Best electric city cars
Choosing an electric car, just like any other car, depends on what you need it for. If this is a way to show off and try something new, we suggest choosing green energy sports cars. We have recently reviewed such cars as the Mercedes EQS, Audi e-tron GT, and other expensive, prestigious and trendy electric sedans and liftbacks. Compact cars or small hatchbacks, which are most often electric, are much better suited for everyday city driving. If you need a family car, you should choose an electric SUV. Here you may find the best electric city cars and it’s up to you to choose the best out of them. Do not forget to leave your vote below.
Peugeot e-208. Compact car for all occasions of city life
The French-style urban hatchback was introduced in 2019. It shares the platform with its internal combustion engine counterparts. The powertrain generates 136 hp and a torque of 260 Nm. The traction battery has a capacity of 50 kW/h. The car can operate in three modes: Standard, Eco and Sport, in which the compact car accelerates to 50 km/h in 2.8 seconds, and to 100 km/h in 8.3 seconds. The maximum speed is 150 km/h. The driving range (WLTP cycle) is 340 km. It will take you 16 hours to charge the city hatchback from a household outlet and an hour to charge it from a 100-kilowatt station. The Peugeot e-208 is available in Israel.
- The Peugeot e-208 is available in Israel
- The driving range: 340 km
Nissan Leaf. One of the most long-lived and most popular electric cars
A long-liver of the mass electric car market was introduced in 2009. In 2017, the mid-size hatchback was radically redesigned, acquiring more spacious trunk, silent interior and enough room for 4 people (wheelbase: 2,700 mm). The electric motor produces 150 hp and a torque of 326 Nm. The maximum speed reaches 144 km/h, while the acceleration to 100 km/h occurs in 7.9 seconds. The driving range with a 40 kWh battery is 270 km. It will take you 2 hours to fully charge such a car at a station, whereas charging at a fast spot will take about an hour or 7.5 hours if you choose to charge your car at home. The battery can work in the opposite direction, that is, supply electricity, for example, to your house in case of power loss. The list of equipment includes the ProPilot system, which keeps the car in the lane, helping it to maintain a distance and keep up with the other vehicles. The e-Pedal system allows you to drive only with the gas pedal: the speed of the car depends on the force of pressing, that is, if you need to slow down, it is enough to apply 10 percent of the effort on it. The Nissan Leaf is available in Israel.
- The Nissan Leaf is available in Israel
- The driving range: 270 km
Renault Zoe. Modern city compact car, one of the top electric cars in Europe
Here is another modern urban hatchback, made according to the corporate style of the brand. It has two powertrain versions. The R135 has the following characteristics: 135 hp, 245 Nm, maximum speed - 140 km/h, acceleration to 100 km/h - 9.5 seconds. The R109 version can offer: 109 hp, 229 Nm, maximum speed - 135 km/h, acceleration - 11.4 seconds, driving range with a 41 kW/h battery - 306 km. The latter is sold in Israel. There is a braking energy recovery mode with which you can drive on one pedal. The car features LED optics and interior lighting as standard, as well as seat upholstery made from recycled materials. The list of equipment includes emergency brake assist, parking assist, lane keeping assist, and traffic sign recognition that can warn you of speed limits.
- The Renault Zoe hatchback is available in Israel
- The driving range: 306 km
Volkswagen ID.3. Leader of the European electric car market
The most popular all-electric hatchback in Europe is not officially available in Israel. The car successfully combines the repressed style with bright ‘electric’ colors. In terms of dimensions, it is close to the Volkswagen Golf, but the wheelbase of 2,770 mm is almost the same as that of the Volkswagen Passat business sedan. The trunk volume is 380 liters. The interior is ultra-high-tech, featuring either virtual or touch-sensitive buttons. The electric motor generates 204 hp and 310 Nm of torque. The maximum speed is 160 km/h. There are three battery versions: 45, 58 or 77 kW/h. The driving range can be 330, 420 or 458 km (WLTP cycle). The list of options includes matrix headlights, adaptive cruise control, head-up display, panoramic roof, anatomical seats and 20-inch wheels.
- The car is not officially available in Israel
- The driving range: 458 km
Hyundai Kona EV. Compact SUV with a great driving range
This is an electric compact SUV with a roomy rear row. Israeli buyers can purchase the model after the 2021 restyling with a powertrain capacity of 136 hp and 402 Nm. The battery capacity is 39.2 kWh. The declared driving range is 305 km (WLTP cycle). The SUV accelerates to 100 km/h in 9.9 seconds. The maximum speed is 155 km/h. There is also another more powerful option offering 204 hp, but it is not in Israel. The Kona managed to beat the driving range record several times. Three cars with a 204 hp motor drove just over 1,000 kilometers each at a speed of 30 km/h. This mode is designed partly to achieve maximum results, but in reality it coincides with the average speed in European cities.
