The Best (And Worst) Electric Cars Money Can Buy
The EV market is booming. The demand for electric cars worldwide is on the rise, and major automakers are getting rid of gas-powered automobiles in favor of vehicles run by electricity.
Buyers are spoiled for choice when it comes to EVs. Picking the right one is a difficult task, as there are tens of fun electric cars to choose from. These are the best (and worst) electric cars that you can buy right now, plus a couple that are going to hit the market in the next few years.
Best: Porsche Taycan
The Taycan is perhaps the ultimate performance-oriented electric sedan available on the market today. This gorgeous EV debuted back in 2019 and instantly took the world by storm.
The base model Taycan is already quite powerful, its electric powerplant peaks at 402 horses. In effect, it can reach 60 miles per hour in just 5.1 seconds. Buyers can pick from an array of different trim levels that enhance the power output, though none of them are as powerful as the 751-horsepower Taycan Turbo S. This souped-up variant can shoot up to 60mph in just 2.6 seconds!
Worst: Nissan Leaf
The Leaf may not be the best-selling electric vehicle in the world anymore, though the flagship EV is not going anywhere. The latest model features a wide array of improvements over its predecessor, such as increased range and a roomier interior. However, it's still not the best pick within its price range.
The 2021 Nissan Leaf starts at a little over $27,000 before options. For that kind of price, you would rightfully expect a range that's higher than 150 miles. The 2021 Nissan Leaf is simply overpriced.
Best: Tesla Roadster
The Roadster is perhaps the most anticipated Tesla EV. With a zero-to-sixty sprint in under two seconds and a top speed of over 250 miles per hour, the Roadster is worth getting excited about.
This powerful electric sports car has the potential to become a game-changer the day it hits the market. Musk promises a single-charge range of up to 600 miles, thanks to its 200kWh battery pack. The model is scheduled to go on sale in 2022, though buyers can already pre-order their Roadsters online.
Best: Polestar 2
Polestar is a luxury Swedish automaker that only sells fully electric automobiles. Once a subsidiary of Volvo, Polestar officially became an independent brand back in 2017. The Polestar 2 is its flagship electric sedan, offered alongside the Polestar 1 which is a plug-in hybrid.
With a starting price of nearly $60,000, the Polestar 2 isn't exactly the cheapest EV on the US market. However, its hefty price tag is well-justified. Owners can enjoy a single-charge range of over 230 miles, a lavish interior, and a powerful drivetrain that produces 408 horsepower.
Worst: BMW i3
The i3 is a small four-door compact that offers a range of a little over 150 miles on a single charge. Obviously, it's not the prettiest car ever built by the German automaker.
Weird design isn't the biggest downside of the BMW i3. This tiny electric car starts at around $45,000 before extra options. Unfortunately, that's a lot more than any of its competitors that offer more range, better performance, and an overall better ride.
Best: Mini Cooper SE
In 2019, BMW announced the all-new Mini Cooper SE. In addition to being the first fully electric Mini, it was also the first EV in the premium small car segment.
The Mini Cooper SE is ideal for the daily commute. The electric powerplant peaks at 184 horsepower, enabling the car to reach 60 miles per hour in a little over 7 seconds. If you want a small EV that's both practical and stylish, the Mini Cooper SE may just be the perfect pick. The Mini Cooper SE starts at $29,900, making it one of the most affordable new electric cars on the market.
Best: Tesla Model S Plaid
Tesla has a history of releasing some of the world's quickest electric cars ever made, though none of them ever came close to the Model S Plaid. This souped-up four-door sedan can reach 60 miles per hour in less than 2 seconds, all thanks to its 1020-horsepower fully electric drivetrain.
In addition to great performance, the Model S Plaid also features an impressive single-charge range of up to 396 miles. The redesigned interior features an all-new, sporty steering wheel and a minimalist design.
Best: Tesla Model 3
It is no secret that the current best-selling EV would indeed make it on this list. This stylish four-door electric sedan marked a major milestone after outselling many of its gas-powered competitors. Its starting price of less than $40,000 is a great deal, considering all of the features that the Model 3 comes equipped with.
The Tesla Model 3 has a range of up to 350 miles on a single charge. In its most powerful variant, the Model 3 can shoot up to 60 miles per hour in just 2.2 seconds!
Best: Chevrolet Bolt EV
At first, the fully electric Chevrolet Bolt may not look like the most exciting EV in the world. It's easy to overlook this four-door family car when browsing through electric vehicles. Here is why that may be a mistake.
The 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV may just be the ideal pick within its price range. The automobile features a roomy interior, a comfy ride, and a single charge range of up to 259 miles. Pricing starts at around $36,000.
