The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly – New EVs Of 2023
We have hurt the planet enough, and now's the time to make amends. One of the ways we can do that is by shifting to electric cars. While there is a lot of debate on whether or not electric cars can make a difference, automakers are trying their best to come up with the best EV imaginable.
We saw many great EVs last year, and 2023 is not going to be any different. From electrified versions of some of the legendary automobiles of the past to outright ugly inventions, this list will take you through the most anticipated electric vehicles of the year 2023.
The Good - DeLorean Alpha 5
The OG DeLorean is one of the most overrated classics in existence today, but this time DMC is coming up with an actual competitive car. The Alpha 5 is going to be an all-electric sports car, of course, with gullwing doors.
It's funny how Back to the Future envisioned everything the future could have but viable electric cars. The power output of the upcoming DeLorean is not yet clear, but it is rumored to have a 100kWh battery, a 300-mile range, and a top speed of 155mph. That might not be a lot but remember; it only needs to go to 88mph to get the job done. There is no update on the Flux Capacitor.
The Meh - Kia EV9
The EV9 might just be an electric Telluride or a fresh platform altogether; details on the subject are still scarce. What's known about this SUV is that it will have a 300-mile range and up to 350kWh fast-charging capability.
Rumor also has it that this SUV will have somewhere in the ballpark of 600 horsepower and will be offered in rear-wheel or all-wheel drive configurations. The EV9 is one of the six all-new electric vehicles Kia is planning to release by 2026.
The Ugly - BMW iX1
This will be the smallest EV in the German brand's lineup. The crossover is expected to have 266 miles of single-charge range, a 67kWh battery, and 308 horses at the wheels.
The model that is expected to hit the market by 2023 is going to have a dual-motor all-wheel drive layout, but BMW might also offer a front-wheel drive with lesser power in the near future. Other than a powertrain that does not need dinosaur juice, this will be similar to the BMW X1 already in the market.
The Good - Audi A6 E-Tron
The A6 E-Tron will be the latest addition to Audi's expanding E portfolio. The Germans are quite ambitious with this car, aiming at a 400-mile+ driving range per charge and 25 minutes for 80% charging.
It is known that the car will have two electric motors, one for each wheel, but the power rating of those is still not revealed. The roofline also tells us that this will be a hatchback, unlike the gas-powered A6 sedan.
The Good - Lucid Air Sapphire
If, for some reason, the Lucid Air Sedan with its 1,111-hp is not enough for you, wait a few months for this one. This Lucid Air on steroids will have 1,200 horses and is rumored to best the Tesla Model S in every way imaginable.
With a 1.9-second 0-60 time, sub-9.0 second quarter mile time, and a 200mph+ top speed, the Sapphire is going to be the pinnacle of electric sports cars once it comes out.
The Good Ugly - Tesla Cybertruck
If we are lucky, we might finally get this truck in 2023. Looking at this truck, one could argue that Musk has already made contact with the aliens; where else could he get such a design from?
The spec sheet is also quite impressive. With a targeted single-charge range of more than 500 miles, 14,000 lbs. towing capacity, and a 0-60 acceleration time of 4.5s, this truck has all you can look for in a truck and some more.
The Good - Hyundai Ioniq 6
The Ioniq 6 is Korean for Tesla Model 3. The car will have a similar size, power, and range. The base model will come with a 225 horsepower motor, with the top-of-the-line variant offering up to 320 horses.
Since the range, and not the power, is the trouble with EVs, Hyundai is aiming for 350 miles on a single trip to the 200kW fast charger. The Ioniq 6 will also have a lounge-like comfort level and loads of cargo space.
The Good - Fisker Ocean
This thing can be explained as a love child of the Range Rover Evoque and Tesla Model X, as far as the design language goes. The Ocean will hit the market in mid-2023 and will have a 250-mile range in the base configuration.
With all-wheel drive and 550 horses, the $40,000 starting price of this vehicle is great, but the longer 350-mile range model will be more expensive. Anyway, the car will be a good option for people looking for a classy electric SUV.
The Good - Mini Aceman
If Mini is trying to pass a 110-mile range crossover like the Cooper Electric with cartoon aesthetics, they should not even bother. This cool-looking EV is the next generation of the Paceman that was offered between 2013 and 2016.
The power, range, and battery specs of this car have not yet been revealed. It is, however, wider, taller, and longer than the Paceman, so we can reasonably expect more room on the inside for sure.
