The average American home usually has some kind of SUV. It’s ideal for getting around, and picking people up, and has good fuel economy. As sedans and coupes go electric, more SUVs will follow. These are some of the more modest-priced electric vehicles (EVs) — SUVs, sedans, and trucks — on the market.
Photo Courtesy Cadillac
Cadillac Lyriq: In 2021, Rory Harvard, Cadillac Global VP, announced the car brand would be going fully electric by 2030, part of GM’s grander electrification plan. It coincided with the announcement of the Cadillac Lyriq, the luxury carmaker’s mid-size EV.
The rear-wheel drive (RWD) SUV comes standard with 340 hp and gets more than 300 miles of range on a single charge. The battery can get 76 miles of range returned with 10 minutes of fast charging. An AWD model is expected to follow soon. The Lyriq has a lot of nifty driver-assist features like automated emergency braking, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control.
The interior is extravagant with its digital control center. Rather than a touchscreen, a single knob controls everything. The interior is also soundproof, so you can comfortably ride and listen to music undisturbed.
The exterior is a modern take on the famous Cadillac bodywork. The charging port is strategically placed, so it looks almost invisible. The lights and grille look like the Cadillac style we know and love, with a light-up logo front and center.
Along with the Celestiq, the Lyriq can usher in a brand-new era for the carmaker. The Lyriq will cost $59,990 and will be available in 2023.
Photo Courtesy Canoo
Canoo LV: Canoo was started by Ulrich Kranz and Stefan Krause, two former employees of Faraday Future. The company’s first vehicle, the Canoo Lifestyle Vehicle, started production in late 2022. The pill-shaped vehicle is different than other SUVs.
The passenger seating is ring-shaped compared to the normal three-across, with 22 windows offering a 360-degree view. The steering wheel is rectangular, departing from the normal circle-shaped wheel. The infotainment system is top-notch, using a Canoo app rather than a touchscreen. The app controls the music, phone capabilities, and climate control.
The engine performance is decent enough, with 300 hp and a 0-to-60 time of 6.3 seconds. The range sits at 250 miles, respectable enough to get around with ease.
The LV charges to 80% in 28 minutes with a fast-charging station. Canoo plans to offer drive-by-wire steering systems, the first brand to use this technology. Twelve airbags are equipped for prime safety measures.
You can order a $34,500 “Delivery” LV without the backseat or opt for the seven-seat Premium option for $50,000. A subscription option also allows buyers to drive the LV month-to-month rather than leasing or buying outright.
Photo Courtesy Chevy
Chevy Silverado EV: As Ford and Rivian roll out their bespoke electric trucks, so are GM and Chevy. The Silverado EV was announced in January 2022, with Chevy dropping hints before the official specifications were revealed.
It’s a two-door truck, boxy in stature, and shares similarities to the Chevy Avalanche truck. The bed is almost 6 feet long with a foldable midgate to create even more space. The front “eTrunk” has 9 cubic feet of storage space.
The Silverado EV is definitely a workman’s truck, with an AWD powertrain with 510 hp. It can go from 0-to-60 in just 4.5 seconds, which is pretty quick for a pickup truck. It can tow close to 10,000 pounds, and a 20,000-pound model is rumored to be coming soon.
Photo Courtesy Stellantis North America
Dodge Charger/Challenger: Dodge announced the internal combustion Challenger and Charger muscle cars would be discontinued after the 2023 release. Dodge’s parent company Stellantis is overseeing a massive switch to EVs, aiming to get its North American manufacturers at least 50% electrified by 2030.
The American brand joined in and announced that the electric Dodge Charger Daytona model would arrive in 2024. It plans to have all the bells and whistles of the original car, including the roaring engine sound. The decision to end ICE production will see a plant shutter in Brampton, Ontario, Canada, in December 2023.
Dodge CEO Tim Kuniskis has seen the writing on the wall, as his biggest rivals are electrifying at a rapid pace. He felt the company needed to catch up or be left in the dust but also keep Challenger and Charger fans happy.
