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Electric SUV: which used models to choose for space, range and charging

Which used electric SUV should you buy? Škoda Enyaq, VW ID.4, Tesla Model Y, Kia EV6 and more, compared on boot space, range, charging and battery health.

November 5, 2026

Electric SUV: which used models to choose for space, range and charging

Key takeaways

For a family with a pushchair and luggage, the Škoda Enyaq with its 585-litre boot (60, 85 and 85x versions after the January 2025 facelift), the Volkswagen ID.4 Pro with a 77 kWh battery or the Tesla Model Y with access to Tesla's charging network will do the job.
If you don't need a large SUV, the second-generation Hyundai Kona Electric (65.4 kWh battery, 410 km of range in the ADAC Ecotest) or the second-generation Kia Niro EV with its 475-litre boot will be enough.
For frequent motorway trips, the Kia EV6 77.4 kWh RWD, which covered 470 km in the ADAC test, and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 77.4 kWh UNIQ 4WD, which charged from 10 to 80% in 19 minutes in the ADAC test, are good choices.
According to Geotab's analysis, electric car batteries lose an average of 2.3% of their capacity a year. For some electric cars on Carvago, the battery health (SOH) or a battery certificate is shown directly in the listing.

An electric SUV combines a higher seating position and easy access with quiet electric drive. Under the same label, however, you will find compact crossovers the size of the Hyundai Kona as well as spacious family cars such as the Škoda Enyaq. Between them there is a big difference in boot space, consumption and comfort on a long journey. A taller body also has more aerodynamic drag, so such a car uses more energy on the motorway than a lower compact electric car. With a used car, it therefore pays to choose the size to suit how you drive first, and only then the battery and charging.

Which electric SUV to choose for the way you drive?

For town and commuting: Hyundai Kona Electric and Kia Niro EV

If you mostly carry the shopping, take the children to school or commute to work, a large SUV will mainly bring you parking headaches. The second-generation Hyundai Kona Electric is roomier than the first, but it is still a compact car. With its 65.4 kWh battery it covered 410 km in the ADAC Ecotest, so it doesn't have to serve only as a second car in the household.

The second-generation Kia Niro EV offers a body that is easy to see out of and a cleverly usable interior. According to the manufacturer, its base boot capacity is 475 litres. For everyday family use, that is often a more sensible size than a large SUV whose space you only use on holiday.

With both models, keep an eye on the generation. The first- and second-generation Kona Electric are cars of different sizes, and the second-generation Kia Niro EV is a different car from the older Kia e-Niro.

For families and big luggage: Škoda Enyaq, Volkswagen ID.4 and Tesla Model Y

The Škoda Enyaq and the Volkswagen ID.4 make sense where child seats, a pushchair and luggage regularly have to share the car. Both have an airy cabin and a family-oriented layout. According to the manufacturer, the Škoda Enyaq in the 60, 85 and 85x versions after the January 2025 facelift has a base boot capacity of 585 litres.

The Volkswagen ID.4 Pro as offered in 2024 has a battery with 77 kWh of usable capacity and suits the role of main family car, including for longer journeys. The ID.4 name, however, covers cars with different batteries, so range and charging vary between versions.

The Tesla Model Y is one of the most sought-after used electric cars. Its appeal lies in a spacious cabin, an efficient drivetrain, navigation that plans charging stops by itself, access to Tesla's charging network and over-the-air software updates. It suits families who travel often and don't want to worry about where to charge along the way.

For frequent long journeys: Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6

For a motorway car, it pays to look at both range and the length of the charging stop. The Kia EV6 77.4 kWh RWD covered 470 km in the ADAC test. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 77.4 kWh UNIQ 4WD charged from 10 to 80% in 19 minutes in an ADAC comparison test.

Both cars share the same technology but differ in shape. The Kia EV6 has a lower, sportier rear end, while the Hyundai Ioniq 5 is boxier and feels airier inside. If you carry bulky luggage, you will lean towards the Ioniq 5; if you want a more dynamic car, you will choose the EV6.

