
The cheapest and most reliable small EV cars to buy, which challenge the much-awaited Toyota Urban Cruiser
WITH the incredible Toyota Urban Cruiser still months away from hitting UK roads, Brit drivers are looking for similar and affordable alternatives.
A comprehensive list compiled by
8
The Toyota Urban Cruiser
Credit: Supplied
The Cruiser is Toyota's second EV, coming after the bZ4X which came out a few years ago.
Toyota's latest electric car will be a great
But in the meantime, if
Kia EV3
8
The Kia EV3
Credit: Getty
This compact car is one of the Cruiser's top competetitors.
Pricing at just over £30,000, the Kia EV3 comes with a spacious interior, 375 miles of range and plenty of handy
features
.
It is one of the best small EVs around, and boasts a cozy inside alongside its stylish design.
It therefore makes a great option for customers who just can't wait any longer for the anticipated Cruiser.
Skoda Elroq
8
Skoda Elroq
Credit: PR Handout
The Skoda Elroq is an easy-to-use vehicle equipped for family lifestyle.
Most read in Motors
It has a massive boot, perfect for carrying any family activity equipment, which is even bigger than the Cruiser's.
The vehicle has a sensible design that is not too flashy, prioritising practicality over anything.
It is also priced at over £30,000, making it a cheap alternative to the coveted Cruiser.
Volvo EX30
8
Volvo EX30
Credit: Reuters
This Scandinavian designed car is another great option for those who can't wait for the Cruiser.
Volvo's EX30 is a small SUV that not only looks great, but also has an eyecatching interior which is cozy and comfy.
It also comes with a safety kit for emergencies and is very practical in terms of its driving features.
It does have a smaller boot and tight rear seats.
But that doesn't take away from Volvo's smallest and most affordable SUV.
There is also a dual-motor version for those who want a car with more of a 4WD feeling.
It is also priced in the low £30,000s.
Hyundai Inster
8
The Hyundai Inster
Credit: Newspress
This small-looking driver is bound to draw comparisons to Dr Who's TARDIS.
Seemingly compact from the outside, the Inster's insides are way bigger than you might first think.
Its interior space rivals much larger cars, despite its miniature size.
The stylish car also has a clean aesthetic, and inside boasts clever rear seats which can fold flat to turn the car into a minivan.
It uses cheap cabin plastics, but this can be overlooked due to its price tag.
The budget EV can be picked up for less than £25,000, making it an incredible option as a cheap alternative to the Cruiser.
Cupra Born
8
The Cupra Born
This is one of the sportier cars on the list.
So for drivers who are looking for this sort of design, look no further than the Cupra Born.
Its a pretty car with an interior which is downright stunning to
marvel
at.
The Born also boasts lots of space inside, and can drive up to 342 miles.
Although it may not be that fun to drive as typical sports cars, the Born is a great budget EV for those who can't wait for the Cruiser.
Prices start at around £34,000.
MG4
8
MG4
This
next
car is an award-winning alternative.
Having taken home the Carwow Car Of The Year, the MG4 is definitely an option to write home about.
It boasts incredible value for money, and comes with a futuristic and funky exterior.
It comes with loads of kit making it a practical option and family-friendly.
The MG4 also prices at under £22,000 - making it a bargain and one of the cheapest EVs for its value.
A more pleasant driving experience, impressive range and reassuring brake pedal also make this a great option.
Renault Megan E-Tech
8
Renault Megan E-TECH EV
Credit: Renault Ireland
Last but not least is this budget electric driver with a Parisian flair.
It is fitted with a cutting-edge Google-based infotainment system which is as easy to use as your own phone.
And that's not all this car has going for it.
The design features an amazing interior which is stylish and modern.
Although it is slightly cramped in the back, the car's design makes this forgivable.
Read more on the Irish Sun
It starts at around £32,000, making it a great low-cost option.
So this high-tech car makes a great option for those who want a state-of-the-art user interface in a budget and compact EV.