They’re also catching up to Ram and Jeep in offering EVs, which includes a new SUV called the Hornet. It’s all part of Stellantis’s Dare Forward 2030 electrification strategy.
Photo Courtesy Ford
Ford F-150 Lightning: The hype around the F-150 Lightning was warranted. The truck has been a smash hit for Ford. In the first round of orders, 150,000 units were reserved. It’s a scaled-down version of the ICE F-150 but still just as utilitarian. The front of the truck uses a light bar and a functional grille, giving it a more modern appeal.
The performance of the Lightning is where it shines. A dual-engine AWD powertrain gives the truck between 426–563 hp, depending on the Standard-Range or Extended-Range battery pack. The acceleration is wicked fast, with 0-to-60 in 4.5 seconds.
The payload capacity sits at 1,000 or 2,000 pounds, depending on the make and model. The towing sits at 7,700 pounds or 10,000 pounds. There are 230 miles of range on the Standard version and 300 miles on the Extended. Fast charging stations can get the battery to 80% in 45 minutes.
The interior is spacious and tech-savvy. The control center is all-digital and has multiple modes like “Intelligent Range” settings.
It was a front trunk space for extra storage. It has bidirectional charging that can return power to the grid and serve as a power generator for homes. The F-150 Lightning starts at $51,990 for the base model, but the price goes up for the Extended version.
A battery like this — 400 miles of range — would need a few hours of charging, but Chevy devised a plan. The dual-layer, 200kWh battery pack is charged simultaneously. The rate allows for 100 miles to be returned in just 10 minutes.
The five-seat interior has a large touchscreen control center and plenty of legroom. There are several safety measures, like blind-spot monitoring and emergency braking. There’s even semi-autonomous driving with the Super Cruise feature, but this is optional.
Demand was quite high for the Silverado EV, with 140,000 reservations in the first round of orders. The base model will cost around $40,000 and qualify for EV tax credits.
Some amenities that come standard are the hybrid infotainment system, complete with touchscreen and knobs and buttons, and top-tier safety features like driver-assistance technology, lane-keep assist, and automatic emergency braking. The Bolt is joining a growing line of Chevy EVs; the company is planning to go full-electric sales by 2035.
Photo Courtesy Genesis Motors
Genesis GV60: The Hyundai Group has a diverse portfolio of electric cars. Its luxury brand, Genesis, rolled out its GV60 model with resounding success. The Hyundai Group has a diverse portfolio of electric cars. Its luxury brand, Genesis, rolled out its GV60 model with resounding success. Car and Driver says the 2024 model will cost $61,745.
The car contains 314 hp in the base model, with 429 hp in the performance version. There’s a Boost Mode feature that can bump the horsepower up to 483. That gives the GV60 a 0-to-60 time at 3.4 seconds. The range sits at 235 miles, and the long-range base model maxes out at 250 miles. Hyundai’s 800-volt electric platform can charge from 10% to 80% in 18 minutes.
Instead of side-view mirrors, cameras now take up that space. However, it’s unlikely for that feature to make it to the U.S. The driver-side door locks are run with facial recognition for buttonless locking, and a fingerprint scanner turns on the car. It’s one of the most tech-savvy EVs on the market. The GV60 interior is made from faux leather with a digital dash and infotainment system.
Photo Courtesy Kia
Kia EV6: The Kia EV6 is the brand’s big hit in the American market, using Hyundai Group’s Global Modular Platform, the same used in the Genesis EV lines. The EV6 is a good start to Kia’s electrification path. Rather than include a front-end grille found on ICE models, Kia opted against it for the EV6.
The body design is minimal but sleek, a truly modern car. The EV6’s performance levels are optimal. The RWD model offers 167 hp, while the AWD GT version comes with 567 hp. It’s remarkably fast, going 0-to-60 in 3.5 seconds. Even with such a rapid acceleration rate, the EV6 is ideally a city cruiser rather than a race car.
