As we all know, crossovers and SUVs continue to be some of the best-selling vehicles in the United States. With lots of cargo space, good fuel economy, and high seating positions, they seem to appeal to a wide range of consumers.Similarly, the sales and popularity of electric vehicles continues to rise, and several manufacturers now offer affordable fully-electric vehicles. For some consumers, a match made in heaven is here: electric SUVs!If you find yourself to be in the market for an EV SUV in the US, you certainly have several choices, and it’s a good idea to get acquainted with them. We’re here to help, starting with one of the priciest but most luxurious: the Audi e-tron.
AUDI E-TRON
As the first electric vehicle ever produced in Audi’s long history, the e-tron doesn’t have particularly big shoes to fill. However, Audi seems to have gotten it right the first time around, because this mid-size crossover has been getting good reviews from journalists.It’s received praise for its quietness, excellent interior design, and well-composed ride quality. Although it doesn’t quite have the range of its rivals—a maximum of just 204 miles or about 328 kilometers—the Audi e-tron still offers a compelling total package.
HYUNDAI KONA ELECTRIC
Like Audi, Hyundai has started investing in the electric SUV market, utilizing both its Hyundai and Kia brands. The Kona Electric is a new offering from the Hyundai brand, released just this year in 2019.Positives for this Korean crossover include an excellent range of 258 mi or 415 km (one of the best from any brand not named Tesla), a comfortable cabin, and a long list of standard tech features. Despite some negatives such as limited availability, the Kona EV is still a catch.
JAGUAR I-PACE
Not only is the I-Pace the first electric SUV from Jaguar, it’s the first one from any luxury European manufacturer. With a slew of international awards (62 to be precise), the I-Pace burst into the electric SUV market in a major way.As its many accolades suggest, the I-Pace has a lot going for it, particularly its driving characteristics. This big cat has a claimed 234 miles (377 km) of range and a great ride quality, although it suffers from unrefined brakes and a lack of available battery configurations.
KIA NIRO EV
Launched just last year, the Kia Niro EV is the electric version of the standard Niro, itself a subcompact crossover introduced just a few years ago. Sharing its powertrain and battery with the Hyundai Kona Electric, the Niro has similarly received positive reviews since release.Many standard safety features and 239 miles (385 km) of range combine to make the Niro EV a great value given its price of US$38,500. This, plus a quiet and comfortable interior, make it a strong contender in its segment, even if its Hyundai sibling offers a little more range.
TESLA MODEL X
As of 2019, no other electric vehicles come particularly close to matching the range of Tesla’s Long Range trim for all three of their current offerings. The Model X Long Range is of course no exception to this rule, as 328 miles (528 km) of range is certainly class-leading.Available quick charging means you can be on the road again fast, and Tesla’s notoriously quick acceleration makes for a fun drive. Unfortunately, gimmicky falcon doors combined with a so-so cabin are a few areas where the Model X fails to deliver.
HONORABLE MENTION: FORD MUSTANG MACH-E
While companies like Volkswagen, Mercedes, BMW, and Volvo have made plans to introduce new hybrid and electric SUVs in the coming years, Ford is the most recent entrant with its unveiling of the Mustang Mach-E just last month in November 2019.Two battery pack sizes and three power outputs will be available, with Ford claiming a driving range of 210-300 miles (338-483 km) depending on configuration—rivaling the range of some Teslas. Sound enticing? You won’t have to wait long, as Ford expects sales to start next year.While some consumers may still hold out on buying EVs, the future of this technology is bright. They continue to improve, and the recent appearance of EV SUVs adds another dimension to this burgeoning segment of the car world—one well worth your consideration.
