Since driving my first EV more than a year ago now, I’ve tested over 30+ cars to really understand what it takes to be the best electric cars you can buy today. From efficient models that get the most range for their battery, to feature rich luxury models that make you feel like you’re in the future, I’ve spent a great deal of time testing, comparing, and understanding them to tell you what today’s electric vehicles have to offer.
While Tesla is arguably the best known maker of electric cars, nearly every automobile maker offers at least one all-electric model. Best of all, they come in different trims and price ranges to fit exactly what you need. Whether it’s a full-sized SUV to carry the entire family, the utility of an all-electric pickup truck to carry bigger payloads, or just a fun and fast sporty model for yourself, this list has everything you need to know about the best electric cars out there.
However, there’s still a lot more I think you need to know before buying an electric vehicle. For example, there’s the matter of how you’ll charge it at home — whether it’s done through Level 1 or Level 2 charging. There’s also knowing how to save yourself money by understanding the different rates there are throughout the day if you intend to go to an EV charging station.
If you’re still a little hesitant about going all-electric for your next car purchase, don’t worry because I’ve also tested out hybrids and PHEVs that are great alternatives. And if buying or financing is too much for you, consider looking at leasing an EV.
I'm the senior editor for mobile at Tom's Guide, where I've been working since 2023. I've been covering mobile tech for 16 years in total, which also consists of car tech such as CarPlay, Android Auto, and more. I've tested more than 30 EVs in the last year, each with a week's worth of driving, to really get a feel for their performance and features.
The best electric car overall
When you practically test out a new car every week like I do, you might think it’s hard picking out a favorite amongst them. I honestly didn't think much of it at first, but the Volvo EX30 exceeded expectations that no other EV has been able to do before. Without question, the EX30 makes a long lasting impression more than anything else thanks to its zippy performance, ultra minimalist design philosophy, good efficiency, and value.
I previously tested the Volvo EX40 and wasn't as convinced, but the smaller EX30 is much more fun to drive. For a sub-compact SUV, it has a lot of bite from its AWD dual-motor that delivers a whopping 422 hp performance. It's like packing heavyweight power in a lightweight frame, so I was surprised by how intense it could be driving.
Evenly as impressive is Volvo's minimalist design philosophy. When I stepped into the driver's seat, I was blown away by its minimalist design — with only a single touchscreen display positioned in the middle of the dashboard and nothing else. Other small details, like how there are barely any buttons or knobs around the dashboard, show how it's unlike any other EV on the market.
For its size, it still packs plenty of utility, but I'm impressed by the 3.4 mi/kWh efficiency I got from driving it for a week — and that's impressive knowing I had a lead foot for nearly my entire time testing it. While its range isn't as long, I'd happily make the compromise because of its efficiency, fast charging speed, and peppy driving performance.
Best of all, it's not outrageously priced like many of the EVs on the market. Honestly, it's the most refreshing EV I've tested in the last year.
Read our full Volvo EX30 review.
The most efficient EV
One of the most important metrics that add value to an EV is its efficiency, the measurement of a battery with driving. The Lucid Air Pure leads the pack in this area due to the 4.3 mi/kWh efficiency I got from driving it for an entire week. Essentially, the Lucid Air Pure can drive long distances with fewer recharges along the way.
Part of how it’s able to achieve outstanding efficiency is due to its unique design, one that blends a futuristic body with a low profile. In the driver’s seat, I definitely feel like I’m lower to the ground versus other sedans, but this particular design is what helps out with its efficiency. Plus, I really love the cool lighting sequence that happens whenever I unlock it with the key fob.
For a sedan, it’s the most spacious I’ve tested with ample leg room for the front and rear passengers. If that’s not enough, I really enjoy how it features a frunk — which is rare for a sedan.
Read our full Lucid Air Pure review.
The best value electric car
Despite being around for years now, all-electric vehicles are still expensive to buy — with the average price hovering a bit over $50,000. The Chevrolet Equinox EV is “America’s most affordable EV with 315+ miles of range” with good reason, and after driving it for a week, I know that claim holds up.