The battery range is about 200 miles, not long enough for a big road trip. The RWD version can get 310 miles of range. It has super fast charging capabilities, going from 10% to 80% in under 18 minutes and 70 miles back into the battery in just 5 minutes. DC charging or Level 2 charging should do the trick. A full battery can be reached in seven hours or less.
The interior is quite nice, coming with suede seats and a modern dashboard. The trunk has 24 cubic feet of storage, becoming 54 with the back seats folded down. Safety features include collision avoidance, lane changing, oncoming traffic alerts, and pedestrian braking. The base EV6 costs $42,000, and the GT model costs $52,000.
Photo Courtesy MOKE International
MOKE Californian: MOKE was once a premier beach cruiser found across the Pacific Coast and the Caribbean and driven by major celebrities like The Beatles and The Beach Boys. This British Jeep-esque vehicle was a cult classic. After 40 years, MOKE is returning to North America.
The new electric MOKE can reach 50 mph and has 80 miles of range in the battery. The company estimates that a full battery can be reached in four hours. Through a partnership with EVT Technology Group, MOKE hopes to capitalize on the nostalgia of the 1960s to reestablish its international presence, only this time with electric modifications.
The Californian was in high demand in Europe, and customers remained interested in America. This model is the first revamped 60s car transitioning to 100% electric power.
Despite ending production of the internal combustion engine (ICE) models in 1993, Californians remained popular in beach-front towns. MOKE fans can order the electric Californian online with a refundable $990 pre-order fee before paying $41,900 MSRP.
Photo Courtesy Nissan
Nissan Ariya: Following the success of the LEAF is the Nissan Ariya. The automaker’s first electric SUV is a futuristic electric car. Through a partnership between Renault, Mitsubishi, and Nissan, an electric platform called the Common Modular Family-EV (CMF-EV) platform. This system made the production of the Ariya much easier.
The car itself was made with “Timeless Japanese Futurism.” It combines modern power with the minimalism Japanese cars use in design. What you get are reliability and solid performance.
The interior is designed to give you what you need, nothing flashy or fancy. The center console contains the shifter and storage compartments. The engine gets 300 miles of range before the next charge, on par with the Tesla Model Y.
The e-Pedal regenerative braking system sends the charge back to the battery. The 0-to-60 test clocked the Ariya at 4.9 seconds. Horsepower is 238 in the AWD version; and 214 in the FWD version. The ProPILOT Assist 2.0 system makes the Ariya incredibly safe with many hands-free driving safety features. The base Ariya starts at $47,125.
Photo Courtesy Polestar
Polestar 2: The luxury side of Volvo’s burgeoning EV fleet, the Polestar 2 is the first fully electric sedan. The Polestar 1 was a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) that sold out in spectacular fashion. While the 1 was a larger sedan, the 2 takes a different approach.
Its exterior looks like a Volvo sedan, but its small stature and pleasant appearance make it attractive for the modern car buyer. It’s not over the top.
Performance-wise, a single-engine front-wheel-drive option provides 270 miles of range. There is a dual-engine model with 249 miles as well. The acceleration is quite nice, with 0-to-60 in 4.5 seconds. There’s about 408 horsepower in the engine. Charging to 80% only takes 40 minutes with fast chargers.
The 2’s interior follows the minimalist approach, too. Vegan leather lines the seats and steering wheel, and recycled wood makes up the dash.
The touchscreen is small compared to other EVs but still comes with Andriod Auto in the infotainment. The flashiest aspect of this car is the orange seatbelts.
The safety features are still top-notch, as one would expect with Volvo. For a luxury EV, it costs a modest price of $47,200 for the single motor and $51,200 for the dual motor.
