By Jason Fogelson
From pickups and performance to Porsches with plugs, the number of EV choices continues to grow
We don’t have to tell you that interest in electric vehicles has increased dramatically this year. According to a forecast by Cox Automotive (Autotrader’s parent company,) 2023 will be the year EVs surpass 1 million sales for the first time in the U.S. Put another way, from a share below 1% in 2018, EVs represented 3.2% of sales in 2021, 5.8% in 2022, and 7.2% in the first quarter of 2023. Though still a tiny slice of the American automotive pie, EV sales are a growing chunk. More and more shoppers are hungry for new EVs. We have sampled the offerings and created a menu for your consideration.
The Autotrader editorial team has driven and lived with the 2023 model-year electric cars. We’ve asked the right questions about the interiors, the exteriors, the powertrains, the ride and handling, the features, the comfort, and of course, the prices.
Plus:10 facts about the U.S. version of the ID.Buzz, VW’s electric retro-inspired microbus
The editors contributed their opinions, expertise, and ratings on a 5-point scale, with five being the best. The 10 vehicles on our final list have the top scoring averages. Only pure EVs were allowed on our list. We didn’t consider any hybrids, plug-in hybrids, or hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles. All electric cars, SUVs, and trucks on this list must be generally available to the public in at least 15 states at publication. They must carry a base manufacturer’s suggested retail price below $100,000.
Here are Autotrader’s picks for the 10 best electric vehicles of 2023, listed alphabetically by brand.
2023 BMW i4
Whatever you thought of BMW’s first run at EVs, the i3, it was missing a certain something — it didn’t look or perform like a BMW. The 2023 BMW i4 corrects course with a Gran Coupe that our editors agree looks like a BMW and drives like a BMW. The new BMW EV points toward an electric future with familiar i4 eDrive35, i4 eDrive40, and i4 M50 models in the lineup that offer drivers a choice between maximum efficiency and maximum performance.
2023 Ford F-150 Lightning
Last year, Ford (F) answered the question, “What would America’s most popular vehicle be like as an EV?” The F-150 Lightning somehow synthesized decades of pickup truck knowledge with the latest and greatest EV technology and infused thoughtful details and user-friendly features. The front trunk (frunk) alone solves a concealed storage issue that has plagued truck buyers forever, and smooth, quiet operation has converted many truck owners to the EV platform.
2023 Genesis Electrified G80
Genesis, Hyundai’s luxury offshoot, rethought the gasoline-powered luxury sedan, the G80, and developed the 2023 Genesis Electrified G80. Precisely as the name hints, the Electrified G80 replaces the G80’s engine with an all-wheel-drive EV powertrain. According to editor Matt Degen, an already smooth and potent sedan now becomes a strong, silent predator. While not as powerful as other electric executive sedans like the Mercedes-EQ EQS and Tesla (TSLA) Model S, the Electrified G80 delivers an exquisite experience starting well below our $100K limit — something the others haven’t even attempted.
Check out: Four valuable lessons I learned taking a road trip in an electric car
2023 Genesis GV60
For a company that started with a 2-car lineup nearly a decade ago, Genesis has expanded in all the right directions. The 2023 Genesis GV60 is one of the latest additions to the lineup, a compact luxury EV crossover SUV with style, performance, and range. The first Genesis model built in the U.S., the GV60 brings the brand’s long equipment list, 10-year/100,000-mile warranty, and good looks to the party.
Also see:Eleven of the best new cars of 2023
2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5
Until the Ioniq 6 becomes widely available across the U.S., the 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5 compact EV SUV represents the best Hyundai has to offer — and that’s been good enough to land it on our list two years in a row. Autotrader Executive Editor Brian Moody praised the Ioniq 5, which he found “thoroughly futuristic but has a fun, retro vibe as well. The driving experience, especially the progressive regenerative braking, is sophisticated and seamless.”
2023 Kia EV6
Since we named the EV6 to our list last year, it has continued to gather awards and great reviews across the automotive landscape. The 2023 EV6 again proves Kia is a design-forward company willing to take risks to set its vehicles apart. Add to that a level of luxury and superb build quality — not to mention a very reasonable price — and you’ve got a winner of an EV.
Plus: Kia jumps into electric car price wars by bringing back the EV6 Light
2023 Lucid Air
The road to success is littered with failed EV startups, so it’s great to see the 2023 Lucid (LCID) Air on our Best EVs list. The Air, a midsize sedan, delivers “ingenious engineering, attention to detail, high build quality, and a finely developed aesthetic sense,” according to editor Jason Allan. Along with an unbeatable 516-mile range and an $87,400 starting price, the 2023 Lucid Air looks like a potential Tesla-beater.
2023 Nissan Ariya
Nissan (7201.TO) has a solid history in EVs, having promoted the Leaf through two generations of production. Rather than abandoning the entry-level, the 2023 Nissan Ariya builds on the Leaf and enlarges the concept, scale, and range. The 4-door hatchback is a spacious, upscale cocoon loaded with technology and convenience features. Improving on the Leaf’s modest figure, the Ariya boasts a 304-mile range.
Also see: How does this car seem to run on almost nothing? It’s really quite something
2023 Porsche Taycan
Shocking when first unveiled, the 2023 Porsche Taycan is now a fixture in the sports sedan field with blistering acceleration, impressive handling, and expansive range. The Taycan has even spawned two specialty spinoffs, the Porsche (PAH3.XE) Taycan Cross Turismo and Sport Turismo. Not bad for an EV that the sports car purists dismissed before it ever ran a lap of the Nürburgring.
2023 Rivian R1T
Rivian (RIVN) is a startup EV manufacturer hoping to reach maturity with innovative vehicles. The 2023 R1T electric pickup truck, a repeat entry from last year’s list, demonstrates a flair for design and function. The EV truck, sized between a midsize and full-size truck, brims with technology and delightful details, like a big frunk and a bonus rear trunk. (Disclosure: Cox Automotive invested $350 million in the company in 2019.)
This story originally ran on Autotrader.com
-Jason Fogelson
This content was created by MarketWatch, which is operated by Dow Jones & Co. MarketWatch is published independently from Dow Jones Newswires and The Wall Street Journal.
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06-27-23 0502ET
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