The Best Electric Cars From Luxury To Affordability
Based on the electric car models that arrived in 2019 and the ones to hit the market in 2020, the EV is prepared to make its mark.
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The future is coming. In fact, it may already be here. In recent years, thanks to Tesla, the electric car has made progress by leaps and bounds. Early on the electric vehicle (EV) was thought of as a novelty. A great idea whose construct left little to be desired. But with Elon Musk and Tesla going all-in on the electric car, car manufacturers are beginning to see the light. Technological advances, more importantly in batteries, are beginning to push the electric car into major production mode and based on the models that arrived in 2019 and the ones to hit the market in 2020, the electric car is prepared to make its mark.
But how do you know which electric car to choose? By price? By single-charge battery life? Let’s see if we can shed some light on the matter by rating electric cars in two different categories: affordable and luxury.
THE BEST AFFORDABLE ELECTRIC CARS
1. 2019 Tesla Model 3 [ Best Overall Electric Car ]
The Tesla Model 3 is, according to the Business Insider, the “best-selling EV in the US” as well as the first electric car to outsell many of its gas-powered rivals. Musk’s best-seller is a five-seater that boasts an impressive interior. Its futuristic design includes a 15-inch touch screen among its impressive cutting-edge technology that Teslas are known for. It has a Sentry Mode feature that uses cameras and sensors located on all sides of the car that allows the driver to see everything. Like all Teslas it features an autopilot function which will, under certain conditions, actually drive the car for you. The battery on the Model 3 has a range of 240 miles though Tesla also offers the Long Range Model 3 that allows for a 310-mile range. Another plus for all Tesla models is that they can be charged at Tesla’s Superchargers located across the U.S. The Supercharger can add hundreds of miles in about 30 minutes.
2. 2019 Kia Niro EV
This addition to the electric car market boasts a great charge range, coming in at 239-miles. The Kia Niro EV seems to have satisfied consumers looking for an electric car that can drive far on one charge and includes features that make the driving experience a pleasure. It’s a quiet ride as Edmunds likes “the way the Niro rides” also offering an interior that offers a 7-inch touchscreen, a six-speaker sound system, and 2 USB ports. Its safety features include adaptive cruise control, blind-spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane departure warning.
3. 2019 Hyundai Kona Electric
The Hyundai Kona Electric is one of the best and most popular electric cars on the market. It ranks high for range as well as its features. According to Edmunds “the main draw is the EPA-estimated 258 miles of driving range” and it is also equipped with DC fast-charging capability. It has a 7-inch touch screen and safety features such as forward collision warning, lane keep assist, and a driver attention monitor. Its nice sized cargo room is also a welcomed feature.
Tesla Model Y
In the same way that the Model 3 is a smaller, cheaper version of the Model S; the Model Y is a smaller and cheaper version of the Model X.
4. 2019 Chevrolet Bolt
This five-seater has one of the best electric car charge ranges on the market at 238 miles. While the Chevy Bolt takes a little over 9 hours for a 240-volt full charge, it does offer DC fast charging that will get 90 miles on a 30-minute charge. Among the stronger suits the Bolt offers are their technology. It has a 10.2-inch touchscreen that controls its infotainment system that also comes with a six-speaker stereo set-up. The Bolt also offers plenty of cargo space for those wanting to take a road trip. Kelley Blue Book said about the Bolt, “Tesla may have made the long-range electric car sexy, but GM is the first company to make one affordable.”
5. 2019 Volkswagen e-Golf
Introduced in 2015, this new version of the VW e-Golf is quite similar in style. While it won’t overwhelm you in looks, VW’s electric car continues to offer the same smooth ride along with a versatile, premium interior. Edmunds feels “…the normality of the e-Golf is one of its greatest strengths.” It has an 8-inch touchscreen that is fairly simple to use, as is its navigation. Its safety features include adaptive cruise control, lane assist, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. The main drawback of the e-Golf is it only has a 125-mile charge range.
6. 2019 Nissan LEAF
The new Nissan Leaf electric car is a hatchback that offers plenty of cargo space. It has significantly upgraded its technology from its earlier EV models and it comes with a 7-inch touchscreen with navigation. Edmunds noted, “We also like its refined driver assistance features and quiet, upscale interior.” It has automatic emergency braking and an optional ProPilot Assist that adds more safety to the vehicle. Its battery holds a charge range of 150-miles.