- The Hyundai Kona EV SUV is available in Israel
- The driving range: 305 km
Kia Soul EV won the World Car of the Year
Just like its ICE counterpart, the Kia Soul electric hatchback has become a bestseller. The second generation of the year 2020 is already on the market. Unfortunately, it is not available in Israel. The electric car is powered by a new electric motor with 204 hp and 395 Nm of torque instead of 110 hp and 285 Nm provided by the previous model. And the previous 30 kWh battery has been replaced by a new 64 kWh battery, which provides a driving range of up to 452 km. This hatchback accelerates in 7.9 seconds, developing the maximum speed of 167 km/h. It will take you about an hour to charge it at the fast charging station. The trunk volume can be 315 liters or 1339 with the rear seats folded down. The car is perfect for five people.
- The car is not officially available in Israel
- The driving range: 452 km
BMW i3 got the highest scores in European eco-friendly car rating
The compact German hatchback comes to Israel with a motor producing 170 hp and 250 Nm, coupled with a 42.2 kW/h battery. The driving range is 335 km. The rear-wheel drive hatchback accelerates to the first 100 km/h in 7.3 seconds, while the maximum speed is 150 km/h. The list of its equipment includes, among other things, rear view camera, front and rear parking sensors, automatic parking system, adaptive cruise control, driving mode selection and collision avoidance systems, navigation, multimedia control via smartphone, tinted windows, heated front seats, 2-zone climate control, multifunction steering wheel, LED headlights and adaptive lighting system.
- The BMW i3 hatchback is available in Israel
- The driving range: 335 km
BMW iX3. Modern and stylish SUV
The SUV from Bavaria is similar to the X3 with an internal combustion engine, but can be distinguished by certain features typical for electric vehicles: pseudo-radiator grille plugs, bright colors and different bumpers. It is equipped with a 286 hp electric motor with the maximum torque of 400 Nm. Acceleration to 100 km/h occurs in 6.8 seconds, while the maximum speed reaches 180 km/h. The vehicle is exclusively rear-wheel drive. The battery capacity is 80 kW/h, providing a driving range of 454 km (WLTP cycle). The trunk volume can be 510 liters or 1,560 liters with the second row seats folded down. The entry-level version comes with adaptive suspension, virtual cockpit, LED optics, 3-zone climate control, panoramic roof, electric tailgate and various safety systems. Israeli buyers can currently purchase the first generation iX3, as the restyled 2021 model has not yet arrived.
- The BMW iX3 SUV is available in Israel
- The driving range: 454 km
Mercedes EQC. Four-wheel drive luxury SUV
The electric SUV provides responsive steering and travelling comfort. The interior sound insulation is perfect, while the gear selector plays the role of the vehicle’s control board, and the multimedia is artificial intelligence-enabled. The trunk is 500 liters. The electric motor unit includes two motor with a total power of 408 hp and a torque of 760 Nm (this is much more than can be provided by “classic supercars” with internal combustion engines). The maximum speed is limited to 180 km/h. The SUV accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.1 seconds. The 80 kWh battery is manufactured by Daimler which guarantees quality, while most manufacturers use accumulators from other producers. It will take you 11 hours to fully charge this vehicle, while the 150 kW charging takes one hour. The driving range reaches 412 km. The SUV is available in Israel.
- The Mercedes EQC SUV is available in Israel
- The driving range: 412 km
Audi e-tron. SUV with a spectacular design and dimensions of the Audi Q8
The electric SUV has a handy 660-liter trunk and air suspension, which raises it to a height of 213 mm if you need to handle moderate off-road terrain. The electric power unit with 360 hp can generate up to 408 hp if the increased capacity mode is activated. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h occurs in 5.7 seconds, while the maximum speed reaches 200 km/h. The battery capacity is 95 kWh. The 150 kW charger can recharge your battery in less than an hour. The driving range is 379 km. Israeli buyers can purchase this very version, dubbed the Audi e-tron 55 e Quattro. However there is another simpler version.
- The Audi e-tron SUV is available in Israel
- The driving range: 379 km
Jaguar I-Pace. Best Green Car and Best Mid-Size SUV of the Year 2019
The mid-size all-wheel drive luxury SUV is powered by two permanent magnet synchronous motors, similar in design to the power plants installed on the Formula E cars. Battery capacity is 90 kWh. It is supplied to Israel with a motor unit with a total capacity of 400 hp and a torque of 696 Nm. Acceleration to 100 km/h occurs in 4.8 seconds, while the maximum speed is 200 km/h. The driving range is 470 km. The spacious leather interior is suitable for 5 people. The vehicle offers 27 liters of luggage space in the front trunk and 1,453 liters with the rear seats folded down. Apart from responsive handling and characteristic style, the SUV is distinguished by a touch-sensitive premium interior, a fine air purification system with ionization, a 12.3-inch dashboard screen with a projection screen and three-dimensional navigation, a surround sound system with 16 speakers and a subwoofer.
- The Jaguar I-Pace SUV is available in Israel
- The driving range: 470 km
