The Renault 5 E-Tech is the best electric hatchback, with up to 259 miles of WLTP range from £21,495 in the UK. The MG4 EV Urban is #2 from £23,495 with up to 258 miles, and the Volkswagen ID.3 Neo is #3 with up to 390 miles.
$35,700 for the 2026 Fiat 500e (US MSRP, excludes destination)
US buyers who want a small electric hatchback
Pick by what you want
Best overall
Renault 5 E-Tech
Longest range
Volkswagen ID.3 Neo
Cheapest
Citroën ë-C3
Best to drive
MINI Cooper Electric
Best in the US
2026 Fiat 500e 3-Door Hatchback
The ranking
1
Renault 5 E-Tech
Photo: Alexander Migl / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictRetro looks, long range, low price.
Starting price: From £21,495 on-the-road (UK); qualifies for the full £3,750 Electric Car GrantRange (WLTP): Up to 259 miles with the 52 kWh, 150 hp Comfort Range; 197 miles with the 40 kWh Urban RangeBody style: 5-door hatchback
The Renault 5 E-Tech starts from £21,495 on-the-road in the UK and qualifies for the full £3,750 Electric Car Grant. The 52 kWh, 150 hp Comfort Range goes up to 259 miles WLTP.
Go ifThe best all-round small electric hatchback for the money
Skip ifYou need more than a small city-car footprint
Why #1 over #2: It pairs the lowest price of the long-range cars with 259 miles.
2
MG4 EV Urban
Photo: Captainmorlypogi1959 / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe roomiest cheap hatchback.
Starting price: From £23,495 for the Comfort Standard Range (UK)Range (WLTP): Up to 258 miles from the 53.9 kWh batteryBoot: 479 litres with the rear seats up, plus 98 litres under the floorBody style: MG calls it a hatchback
The MG4 EV Urban starts from £23,495 in the UK and goes up to 258 miles from its 53.9 kWh battery. The boot holds 479 litres plus 98 litres under the floor.
Go ifFamilies who want a roomy hatchback at a low price
Skip ifYou want the fastest-charging or longest-range car
Why #2 over #3: Its 479-litre boot and 258 miles beat the BYD Dolphin on price.
3
Volkswagen ID.3 Neo
Photo: Alexander Migl / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe long-range benchmark.
Starting price: £33,080 for the Neo Life 50 kWh (UK, on-the-road, before the £1,500 grant)Range (WLTP): Up to 390 miles; the Neo spans 258 - 390 miles across three batteriesBattery: 50 kWh, 58 kWh or 79 kWhBody style: 5-door hatchback
The Volkswagen ID.3 Neo starts at £33,080 for the Life 50 kWh and reaches up to 390 miles WLTP with the 79 kWh battery, a range of 258 - 390 miles overall.
Go ifDrivers who want the longest range in a classic hatchback
Skip ifYou want the lowest price
Why #3 over #4: Its 390 miles is the longest here, but it costs more than the MG4.
4
BYD Dolphin
Photo: RL GNZLZ / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictQuick and well equipped.
Starting price: £30,230 for the Comfort trim (UK, BYD configurator)Range (WLTP): Up to 265 milesPerformance: 201 HP and 0-62 mph in 7 sBoot: 345 litres, 1,310 litres with the rear seats folded flatBody style: BYD calls it an electric hatchback
The BYD Dolphin makes 201 HP, does 0-62 mph in 7 s and goes up to 265 miles. The Comfort trim is £30,230 in the UK, and the 345-litre boot grows to 1,310 litres.
Go ifBuyers who want a lively, well-equipped small hatchback
Skip ifYou want a cheaper entry price
Why #4 over #5: Its 201 HP and 265 miles beat the Cupra Born’s base price.
5
Cupra Born
Photo: Alexander-93 / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe sporty long-range option.
Starting price: From £34,495 for the V1 with the Electric Car Grant applied (UK)Range (WLTP): Up to 389 miles for the VZPower: VZ: 326PS with a 79 kWh batteryBody style: Cupra calls it a 100% electric hatchback
The Cupra Born starts from £34,495 with the grant applied in the UK, and the VZ with 326PS and a 79 kWh battery reaches up to 389 miles.
Go ifDrivers who want sporty looks with big range
Skip ifYou are on a tight budget
Why #5 over #6: Its 389 miles beat the MINI’s 250 miles, though it costs more.
6
MINI Cooper Electric
Photo: Alexander-93 / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe most fun to drive.