Worst: Hyundai Ioniq Electric
Hyundai offers the Ioniq either as a traditional hybrid, a plug-in hybrid, or a fully electric version. Like the previously mentioned Nissan Leaf, the Ioniq Electric is simply overpriced given what the model offers. Pricing starts at around $33,000 for the fully electric variant.
Once again, you would expect a range higher than just 170 miles for such a hefty price tag. While it's an improvement over the 124-mile range of the 2019 Ioniq, it's still far behind most of its competitors within the same price range.
Best: Audi E-Tron GT
The Audi E-Tron GT surely does look familiar, doesn't it? That's because it shares the same platform as the gorgeous Porsche Taycan. This gorgeous high-performance electric four-door sedan will hit the market for the 2022 model year. In the US, the E-Tron GT starts at a little more than $100,000, which is nearly $20,000 more than the base price of the Taycan.
In its most powerful version, the E-Tron GT RS makes 637 horsepower, which is more than 100 horses more than the base model. One of the only downsides of the E-Tron GT is its low range.
Best: Ford F-150 Lightning
Ford teased an electric variant of the F-150 pickup truck for years. After all, it would only make sense for the best-selling vehicle in the country to see a fully electric variant and appeal to even more buyers. The F-150 Lightning will hit the market for the 2022 model year.
Though the starting price of around $40,000 isn't particularly low, it's quite a bargain given the specifications of the Lightning. Buyers can make the most out of the 2,000-pound payload, or a powerful drivetrain rated at 563 horsepower in the highest trim level.
Best: Hyundai Kona Electric
This quirky crossover SUV is a great alternative to the regular gasoline-powered version of the Hyundai Kona. It packs a 250-mile range, paired with an engaging drivetrain and a great ride. Despite many great features, the Kona Electric does have a few downsides.
The range reportedly suffers in cold weather, like many other EVs on the market. The $35,000 starting price, although justified by the high range, is still rather steep. Nonetheless, the Kona Electric can be a solid pick under $40 000,
Worst: Ford Mustang Mach-E
The Ford Mustang Mach-E is easily one of the most controversial Ford vehicles ever made. It was launched for the 2021 model year at a starting price of over $40,000.
One of the worst issues of the Mach-E is arguably its moniker. It's hard to find any similarities between this ugly electric crossover and Ford's legendary pony car, perhaps except for the emblems and a few design cues. The Mach-E would have been better off without the Mustang nameplate, that's for sure.
Best: GMC Hummer EV
Hummer is back! To be frank, this highly-anticipated electric pickup truck will hit the market for the 2024 model year, though it's definitely worth getting excited about! GM has been teasing the project for years. After all, we haven't seen the Hummer nameplate since the automaker had gone bankrupt in 2010.
The all-new GMC Hummer EV will reportedly feature a powerful drivetrain, as well as exceptional off-road capabilities. Pricing will start at around $100,000.
Best: Bollinger B2
The Bollinger B2 is one of the most exciting additions to the market of electric trucks. After all, most automakers aim to make their EVs look as futuristic as possible. Bollinger takes a different approach and instead focuses on cool retro styling.
The B2 is all about utility and performance, rather than luxury. The automaker promises a payload of 5,000 pounds, as well as a powerful 614-horsepower electric drivetrain. The Bollinger B2 starts at $125,000 and is expected to be released later this year.
Best: Tesla Cybertruck
In late 2019, Tesla's new electric pickup truck took the world by storm. Elon Musk's crazy creation is unlike any other pickup truck on the market. The automaker reported that over 250,000 preorders had been made only a week after the launch event!
The Cybertruck is quite a steal, given its starting price of less than $40,000 for the base model. The best-equipped variant, fitted with an all-wheel-drive drivetrain, will start at around $70,000 before extra options. This futuristic pickup truck is scheduled to be released later this year.
Worst: Jaguar i-Pace
The Jaguar i-Pace is a futuristic electric SUV that has been on the market since 2018. Although not a bad car in its own right, the i-Pace is criminally overpriced. The starting price of more than $70,000 isn't exactly justified in this case.
One of the biggest downsides of the i-Pace is its range. Though the automaker promises up to 253 miles on a single charge, many owners report the actual real-world range to be a lot lower.
Best: Lordstown Motors Endurance
Unlike some of the other modern electric pickup trucks, the Lordstown Motors Endurance is all about utility. The automaker prioritized the truck's capabilities above all else. Don't let the sleek exterior design fool you, the Endurance is meant to be used as a workhorse rather than a symbol of status.
The Lordstown Motors Endurance packs an impressive 600-horsepower drivetrain, as well as a single-charge range of over 250 miles. The base price is $52,500.
