Guest post by Alan Seymour
Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming more family-friendly, with many models on the market now offering increased space and practicality. Whether you’re looking for an EV for an established family or are looking to upgrade to a roomier eco-friendly vehicle for expanding needs, there are options to fit households of all sizes.
If you’re on the lookout for a suitable EV for your daily driving as a parent, we’ve put together this handy guide to help narrow down your search. Read on to discover a cross-section of EVs to match family-centric needs.
Best All-Round EVs for Families
Before we jump into the list of best all-round EVs for families, let’s look at what aspects make up a well-rounded choice. A large interior space and a strong safety record are some of the benefits sought after by family-oriented consumers. This is as well as various style, mechanical, and technical preferences.
Naturally, cost comes into the equation. Thankfully, the growing variety of secondhand EVs in Australia as well as evolving financial infrastructure like EV car loans all aid in making electric vehicle cruising more accessible to families without forcing them to sacrifice on modern safety features.
For the purposes of this list, however, we’ll only be focusing on the latest EV models to hit the Australian auto market. Let’s have a look at some of the catch-all options available for Aussie families today.
Hyundai Ioniq 5
You have all the essentials here—a smart-looking vehicle, a spacious cabin, and a ‘real-world battery range’ (up to 420 km). Plus, front-wheel and all-wheel drive. There’s the highly rated performance, dynamics, and ride quality. We are guessing all these qualities led to the Hyundai Ioniq 5 being voted as a finalist in Drive Car of the Year 2025’s Best Family Electric Vehicle (under $100K category).
As a five-seater, it’s classed as a medium SUV. There’s ample space in the rear that will accommodate taller passengers. So you can carry all ‘the fam’ and possibly even Fido. Based on tests carried out by Euro NCAP in 2021, the standard Hyundai Ioniq 5 range has a five-star ANCAP safety rating. For family-minded people this would likely provide the best peace of mind on the road.
Among the top drawbacks is the premium price (some variants also lack some mod cons like heated seats or a powered tailgate). The Air type is the least expensive of this model, with a starting price of $97,000 plus on-road costs. Keep in mind, you can expect to pay over $100,000 for other versions.
Tesla Model Y
An ever-popular EV with cutting-edge technology, the Tesla Model Y also has reliable battery charging and good battery range. Performance is a standout feature, offering high responsiveness and fast 0-100 km/h rates. Currently, you can expect to pay an entry-level on-road price of around $77,000.
Being one of the widest vehicles available in its class, it’s also a favourite EV for families. It’s the ability to fit three kids’ seats in the back that makes all the difference. Being able to haul prams, shopping, and whatever else in the whopping 854L boot gets the vote for those toting youngsters. There’s even a smaller front trunk for extra storage.
It’s not surprising that many are already reviewing the Tesla Model Y for families. These reviews typically point to the Model Y’s roomy back seats—offering plenty of legroom plus a footwell (that’s comfortable for children and adults alike)—as a great benefit. Plus, you can easily keep kids entertained when stopped on long trips with the in-built entertainment – you can find Netflix, YouTube, and a games arcade on the car’s main touchscreen.
Best EV for Larger Families
Volvo EX90
Those with larger and extended families will naturally look for an EV with 7 seats. It’s good news that there are more options in this class becoming available in Australia now as well. And the Volvo EX90 has been recognised by industry experts as the EV people mover to keep an eye on this year.
Being a Volvo, safety is typically a focus, and this model is no exception. The design behind the Volvo EX90 boasts what the manufacturers call “Safe Space Technology.” This corresponds to a suite of sensors. There’s even an entire 360-degree real-time view of the vehicle’s surroundings to help spot potential hazards.
The practical and modern cabin in the Volvo EX90 (with an abundance of intuitive technology) is sure to present well. A high level of streamlining is something that matters even more when you have kids to care for. There’s a large central touch screen with Google built-in apps. To make things easier technology-wise for busy families, the software is kept current by over-the-air updates.
And what is its battery life like? The Volvo EX90 can cover up to 570 km on a single battery charge, making it a suitable vehicle for families who love to go road tripping.
Admittedly, the biggest barrier for the Volvo EX90 would have to be its price. The entry-level model, the Plus Twin Motor, starts at $124,990. All being said, this is a luxury vehicle (it looks and feels amazing, drives smoothly, and even has a sharper “Performance AWD mode”), and can maintain decent resale value for families who want to enjoy all that this vehicle has to offer.
Take These EVs for a Spin Before you Buy
There are a number of considerations that go into purchasing any new vehicle. Alongside this, EVs have their own unique capabilities and features. These factors are numerous, including battery range, battery capacity, charging speed, and even aerodynamics.
All in all, it’s easy to see why modern EVs—with their increased space, practicality, and safety features—are such a desirable choice for families. So if you are planning to shop around for your next family EV, remember to look out for important features like the vehicle capacity (number of seats), how easy it is to install child car seats, overall storage space, leg room, and battery range (as well as battery capacity and ease of battery charging). With these factors in mind, you should be able to find either a brand new or even secondhand EV that meets your family’s daily lifestyle needs.