In the past few years, automakers have learned that when it comes to electric vehicles, customers are looking for a little bit more than just range. Yes, range is important too, but with pretty much every EV these days coming with fast-charging capabilities, it is not on the top of the priority list anymore. Instead, a lot of customers expect the same things from an EV that they expect from an ICE vehicle: great performance, ride quality, comfort, and luxury. And, as is the case with ICE vehicles, the more you are willing to pay, the more capable and luxurious the car is going to be. So, if you are looking to buy a luxury electric vehicle this year, the market has quite a few interesting options for you depending on how big of a budget you have.
1 Cadillac Celestiq - The $300,000 Take On American Luxury
Set to go on sale at the end of 2023 at a price of $300,000, the Celestiq is the most expensive Cadillac ever. Just like all the other electric vehicles from GM, the Celestiq is built on the Ultium Platform that combines a 111-kWh battery pack with a two-motor, all-wheel-drive propulsion system for a combined 600 horsepower and 640 pound-feet of torque and an estimated range of 300 miles. It also goes from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.8 seconds. Each Celestiq will be hand-built according to the customer's wishes and will feature a total of 115 3D-printed parts. Cadillac equipped the luxury EV with a smart roof that will control the amount of light that enters the vehicle, while the cabin is one of the most luxurious on the market. There will be four bucket seats wrapped in a combination of buttery leather in any desired color, while the rest of the interior is wrapped in a combination of leather, brushed metal trims, and perforated wood. The interior lighting includes 450 distinct LEDs, while the HD display is one of the largest in the segment.
2 Rolls-Royce Spectre - The $300,000 British SUV
Announced at the end of 2022, the Spectre is a two-door coupe that blends electricity with insane luxury. It features a dual-motor setup that delivers a combined 585 horsepower and 663 pound-feet of torque. This output is enough to sprint the 6,559-pound car from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds. The range is expected to be in the 320-miles area. The Spectre has an aggressive exterior look with two-piece headlights inspired by the old Phantom, the largest grille ever seen on a Rolls-Royce model - despite the fact it doesn't need one – and a low rear roofline that gives it a very aggressive stance. In the cabin, all four passengers will enjoy the same level of comfort, thanks to comfortable seats, a huge armrest, plus ample legroom. There is also an ultra-modern infotainment system, with the virtual assistant, Eleanor, ready to tackle any command. Rolls-Royce placed more than 4,500 miniature LED starlights in both the roof and the doors, and everything on the inside can be customized in seven bright colors. Prices for the Spectre start from $300,000.
3 Mercedes-Benz EQS - The Budget Electric Luxury Car
As no surprise to anyone, Mercedes is offering some of the most luxurious EVs on the market, and the EQS is no exception. It is offered in two trims, 450+ and 580 4Matic, with power ranging from 329 to 516 horsepower. The EQS also promises a range of up to 350 miles - one of the best in the segment. The exterior look is easily identifiable as a Mercedes, but the best part is that the EQS has a drag coefficient of 0.20 - the best for any production car up to this point. The cabin is just as you would expect from a Mercedes: spacious, luxurious, and practical. Depending on the trim, it is wrapped in a combination of soft-touch plastic, wood, leather, and microfiber suede. The EQS comes with a total of three screens: a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 17.7-inch touchscreen infotainment system on the center console, and a 12.3-inch touchscreen system for the passenger. Rear passengers enjoy their own two fully integrated high-resolution 11.6-inch displays. Prices for the EQS range from $104,400 to $125,950.
4 BMW i7 - A Different Take On Electric Luxury
BMW
It should come as no surprise that BMW is offering one of the most luxurious EVs on the market. Launched for the 2023 model year, the i7 sits at the top of BMW’s electric subdivision and comes to teach Model S a lesson. It comes with a dual-motor powertrain that delivers a combined 536 horsepower and 549 pound-feet of torque. And, although it weighs almost 6,000 pounds, the i7 is fast: it goes from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.1 seconds while delivering a range of at least 296 miles on a single charge. While the exterior has nothing that makes us scream wow, the interior is a completely different story. The cabin is a combination of cool features of technology that will offer the best driving experience. As standard, the i7 comes with two 12.3-inch screens, a Swarovski-themed crystal iDrive controller, and power-adjustable seat controls, while as an option, customers can go for a 31.3-inch Theater Screen. The cabin promises the best comfort on the market, and plenty of space on offer for all four occupants. Prices start from $119,300.
