Right now, we’re living through the biggest shift in mobility since the invention of the automobile. Every year — or really, every month — new EVs arrive in all shapes and sizes. From the multi-million-dollar Rimac Nevera to the affordable Chevrolet Bolt, EV options continue to proliferate.
Since 2018, EV sales have gone from less than 1% to 7.2% in the first quarter of this year, and the upward curve is getting steeper. According to a forecast by Cox Automotive, 2023 will be the year EV sales surpass the 1-million mark in the United States. Against that backdrop, Autotrader.com recently compiled its first Top 10 Best Electric Vehicles of 2023.
“We are in the midst of a sea change in the industry as EV sales become a growing slice of the American automotive pie,” said Brian Moody, executive editor for Autotrader. “More and more shoppers are hungry for new EVs, and automakers are continually developing and introducing new EV models as the demand continues to surge — with no signs of slowing.”
For the first time, there are enough EVs on the market to make a full list that doesn’t include marginal EVs, hybrids, plug-in hybrids or hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles. All vehicles on the list are from the 2023 model year and feature a base manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) under $100,000. Lastly, vehicles on the list must be generally available to the public in at least 15 states at the time of publication.
Rather than order them from best to worst, Autotrader made no distinction other than being in the Top 10. That’s smart, because there are still few enough EVs on the market that the top dectet (that’s a group of 10, and yeah, I had to look it up, too) includes a wide variety of vehicles, from pickup trucks to pure sports cars.
But instead of just reporting Autotrader’s choices (you can read about those here) we thought we’d pick our favorites from their list and give you our take on them.
2023 BMW i4
Autotrader said, “Whatever you thought of BMW’s first run at EV, the i3, it was missing a certain something — it didn’t look or perform like a BMW. The 2023 BMW i4 corrects course with a Gran Coupe that our editors agree looks and drives like a BMW.”
They’re right on target with that assessment. The BMW i4 offers you a brisk rear-wheel drive or powerful all-wheel drive experience, depending on which model you select. This is a BMW that tells us that the venerable German automaker is serious about turning away from internal combustion. As we said in our review, “As it turns out, making an EV that isn’t a rolling virtue signal is good business.”
2023 Ford F-150 Lightning
The editors at Autotrader stated, “The F-150 Lightning somehow synthesized decades of pickup truck knowledge with the latest and greatest EV technology and infused thoughtful details and user-friendly features.”
The beauty of the F-150 Lightning is that it wasn’t just the best electric truck of 2022, it was the best new truck of the year. The independent rear suspension in the Lightning marks the most important change in the breed since Henry Ford started making half-ton pickups in 1925. The interior luxury, electric range, and overall excellent driving experience of the F-150 Lightning are convincing.
2023 Genesis GV60
The Geneses GV60 crossover (some might call it a hatchback) received due praise from Autotrader, pointing out, “the first Genesis model built in the United States, the GV60 brings the brand’s long equipment list, 10-year/100,000-mile warranty, and good looks to the party.”
That’s good, but it doesn’t go nearly far enough. A quick test-drive in the GV60 will have you wondering how the Germans are ever going to keep up with Genesis luxury. This EV is quick, tight, good looking and supremely comfortable.
2023 Kia EV6
Autotrader included the Kia EV6 for the second year running, saying, “The EV6 again proves Kia is a design-forward company willing to take risks to set its vehicles apart.”
We couldn’t agree more, especially with the new EV6 GT, which boasts 576 horsepower and 545 pound-feet of torque delivered to all four wheels. In the EV6, that level of power translates to 3.4 seconds 0-60, which is faster than a Ferrari Roma or some versions of the Lamborghini Huracán. The EV6 GT looks like a science fiction version of a futuristic station wagon, but there’s more to it than just funky looks for funkiness’ sake. This is a sports car with five seats and a convenient hatchback. That strikes us as the right combination.
2023 Lucid Air
Autotrader recognized that the Lucid Air is among the best of the new crop, saying, “The Air, a midsize sedan, delivers “ingenious engineering, attention to detail, high build quality and a finely developed aesthetic sense.”
Admittedly, you have to go to the base model to get the Lucid Air in under Autotrader’s $100,000 price cap. The base model carries an MSRP of $87,400 before any fees or options, and the Grand Touring model we tested retails for $140,650 all-in. Still, the Lucid delivers an exhilarating driving experience and state-of-the-art luxury. We particularly loved the huge expansive windshield that starts at the cowl and stretches all the way over the driver and front passengers’ heads in an unbroken arc. We use the term “unbroken” somewhat ironically, because if you ever take a rock to that lovely piece of glass, it’s going to be a shattering experience to pay for it.
2023 Porsche Taycan
Our last selection from Autotrader’s list is the Porsche Taycan. Their editors chose the Porsche for its, “blistering acceleration, impressive handling and expansive range.”
We all knew that when Porsche delivered an EV, it would be something special and worthy of the crest on its nose, but we doubt that anyone was ready for just how impressive the Taycan really is. It’s not just the 0-60 time, because the EV6 GT is quicker. It’s not the horsepower rating or range, either, as others also exceed those numbers. But when you slide behind the wheel of the Taycan, there’s something there that’s unlike any other EV. This is a Porsche, and you know it. This EV handles like a Porsche, steers like a Porsche, and brakes like a Porsche. To quote a well-known movie, “there is no substitute.”
Looking over this list, the most exciting thing is not the presence or absence of any particular vehicle, but rather the indication of the trajectory and velocity of the EV market in general. We can’t wait to see what we’ll be evaluating at this time next year.