Starting price: From £26,905 for the Cooper E (UK)Range (WLTP): 179 - 250 miles depending on version; the SE reaches 250 milesBattery: 36.6 - 49.2 kWhBody style: MINI lists it as the MINI Cooper 3-Door Hatchback
The MINI Cooper Electric starts from £26,905 for the Cooper E in the UK. The range is 179 - 250 miles, with the SE reaching 250 miles.
Go ifCity drivers who want the go-kart feel
Skip ifYou need long-distance range from the base model
Why #6 over #7: Its £26,905 start undercuts the Cupra, though its range is shorter.
7
Citroën ë-C3
Photo: Y.Leclercq / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe cheapest way in.
Starting price: From £18,495 on-the-road for the PLUS (UK)Range (WLTP): Up to 202 miles with the 44 kWh battery; 132 miles with the 30 kWh batteryPower: 113 hpBoot: 310 litres under the parcel shelf in the small hatchback segment
The Citroën ë-C3 starts from £18,495 for the PLUS in the UK. The 44 kWh battery gives up to 202 miles, and the 30 kWh gives 132 miles.
Go ifThe lowest entry price on this list
Skip ifYou want motorway-friendly range
Why #7 over #8: Its £18,495 start undercuts the Peugeot’s unpublished price.
8
Peugeot e-208
Photo: Alexander-93 / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictStylish, with a published 268 miles.
Starting price: Not published on Peugeot UK’s model pageRange (WLTP): Up to 268 miles with the 51 kWh, 156 hp version; 226 miles with the 50 kWh, 136 hp versionBoot: 309 litres, up to 1,118 litres with the rear seats foldedBody style: 3/5-door hatchback (Peugeot 208)
The Peugeot e-208 reaches up to 268 miles with the 51 kWh, 156 hp version, or 226 miles with the 50 kWh, 136 hp version. Its boot is 309 litres.
Go ifBuyers who want French style and a proven small hatchback
Skip ifYou need a published price before you shop
Why #8 over #9: Its 268 miles beat the Citroën’s 202 miles.
9
Alpine A290
Photo: Alexander Migl / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe electric hot hatch.
Starting price: €38,700 for the A290 GT in France, including VAT (launch price, orders opened July 30, 2024)Range (WLTP): Up to 380 km (France; not in the miles chart)Power: 180 hp or 220 hp with a 52 kWh batteryBody style: Alpine calls it an electric hot hatch
The Alpine A290 is an electric hot hatch with 180 hp or 220 hp and a 52 kWh battery, rated up to 380 km WLTP. The A290 GT launched at €38,700 in France.
Go ifEnthusiasts who want a hot hatch with a plug
Skip ifYou want a cheap commuter
Why #9 over #10: Its 220 hp performance is a different pitch from the Fiat’s city focus.
Starting price: $35,700 for the 2026 Fiat 500e (US MSRP, excludes destination)Range: City driving range of up to 153 miles (162 miles with summer tires) per FiatCharging: Up to 40 miles in 5 minutes at DC fast charging stationsBody style: Fiat calls it an all-electric compact hatchback
The 2026 Fiat 500e starts at $35,700 in the US with a city range of up to 153 miles, or 162 miles with summer tires. It can add up to 40 miles in 5 minutes at a DC fast charger.
Go ifUS buyers who want a small electric hatchback
Skip ifYou want long range or a low price
How we ranked these
We ranked ten fully electric hatchbacks on starting price, official range and practicality. Markets covered: the UK (prices in £ and range in WLTP miles), France (the Alpine, in €) and the US (the Fiat, in $). Prices are never converted, and the chart compares UK WLTP miles only. Facts are taken from each maker's own published information; check the official site before you buy.
Questions people ask
Which electric hatchback has the longest range?
The Volkswagen ID.3 Neo, at up to 390 miles WLTP in the UK, just ahead of the Cupra Born at up to 389 miles.
What is the cheapest electric hatchback here?
The Citroën ë-C3 PLUS, from £18,495 on-the-road in the UK.
Can you buy an electric hatchback in the US?
Yes. The 2026 Fiat 500e, an all-electric compact hatchback, starts at $35,700 MSRP in the US.
How much does the Renault 5 E-Tech cost?
It starts from £21,495 on-the-road in the UK and qualifies for the full £3,750 Electric Car Grant.
Longest official WLTP range offered (miles, UK market) at a glance
Citroën ë-C3202 miles
MINI Cooper Electric250 miles
MG4 EV Urban258 miles
Renault 5 E-Tech259 miles
BYD Dolphin265 miles
Peugeot e-208268 miles
Cupra Born389 miles
Volkswagen ID.3 Neo390 miles
Longest official WLTP range offered (miles, UK market), as published by each maker. Picks without a published figure are left off.