Worst: Chevrolet Bolt EUV
The Bolt EUV is the latest addition to GM's lineup of fully electric automobiles. This weird-looking electric utility vehicle is going on sale for the 2022 model year. It's not a particularly exciting EV or one that anyone in their right mind would consider purchasing.
While the all-new Chevrolet Bolt EUV does look futuristic, it's also quite an eyesore. It can accelerate to 60 miles per hour in 7 seconds. On the other hand, a single-charge range of nearly 250 miles is quite reasonable for a starting price of $33,000.
Best: Mercedes-Benz EQC
The EQC is a lavish electric SUV that's a part of the all-new, fully electric Mercedes-Benz EQ Series. The German automaker promises to deliver luxury alongside impressive performance, and it looks like the EQC will indeed tick all the boxes.
The 2021 Mercedes-Benz EQC can reach 60 miles per hour in under 5 seconds. What's more, it has a range of over 250 miles on a single charge. Add in all of the lavish comfort and safety features, and the starting price of nearly $70,000 sounds justified.
Best: Nikola Badger
The Nikola Badger is yet another futuristic pickup truck that will soon hit the market. It's easily one of the most aggressive and best-looking electric pickup trucks so far.
Interestingly, the Nikola Badger will be offered either with a fully electric drivetrain or a hybrid powerplant that runs on hydrogen as well as electricity. The EV variant of the Badger will start at roughly $60,000. The automaker promises a range of 300 miles on a single charge and 600 miles for the hybrid variant.
Worst: MG ZS
After a quick peek, you may easily confuse this Chinese electric crossover with the Mazda CX-5. After all, the two vehicles are nearly identical when it comes to exterior design. This copycat, however, is much worse than the original.
At the time of its 2020 debut in Australia, the MG ZS EV was the cheapest electric car available on that market. The MG ZS doesn't really have any strong sides. What's more, its infotainment system is considered to be one of the worst in the automotive industry.
Best: Audi Q4 Sportback E-Tron
The Q4 Sportback is a sleek crossover SUV developed by Audi, and the E-Tron is powered by a fully electric drivetrain. Buyers should not get too excited about this gorgeous machine, as the Q4 Sportback E-Tron will not be available in the United States.
The Q4 Sportback E-Tron packs a 51.5kWh battery pack that can drive up to 175 miles on a single charge. It can also be charged in as little as half an hour, depending on the charging point and its power output.
Best: Tesla Model X
The Model X, just like any other part of the Tesla lineup, needs no introduction. This stylish SUV is one of the most popular picks among EV buyers in the US, as well as other markets across the globe.
The base model starts at $41,190, which is a great deal considering all of its cool features. One of the only downsides of the Model X is the limited headroom in the third row, as well as a ride that's not quite as smooth as some of its competitors. Nonetheless, the Model X remains a solid EV under $50,000.
Worst: Tata Nexon
There is a great chance that you have never heard of the Tata Nexon. That's because this fully electric SUV is built in India and never made it to the North American market. That may be a good thing, despite the low price tag.
According to various sources, the Tata Nexon suffers from major quality issues that can lead to serious accidents without any fault of the driver. In India, the Tata Nexon starts at 7.2 Lakh, or around US $10,800.
Best: Volvo XC40 Recharge
The XC40 Recharge is an upscale SUV that made headlines shortly after its premiere. It can accelerate to 60 miles per hour in just 4.7 seconds, thanks to its electric drivetrain rated at 402 horsepower.
Unlike the previously mentioned Audi Q4, this sleek European SUV is available in the United States! Pricing starts at roughly $60,000 before any extra options. It's quite a fair deal, considering what the competitors have to offer in the same price range.
Best: Rivian R1T
The R1T is an all-new electric pickup truck developed by Rivian. The automaker promises that the first units will be delivered to customers by the end of 2021. The starting price for a Rivian R1T is rather steep at roughly $75,000.
At first, Rivian will only offer the Launch Edition trim level. It packs a range of around 300 miles on a single charge. Buyers will soon be able to order other trim levels for the 2022 model year, though.
Worst: Dacia Spring
The Spring is actually a rebadged, redesigned version of the Renault Kwid that first appeared on the market back in 2015. As of 2021, the Spring is the cheapest new electric car available in Europe. Thankfully, this awful SUV is not available on the US market.
The Dacia Spring is painfully bland and doesn't really have any positive aspects other than its low sticker price. Pricing starts at around $20,000 before extra options, though many European countries offer rebates that lower the MSRP even further.
