In this special end-of-year episode, Matt and George look back at what’s been a genuinely strong year for new electric cars, with more variety than ever — from sub-£20k city cars to £200k grand tourers, plus a clear shift towards hot hatches, sensible family EVs, and more capable 4x4s.
They agree that 2025 marked a real turning point for the “affordable EV” story: the best new cars no longer feel cheap because they’re compromised — they’re simply well engineered, well packaged, and increasingly easy to live with.
Matt’s overall EV of the year is the Renault 5, praised as the complete package: stylish, practical enough, properly affordable, and crucially, a car that appeals both to nostalgic older buyers and younger drivers who just think it looks brilliant.
George’s top pick is the Skoda Elroq vRS, which he calls the perfect “grown-up fast EV” — quick, comfortable, composed, and usable without feeling like a try-hard performance car. It nails that Skoda vRS sweet spot: spice without aggression.
Matt also admits the updated Tesla Model Y deserves its place on the list, describing it as Tesla’s most complete car yet — better built, more refined, and finally feeling as solid as rivals. He still can’t stand the stripped-back interior, but says the drivetrain, charging ecosystem and real-world range are simply hard to argue with.
A big talking point is how much strong EV progress came from brands people don’t always associate with electric excellence. The Citroën ë-C3 gets major praise for being shockingly comfortable, simple to use, and outstanding value — especially once the EV grant pushes it under £20k.
They also celebrate Nissan’s return to relevance with the new Leaf, which blends usability and normality with much more modern range and efficiency — helping bring Nissan “back into the EV game”. The Micra also makes the cut, even if it’s “basically a Renault 5” underneath — because borrowing from the best is no bad thing, and it gives Nissan loyalists a strong, familiar route into EVs.
On the performance side, George rates the Alfa Romeo Junior Veloce as one of the year’s best drives — flawed, not especially efficient, but properly engaging and proof that Stellantis can build genuinely fun EVs. Kia’s EV4 also earns its place as the “electric Golf-shaped” car many buyers actually want: spacious, sensible, easy, and quietly brilliant.
And for something totally different, Matt highlights the Munro M280, a niche but hugely impressive Scottish-built off-road EV designed to be a rugged work tool for forestry, utilities and remote industrial use — a reminder that electrification isn’t just about family SUVs and hot hatches.
Across the list, the theme is clear: EVs are becoming easier, cheaper and more varied, without sacrificing range or quality. Whether you want something fun, sensible, luxurious or purely functional, 2025 proved the EV market is finally broad enough to feel… normal.
Jan 23 202637 min