A higher seating position without a big SUV: Renault Mégane E-Tech Electric

The Renault Mégane E-Tech Electric is a lower crossover for singles, couples and smaller families who don't want to drive something the size of a large SUV. It offers less space than family SUVs, but it is easier to park and manoeuvres around town like a compact hatchback. In ADAC's long-term test, it retained 93.2% of its original battery capacity after 100,000 km.

Used electric SUVs at a glance: battery, boot and use

Model and version	Battery	Boot	ADAC test result	Who it suits
Kia Niro EV, 2nd generation	–	475 l	–	Families for whom compact dimensions are enough
Kia EV6 77.4 kWh RWD	77.4 kWh	–	470 km range	Drivers who often use the motorway
Škoda Enyaq 60, 85 and 85x, facelift from January 2025	depends on version	585 l	–	Families with a pushchair and large luggage
Volkswagen ID.4 Pro, as offered in 2024	77 kWh usable	–	–	Main family car for short and long journeys
Tesla Model Y	depends on version	–	–	Families who travel often and want simple charge planning
Renault Mégane E-Tech Electric	–	–	93.2% battery capacity after 100,000 km	Couples or smaller families who don't need a large body

The Hyundai Kona Electric and Hyundai Ioniq 5 are close technical relatives of the Kia models; their figures are given in the text above.

Electric SUV or compact electric car?

An electric SUV is worth it if you will make use of the easy access (child seats, older passengers), the higher seating position and the larger boot. If you don't need these advantages, a lower compact electric car gives you less aerodynamic drag, and therefore lower consumption on the motorway, as well as easier parking.

A typical alternative is the Tesla Model 3. The base version from 2022–2023 has 62 kWh of usable battery capacity and, in ADAC Pannenstatistik 2026, recorded 0.7 breakdowns per 1,000 cars among three-year-old vehicles. Another compact option is the Volkswagen ID.3, and the Renault Mégane E-Tech Electric mentioned above is also a lower alternative to an SUV. A selection across all classes can be found in the article on the best electric car.

How much space do you need?

Boot volume is a good first filter, but it tells you nothing about the shape. A deep load area with a high sill is less convenient for a heavy pushchair than a regular boot with a low sill. A sloping tailgate, on the other hand, limits tall items, even if ordinary bags fit without trouble.

In family use, three things matter besides the litres:

Space in front of the child seat: a rear-facing child seat can limit how far the front seat moves back.
Rear floor height: the battery under the cabin raises the floor, so taller passengers lack thigh support.
Space under the boot floor: a separate compartment for the charging cables comes in handy when the boot is full.

For a family car, one test is worth doing: put in your own child seats and the biggest load you usually carry. The shape of the cabin often matters more here than the difference in catalogue litres.

How to read the range and consumption of an electric SUV

A taller, wider body has more aerodynamic drag. In town the difference compared with a lower car is small; on the motorway it shows clearly. Large wheels, a roof box and a trailer push consumption up further.

Ranges from ADAC tests, namely 410 km for the Hyundai Kona Electric with its 65.4 kWh battery and 470 km for the Kia EV6 77.4 kWh RWD, are useful for comparing versions with one another. At a steady motorway speed, expect a shorter distance, and on a used car also allow for capacity loss depending on the age and condition of the battery.

You don't need the biggest battery for everyday commuting. More capacity pays off if you often drive long distances, want freedom in choosing your stops or have nowhere to charge at your destination. Otherwise you are paying for a buffer that you carry around unused most of the time.

How range changes in winter is covered in the article on electric car range in winter.

Charging: why the length of the stop matters more than peak power

Peak charging power only describes the start of the stop. The car holds it briefly, and the power drops as the battery fills up. For travelling, the time it takes to add energy across the commonly used range is therefore more telling.

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 77.4 kWh UNIQ 4WD result, 10 to 80% in 19 minutes, shows why fast charging on a long journey makes up for part of the difference in range. The condition is a sufficiently powerful rapid charger and a battery preconditioned for charging. A cold battery or charging a car that is almost full will lengthen the stop.

During production, many models saw changes to their batteries, charging power and battery preconditioning before a stop. On a used car, therefore, look for the exact version, not just the model name.

