Up until a few years ago, choosing which electric vehicle to buy was easy. The only viable option was a Tesla as most other electric vehicles (the few that existed) offered very little in terms of range, power, and design. Since Tesla has changed the game, more and more manufacturers are joining the electric market in an effort to achieve a zero-emission fleet (after the vehicles have been produced) by the imposed government deadlines. This has now led to an endless sea of electric vehicles to choose from. You can have city cars, sedans, hatchbacks, SUVs, pickups, and even full-on off-roaders like the Hummer EV. Sadly, many of these vehicles are just gimmicks. The Hummer EV certainly does more harm than good to the environment and doesn’t serve any particular use. However, there are other EVs out there that certainly do. So, to help you make the correct decisions, here are 10 electric vehicles that are worth your hard-earned money in 2023.
10 Tesla Model S Plaid
The Tesla Model S Plaid is Tesla’s flagship vehicle and is considered by many as the best electric car that money can buy. When having a look at the specs it is easy to see why. The Plaid will hit 60 mph in just 1.9 seconds and produces a staggering 1,020 horsepower from its dual electric motors. Its battery is a 100 kWh lithium-ion pack and it offers a range of 373 miles. One of the best parts about the Model S is the insanely fast charging times of just 90 minutes (with the correct charger). Of course, the Plaid can be deemed as a bit excessive. Therefore, if you want something cheaper and more subtle you can go for the normal Model S.
9 Porsche Taycan
The Porsche Taycan has been the biggest competitor to the Model S Plaid; however, its been a few years since it was first released and it is starting to fall behind the Tesla. This, however, doesn’t mean it isn’t worth getting. The drivetrain of the Porsche is based on a dual-motor AWD architecture and can provide 750 horsepower. The stint from 0-60 takes 2.6 seconds and the vehicle can cover 201 miles without charging. When the time comes to charge, the Taycan can gain 80-percent of its battery capacity back in just 22.5 minutes. Interestingly, it is one of the few EVs that has different gears in its transmission as it uses a two-speed automatic. The Taycan Turbo S is the perfect EV for the buyer who looks for driving pleasure.
8 Audi E-Tron GT
The E-Tron GT is Audi’s answer to the electric world. It also offers a dual motor drivetrain that provides AWD and a power output of 469 horsepower (523 horsepower in over-boost mode). All that power is enough to send the heavy Audi (4963 lbs) from 0-60 in 3.9 seconds. A 93.4 kWh battery can be found under the floor of the vehicle and can store enough energy to power the E-Tron for 238 miles. When you run out, you will be able to go from five- to 80-percent charge in approximately 22.5 minutes. This, however, requires a 270kW DC fast charger (fast chargers are required for all EVs that can charge this quickly). Overall, the E-Tron is an EV that offers great performance, comfort, and unique looks.
7 Ford Mustang Mach E
The Ford Mustang Mach-E was a bit controversial in the beginning because of its name. People didn’t like the Mustang nameplate on an EV. However, there is no denying its capabilities. The Mach-E is powered by a dual-motor electric drivetrain that can deliver up to 459 horsepower in its top-spec GT model. These numbers lead to a 0-60 time of just 3.5 seconds. The all-important range is 300 miles for the top-of-the-line model. Inside, you will find plenty of advanced features, including a spacious and high-tech interior that incorporates premium materials and advanced technology like Ford's latest infotainment system and driver assistance technology. For buyers who need a taller riding EV that remains comfortable and usable and relatively affordable, the Mach-E is a perfect choice.
6 Hyundai Ioniq 5
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 has certainly caused a stir in the electric vehicle community as its design and performance are revolutionary for this type of vehicle. The most impressive fact about it is perhaps the packaging. From the outside, and especially by the U.S. standards, the Ioniq 5 is a small vehicle. However, once you step in you are pleasantly surprised with the amount of space available. The tall roof and electric drivetrain enable the seats to be spaced further apart providing more legroom. Granted, with 320 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque the Ioniq 5 isn’t as fast or as sporty as other vehicles on this list. However, its lower price and great interior space make it a perfect daily driver or even a full-on family car.
5 Polestar 2
The Polestar 2 is an all-electric vehicle that was designed to take on the EV market. The vehicle is produced by Polestar, which is Volvo's standalone electric vehicle brand and both engineers and designers have done a great job with it. The exterior has a Scandinavian-inspired design that is both modern and minimalist. It is safe to say that it fits the sporty character of the Polestar really well. In top spec, its two electric motors pump out 469 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque combined. Acceleration from 0-60 takes four seconds and the total range (when driving sensibly) is 367 miles. Inside, the vehicle is packed with impressive features that are incorporated into a very comfortable cabin.
4 Volkswagen ID.4
With the ID.4, Volkswagen aims to bring the electric family vehicle to the middle class. Its relatively affordable pricing gets you a spacious interior, advanced technology, and a comfortable ride. The range is roughly 250 miles (depending on the battery you choose), making it an excellent choice for a daily driver that can tackle both city and motorway runs. Charging is also impressive as the battery can reach 80-percent full in just 38 minutes. Finally, the design and shape of the vehicle mean that the ID.4 offers plenty of cargo space, headroom, and legroom making it an immensely practical vehicle. This is Volkswagen’s answer to the EV family vehicle segment, and its design and quirky looks ensure that it will be a successful one.
3 Mercedes EQE
Mercedes took some time to enter the electric vehicle game but is now producing some incredible vehicles. The EQE has an estimated EPA range of 300 miles through a battery pack that offers a usable capacity of 107.8 kWh. The total capacity is 126.4 kWh but not all of it is utilized in order to prolong the life of the battery. The EQE also supports DC fast charging up to 170 kW and like most of the options on this list, offers a dual motor drivetrain that makes the vehicle AWD. Power numbers include an impressive 402 horsepower that can send the EQE from 0-60 mph in under five seconds. Inside, you certainly won’t be disappointed with the EQE as it offers a gorgeous Mercedes design and plenty of technology thanks to the MBUX infotainment system and various driver assistance features.
2 Kia EV6
The EV6 is perhaps one of the most attainable EVs on this list, and it is the perfect choice for family and city use. It is available in both rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel drive configurations with the EV6 GT offering a 77.4 kWh battery that offers up to 300 miles of range. The smaller 58 kWh battery will provide 255 miles of range. Charging the EV6 using a DC fast charger will take you from 10- to 80-percent charge in just 18 minutes. So, you get both great range and a short charging time. Even though this is a cheaper vehicle than the rest, inside you still get great features like a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14-inch infotainment system. For those looking for a slightly more affordable option, the EV6 is surely the car to get.
1 BMW iX
The BMW iX is one of the heaviest and largest vehicles on this list. In our opinion, large electric vehicles don’t make much sense as they are extremely heavy; therefore, they need huge batteries that take longer to charge but deliver the same range. Also, they aren’t all that environmentally friendly. However, there are people who love to sit higher in a large vehicle as they get a sense of safety and for this reason, the IX is a good choice. It features a 111.5 kWh battery pack that provides a range of 324 miles. Again, this vehicle uses two electric motors that provide a combined power output of 516 horsepower. Since this is an insanely heavy machine (5,511 pounds in its lightest form) 0-60 takes 4.6 seconds. As you would expect from a BMW of this size and price, the interior is filled with all the latest technology and luxuries one can expect. If you are looking for a premium electric SUV, the BMW IX is one of the top contenders.