Photos Courtesy Sono Motors
Sono Motors: Sono has been developing solar voltaic vehicles for some time. The company was created in 2015 and developed the Sono Sion, its first EV. The Sion is basically a solar-powered hatchback; 248 panels charge the vehicle. The range sits at 190 miles before needing a charge. The car can gain 70 miles per week through the solar charging system.
It’s relatively affordable, too, starting a $32,000. The Sion is releasing in 2023, but only in Europe at this time.
Photo Courtesy TELO Trucks
TELO Trucks: TELO Trucks is designing a new small-size pickup that can fit five passengers and has a cab and flatbed the size of a Toyota Tacoma. It’s only the length of a two-door Mini Cooper SE — 152 inches long.
According to the company, it will accelerate from 0–60 mph in 4 seconds, with a battery range of around 350 miles and 500 horsepower in the drivetrain. The startup estimates the battery will power up from 20% to 80% in just 20 minutes with fast charging. It comes equipped with advanced safety technology to prevent collisions and other incidents. It’s expected to be a light, easy-maneuvering truck, reaching a top speed of 125 mph.
TELO’s truck offers more than just a large flatbed. A storage tunnel under the bed will be available to store all your dirty items, leaving the top clean. Even with five-person passenger seating, you can still have long objects in the back.
The trucks are expected to be ready in 2025, followed by mass delivery in 2026 through scaled manufacturing. It will have a base price of $49,000 without federal tax credits included. You can pre-order for $152, a dollar per inch of the car.
Photo Courtesy Tesla
Tesla Model Y: Building off the success of the Model 3, the Model Y is essentially the continuation of Tesla’s dominance. The car is a larger version of the Model 3, with the same style and aesthetics, just a touch bigger.
The performance of the Model Y is complete with 330 miles of range. Tesla’s network of Superchargers can return 200 miles to the battery in 15 minutes.
It’s pretty quick, with a reported 4-second 0-to-60 time. It has several safety features like lane-keeping, automatic emergency braking, surround-view camera, and blind-spot warning. There are semi-autonomous driving features like a Full Self-Driving system.
The cabin is spacious and luxurious. A 15-inch touchscreen infotainment system controls the car’s media, and climate control unlocks the doors and opens and closes the glove compartment. The seats are made with vegan leather, and passengers sit under the all-glass tinted roof.
The infotainment system has a ton of media apps installed, like Netflix, Hulu, and YouTube, to pass the time during charging. The cargo compartment has 68 cubic feet of storage space. The Model Y Long Range model starts at $64,440, and the Performance Version costs $69,440.
Photo Courtesy Tesla
Tesla Model 3: Released in 2017, the Model 3 has propelled itself to the top of the EV sales chart, becoming the best-selling EV of all time. With more than 1 million units sold, Tesla has hailed its flagship EV for changing the narrative on electric power.
The Model 3 comes in RWD or AWD, mid-level long-range, or high-end performance models. The battery offers 358 miles for the Long Range variant, but the RWD model has 272 miles. Both have impressive ranges, and both batteries can be charged to 80% in under 40 minutes.
It’s pretty fast, too, going from 0-to-60 in 3.5 seconds, beating competitors like BMW and Porsche. Even the Long Range and RWD have commendable 0-to-60 times at 4.1 seconds and 6 seconds, respectively.
The interior is about as modern as you can get. The central infotainment center controls just about everything inside, like Bluetooth, media, and climate control. There’s a massive trunk in the front, thanks to the skateboard-style drivetrain Tesla builds its vehicles with.
The drivetrain also makes the Model 3 safer and less likely to roll over in accidents. There’s also emergency automatic braking, collision warnings, blind spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. Self-driving features like Autopark, Summon, and Smart Summon are included on top of the Full Self-Driving.
The Model 3 isn’t too expensive either, starting at $46,990 for the RWD version. The lower price has sprung Tesla to the top of the charts.