Electric SUV with a trailer

The towbar must match what you want to carry. Approval for a bike carrier does not mean the car is permitted to tow a trailer. For a caravan or a work trailer, choose only versions with a sufficient permitted towing weight; with a bike carrier, also check the nose weight, the maximum vertical load on the tow ball.

A trailer increases consumption, most of all when it has a large frontal area. At many charging points you also have to unhitch it because of the layout of the bays. For frequent towing, a combination of a big battery, fast charging and stops that are easy to plan is therefore best.

All-wheel drive, as on the Hyundai Ioniq 5 77.4 kWh UNIQ 4WD, helps with traction when towing and in winter; its pros and cons are covered in the article on the electric 4x4.

What to watch out for with a used electric SUV

The same name can hide a different car

With the Hyundai Kona Electric and Kia Niro EV, the generation matters; with other models, the battery version and facelift. Don't apply the figures for a newer version to an older used car just because of a photo or the sales name. More detail on the individual models can be found in the reviews of the Škoda Enyaq iV, Volkswagen ID.4, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6 and Tesla Model Y, while pairs of models are compared in, for example, Škoda Enyaq iV vs Volkswagen ID.4 and Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs Kia EV6. A selection across all classes is offered in the article on the best electric car.

A big battery won't fix slow stops

On long journeys, the combination of capacity with efficiency and fast charging matters more than the number of kWh alone. For short commutes, on the other hand, fast motorway charging won't offset the drawbacks of a bigger, more expensive car.

Neither mileage nor age reveals battery health

According to Geotab's analysis, electric car batteries lose an average of 2.3% of their capacity a year, but individual cars deviate from the average depending on design and how they have been treated. The Volkswagen ID.3 Pro S from ADAC's long-term test had a battery state of health (SOH, the remaining capacity compared with a new battery) of 89% after more than 220,000 km. The car's technical condition is covered by a CarAudit™ inspection, and a measured battery health (SOH) shows the battery's condition.

Higher weight puts more strain on suspension and tyres

Because of its battery, an electric SUV weighs more than a comparable combustion-engined car, and instant torque wears the tyres faster. On a used car, the tyres, brakes and suspension therefore deserve the same attention as the battery. Large wheels also reduce comfort and increase consumption. For a family car, a moderate wheel size is usually more sensible than the most striking look.

Carvago: electric SUVs from all over Europe with an inspection and battery test

Finding an electric SUV with the right combination of battery, boot and towbar is easier in a large selection. Carvago has the widest selection of used electric cars: tens of thousands of cars from dealers in several European countries. The range shown varies from country to country.

Every car is inspected by a technician before sale as part of the CarAudit™ check with up to 270 checkpoints, and the customer sees the result before deciding to buy. Carvago guarantees the condition of the car as stated in the CarAudit™ certificate. For some electric cars, the battery health (SOH) or a battery certificate is also shown directly in the listing.

Before the sale, Carvago buys the car from the original seller, becomes its owner and takes on its risks. The customer therefore buys directly from Carvago, even if the car comes from a dealer in another country. Once the purchase is approved, Carvago takes care of registering the car in the customer's country, including the paperwork, under power of attorney, and delivers the car to the door. The customer can drive off as soon as they take delivery.

FAQ

Can a towbar be fitted to an electric SUV later?

Only if the manufacturer allows for one on that particular version and specifies a permitted towing weight for it. The fact that a towbar can physically be fitted is not enough to make towing a trailer legal.

Is a roof box suitable for an electric SUV?

Yes, provided the permitted roof load and the roof bars can take it. Heavy items belong in the boot, and only lighter bulky luggage in the roof box. With a taller SUV and a roof box, also keep in mind height restrictions at garages and multi-storey car parks.

Does the remaining battery warranty matter on a used car?

Yes. Manufacturers give the traction battery a longer warranty than the rest of the car, limited by both years and kilometres. The warranty covers a defect or an excessive loss of capacity, but it says nothing about the battery's current condition.

Electric SUV or hybrid SUV?

An electric SUV makes sense if you charge at home or at work and most of your journeys fit within its range. If you have nowhere to charge regularly, you will find a comparison in the article Electric or hybrid?