Best: HiPhi X
You have probably never heard of the X crossover, or HiPhi, the Chinese automaker behind this stunning EV. In its most powerful variant, the HiPhi X produces a whopping 536 horsepower!
According to the automaker, this crossover will have a range of up to 400 miles on a single charge. What's more, HiPhi offers free lifetime servicing for the first 3000 buyers of the HiPhi X. What a clever way to boost sales. Sadly, there is no information on whether this EV will make it to the US market anytime soon.
Best: Kandi K27
This tiny EV certainly wouldn't win a classy concourse. It may not be the prettiest car out there, though it has made its mark in automotive history. That's because the K27 is the first Chinese electric car to make it to the US market.
As far as the pricing goes, some buyers were able to pick these eyesores for as little as $6000. You may expect awful quality for that price tag, but that's not the case! In fact, many owners are surprised by the build quality of the K27, as well as its many features.
Best: Kia e-Niro EV
This is yet another electric crossover SUV that's available on the US market. It's also one of the best picks in its price range. Here is why.
The Niro is an electric car that's ideal for the daily commute. Its 64-kWh battery pack is rated at 201 horsepower, which allows the Niro to drive up to 240 miles on a single charge. It starts at a little less than $25,000 for the base model, before extra options.
Worst: Renault Twizy
The Renault Twizy is easily one of the quirkiest EVs on the market. In fact, it's not even classified as an automobile in most countries. Instead, its tiny dimensions and an underpowered drivetrain cause the Twizy to be classified as either a quadricycle or a microcar.
The Twizy would have been a fine vehicle for the city commute, if only it wasn't so overpriced. The ride comfort is non-existent, especially for the passenger. You may not believe it but this tiny vehicle can fit two people.
Best: Tesla Model Y
The Model Y is another electric SUV offered by Tesla, and it's arguably even more exciting than the previously mentioned Model X.
The Performance trim level is currently the ultimate variant of the Model Y, and it definitely packs a punch. It can accelerate to 60 miles per hour in only 3.5 seconds and has a range of over 300 miles on a single charge. That's a fair deal for around $55,000, which is around $5,000 more than the starting price for the base trim level.
Worst: Citroen C-Zero
The C-Zero is the oldest electric car on this list. It first went on sale back in 2010. As a result, this quirky supermini was one of the first modern EVs to hit the market. Just like the majority of early innovations, the C-Zero wasn't exactly perfect. In fact, it could have easily ruined electric vehicles in the eyes of potential buyers.
The C-Zero was intended for the city commute, and it's hard to imagine going on a road trip in a vehicle that can only go for 60 miles on a single charge.
Best: Kia Soul EV
The Kia e-Soul is yet another EV on the market that's simply ideal for the everyday commute. This small crossover is a great pick for around $38,500. Sadly, it's not available in the United States, though it would make a solid addition among its competitors.
For less than $40,000, buyers get a range of up to 280 miles on a single charge. What's more, it only takes around 50 minutes to charge up to 80% of the battery's capacity.
Worst: Microlino
The Microlino is an electric bubble car made in Switzerland. Its odd exterior design could be considered charming, especially because the car resembles the infamous BMW Isetta. The Microlino is apparently the best mix between a car and a motorcycle, at least according to the manufacturer. We beg to differ.
This tiny bubble car starts at around $14,000 in Europe. It can reach a top speed of 90 miles per hour and drive up to 120 miles on a single charge when equipped with a larger battery pack. It's a hard pass.
Best: Lightning GT
If you ever wanted to feel like a real-life version of James Bond, this stylish electric car may just be the perfect vehicle for the job. Developed by London-based Lightning Car Company, the GT was initially supposed to be released in 2009, but the private automaker pushed that date back all the way to 2022.
Yet, this EV is expected to be worth the wait. The battery fully recharges after just 2.5 hours of plugging in at home. This sporty two-door coupe will have you arriving in style, no matter where you're going.
Best: Volkswagen ID. 4
The ID. 4 won the Car Of The Year 2021. That alone should give you an idea of just how amazing it is. The starting price for this stylish fully electric SUV is $39,999, though potential federal tax credits can lower it all the way to $32,495.
The ID. 4 is from the cheapest EV on the market, though it's quite a good deal given all of its features. The German automaker also offers leasing deals at $379 for 36 months, plus $3579 at signing.
Best: Renault Zoe
The Renault Zoe is yet another car on this list that has never made it to the North American market. This five-door supermini is sold by the French automaker since 2012 and used to be one of the best-selling EVs in Europe. In fact, Renault sold nearly 300 000 Zoes in total.
The Zoe makes anywhere between 89 and 134 horsepower, depending on the production year. It also has a range of almost 250 miles on a single charge.
