With automakers starting to embrace electrification fully, it’s no surprise that hardly a day goes by without hearing about some new electric car. The electric SUV segment started shy with the Tesla Model X but is currently taking over the market. Based on today’s market requests, however, it is no wonder that what was once rare will soon be common. But the question is how do you stay competitive in a market like this? The answer is simple: by creating the best models for your clients. And, while it does sound easy on paper, it may not be as easy to do in real life, especially when the competition is getting tougher by the day. Still, there are many automakers that have found ways to stay above others and are getting ready to offer the best SUVs you can ask for. Here’s a list of ten electric SUVs that are really worth the wait!
1 Jeep Recon: The Electric Off-Roader
Jeep took its first step towards electrification with the plug-in hybrid Wrangler 4xe, but its first four electric models will be unveiled in 2024. One of these four new models is the Recon - a fully electric SUV with a traditional Wrangler look and both on-road and off-road performance. The Recon is built on the Stellantis STLA platform, and it isn’t meant to replace the Wrangler. However, it will be just as off-road capable, if not more. The Recon will benefit from a lot of features that will improve its off-roading capabilities. These features include electronic locking differentials (e-locker axle tech), Selec-Terrain traction management functions, skid plates, tow hooks, and beefy tires. It should deliver up to 600 horsepower and have a range of 400 miles. Prices should start from around $60,000.
2 Polestar 3: The Pretty Electric SUV
Ever since Polestar announced the 3 back in 2021, we were very intrigued by it. It is a mid-sized SUV, with a great road presence, and one of the best designs we have seen on an electric vehicle. Its exterior was not only designed with aerodynamics in mind, but also with the purpose of being the best-looking electric SUV on the market - and we think it succeeded. The Polestar 3 delivers a total of 483 ponies and 620 pound-feet of torque in the base version, and up to 510 horses and 671 pound-feet when the performance package is added. The range is a modest 300 miles, but the Polestar 3 excels in terms of interior space and luxury. It is also properly equipped to support Level 3 driving autonomy. The Polestar 3 is priced from $85,300 - which makes it more affordable than models like the Tesla Model X and the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV, which start over $100,000.
3 Faraday Future FF 91: The Zombie Of The Bunch
Faraday Future's luxury EV SUV, the FF 91, had a very controversial existence. It was initially announced six years ago as a concept and was supposed to go into production in 2018. However, the company's many financial problems prevented this from happening, until March 2023 when the FF 91 finally made it to the production line. There is still no word on when we will be able to buy the SUV, however. The EV is powered by three electric motors that deliver a combined 1,050 horsepower and benefits from a range of 381 miles. It also needs just 2.39 seconds to sprint from 0 to 60 mph. The FF 91 benefits from cutting-edge technology that makes it more connected, more engaging, more effortless. The cabin is all about luxury, with the rear seats featuring Nasa’s design philosophy that helps them enable the ideal distribution of your body weight.
4 Audi Q8 E-tron: Proving Second Attempts Count
After Audi failed with its first electric SUV - the E-tron - it decided to improve it in every aspect, but also give it a new name. The new Q8 e-tron was announced at the end of 2022, and although it is already on sale in Europe, the American market must wait a bit before getting it. In terms of exterior design, the Q8 e-tron is pretty much identical, but it was updated in just the right spots. It received a new battery pack that adds 30-40 percent more range, which means we are currently looking at up to 373 miles. And, next to the regular Q8 55, the States will also get the more powerful SQ8 trim with a combined 496 horsepower and 718 pound-feet of torque. This means Audi will finally have a proper competitor in the segment, and we can’t wait to see if it will be any better than the model it replaces.
5 Ford Explorer EV
Ford may have started with the Mach-E and the F-150 Lightning, but its entire lineup will soon be all-electric. The next model to get the all-electric treatment is the Explorer and, at the same time, the Lincoln Aviator EV. Ford already announced the Explorer EV for Europe, and while the one slated for the U.S. should be considerably larger, we can make a pretty good idea of what to expect by looking at the European model. At least in terms of look and interior design. For Europe, the Explorer EV is built on Volkswagen's MEB platform and will deliver as much as 300 horsepower from a dual-motor configuration. What we would like to get in the U.S. would be that adventure-ready exterior design, and the simple, yet modern-looking cabin. Of course, it will all be adapted to a seven-seat configuration.
