The EV market is getting loaded with more and more vehicles by the day, and finding the best one can be very difficult. But, what makes an electric vehicle the best electric vehicle money can buy? In the past, it was the model with the best range, but things have evolved over the years and now electric vehicles are offering a lot more than just range. When looking to buy an EV, you should also look into power, performance, luxury, and safety – for short, everything you would look into when considering an ICE vehicle as an EV should offer just about the same things. Price is also a factor, but, like with everything else, you pay what you get. We have prepared a list of the best electric vehicles you can get in 2023, and here are the 10 options.
1 Tesla Model 3: The Second Best-Selling EV From 2022
No matter how much a portion of the population does not like Tesla, we must admit they are some of the best electric cars out there in terms of range. One of the best electric cars of 2022 in terms of sales, the Model 3 remains a very good choice for 2023 too. Currently, the Model 3 is only offered in two trims: base Model 3 priced at $42,990 and Model 3 Performance priced at $53,990, but a Long Range trim is also expected. Depending on the trim, the Model 3 delivers up to 455 horsepower and 487 pound-feet of torque, can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.1 seconds, and has a range of up to 315 miles. The Long Range Model 3 promises to deliver up to 358 miles. The Model 3 may not have the best exterior look, or the best interior, but it does benefit from lots of cool tech features, tons of safety features, and can carry up to 43 cubic feet of groceries. For the money, it is one of the best electric vehicles in the compact segment.
2 Tesla Model S: An Outrageous Amount Of Range And Speed
Surpassed only by the Lucid Air, and with a range of up to 405 miles, the Model S is one of the best luxury electric vehicles you can get. If you are willing to sacrifice a little bit of range and only get a total of 396 miles, you can opt for the Plaid trim that will give you 1,020 horsepower and 1,050 pound-feet of torque. You will also own a very fast machine, as the Plaid goes from 0 to 60 mph in just 1.99 seconds. Of course, with a starting price of $109,990, the Plaid is about $20,000 more expensive than the base Model S. Do not expect a cabin as nice as that of the EQS or the Air, but the Model S is quite reasonably equipped, with its best feature being that huge infotainment system. If you go for the Plaid, you will also get the Yoke steering wheel as an option.
3 Hyundai Ioniq 6: A True And Affordable Competitor To The Tesla Model 3
One of the most awaited cars of 2023, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 will go on sale in the spring of 2023 as one of the biggest threats for the Tesla Model 3. With a range of up to 340 miles and ultra-fast 800-Volt charging technologies, the Ioniq 6 is one of the best electric cars you can get. It will be offered with the option of two powertrain versions: a single-rear-motor layout with 225 horsepower, and a dual-motor setup with a combined 320 horsepower. In its best configuration, the Ioniq 6 will be relatively fast, and it will be able to sprint from 0 to 60 mph in less than 5 seconds. The EV was built on a long wheelbase that ensures a spacious interior – which is a plus compared to most EVs, and, thanks to its very low center of gravity, the Ioniq is also very fun to drive. The Ioniq 6 is also relatively cheap, at a starting price of $41,600.
4 Polestar 2: Volvo Luxury And Safety Baked In
The 2023 Polestar 2 is offered in two trims: one powered by a single electric motor that delivers 231 horsepower and 243 pound-feet of torque, and a second one with a dual motor setup and a combined 408 horsepower and 487 pound-feet of torque. For the Dual Motor model, you can add another 68 horses and 15 pound-feet of torque, if you pay an extra $1,100. The total range varies from 260 to 270 miles, while the 0 to 60 mph sprint time can go down to as much as 4.2 seconds. The Polestar 2 also benefits from fast charging, and it takes only 31 minutes to recharge from 10 to 80 percent. Both the exterior and the interior are packed with lots of cool tech features, and since this is basically a Volvo, its safety features were taken to extremes - which makes the Polestar 2 one of the best electric cars in terms of safety. Prices range from $48,400 for the Single Motor model to $51,900 for the Dual Motor.
5 Porsche Taycan: You Really Can’t Go Wrong With A Porsche EV
The Porsche Taycan is the perfect proof that you don't have to sacrifice interior space in order to get a high-performance car. With five different trims to choose from, and a price ranging from $86,700 to $187,400, there is definitely one Taycan for everybody. Of course, if you want performance, you will have to pay the money and get the best trim available. The Taycan Turbo S will give you up to 750 horsepower and a 0 to 60 mph sprint time of 2.6 seconds - just as good as the 911 Turbo S. The Taycan Turbo S will give you a range of 222 miles, but different trims will offer as much as 246 miles. The Taycan is a 2+2 model, but there is the option to add a third spot in the back if needed. The cabin will be everything you would expect from a Porsche, with tons of cool tech features, lots of luxury materials, and a decent-enough interior room.