The Good - Polestar 3
Volvo's electric car division, Polestar, has only made cars up until this point, but they will join the SUV club soon with the release of the Polestar 3 in 2023.
The Standard 3 will have a 489-horsepower drivetrain compared to the 517-hp one on the Performance model. The single-charge driving range is expected to be 300 miles and 270 miles, respectively. Polestar is also trying hard to pass this as an upscale luxury SUV.
The Meh - VW ID.7
Volkswagen is releasing the new ID.7 by the end of 2023 for the 2024 model year. It will be just another 4-door mid-size family sedan with nothing particularly remarkable about it. The 20,000-mile maintenance package and the 100,000-mile warranty that VW will offer with this car are remarkable, though.
Even though the Germans have claimed a 700-kilometer (German for 430-mile) range, it is expected that the claim will not be able to hold its own against EPA's more rigorous testing at highway speeds.
The Good - Xpeng G9
When a major Chinese automaker is pegging something against the Porsche Cayenne, you can tell that the vehicle is a good one. The G9 will be XPENG's flagship model, and the designers of this car will be given the Cayenne as a baseline.
Since failure is not something appreciated in the car culture, the engineers designing this thing made sure it was better than the Cayenne, at least on paper. The actual performance and feel of the car can only be confirmed once it hits the market in the fall of 2023.
The Good - Lotus Eletre
While these days, every automaker wants to make SUVs and electric cars, some want to make electric SUVs as well. The Lotus Eletre is one such example. Expected to hit the showrooms in 2023, the Eletre will be over the top in every way.
While the base model will have only 602 horsepower, the fully-loaded R version will be a 900+ horsepower tarmac shredder with 315 miles of range. If you think this looks too much like the Urus, you are not alone.
The Ugly Good - Rolls Royce Spectre
Rolls Royce has a pretty aggressive plan of phasing out all gasoline models in their lineup and replacing them with electric ones by 2030. The first step is this.
If you have half-a-million bucks burning a hole in your pocket, the Phantom-based all-electric Spectre might be the best luxury EV money can buy this year. This 6,600 lb land-yacht will have enough electric motivation to accelerate to 62mph in 4.4 seconds. But it's not the speed you buy a Rolls Royce for, now is it?
The Good - BMW i7
It was just a matter of time after the release of the electric S Class, the EQS, that BMW came up with an electric version of their flagship sedan. The i7 will be the top-of-the-line BMW for 2023; only it will not have a V12, but a pair of electric motors and a battery.
The i7 will have the same powertrain as the iX, which combines two electric motors to get 536 horsepower. The range and fast charging specifications of this car are still classified.
The Meh - Chevrolet Blazer EV
While die-hard fans of the Blazer name were still recovering from the shock of Chevy bringing back the Blazer as a modern 2-row crossover and not an off-road-ready SUV, here comes the next blow.
The Blazer nameplate is going to get electrified in 2023 with the release of the Blazer EV. If you are disappointed in the fact that it will not be true to its roots, the fact that this car has 575 horsepower might cheer you up.
The Good - Chevrolet Equinox EV
The only thing that the Equinox EV shares with the Equinox we already have are the name. Other than that, it is a totally new car in terms of powertrain, styling, and interior.
The upcoming Equinox EV will be modest as compared to many of the other cars on this list. It will only have 210 horsepower and 250 miles of range in the base model. Those numbers can go up to 290 and 300, respectively, if you decide to go for a higher trim.
The Ugly - Chevrolet Silverado EV
Once GMC entered the EV game with the Hummer EV, it was just a matter of time before they shifted their lineup to electric variants. The Silverado is next in the line for getting an electric powertrain as early as this year.
The baseline model of the Silverado is expected to have a 664-hp 780 lb-ft powertrain and, of course, an all-wheel drive setup. It might not be as good as the Hummer, but it will live up to the Silverado name.
The (we expect) Good - Faraday Future FF91
Faraday Future has been trying to put the FF91 in showrooms since 2017, but there have been some delays. That's because this is one ambitious electric crossover with a promised range of 381 kilometers.
The range is not the only highlight here; the FF91 will also have 1050 horsepower from 3 motors and a 0-60mph time of just under 2.4 seconds. Of course, all that sweet, sweet performance will cost you nearly $200,000 if this thing finally hits the market.
The Meh - Nissan Ariya
The Ariya will soon be in showrooms (it is already in some) along with the Leaf hatchback. The lower and wider stance of this one gives it a more sporty look, and the sharp side profile and absence of a grille make it look unmistakably like an EV.