6 Acura ZDX
Another name that is about to make a comeback in Acura's lineup is the ZDX. What initially was a radical-looking sportback SUV, will now become Acura's first all-electric SUV that will benefit from General Motors’ BEV3 modular electric vehicle platform and Ultium battery technology. This is the same platform used for models like the Chevy Blazer EV and Cadillac Lyriq, but the ZDX will have nothing in common with the two. Instead, it will be the first Acura model to benefit from the company's latest design language - already previewed by the Precision EV Concept. In its best configuration, the ZDX should deliver up to 500 horsepower and will have a range of 350 miles. It will also benefit from a more sophisticated technology than Acura's current lineup, and will offer features like a touchpad interface, a rebranded version of GM’s Super Cruise, and a Level 2 autonomous driving system.
7 Volvo EX90
Unveiled in 2022, the EX90 will go on sale in 2024 as Volvo's first bespoke electric vehicle. It will aim at models like the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV or the Rivian R1S and will be offered in two trim configurations: one with 408 horsepower and the other one with 517 horsepower and 671 pound-feet of torque. A 111-kWh battery provides a range of up to 300 miles, and, if this doesn't sound like too much, the EX90 benefits from fast charging capabilities and needs only 30 minutes to be recharged to 80 percent. The EX90 will be the safest model Volvo ever built. It will be equipped with one long-range Lidar, five radars, eight cameras, and 16 ultrasonic sensors that all create a real-time, 360-degree view of the world and will constantly inform the driver about what is going on. It will also benefit from the first interior radar system that can detect any baby or pet left inside the car. Bi-directional charging, and many other cool luxury and tech features will also be part of the deal.
8 Fisker Pear
More of a crossover rather than an SUV, the future Fisker Pear (Personal Electric Automotive Revolution) will arrive in 2024 and will set a new standard in the compact EV market. It will be priced from only $29,900 and should benefit from the same features we have already seen in the Ocean. Unlike the latter, the Pear will be built on its own dedicated steel platform - set to be used for two more EVs - and will measure about 177 inches long. There are no details on the powertrain figures just yet, but Fisker will offer the same configuration as in the Ocean: one entry level model with one electric motor placed in the rear, and a more powerful version with two electric motors. The Pear will offer some unique features like a SolarSky panoramic roof, something called the "Houdini trunk," and a unique design with fewer parts than a traditional vehicle.
9 Kia EV9
The Kia EV9 is one of the most awaited models of 2023. It is set to go on sale at the end of the year and should give models like the Model X lots of reasons to fear. The EV9 is built on the same all-electric e-GMP platform as models like the EV6, which means it will benefit from the same 800-volt architecture that enables adding 149 miles in just 15 minutes of charging. There will be several trims to choose from, with the most awaited one being the EV9 GT. There are no details on it just yet, but the EV6 GT should set a good example: it is powered by two electric motors that deliver a combined 576 horsepower and 545 pound-feet of torque. The EV9 will also offer lots of interior space, with the cabin built mostly from sustainable materials. Third-row seating will be offered as standard, and the second row can rotate by up to 180 degrees so that the rear passengers can socialize. The EV9 will also be fully equipped for the Level 3 autonomous driving feature.
10 Hyundai Ioniq 7
While Hyundai has just put the Ioniq 6 on sale, another cool vehicle coming from the Korean brand is the Ioniq 7. It will be a three-row SUV built on the same Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) platform as the KIA EV9 and the Ioniq 6. There are no details on its specs just yet, but we do know it will have a range of about 300 miles and will need only 20 minutes to recharge to 80 percent. However, is not the performance figures that make the Ioniq 7 worth waiting for. It is its interior and its luxury features. First, there will be a set of huge coach doors that will make access to the SUV very easy. Everything in the cabin will be built around comfort and from green materials. The SUV will also benefit from dual ambiance lighting and a special Electric Active Sound Design (e-ASD) that will make it sound like a spaceship when accelerating. The Ioniq 7 will be priced at about $50,000.