BEST ELECTRIC Vehicles
Alicia Keys shows off the Mercedes-Benz EQS.
Electric vehicles are here to stay, and EV options are growing rapidly in numbers, as automakers begin to shift their new car portfolios to all battery powered options by 2030. Everywhere we look, EVs are winning awards and pushing the boundaries on the in-car tech experience. The World Car of the Year selected Electric Vehicles as winners in multiple categories.
We’ve yet to talk to an EV buyer who has decided to go back to gasoline.
The upsides of buying an EV now? EVS don’t use gasoline, and therefore lighten the carbon footprint, which feels amazing. EVs mean no late-night trips to a lonely gas station. EVs mean that if you have access to your garage, that space becomes cleaner and fume free.
Many also offer ample a jolt of power and are fun to drive and silky quiet smooth. Depending on the model, there may even be a federal and state tax credit involved.
Keep an eye on this hot category, as EV searches are skyrocketing, and plenty more are coming down the pipeline in all sizes, shapes, and prices. These are our current top picks.
Hyundai swept top honors as the 2023 World Car of the Year, Electric Car of the Year and World Design of the Year. Its a swoopy sedan that has an extended range of over 300 miles, which is the sweet spot for any long commuters. It also offers a long list of standard features such as advanced safety driving and also has a good spirit driving ability, and a reasonable base price. The cabin is spacious, modern and chalk full of features and a testament to design that’s thoughtful and optimized for maximum user experience.
$46,000
It’s a stellar EV and the second from a brand new with core ties to the trusted Volvo brand, ensuring quality and high safety standards — and it keeps getting better. Polestar is designed to match up against the Tesla Model 3, and it provides a fresh alternative to the mid-range luxury EVS coming to market. It now bests Tesla Model 3 with an EPA-estimated 270 miles of range and it dual-motor version adds 68 horsepower of performance. Its shape is sedate and low key, and its performance definitely cuts the mustard. It wins on tech features, like the 11th gen Android Automotive and a spacious, crisp interior.
$59,900
Where the design shines brightest is on the interior — and in the long run, the interior actually matters more to the people that own and drive their cars. Here’s where user experience is becoming dominant in car design. The C40 driver’s experience is simple, clean and well proportioned. It’s a space intended to highlight Volvo’s use of sustainable materials.
$60,000
Audi has expanded it eTron range and added on the swoopy Sportback, a crossover coupe that has additional cool factor. Active lane control and automated emergency braking are standard features, and it’s received a top safety award. It earns 222 miles on a single charge. Where Audi wins is on its well-appointed SUV lineup, and E-tron’s good looks mix well.
Starting at $74,800
The Mercedes-Benz EQS is a new luxury sedan and the first all-electric Mercedes sold in North America. Its cabin is one of the most comfortable on the market today and boasts an impressive list of tech and MBUX system relies on software updates, and should keep the EQS fresh for some time to come. As a powerful saloon, Mercedes uses high-touch materials and sets the tone for how the iconic German luxury brand will make the transformation to electric.
Starting at $102,000
Tesla Model Y
The Model Y is the Tesla the car market had been waiting for, a small SUV that is both practical but still lives up to the brand’s glossy hype. Green Car Report called it the benchmark for an electric crossover. Owners can toggle between Chill and Standard acceleration modes which means driving is fun, fun, fun. With the added bonus of Tesla’s Super Charger networks you can add on about 150 miles in 15 minutes for a total range of 316 miles, which could take you far into the countryside.
$52,900
Porsche Taycan
If you’re into fancy sports cars that scream classic James Dean cool, the Porsche Taycan melds electric power with the brand’s iconic form language that lives largely on a best-loved design language from the 20th century. Everyone knows Porsche is the definition of a classic sports car and it stands up in its first electric variant. Taycan is the perfect car if you’ve dreamed of owning a sports car that’s guilt free. It’s also early to the market, so the wow factor is palpable. You can wow even more if you opt for the Turbo S option, which is essential a race car. Model S has been out for some time now, and Taycan nudges it as the sexy six-figure baller EV on the block.
4S: $105,150, Turbo: $152,250, Turbo S: $186,350