7. 2019 Hyundai Ioniq Electric
The second Hyundai on the list is the most affordable electric car on the market. With its hatchback layout, the Ioniq is perfect for those who wish to move a lot of cargo. It offers many nice additions and safety features. The navigation system includes an 8-inch touchscreen and an impressive 8-speaker sound system. The front seat warmers are a welcome feature. For safety, the Ioniq comes with Pedestrian Detection, a feature that warns drivers of a slow or stopping vehicle/pedestrian or a potential collision. If the driver cannot avoid this collision, the system could apply its emergency braking. All this led Edmunds to the conclusion, “…we think the Ioniq is one of the better small electric vehicles available.” The drawback to this EV is its 124-mile full-charge range.
THE BEST LUXURY ELECTRIC CARS
1. 2019 Tesla Model S [ Best Luxury Electric Car ]
US News puts the Tesla Model S as their number 1 on the list of luxury electric cars. They wrote, “While there are plenty of excellent competitors for the cheaper Model 3 (and competitors for the Model X are rolling out), there’s really nothing on the market that competes with the Model S yet.” Elon Musk knows what he’s doing when it comes to electric cars. The price tag is high but what you get is complete satisfaction. It offers more space when compared to the other luxury electric cars. The Model S acceleration, steering, braking, and handling are all great qualities Tesla is known for. The interior is a place one will truly want to explore. It boasts an amazing 17-inch touchscreen in a very open dashboard setting. The control menus themselves may be a bit complicated, but allowing yourself time will only make your driving experience that much better. Tesla electric cars are well-known for their one charge range and the Model S is no different coming in with a range reaching 370-miles.
2. 2019 Audi e-Tron
Audi’s first venture into the electric car market is quite an impressive one with KBB calling it “the real deal.” It’s a spacious five-seater that comes with a 204 first charge range. It has a silent ride and an impressive interior that comes with a quad-zone climate control system. The infotainment system is top-notch making smartphone connection easy. It has plenty of USB ports and impressively, the rear-seat USBs can transmit data to the infotainment system.
3. 2019 Jaguar I-Pace
Many claim this electric to be the number one luxury electric car on the market today and it’d be hard to make a case against it. In fact, US News loves it. “…the I-Pace earns a top position in our luxury hybrid and electric SUV rankings.” Jaguar is all in when it comes to electric cars and the I-Pace is proof positive. It’s a five-seater that has a lot of jump behind it. Its 234-mile one charge range is a winner. Its infotainment system includes navigation, six USB ports, satellite, and HD radio but much like the Tesla, learning the menu can be somewhat complicated. It does have parallel and perpendicular park assist along with parking sensors on all sides. This electric car is definitely given Musk a run for his money.
4. 2019 BMW i3
BMWs improvement on the i3 model has consumers talking. The main reason is the battery. Its higher-capacity has jumped this electir car’s charge range from 118-miles up to 153-miles on a single charge. While this model is fully electric, BMW does sell the i3 with a gasoline Range Extender generator that will bump the mileage out to 200-miles. The i3 is a four-door hatchback that seats four. It comes equipped with a 6.5-inch display screen and an infotainment system with somewhat of a learning curve. Its safety features include frontal collision warning and pedestrian detection and which US News gave it “…high marks for safety and predicted reliability.” Another positive aspect is that the BMW i3 is very affordable.
5. 2019 Tesla Model X
Another Tesla entry that is receiving high marks. The Model X is the only all-electric car on the market in which buyers one can get three rows of seating. It comes with falcon-doors and a panoramic windshield that sets it apart from other luxury electric cars. As with the Model S, it comes with a huge touchscreen to control most aspects of the interior. It offers the driver and passengers a nice, quiet ride and comes with the same safety standards that Musk includes in all his Tesla electric vehicles. The one charge range is impressive at 295-miles and Tesla also offers Long Range in this model, allowing for an estimated 325-miles. For all these reasons Edmunds “…picked the 2019 Tesla Model X as one of Edmunds’ Best Electric Cars for this year.”
THE FUTURE OF ELECTRIC CARS
CHEVROLET BET TRUCK
With the announcement of Tesla’s Cybertruck the traditional automakers are rushing to catch up. In the case of Chevrolet they may even have a way to beat the Cybertruck. They’ve just announced they’re working on a full-size electric pickup and unlike the Cybertruck it won’t look really weird.
The Chevy BET Truck is expected to offer 400 miles of range on a single charge. That sounds good but the Cybertruck will go 500 miles. But then the Cybertruck’s look just won’t be for everyone. A lot of people would rather go less distance and look good while doing it.
FISKER OCEAN
Henrik Fisker is putting past mistakes behind him and is introducing his Fisker Ocean at the 2020 CES. The Ocean is an electric SUV that is said to boast 250-300 miles on a single charge. That alone is eye-opening. Price is another major draw. Fisker set the initial price at $37,499 and when the federal tax credit is applied, that price will drop to $29,999.