5 GMC Hummer EV - An Electric Luxury Truck That Screams 'Murica!
Even if it may be hard to believe, a truck is one of the most luxurious EVs you can buy in 2023. The new GMC Hummer EV not only delivers outstanding performance, but it also has one of the best exterior designs and the best-equipped interiors. In its most powerful form, the Hummer EV delivers a combined 1,000 horsepower, 11,500 pound-feet of torque, and sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.3 seconds. It promises a range of 329 miles, and it is also a very good off-roader. Both the exterior and the interior are a mix of style and technology, and the Infiniti roof with the removable four panels can also transform your truck into a convertible. The cabin offers plenty of space, and it combines the best materials available out there. As standard, the Hummer EV comes with a 12.3-inch driver information center display, a 13.4-inch touchscreen, and a Bose 14-speaker audio system. There are also cameras everywhere to keep your vehicle safe, while the four-wheel steering and the Dynamic Suspension will provide the best driving experience. Prices start from $86,645.
6 Audi Q8 E-Tron - Proving Second Chances Can Work Out
Audi unveiled the E-tron in 2019, but it was never the successful electric SUV the company was hoping for. So, for the 2023 model year, the e-tron was updated not only with a more efficient powertrain, but also a new nomenclature: the Q8 e-tron. American customers will get two models to choose from: Q8 55 and SQ8 – with power ranging from 402 to 496 horsepower. The range was also improved, so the Q8 e-tron is good for up to 330 miles. Changes on the outside and the inside are being kept to a minimum, but that's not a problem, as the e-tron was already a very luxurious model. The cabin is wrapped in the best quality materials, and three big displays offer all the info needed. There is a 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit, a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment display, and a smaller 8.6-inch display for HVAC controls.
7 Mercedes-Benz EQE: Proof That An Electric Luxury Car Doesn’t Have To Be Big
Even if smaller than the EQS, the Mercedes-Benz EQE is equally impressive in terms of luxury. Just like with the EQS, the EQE is offered in two models – EQE 350+ and EQE 500 – with power ranging from 288 to 402 horsepower. Depending on the trim, the range varies from 260 to 305 miles, while the 0 to 60 mph sprint time goes down to 4.5 seconds. On the outside, the EQE looks like a smaller EQS with shorter overhangs, and recessed flanks. The cabin is equally impressive and makes intensive use of Neotex, a combination of nubuck leather and high-tech neoprene. The 56-inch Hyperscreen runs the entire width of the dash, and it includes a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 17.7-inch central display, and a 12.3-inch passenger display. Prices for the EQE range from $74,900 to $85,900.
8 Genesis Electrified G80: An Afterthought, But Still Awesome
The Electrified G80 - Genesis' first attempt at a luxury EV arrived in 2021, and it is ready to take the world by storm. The model doesn't get its own dedicated platform, like the GV60, but it is built on the same platform as the standard G80. The electric Genesis G80 is powered by two 136-kW electric motors that deliver a combined 365 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. It offers a range of 265 miles, and it needs only 22 minutes to charge from 10 to 80 percent when using a fast-charging 800V system. The exterior is very elegant, while the cabin is well-balanced and very luxurious. The front seats are wrapped in the best quality leather and have seven air cells placed inside that will inflate and deflate the lumbar support for enhanced side support. 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. The electrified G80 comes standard with a 20-speaker Lexicon sound system by Harman, while an optional solar roof adds another 715 miles over the course of a year.
9 Audi e-tron GT: A True Electric And Luxurious Sports Car
The e-tron GT is basically a model Audi built just to show Taycan how things should have been done. The e-tron GT is built on the same platform as the Taycan, and its dual-motor powertrain delivers a combined 469 horsepower (or 522 in boost mode). The model sprints from 0 to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds and provides a range of 238 miles. The exterior is defined by a gorgeous design - as you would expect from an Audi model – while the cabin is loaded with cool tech features and luxurious elements. The entire cabin is dressed in leather with brushed aluminum trimming and carbon fiber inserts. The seats are heated as standard, while Audi’s Connect Infotainment system is one of the best in its class. As standard, the e-tron GT is offered with a 10.1-inch touch display, a premium Bang & Olufsen sound system, and much more. The e-tron GT is priced from $104,900.
10 Lucid Air: Showing Tesla What Luxury Is Really About
No matter what trim you opt for, the Lucid Air is equally impressive. It has a jaw-dropping design, it is powerful, delivers some of the best range on the market, and benefits from one of the best fast-charging features. Power for the Air range from 480 horsepower in the entry-level model to 1,200 horsepower in the top-of-the-line Air Sapphire, while range goes up to an impressive 516 miles. The cabin is not only very luxurious, but also offers lots of space for the occupants. The cabin is defined by rich-looking materials and cutting-edge technology. One of the best features is the glass canopy that offers a panoramic view of the sky, but there is also lots of other cool stuff, like rear seats that can recline for the ultimate comfort. The infotainment system in made from a larger upper touchscreen and a smaller tablet-like touchscreen that can be retracted into the dashboard. Prices for the Air range from $89,050 in the Pure trim to $250,650 for the Sapphire.