The Best Electric SUVs You Can Buy in 2023
Looking for an electric car with solid range and real practicality? These are the best battery-powered SUVs on the market right now.
Electric power and practicality don't have to be mutually exclusive. There's a large group of fantastic electric SUVs on sale today, all of which provide a healthy mix of range and usefulness. Here are our favorites for 2023.
2023 Chevrolet Bolt EUV
Price: $28,795
EPA-rated range: 247 miles
The Chevrolet Bolt EUV shares much of its underpinnings with the standard Bolt hatchback, save for a few body panels and a taller right height. Designed to appeal to American audiences, the Bolt EUV remains the most appealing electric SUV in terms of value, delivering nearly 250 miles of range for under 30 grand.
The 65-kWh battery pack helps the front-drive e-motor deliver 200 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque, enough for a 0-60 sprint of 6.8 seconds. Pretty good considering the price and potential range.
2023 Hyundai Kona Electric
Price: $34,885
EPA-rated range: 258 miles
We wouldn't call the Hyundai Kona Electric an enthusiast model (that title is reserved for the high-performance Kona N), but with 201 hp and 290 lb-ft of torque on tap, it's not exactly slow.
That power goes to the front wheels via a singular electric motor paired to a 64-kWh battery pack, allowing for a 0-60 time of 6.4 seconds. We're more impressed by the amount of range—up to 358 miles—you get between each charge.
2023 Kia Niro EV
Price: $40,875
EPA-rated range: 253 miles
If standing out is your thing, consider the Kia Niro EV. It sports a funky fascia and two-tone panels, making for one seriously eye-catching crossover design.
The Niro EV delivers impressive range considering its price, important for those who plan on taking longer trips often. The 64.8-kWh battery pack connects to a motor driving the front wheels, delivering 201 hp and 188 lb-ft of torque. That's enough for a sprint to 60 mph in just 6.7 seconds. Again, not bad for this segment.
2023 Toyota bZ4X
Price: $43,335
EPA-rated range: 222 miles
If you're planning to go electric and absolutely must have a Toyota, the bZ4X is the SUV for you. It's the company's first real electric effort, sporting quirky looks that include funky black fender flares.
We suggest going for the more powerful dual-motor setup which, in addition to delivering 214 hp and 248 lb-ft of torque, also gets you all-wheel-drive. There's typical all-electric performance, too, with a 0-60 time of just 6.3 seconds.
2023 Subaru Solterra
Price: $46,220
EPA-rated range: 228 miles
The Subaru Solterra and the Toyota bZ4X share a vast majority of their parts, save for a few exterior and interior items to differentiate the two by brand. But unlike the Toyota, which can be optioned with a singular front-drive motor, the Subaru comes standard with all-wheel-drive.
The Solterra delivers 215 horses and 249 lb-ft of torque, one more hp and lb-ft over the equivalent AWD-equipped bZ4X. Range is also slightly better for the Subaru, achieving six more miles per charge over the Toyota.
2023 BMW iX
Price: $85,095
EPA-rated range: 274 mile
If you can get past the questionable design, BMW's flagship iX SUV is a real stunner. It has a world-class interior and handles wonderfully, despite its weight.
The iX is about the size of an X5, delivering similar amounts of space inside. If you love speed we suggest the iX M60, which makes 610 hp and a staggering 811 lb-ft of torque thanks to two electric motors and a 106.3-kWh battery. Despite its weight, the M60 is able to sprint to 60 mph in just 3.2 seconds.
2023 Rivian R1S
Price: $79,800
EPA-rated range: 316 miles
The R1S is the second vehicle from Amazon- and Ford-backed Rivian, and the company's first SUV following its closely related truck, the R1T. It's a slick-looking box on wheels that can accelerate quicker than most supercars. And it's relatively affordable.
If price isn't too much of a problem for you, we suggest splurging for the quad-motor trim. It gets you an e-motor for each wheel and a grand total of 835 hp and 908 lb-ft of torque, enough to launch the 6986-pound SUV to 60 mph in just 3.1 seconds.
2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5
Price: $42,785
EPA-rated range: 266 miles
In pictures the Hyundai Ioniq 5 looks like a hatchback, not an SUV. But its proportions are big enough that we think the car actually deserves a spot here. It's one of the best affordable EVs out there, with handsome looks and a pleasant driving experience.