Photo Courtesy VW
Volkswagen ID.4: The ID.4 is Volkswagen’s (VW) flagship electric car. The crossover initially debuted as the ID. CROZZ, is a futuristic EV that looks like it came straight from a video game. The ID.4 is more like the modern crossover, with an aerodynamic shape and rounded chassis. It can seat five people.
The interior’s leather is made out of cloth rather than animal skin. The infotainment system is minimalist compared to some other brands, but it functions well. There are five different driving settings to choose from. There are AWD and RWD options. The AWD model hits 60 mph in 5.4 seconds, while the RWD version hits 60 mph in 7.5 seconds.
Battery range sits at 280 miles, and 80% charge only takes 40 minutes with DC fast charging. It also has a regenerative braking system to restore charge to the battery cell during the slowdown.
Safety is a top priority for VW, with emergency braking, lane departure warning, blind spot recognition, and others included in the ID.4. It’s pretty affordable, too, starting at $33,000 and qualifies for the clean vehicle tax break.
Photo Courtesy VW
Volkswagen ID. Buzz Van: The iconic VW Microbus is getting an electric makeover. In late 2022, VW announced the brand’s flagship 60s vehicle would return to showrooms in 2024. The ID. Buzz falls under VW’s electric fleet, using the power of nostalgia mixed with modernity to attract customers. The iconic VW Microbus is getting an electric makeover. In late 2022, VW announced the brand’s flagship 60s vehicle would return to showrooms in 2024. The ID. Buzz falls under VW’s electric fleet, using the power of nostalgia mixed with modernity to attract customers. “Car and Driver” estimates that the 2025 model will start at $40,000.
It’s a heavy vehicle, weighing 5,400 pounds and 185.5 inches long. It’s about the size of a compact crossover in the States. Early testing of European models showed a lot of promise, offering an alternative to the classic minivan. The ID. Buzz is expected to use the same battery packs found in the ID.4 SUV, with 300 miles of range.
The interior is made with sustainable materials, and the center console can be removed to fit more people or cargo. Early charging tests show that the European model offers direct-current charging from 5% to 80% power in just 30 minutes. It also has bidirectional charging to help power homes and return power to electrical grids.
Photo Courtesy Volvo
Volvo S60 Recharge: The S60 sedan is the best mix of reliability and speed. This hybrid car gets 415 horsepower and a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. It’s not the fastest car compared to BMW or Mercedes, but it’s no slouch either.
It’s more affordable compared to some of the luxury brands. The listings start at $48,000, and you can save even more money with fewer trips to the gas pump. If you only use electric power, the plug-in hybrid gets up to 74 eMPG and 41 miles. The S60 only hits 78 mph max speed with electric, but more when you utilize the hybrid power. It can still go 0-to-60 in 4.1 seconds — pretty fast for a car designed for comfort.
The interior is entirely leather-free. Even the key fobs eliminate leather from the design. Seats have massage technology, and ambient lighting illuminates the cabin nicely.
This EV will be the first Volvo car manufactured in the U.S. A new South Carolina factory is pumping out these cars as the Swedish carmaker wants to make at least 50% of all vehicles with electric or hybrid engines by the end of 2025.
Photo Courtesy Volvo
Volvo XC40 Recharge: The XC40 is Volvo’s first pure electric SUV. The company partnered with Swedish battery company Northvolt to improve battery range up to 600 miles, but not much changed with the exterior design. It’s essentially a copy of the ICE XC40 but with Volvo’s Recharge technology under the hood instead.
The powertrain gives off 402 horsepower for a 0-to-60 time of 4 seconds, making it a very fast electric SUV. However, the battery range is 223 miles. The good news is a regenerative braking system sends charge back to the battery. With DC charging, one can reach 80% charged in 37 minutes.
Volvo is known for its incredibly safe cars, and the XC40 is no different. It has tons of safety features like pedestrian detection, steering assist, and blind-spot monitoring. The interior is the same as the ICE model. There isn’t a ton of legroom, but the trunk is big enough for large cargo. The base price is $52,795.