6 Lucid Air: The Best Range Of Any Electric Vehicle Available Today
Without a doubt, one of the best luxury electric vehicles you can buy is the Lucid Air. The Air is offered in five trims, with output ranging from 480 horsepower in the entry-level model to 1,200 horsepower in the top-of-the-line Air Sapphire. In its best configuration, the Air offers a range of up to 516 miles, and according to Lucid, its range shouldn't go under 410 miles. However, during a recent test drive of the Air Touring, the guys over at Car and Driver could only travel for 280 miles before needing to be recharged. The good news is that the Air benefits from fast charging capabilities, and it can add as much as 300 miles in just 21 minutes. The cabin offers rich-looking materials and cutting-edge technology, but also one of the best interior spaces in its class. The Air also features a sophisticated infotainment system that includes a larger upper touchscreen and a smaller tablet-like touchscreen that can be retracted into the dashboard. It features voice-recognition software and an assistant that will learn everything about the user's preferences. The 2023 Lucid Air prices range from $87,400 to $249,000.
7 BMW i4: Quite Literally An Electric BMW 4 Series
When it comes to electric cars, BMW is probably one of the few makers that somehow manages to give its cars a decent look. Its i4 is no exception, and, except for a few different elements, it looks almost the same as the 4 Series. The i4 is offered in either eDrive35 or M50 trims, and prices range from $52,000 to $68,700. If you are searching for a compact luxury sedan, then the i4 is the best compact luxury EV you can get. For the i4, the power ranges from 281 horsepower to 536 in the top trim model. The range is somehow disappointing and only goes up to 301 miles, but the i4 supports up to 205 kW fast charging and can add up to 87 miles of range in 10 minutes. The cabin is everything you would expect from a BMW, with tons of luxury features and all the latest tech features.
8 Mercedes-Benz EQS: You Can Even Have An AMG-Branded Electric S-Class
If you are searching to buy one of the best luxury electric cars out there, then the Mercedes-Benz EQS should be on your list. The American customers have four models to choose from: 450+, 450 4Matic, 580 4Matic, and the AMG EQS, with prices ranging from $104,400 to $147,550. The non-AMG models deliver anywhere between 329 and 516 horsepower, while in the AMG the combined output goes up to 649 horsepower. The EQS also promises a range of up to 350 miles. Even the AMG trim is good for 277 miles, which makes it one of the most efficient models in its class. The EQS' interior is everything you would expect from a Mercedes: spacious, luxurious, and practical. The cabin is a combination of soft-touch plastic, wood, leather, microfiber suede, carbon fiber, massage functions, neck, and shoulder heating, plus lots of space, even for the rear passenger. The EQS even has a cargo space bigger than the S-Class: 22 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 63 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.
9 Audi E-Tron GT: Arguably The Best Audi EV Currently On Sale
Audi has learned a lot from its relatively short experience of building electric cars, so the recently launched e-tron GT is one of the best EVs the company has to offer. The model is built on the same platform as the Taycan and can be had in either standard or RS trims. Both models feature a 93-kWh lithium-ion battery powering dual synchronous front and rear electric motors. In the base model, they deliver 469 horsepower (or 522 in boost mode), while in the RS the output is increased to 590 horsepower (637 horsepower with the launch control activated). The 0 to 60 mph sprint time goes down to as much as 3.1 seconds, while the range varies from 232 to 238 miles. The e-tron GT's exterior is just as amazing as any other Audi model, while the interior will offer the best quality leathers, brushed aluminum trimming, and carbon fiber inserts. Prices range from $104,900 to $143,900.
10 Genesis Electrified G80: The Most Well-Rounded Package You Can Buy
While the GV60 is the first Genesis vehicle to be built on a dedicated EV platform shared by the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and the Kia EV6, the company is also offering electric versions for models like the G80 or GV70. They share the platform with their ICE-powered brothers, but both models are equally impressive. The Electric G80 is powered by two 136-kW electric motors that deliver a combined 365 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. An 87.2 kWh battery-pack provides a range of 265 miles, and while it may not sound like a lot, the electric G80 needs only 22 minutes to charge from 10 to 80 percent when using a fast-charging 800V system. And while the range may not suggest it, the Electrified G80 is one of the best luxury electric cars money can buy. It features a very elegant exterior design and one of the most luxurious cabins. The seats are wrapped in the best quality leather, there is a total of 50 inches of display divided into a 12.3-inch 3D digital instrument cluster, a 14.5-inch HD touchscreen infotainment system, plus two 9.2-inch rear seat entertainment screens. Prices for the 2023 electric Genesis G80 start from $80,920.