Our inner enthusiast prefers the performance-oriented Ioniq 5 N trim. It adds a 641-hp all-wheel-drive powertrain and a host of suspension and chassis upgrades to ensure constant performance on track. As far as EVs go, it's one of the most enjoyable vehicles on sale right now.
2023 Kia EV6
Price: $50,025
EPA-rated range: 310 miles
The Kia EV6 is another car that pushes the boundary of Sport Utility Vehicle, though its space and versatility make it a compelling choice for this list. It helps the car drives wonderfully and looks great.
We like the Kia EV6 GT the most. It delivers 576 hp and 545 lb-ft thanks to a standard dual-motor setup, allowing for a 0-60 time of just 3.2 seconds. It also has a drift mode. The only downside is the GT's abysmal range of 206 miles.
2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E
Price: $44,795
EPA-rated range: 312 miles
The Ford Mustang Mach-E might not be a real Mustang, but it's still a fantastic EV. Good looks, acceptable range, and impressive performance from the GT model means it can be a great all-rounder.
The Mustang Mach-E GT gets a combined 480 hp and 634 lb-ft of torque from two electric motors and an 88-kWh battery pack. It's enough to launch the pony-branded SUV to 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds, despite a curb weight of over 5000 pounds.
2023 Jaguar I-Pace
Price: $72,575
EPA-rated range: 246 miles
The I-Pace has aged well. Introduced back in 2017, it's grown into its own over the past few years as competitors have popped up with mostly uninteresting alternatives. If you can get past the archaic 240-volt charging system, you'll have a good time.
The I-Pace comes standard with things like air suspension and all-wheel-drive. Its dual-motor setup means 394 hp and 512 lb-ft of torque, enough to rocket the funky-looking SUV to 60 mph in just 4.3 seconds.
2023 Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV
Price: $105,550
EPA-rated range: 305 miles
The big SUV version of Mercedes-Benz's EQS line might not be a revolutionary step in the automaker's move to electric power, but nevertheless, you're getting a big, luxurious Mercedes-Benz with up to 536 hp and 633 lb-ft on tap.
Those figures, rated for the EQS580, come courtesy of two electric motors, one for each axle, powered by a 107.8-kWh battery pack in the floor. There's also a standard Burmester sound system, heated and ventilated seats, adjustable air suspension, and rear-axle steering.
2022 Tesla Model X Plaid
Price: $111,380
EPA-rated range: 333 miles
In the world of electric cars, Plaid equals fast, at least when it comes to Tesla. The Model X might not be able to keep up with its lighter Model S sedan sibling, but it gets darn close, with a claimed 0-60 time of just 2.5 seconds.
That explosive acceleration comes courtesy of three electric motors, one for the front axle and two for the rear. They combine to make an astounding 1020 hp, just like on the Model S. What the Model S doesn't have, though, is falcon wing doors.
2022 Tesla Model Y Performance
Price: $58,630
EPA-rated range: 303 miles
The Tesla Model Y is essentially a Model 3 on stilts with a roomier cabin, meaning you can option the Model 3's extremely potent Performance trim here in the firm's crossover too. Who says electric crossovers can't be fun?
You get the same ~450 hp you get in the Model 3 Performance thanks to the same all-wheel-drive, dual-motor powertrain. The Model Y Performance can blast from 0 to 60 in just 3.6 seconds—not bad considering the 4439-pound curb weight.
2023 Audi e-tron
Price: $71,995
EPA-rated range: 222 miles
The e-tron is Audi's first production electric car, built to put the four-ring German manufacturer on the map for the EV revolution. Like all Audis, it delivers a smooth driving experience and an excellent cabin space.
Like all great Audis, all-wheel-drive is standard. It comes courtesy of two electric motors connected to an 86.5-kWh battery pack. Maximum output is 402 hp and 490 lb-ft of torque when in sport mode, enough for a 5.1-second sprint to 60 mph.
Brian Silvestro is Hearst Autos' Lead Deputy Editor for rankings content. He spent over seven years as a staff writer for Road & Track Magazine, and still contributes regularly with car reviews, industry interviews, and more.
He also has a taste for high-mileage, rusted-out projects and amateur endurance racing.
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