Honestly, the Chevrolet Equinox EV proves that you don’t need to spend a fortune on buying an EV. With a starting price of $33,600, it’s one of the most affordable EVs you can buy. However, what really adds value to that is the excellent 3.5 mi/kWh I got out of it and its speedy Level 1 charging speed.
The only downside to buying an electric vehicle this cheap is that it’s stripped of many features you’d expect to find in a vehicle today, like how it offers manual seats and no wireless charging for your phone. But despite this, I think the trade-offs are worthwhile given its ability to travel long distances on a single charge and striking design.
Read our full Chevrolet Equinox EV review.
The best all-electric pickup truck
There are options for drivers that prefer an all-electric pickup truck, like the Ford F-150 Lightning and Chevrolet Silverado EV. However, no other electric pickup truck gets my vote than the Rivian R1T Tri. That’s because of the thoughtful features that Rivian packages into its truck, which gives it a leg up over its rivals.
Similar to all other electric pickups I’ve tested, the Rivian R1T Tri also features a gear tunnel that runs the entire width of the car to store additional gear — which is in addition to its frunk. There’s no denying its utility, but it’s accompanied by an excellent driving system complete with the smartest cruise control around, high-resolution cameras that help with parking, and an intuitive touchscreen interface.
It’s a powerful vehicle on four wheels, aided by the 850 hp performance from its triple motors. For a truck of its size, it can rival many sedans when it comes to accelerating — but this amount of power does impact its efficiency. Although, its EPA-estimated 371 miles of range still makes it a long distance champ.
Read our full Rivian R1T Tri review.
The best luxury electric vehicle
Luxury EVs have to live up to what the Cadillac Lyriq offers because it blends a luxurious design with premium features that make driving convenient. On the road, this mid-size luxury crossover SUV is sleek and paired with catchy looking headlights and taillights that command attention on the road. Meanwhile, the interior space is equally as luxurious with its massive 33-inch LED touchscreen display.
What really makes it a luxury vehicle is its Super Cruise Control system, which not only takes control of the steering wheel and pedals for me, but it takes it one step further by changing lanes on its own when it senses a car running too slow in front of me. Really, it’s the closest thing I can call autonomous driving because it changes lanes all on its own.
I really get the sense of being in a luxury vehicle because of its panoramic roof, brilliant ambient lights, sharp looking display, rear view camera monitor, and much more. I’m shocked you get all of this for under $70,000. The only downside is that it’s not the best when it comes to efficiency, reaching 2.7 mi/kWh in my testing.
Read our full Cadillac Lyriq review.
The best electric van
No other EV gets more attention and interest than the Volkswagen ID.Buzz. Not only does it embody the spirit of the original Bus, but it's been reimagined in such a way to inspire a new generation. On the road, it's hard to deny how its peculiar looks and bright colors make it unlike any other van on the road.
It's meant to pack a lot of passengers, given how the Pro S Plus with 4MOTION trim that I tested offer 3-row seating, complete with 2nd-row captain's chairs that make it ultra comfortable for long trips. Other neat features include its power sliding rear passenger windows, an intelligent adaptive cruise control system, and surprisingly good efficiency. For a van, I'm impressed that it can get 3 mi/kWh efficiency.
Vacations and road trips are made better by its size, but given how all-electric vans are hard to come by, it's great that Volkswagen paid a lot of attention to the ID.Buzz. Even though its range could be better, at least it charges pretty decent with Level 1 charging.
Read our full Volkswagen ID.Buzz review.
Best plug-in hybrid
A lot of people still fear EVs. largely due to the range anxiety that exists. That's why plugin electric vehicles, also known as PHEVs, exist to give drivers the best of both worlds. Out of all the PHEVs I've driven, the Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid offers outstanding fuel economy at a reasonable price.
I will say that I wish PHEV pricing were lower in general, but the Kia Niro is one of the most affordable options. The trim I tested, the SX Touring, features an 11.1 kWh battery that rated for 34 miles of range. For those that don't travel far on a daily basis, this is more than enough — especially with Level 1 charging, which overnight should return a decent amount back.