Nissan has blessed this EV with advanced features from their top-of-the-line sports car, the GT-R. This includes things like torque-split. You can get the Ariya with a single motor and front-wheel configuration or a pair of motors with AWD.
The Awesome - Ford Mustang Mach-E
With its sporty design, luxurious interior, and impressive performance, the Ford Mustang Mach-E is sure to be a massive hit with EV enthusiasts in 2023.
One of the most significant changes for the 2023 version is the addition of a new GT Performance Edition trim level. This trim will feature a more powerful electric motor, allowing the SUV to reach a top speed of 110mph and accelerate from 0-60 in just 3.5 seconds.
The Ugly Good - GMC Sierra EV
The Silverado and Sierra are basically the same trucks, so if one of them is getting electrified, why not the other? The Sierra will, however, be a more capable EV than the Silverado.
The Denali model that is being released in 2023 will have a 400-mile range and 754 horses at the wheels. A lower trim level is also planned, but that one is only expected to come out by 2025.
The Expensive Good - Lagonda All-Terrain
The Lagonda Taraf, to this day, holds the title of the most expensive sedan in the world, so we can expect this Lagonda SUV to be an expensive one too. It is also going to be the first all-electric model in Aston Martin's lineup.
This SUV was planned to roll out by 2021 but was delayed due to supply chain issues and will hit the market in 2023. Aston Martin is aiming to deliver a 300-mile range with this one and the luxury the Lagonda name is known for.
The Good - Maserati Grecale Folgore
Maserati has announced an electric version of their SUV, the Grecale, named Folgore, Italian for lightning. Positioned to be a direct competitor to the Model X and BMW iX, the Folgore will have 590 lb-ft of torque, and the horsepower figure is not yet disclosed.
Because it is a Maserati, naturally, it will be more of an automotive piece of art than anything else, delivering the best in luxury, styling, and class at a premium price, of course.
The Good - Mercedes-Benz EQG
The G-Wagon symbolized extravagance and gas-guzzling, but now that will change, the guzzling part at least. As a part of Merc's transformation to electric power, the G-Wagon is also getting an electric variant named the EQG.
Honestly, this separates the SUV from the core. It was a vehicle you could take anywhere without worries, but now you will have to worry about the charge of the battery. No, Jerry Caning, this one comes back to life if it runs out of energy while you are on the trail. But, again, how many G-Wagon users take these things off-road?
The Ugly Good - Porsche Macan EV
Porsche is going bonkers with this EV that they will announce at the 2023 Los Angeles Motor Show and release for the 2024 model year. The powertrain has options between 400, 500, 600, and 750 horsepower.
But it's the charging speed where this car really shines. You can charge the upcoming Macan EV from 5% to 85% in a mere 18 minutes on a rapid charger. It will also be based on an 800-volt EV architecture, the most efficient one there is.
The Legendary Good - Gen 2 Tesla Roadster
It has been a decade since Tesla released a Roadster, but they will be doing exactly that in 2023. The new Roadster will take the legacy of the older Lotus-based one forward with some even madder performance.
Some of the highlights include a 270mph top speed, sub-2-second time for 0-60mph, and a whopping 600 miles between visits to the cord. We hope Tesla delivers better on this than they did on the Semi and the Cybertruck.
The Pretty Good - Cadillac Celestiq
Like many other automakers these days, Cadillac is also going to make its flagship model electric. The Celestiq will have a 600-horsepower powertrain, a 400-mile range, and some pretty rad styling.
The real fun, however, will be on the inside where Caddy is aiming to install a 55-inch color screen for infotainment. However, don't expect to see this on your local showroom floor, as these bespoke cars will only be made to order.
The Ugly - Electric Escalade
It would not be wrong to say that Cadillac, as a brand, might not have been around if it were not for the Escalade. Caddy is now planning to electrify the Escalade to bring it up to speed with the rapidly changing world.
This picture was recently shared on Cadillac's official Instagram account with a hashtag #Electrade and #2023, strongly suggesting that it will be, at least, revealed if not made available for sale in 2023.
The Unknown - VinFast VF8
The VF8 will be an SUV roughly the size of a Ford Bronco. Thankfully, VinFast will release this one before completing their 2000-acre EV-making metropolis. Otherwise, we'd have to wait a lot more.
