I’ve Driven 15 Electric Cars This Year. These Are My Favorites.

• This year, we tested 15 electric vehicles from brands such as Polestar, Tesla, Rivian, Mercedes and Kia.
• We test drove battery-powered SUVs, pickup trucks, and luxury sedans.
• My three favorites were the Hyundai Ioniq 5, the Rivian R1S and the Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo. See why.

We have had the opportunity to test over a dozen different electric vehicles in the last 12 months. This is a feat that would have been impossible just a few years ago. Now that car companies are getting serious about green technology, the battery-powered vehicles available are littered. From his small SUVs and hatchbacks to his pickup trucks and luxury sedans, there is an electric vehicle available to just about anyone who can afford it. And the options he expands only in 2023. I've driven EVs this year from Tesla, Jaguar, Kia, and Mercedes, and three of them stand out.

Hyundai Ioniq 5

Tim Levin/Insider

Hyundai took a gamble with the Ioniq 5's quirky looks, but this futuristic little SUV is pretty shocking in my book. It's like nothing else on the road until Tesla's sci-fi Cybertruck comes to fruition.

Tim Levin

Equally impressive is the Ioniq 5's interior. This is much larger than expected thanks to the extra long wheelbase. It features a flat floor, clean design and, on select models, a sliding center console that allows floor space to be extended forward or rearward. Despite its high-tech look, the Ioniq 5 has dedicated buttons for climate settings and radio, much more convenient to use while driving than a touchscreen.

Tim Levin/Insider

It also excels in the all-important range department, with an EPA rating of up to 303 miles. Prices start at $41,450.

Rivian R1S

Tim Levin/Insider

California startup Rivian's second consumer model, the R1S SUV, combines the thrilling speed of a sports car, the luxury of a large luxury SUV, and the prowess of a serious off-roader in one very stylish car. We are merging it with EV. Press down on the right pedal and the R1S flies forward with quiet speed, which frankly makes little sense given its bulky size. Once out on the trail, the Rivian's height-adjustable suspension and his advanced 4-wheel drive system make it easy for a novice like me to take off-road. Inside, you'll find a fancy, minimalist interior, seven seats, and tons of cargo space.

Tim Levin/Insider

Additionally, Rivian emphasized breaking the mold with a number of exciting features such as a large front trunk, built-in Bluetooth speakers, an air compressor, and Gear Guard, which uses an array of sensors to monitor the car's surroundings. camera.

Tim Levin/Insider

Rivian's website currently shows an estimated starting price of $78,000 for the base R1S, but it has to stand behind thousands of pre-orderers.

Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo

Tim Levin/Insider

The Taycan Cross Turismo is Porsche's absolutely top-notch electric station wagon. Long, low, wide and utterly seductive. But you don't buy just to look at a Porsche. The Taycan Cross Turismo has taught us why the German brand has been a symbol of impeccable driving his dynamics for decades. The wagon has very precise steering and feels really glued to the asphalt around curves.

Tim Levin/Insider

Plus, the version of the Turbo S I drove (which cost a whopping $209,000) packs a tremendous amount of power: 616 horsepower normally, and up to 750 horsepower in short bursts, Porsche says. increase. Once you've found a safe stretch and hit the floor, the Taycan's slingshot will move you forward faster than your brain can handle: 60 mph is just 2.7 seconds, according to Porsche.

Tim Levin/Insider

The point is, after a long day of nauseating 0-60 pulls, the Taycan fills up quickly. Porsche says it is compatible with 270-kilowatt chargers and can charge him from 5% to 80% in 22.5 minutes. Prices for the Taycan Cross Turismo start at $97,700, which is $11,000 more than the regular Taycan sedan. Any tips for Tesla or the auto industry at large? Are you an electric vehicle owner with a story to share? Contact this reporter at [email protected].