In 2020, Belgian families wanting an EV had a handful of serious choices. In 2026, the market is crowded, the ranges are wide, and the marketing claims all sound the same. "800 km of range" (WLTP, in summer, at 90 km/h), "ultra-fast charging" (sometimes just 50 kW) and "family-friendly" (three rear seats with 80 cm of width).
Here's a more honest reading of what the five main groups actually deliver.
Hyundai-Kia: the technical benchmark in 2026
Hyundai and Kia form the most cohesive group in the family segment in 2026. They've managed to deploy 800V technology across their entire mainstream range — not just on premium models.
The IONIQ 5, IONIQ 6, Kia EV6 and Kia EV9 all share the E-GMP platform with 800V architecture. The result: 10% to 80% charge in 18–22 minutes on a 350 kW Ionity charger. That's the highest standard on the market for families who travel regularly.
Their other strength, often underestimated: warranties. Kia offers 7 years on the vehicle and 8 years on the battery. For a family keeping its car for 7–8 years, that's a real financial argument.
The only genuine weak spot for the group: prices have risen. A well-equipped Kia EV9 easily exceeds €80,000. The IONIQ 5 has also left the mid-range segment behind. The affordability that was their strength in 2022 has eroded somewhat.
VW Group: the broadest range
No other group offers as many different formats for families. From the compact VW ID.3 (4.26 m) to the Skoda Enyaq Combi (4.65 m estate) to the Audi Q8 e-tron, the MEB platform covers nearly every family need.
What VW Group does well: build quality, cabin space (the VW ID.7 has one of the best rear passenger areas in its class), and estate body styles (a rarity in electric, covered by the Enyaq Combi and the ID.7 Tourer).
What they do less well: charging technology remains at 400V across most MEB models (except the Audi Q6 e-tron and a few high-end variants). At a maximum of 130 kW on most ID models, DC charging takes 40–55 minutes for 10–80%. That's acceptable, but a long way from the 18–22 minutes the Koreans achieve on 800V.
The 2-year standard warranty is the shortest on the market for a volume manufacturer. Paid extensions partially make up for this, but they add to the purchase price.
Stellantis-Peugeot: the comeback
Stellantis long suffered from a reputation as a second-tier EV manufacturer, with limited-range models and prices that felt high for what you got. The Peugeot e-3008 Long Range changed that perception.
96.9 kWh, 700 km WLTP (490–520 km real-world in mixed Belgian driving), DC charging at 160 kW. It's a competitive model on every count. The e-5008 (7 seats) followed the same path.
The group still lags on charging technology (still 400V), and its warranties remain below average (2 years standard). For families looking for a solid family SUV with the best boot-range-price ratio, Peugeot is once again a serious choice.
Tesla: the Model Y holds on, but it's showing its age
The Tesla Model Y has been the best-selling electric car in Europe since 2023. Its combination of an extensive Supercharger network, solid real-world range (450–490 km in mixed driving for the Long Range), and compelling software remains hard to beat for families who travel frequently.
But the competition has caught up on almost every technical aspect: the IONIQ 5 charges just as fast (800V), the Kia EV9 is bigger and comes with a longer warranty, the Audi Q6 e-tron is more refined. Tesla retains the edge on the Supercharger network in Europe, the most intuitive navigation software on the market, and the most substantial OTA updates.
For Belgian families who value long-trip practicality above all else, the Tesla remains a very serious choice.
BYD: the price disruptor
BYD isn't yet on every Belgian driver's radar, but sales figures are climbing. The Tang (7-seat SUV, 108.8 kWh, ~€65,000), the Atto 3 (compact SUV, 60.8 kWh, ~€35,000) and the upcoming Sea Lion 6 represent a value proposition that's hard to ignore.
For price-sensitive families, BYD offers SUVs with larger batteries than the competition at lower prices. The LFP (lithium iron phosphate) chemistry on their mid-range models is more durable under intensive DC charging than the NMC chemistries used by European manufacturers.
Two questions remain open: residual value at 3–4 years (still poorly understood on the Belgian used market) and after-sales network density. BYD is making progress on both fronts, but the uncertainty hasn't fully lifted for cautious buyers.
The verdict for Belgian families
Not a single winner, but clear choices depending on priorities. For warranty and charging technology: Kia or Hyundai. For the widest selection of body styles and prices: VW Group. For the best price-to-range ratio on a mid-range budget: Peugeot e-3008 LR or Renault Scenic. For long family trips with the simplest network to use: Tesla. For the lowest purchase price with large batteries: BYD.