The VF8 is a pretty 'average' EV with between 248 and 292 miles of range and 358 to 402 horsepower options. The area where it differs is the battery. You can pay a $36 fee per month to keep the battery (the most expensive part of the car) under warranty for as long as you want.
The Good - Cadillac Lyriq
You see so many Cadillac models on this list because they have realized that either they have an electric future or no future at all. The Lyriq will be a mid-tier Caddy with two electric motors putting out a combined 500 horsepower and a range of 312 miles.
This car has been designed on GM's latest scalable battery architecture that allows for efficient and fast charging both on DC fast chargers and a regular wall socket.
The Awesome - GMC Hummer EV
The Hummer EV was one of the most anticipated vehicles from GMC when it came out in 2022. The 2023 model might not be that looked forward to, as the only update it will get is a range of new colors.
These include the Afterburner Tint-coat, Meteorite Metallic, Void Black, Tide Metallic, and Deep Aurora Metallic. Last year, you could only get the truck in the Interstellar White color. Besides the new colors, the 1000-hp powertrain and all other things are pretty much the same.
The Good - Lexus RZ 450e
Like many other car brands, Lexus is entering the EV market with the RZ 450e. It will be based on the Toyota BZ4X and Subaru Solterra platform. The Lexus will get more power than its Toyota and Subaru cousins.
The two motors in the upcoming Lexus will give it 308 horsepower. Lexus calls this setup the 'Direct-4,' which will be, as the name suggests, an all-wheel-drive system. The areas where this car does not shine as bright include the weak 6.6kW onboard charger and maximum DC fast charge support for 150kW.
The Bad - Mazda MX30
The Mazda MX-30 is one of the most disappointing EVs we have seen in a long time, especially regarding range. This compact SUV only has a 200-mile range, and things are not going to improve for the 2023 model.
However, a 12-speaker Bose system, 360-degree camera, and other features like that make this small thing a good option to cruise around in the city, as long as you don't have to make interstate trips.
The Good - Hyundai IONIQ 5
With the characteristic sharp edges on the door that are common in all Hyundai cars of this era and some serious capabilities, the Ioniq 5 is one of the best EVs on the market.
Even though the car has been on the market for just one year, Hyundai has already announced a 2023 refresh, increasing the range to 266 miles and the towing capacity to 2300 lbs.
The Amazing - McMurtry Sperling
There is not a more radical car on the market, or even in the pipeline, than the McMurty Sperling. The vision behind this car is to make it possible for an amateur to drive like an F-1 driver on the track.
How does it achieve that? Well, it uses a ginormous fan to literally suck the thing to the ground, for starters. The fan is such a powerful one that it provides 4,400 lbs of downforce, while the car only weighs 2,200 lbs. McMurty has already showcased a track-only version of this (and broke a bunch of records with that) and is planning to release a road-going one late this year.
The Good - Tesla Model S
The very car that started the EV revolution has started showing signs of aging, and that's why Tesla has decided to refresh it. While they are introducing some new things, they are reverting to old ones on some as well.
The yoke-type steering wheel is now replaced by a standard wheel-type steering wheel, however, you can still get the yoke if that is your thing. The 2023 model also brings good news for owners of the current Model S. They can get the wheel-type steering by paying $700, which was previously not possible.
The Strange - Hyundai NEXO
The Nexo is one of the most distinguished EVs on this list, as it does not have to be plugged in every night. Yes, this EV does not need charging and instead works on Hydrogen Fuel Cell technology, like the Toyota Mirai.
The Nexo has been around for four years, but Hyundai is using the 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' philosophy here. The 2023 refresh is only going to receive some cosmetic upgrades and an upgraded 10.3" infotainment system.
The Promised - Tesla Semi Truck
This might not be a car, but this is one of the most awaited EVs of all time. If Elon Musk pulls it off, this truck will change the way shipping and goods transport work in the US... and the rest of the world.
On paper, this looks better than the diesel semis we all know and has been using for the last 70 years, but all that is still on paper. There are a lot of engineering challenges that Tesla has to solve before this can start delivering your Amazon packages.
The Good - Volvo EX90
The EX90 will be Volvo's flagship for the 2024 model year after it goes on sale by the last quarter of 2023. The car is sleeker and more modern than the gas-powered XC90 while retaining some of Volvo's signature design hints.
The base model of the EX90 will have a 402-horsepower engine, while the top-of-the-line variant will have a 496-horsepower dual-motor all-wheel drive system. Along with all that power, the SUV will have a 300-mile range and a 30-minute 10-80% charging time.
