17–22 kWh — per 100 km, about 25 % more than a sedan.
The SUV has become the best-selling body style in Europe, electrified versions included. The arguments are real: easy access, visibility, a modular boot, reassuring ground clearance and a desirable image. Manufacturers put their best batteries and finest interiors in them.
Physics pushes back. An electric SUV weighs 1,800–2,500 kg, with 10–15 % more frontal area than a sedan. On the same battery it loses 50–90 km of range. Compensating means a bigger battery, which is more expensive, heavier and slower to charge. That is the central trade-off of the segment.
Key characteristics and figures
| Typical length | 4.30 m to 5.00 m |
|---|---|
| Battery | 50 to 100 kWh usable |
| WLTP range | 350 to 600 km |
| New price (France) | €30,000 to €75,000 |
| Consumption | 17 to 22 kWh/100 km |
| DC charging | 100 to 250 kW |
Strengths and limitations
- High driving position and easy access
- Large boot and modularity (sliding rear bench on some models)
- Reassuring ground clearance and traction, all-wheel drive often available
- The widest offering on the market, at every budget
- Consumption and range worse than a sedan or estate
- High mass: faster tyre and brake wear
- Higher price and insurance than an equivalent-size car
- Aerodynamics penalise it above 110 km/h
Who is this type of car for?
- Families with three or more children
- Mixed town and country use with heavy loads
- Hilly regions or harsh winters (AWD versions)
- Drivers who want a high seating position
Representative models
A selection of recent models that define the segment, for guidance only: the market moves fast and ranges are renewed regularly.
- Tesla Tesla Model Y — The most efficient SUV on the market.
- Peugeot Peugeot e-3008 — 73 kWh and a fastback silhouette.
- Skoda Skoda Enyaq — Segment-leading space and boot.
- Kia Kia EV6 — 800 V charging in 18 minutes.
- BYD BYD Atto 3 — The best-value electric SUV.
How to choose in this segment
- Size the battery to your real use, not to the exceptional trip: 10 kWh more costs €3,000–6,000 and 50–80 kg.
- Check the charging curve before the peak power: the curve determines your motorway stops.
- Compare boot volume below the parcel shelf and the loading sill height, both more meaningful than the total figure.
- Check the battery warranty and after-sales coverage near you.
- Calculate the four-year total cost: energy, insurance, tyres and depreciation.
Frequently asked questions about electric suvs
Does an electric SUV really use more energy than a sedan?
Yes, at comparable battery and power: 17–22 kWh/100 km against 14–18 kWh/100 km. The gap reaches 25–30 % on the motorway and narrows to 10–15 % in town thanks to regenerative braking.
Should I choose all-wheel drive on an electric SUV?
Useful in mountains, on snow or for towing. Otherwise a rear-drive version gains 30–70 km of range, uses 1–2 kWh/100 km less and costs €3,000–6,000 less.
Which family electric SUV has the biggest boot?
The Skoda Enyaq (585 l), Peugeot e-5008 (up to 748 l in five-seat form) and Kia EV9 (333 l with seven seats, 828 l with five) lead the segment. Always check the volume below the parcel shelf rather than the headline figure.