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The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- The Irish Sun
The cheapest and most reliable small EV cars to buy, which challenge the much-awaited Toyota Urban Cruiser
WITH the incredible Toyota Urban Cruiser still months away from hitting UK roads, Brit drivers are looking for similar and affordable alternatives. A comprehensive list compiled by 8 The Toyota Urban Cruiser Credit: Supplied The Cruiser is Toyota's second EV, coming after the bZ4X which came out a few years ago. Toyota's latest electric car will be a great But in the meantime, if Kia EV3 8 The Kia EV3 Credit: Getty This compact car is one of the Cruiser's top competetitors. Pricing at just over £30,000, the Kia EV3 comes with a spacious interior, 375 miles of range and plenty of handy features . It is one of the best small EVs around, and boasts a cozy inside alongside its stylish design. It therefore makes a great option for customers who just can't wait any longer for the anticipated Cruiser. Skoda Elroq 8 Skoda Elroq Credit: PR Handout The Skoda Elroq is an easy-to-use vehicle equipped for family lifestyle. Most read in Motors It has a massive boot, perfect for carrying any family activity equipment, which is even bigger than the Cruiser's. The vehicle has a sensible design that is not too flashy, prioritising practicality over anything. It is also priced at over £30,000, making it a cheap alternative to the coveted Cruiser. Volvo EX30 8 Volvo EX30 Credit: Reuters This Scandinavian designed car is another great option for those who can't wait for the Cruiser. Volvo's EX30 is a small SUV that not only looks great, but also has an eyecatching interior which is cozy and comfy. It also comes with a safety kit for emergencies and is very practical in terms of its driving features. It does have a smaller boot and tight rear seats. But that doesn't take away from Volvo's smallest and most affordable SUV. There is also a dual-motor version for those who want a car with more of a 4WD feeling. It is also priced in the low £30,000s. Hyundai Inster 8 The Hyundai Inster Credit: Newspress This small-looking driver is bound to draw comparisons to Dr Who's TARDIS. Seemingly compact from the outside, the Inster's insides are way bigger than you might first think. Its interior space rivals much larger cars, despite its miniature size. The stylish car also has a clean aesthetic, and inside boasts clever rear seats which can fold flat to turn the car into a minivan. It uses cheap cabin plastics, but this can be overlooked due to its price tag. The budget EV can be picked up for less than £25,000, making it an incredible option as a cheap alternative to the Cruiser. Cupra Born 8 The Cupra Born This is one of the sportier cars on the list. So for drivers who are looking for this sort of design, look no further than the Cupra Born. Its a pretty car with an interior which is downright stunning to marvel at. The Born also boasts lots of space inside, and can drive up to 342 miles. Although it may not be that fun to drive as typical sports cars, the Born is a great budget EV for those who can't wait for the Cruiser. Prices start at around £34,000. MG4 8 MG4 This next car is an award-winning alternative. Having taken home the Carwow Car Of The Year, the MG4 is definitely an option to write home about. It boasts incredible value for money, and comes with a futuristic and funky exterior. It comes with loads of kit making it a practical option and family-friendly. The MG4 also prices at under £22,000 - making it a bargain and one of the cheapest EVs for its value. A more pleasant driving experience, impressive range and reassuring brake pedal also make this a great option. Renault Megan E-Tech 8 Renault Megan E-TECH EV Credit: Renault Ireland Last but not least is this budget electric driver with a Parisian flair. It is fitted with a cutting-edge Google-based infotainment system which is as easy to use as your own phone. And that's not all this car has going for it. The design features an amazing interior which is stylish and modern. Although it is slightly cramped in the back, the car's design makes this forgivable. Read more on the Irish Sun It starts at around £32,000, making it a great low-cost option. So this high-tech car makes a great option for those who want a state-of-the-art user interface in a budget and compact EV.