The look of the SUV is fairly typical in its layout, a four-door hatchback that seats five. But an unusual feature on Fisker’s Ocean are solar roof panels that have the capability to generate up to 1,000 miles of electricity per year. The rear hatchback window rolls down to allow cargo area access and also provides what Fisker calls “California mode”, an open-air experience that happens when all windows are open in the Ocean.
The Ocean will be available in all-wheel-drive and performance versions with the latter said to hit 60 mph in less than 3 seconds.
FARADAY FUTURE FF-91
The resurrection of the Faraday Future is on. A few years back, this startup was the hit of CES. But then it went away as its parent company torched billions of dollars on who knows what. It was presumed the Faraday Future was dead. CES 2020 proved that those thoughts were all for naught.
While the main production of this car has not yet begun, the prototypes at the CES were nothing less than spectacular. To begin with, one prototype was driven from its LA company headquarters to Las Vegas, a 270-mile trip. That was nothing for the Faraday. While the Tesla Model 3 can hit ranges up to 325 miles and their long-range Model S can reach 375, this Faraday claims to be closer to 400.
The interior is out of this world, literally. The company says the Faraday Future will have 11 screens. A large infotainment screen dominates the front panel. Large. Smaller screens line the inside as the automaker is trying to move completely away with normal push buttons or knobs or switches. A 27-inch ultra-wide screen flips down from the roof to help entertain back seat passengers. One of the most impressive designs inside the car are the back seats and passenger seat. This car is cavernous inside, which allows for the back seats to recline to 60-degrees while offering heated or cooled massaging. It also offers “Spa Mode”, a setting that changes lighting and audio for ultimate comfort. Speaking of comfort, on top of the massaging, each seat is adjustable 14 different ways plus 4-way lumbar support.
No price has been set and may not be until it goes on to the production line.
BYTON M-BYTE
This new four-seater may not wow customers with what’s under the hood, but what it will do it thrill those with its interior. First, under the hood. The M-Byte will be offered as an SUV or sedan and come in two battery sizes, one with an estimated 200 mile per charge life and the other bringing in around 240 miles. Not bad but not eye-opening.
But the 48-inch infotainment screen that runs the length of the dash is sure to catch eyes. This screen is accompanied by a 7-inch steering wheel touchpad and an 8-inch console touchpad. This allows both driver and passenger to almost complete control of the vehicle.
The base price for the vehicle (smaller battery) looks to be starting around $45,000 and should be available to U.S. customers at the tail end of 2020.
Sony’s Vision S
Sony, a company best known for making home electronics, is preparing to dip its toe into the electric car game. At CES 2020 they unveiled the Sony Vision S, a concept car meant to demonstrate what the company can do.
The front looks like a Porsche and the rest looks like someone combined a Tesla Model S with a Tesla Model X. The name, Vision S, sounds suspiciously like Model S too. Like a Tesla the Vision is is loaded with sensors. 33 of them in all. Unlike a Tesla, the Vision S uses Lidar and Radar to help it figure out where it’s going because it features some degree of autonomous driving.
The car was built on a platform designed by Magna, the manufacturer that supplies GM, Ford, Mercedes, and even Tesla. So even though Sony has no experience with building cars, they used parts from someone who has all the experience.
Don’t expect to see the Vision S for sale anywhere any time soon. In fact they may never make another one, since it’s primarily meant to demonstrate what the company could hypothetically do. But you never know, in a world with a Cybertruck a Sony car seems totally possible.
CES 2020 is presently running in Las Vegas from January 7-10. One of the highlights is the new vehicles that are rolled out. This year isn’t any different as new electric cars are set to hit the market.
Tesla’s Cybertruck
Elon Musk just unveiled Tesla’s Cybertruck pick-up truck. The exterior is made from stainless steel (yes like a DeLorean). Musk claims it’s bullet proof and the body is nearly impossible to dent.
The Cybertruck has 3,500 pounds of payload capacity and a towing capability of 14,000 pounds. It seats six and can go from 0-60 in 2.9 seconds. It has a range of up to 500 miles on a single charge. Starting price is only $39,000. Cybertruck is available to order right now.
- Go in-depth with Cybertruck: All About Telsa’s Electric Pickup
GMC HummerEV
GMC is resurrecting their iconic (and sometimes controversial) hummer brand by transforming it from a gas guzzler to a watt guzzler. The Hummer is coming back and it’s going to be all-electric.
Here’s their first commercial to convince you to buy it…
The new HummerEV will have 11,500 pound-feed of torque and 1,000 horsepower. It can go from zero to 60 in under 3 seconds. It’ll also be a pickup, perhaps in a bid to compete directly against Tesla’s recently announced Cybertruck.