Since it's a compact SUV, I really like how the Niro PHEV can still have the utility of carrying larger payloads. Yes, it's much smaller than other PHEVs I've tested, like the Alfa Romeo Tonale PHEV, Mazda CX-90 PHEV, and Kia's own Sportage PHEV, but it's one of the more modestly priced PHEVs on the market with a starting price of $34,490 with the base trim.
Read our full Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid review.
Best all-electric SUV
When I first checked out the Honda Prologue at the New York Auto Show, I quickly dismissed it for being too conventional. The design looked boring compared to everything else, but it's a reminder of how there's more to it than meets the eye.
That's because I had a complete change of heart after driving the Honda Prologue for a week, which impressed me for its spacious size, utility, good turning radius, and excellent efficiency. The Elite trim also packages in a lot of premium features, like a head-up display and panoramic sunroof.
The reason why the Honda Prologue is the best all-electric SUV you can buy is because of its modest starting cost paired with its ability to carry a lot of people (and payloads) comfortably. While the design borrows from a more conventional stylizing, its smooth driving makes it fun to drive around as a family vehicle.
Read our full Honda Prologue review.
How we test electric cars
There’s a lot that I look at when determining what are the best electric cars you can buy today. From their price and features, to how fast they charge, and how efficient they are, there are a lot of factors to consider.
All the electric vehicles we test are driven for a full week, under various driving conditions. Not only do we measure their average efficiency from beginning to end, but we also point out in our reviews some of their best long and short distance efficiencies.
Similar to the fuel economy in a gas-powered vehicle, a battery’s efficiency determines how well a vehicle is working to deliver the most range based on its battery capacity — which is measured in mi/kWh. The higher the number, the more efficient it is. Here’s how our favorite EVs stack up in this area:
| Row 0 - Cell 0 | Average Efficiency |
Kia EV9 | N/A |
Lucid Air Pure | 4.3 mi/kWh |
Chevrolet Equinox EV LT | 3.5 mi/kWh |
Rivian R1t Tri | 2.09 mi/kWh |
Cadillac Lyriq | 2.7 mi/kWh |
Volkswagen ID.Buzz | 3 mi/kWh |
Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid | 39.8 mpg |
Honda Prologue | 3.4 mi/kWh |
Another metric we look at is to see how fast they charge with Level 1 charging at home. Even though it’s much slower than Level 2 charging, most homes are equipped to handle Level 1 charging because it relies on your standard 120V outlet — whereas Level 2 charging requires additional installation.
| Row 0 - Cell 0 | Level 1 Charging Speed (mi/hr) |
Kia EV9 | N/A |
Lucid Air Pure | 4.91 mi/hr |
Chevrolet Equinox EV LT | 3.96 mi/hr |
Rivian R1t Tri | 2.25 mi/hr |
Cadillac Lyriq | 2.94 mi/hr |
Volkswagen ID.Buzz | 2.66 mi/hr |
Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid | 2.83 mi/hr |
Honda Prologue | 2.4 mi/hr |
If you intend on driving long distances, however, I recommend putting the investment in installing a Level 2 charger because it usually provides a full charge with charging overnight.
What to look for in an electric car
Buying a new car is a very personal thing, and electric cars are no exception to that. What you want to look for is all very dependent on your circumstances and what you need the car to be able to do. That'll help you narrow things down and work out which EV is right for you.
If you have a large family, and need to move a bunch of kids and their stuff around on the regular, you're not going to want a compact vehicle. Likewise if you only need something for short trips and getting groceries home, you don't necessarily need a big long-range SUV.
As for range, it's easy to insist that more range is always better but that's not always the case. Having that option is helpful, but if you commute under 50 miles a day and rarely take long road trips, then a car with 300 miles of range isn't essential. It's nice to have if you can afford it, but it shouldn't put you off. The same is true for performance. super-quick cars are fun to drive, but how often are you going to take advantage of that?
Finally, supply chain issues may limit your choice and force your hand. Automakers have been struggling to produce cars, especially as demand picks up, but that doesn't mean they're impossible to buy. Some dealers and automakers will have new models in stock, you just won't get much choice in what features are included.
Next: Here's how you can keep your electric car's battery healthy.
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