RTÉ News
3 days ago
- RTÉ News
New electric vehicles licensed in May up 12% on last year
New Central Statistics Office figures show a 12% increase in the number of electric cars licensed for the first time in May with new EVs increasing to 1,382 compared with 1,234 the same month in 2024. The CSO also reported growth in the licensing of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) which rose by 35% from 1,055 in May last year to 1,419 vehicles in May of this year. Comparing the first five months of the year, the CSO said the number of new electric cars licensed increased by 26% from 9,458 in 2024 to 11,877 in 2025. The number of new PHEVs licensed jumped by 74% from 6,300 to 10,988 over the same time period. Today's CSO figures show that the total number of new private cars licensed in May fell by 16% to 8,403 compared to the May 2024 figure of 10,055. But the number of used (imported) cars licensed increased by 10% to 6,144 from 5,592 over the same time. The CSO said the combined share of petrol and diesel cars among new private cars licensed from January to May has fallen to 44% compared to 56% the same time last year. In the first five months of 2025, 19,717 new cars licensed were petrol compared with 24,009 in the same time of 2024 - down 18%. Comparing the first five months of 2025 with 2024, the number of new diesel cars licensed fell by 26% to 12,485 from 16,772. Today's statistics also show that Volkswagen was the most popular make of new private car licensed in May at 1,405 vehicles, followed by Toyota (1,020), Hyundai (701), Kia (675) and Skoda (674). Together, these five makes represented 53% of all new private cars licensed in May, the CSO noted. Meanwhile, the most popular brand of new electric car licensed in May was the Hyundai Getz (104), followed by Volkswagen ID.4 (92), and Skoda Elroq (64).


The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Top secret residents prepare to move into £8billion robot ‘city of the future' with driverless cars & AI-powered homes
RESIDENTS are preparing to move into Toyota's futuristic robot city, where everything is connected with driverless cars and AI-powered homes. While just the seed of an idea a decade ago, the Advertisement 6 Toyota, which builds robots as well as cars, has been building up the 175-acre site for he past five years Credit: Toyota UK 6 It is set to welcome its first 100 residents this autumn Credit: Toyota UK 6 The self-contained metropolis aims to be a beacon for future mobility, smart infrastructure and sustainable living Credit: Toyota UK And it is set to welcome its first 100 residents this autumn. Residents will have a few months of tranquility before the city opens to tourists - dubbed 'Weavers' - from 2026 "or later", according to Toyota. These individuals will mostly be Toyota staff and their families, before branching out to include "external inventors" and their loved ones. The total population is expected to reach around 2,000. Advertisement READ MORE ON FUTURE TECH At the base of the Mount Fuji volcano in Japan, the development will host a range of top-secret tests for new technologies, according to reports. While normal civilians will also call this robot city home, so shall Toyota's employees - who will be conducting experiments for some of the company's more hushed ideas. Toyota, which builds robots as well as cars, has been building up the 175-acre site for the past five years. The self-contained metropolis aims to be a beacon for future mobility, smart infrastructure and sustainable living. Advertisement Most read in Tech First announced at CES 2020, the Woven City is now just months away from accepting its first residents. The futuristic city will act as a "living laboratory" for the company to test its renewable and energy-efficient self-driving cars dubbed 'E-palettes'. Toyota's E-palettes, an autonomous electric vehicle platform initially developed for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, will be at the core of the project. Self-driving cars will be the main form of transport inside the Woven City, according to Toyota, supported by an underground network for autonomous logistics and goods delivery vehicles. Advertisement The autonomous vehicles feed into a wider network led by artificial intelligence (AI). AI robot nurse with creepy 'face' taking over hospital jobs as it patrols halls, delivers meds and tracks patient vitals "We are building a city where everything, people, buildings, vehicles, is connected through sensors and AI," Akio Toyoda, Chairman of Toyota's Board of Directors, has said previously. "It's a unique opportunity to create a living digital operating system for urban life." Streets will be split into three types, pedestrian-only areas, roads for fast-moving traffic and streets for a mix of lower-speed vehicles. Advertisement Only zero-emissions motors will be allowed with special vehicles for the elderly and support for wheelchair users. Smart homes will be designed to incorporate robotics and AI to monitor health and manage energy use. It echoes The stunning new "smart homes" will run almost entirely on hydrogen, making the city as eco-friendly as possible. Advertisement Houses, made mostly from wood, will include in-home robotics to "assist with daily living" helping residents to be more independent, according to the company. 6 The autonomous vehicles feed into a wider network led by artificial intelligence (AI) Credit: Woven by Toyota 6 Smart homes will be designed to incorporate robotics and AI to monitor health and manage energy use Credit: Toyota UK 6 Houses, made mostly from wood, will include in-home robotics to "assist with daily living" helping residents to be more independent, according to the company Credit: Toyota UK Advertisement