Just a few years ago it wouldn't have been possible to test out more than a dozen different electric cars in a year.
There are a lot of battery-powered rides available now that auto companies are starting to get serious about green tech. If you're willing to pay up, there's an electric vehicle out there for almost everyone. The options will only increase in the years to come.
I've gotten behind the wheel of electric vehicles from a number of companies, but three stood out.
The futuristic little SUV of the Ioniq 5 is a stone-cold gem. It looks nothing like anything else on the road until Cybertruck comes along.
The Ioniq 5's interior is much larger than you would expect, thanks to an extra long wheelbase. It has a flat floor, an uncluttered design, and a sliding center console that can be used to expand floor space up front or in the back. I like that the Ioniq 5 has dedicated buttons for the climate settings and radio, which is more convenient to use than a touchscreen.
It has an EPA rating of up to 303 miles, making it the best range car on the market. The price is $42,450.
California startup Rivian's second consumer model, the R1S SUV blends the thrilling quickness of a sports car, the plushness of a big luxury SUV, and the capability of a serious off-roader into one sleek EV.
The R1S flies forward with a silent swiftness that makes little sense given it's large. Even for a novice like me, the Rivian's four-wheel-drive system makes off-roading easy. There is a fancy, minimalist interior, seven seats, and a lot of cargo space inside.
Rivian made it a point to break the mold with features like a big front trunk, a built-in bluetooth speaker, an air compressor, and gear guard, which surveils the area around the car with an array of cameras.
Rivian's website shows a starting price of $78,000 for the base R1S, which isn't in production yet.
There is an electric station wagon by the name of the Taycan Cross. It is long, low, wide, and completely captivating.
You don't buy a car for the sake of looking at it. The German brand has been the epitome of perfect driving dynamics for decades. The wagon feels like it's stuck to the pavement around bends.
The version I drove had an insane amount of power: 616hp and up to 750hp in short spurts. If you can find a safe stretch to floor it, the Taycan will slingshot forward faster than you can think. 60 mph arrives in less than three minutes.
The Taycan fills up quickly after a long day of pulling. It can be charged from 5% to 80% in less than 20 minutes, thanks to the 270-kilo watt charger.
The cost of the Cross Turismo is more than the regular car.
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