that the Volkswagen ID.4 is a car for “the millions, not the millionaires.” Impressing consumers and critics alike, the Volkswagen ID.4 was selected as the 2021 World Car of the Year, beating out competitors like the Toyota Yaris.
The Volkswagen ID.4 is based on the same principles as the Volkswagen ID.3 sedan. However, the SUV was targeted towards North American markets, where the more spacious body type is more popular. Upon the Volkswagen Id.4’s release in 2020, it was exclusively offered with a single motor and rear-wheel-drive. Later, a dual-motor option hit markets that offer all-wheel drive. Meanwhile, the range of the 55-82 kWh batteries is estimated around 418 km.
Some of the features included in the Volkswagen ID.4 include a light strip below the windscreen displaying visual cues for drives and an optional augmented reality head-up display. For Canadian winters, Volkswagen ID.4s can be fitted with an additional heat pump that the company claims will heat up the cabin two to three times faster than the standard resistance heaters.
Curious about charging times? We compared the top 10 electric cars in the market to find out how long it takes to charge an electric car.
There are lots of great options for the best electric cars for your family. Thankfully, finding new and used EVs in your area has never been easier when you take advantage of the extensive catalogue of vehicles and easy-to-use search tools available on Kijiji Autos.
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