As the year 2022 draws closer and closer, were starting to get a clearer idea of what life will be like with electric cars. Electric cars are far more than just hype, they're becoming real and people are driving electric cars. It's not just a prediction, it's a forecast! Electric cars have finally taken over, and you can tell from looking at the traffic on the freeway. There are far more electric cars than there are ordinary ones. It's taken some time to perfect them and make them as affordable as possible, but now they're here to stay. People are falling in love with their new cars and realizing that they had made the right choice by dropping their old internal combustion engine vehicles.
The Carwam team has compiled a list of the best electric cars of 2022, based on our research and analysis.
Hyundai Ioniq 5
The Ioniq 5 is a three-door hatchback that’s available with a choice of two electric motors, one at each axle. The more powerful variant has a combined power output of 350bhp and can accelerate from 0-62mph in 6.2 seconds. The entry-level model is less powerful but has a range of up to 186 miles on a single charge.
Hyundai has long been one of the most reliable brands in terms of build quality and reliability, so we expect that to continue with its new range of electric cars. However, what we don't know yet is how practical these cars will be in everyday use - but if they're anything like their petrol counterparts then they should be very easy to live with.
Tesla Model Y
The Tesla Model Y car will come with Autopilot and Ludicrous Mode as standard – so you can drive from Los Angeles to New York without touching the pedals or steering wheel – but it will also be one of those cars where you can leave your wallet at home because everything is handled by your phone.
This isn't just a sensible thing to do (you won't have anything on you if there's an accident) it's actually part of Tesla's vision for the future: where everything is billed automatically through your various accounts.
Porsche Taycan
Porche Taycan is the first electric car from Porsche. It's a four-door sports sedan that can seat five adults and has an electric range of 310 miles (500km).
It's an important moment for the company, which has built its reputation on making cars with high performance and lots of styles. The Taycan is a big move away from that, but it still has the heart of a sports car.
The Taycan is powered by two electric motors on each axle that offer 356bhp and 48lb-ft (620Nm) of torque. That gives it a 0-60mph time of 3.5 seconds and a top speed of 155mph (250km/h).
The battery pack is located under the floor, which helps give the Taycan a low center of gravity and a very rigid chassis.
The interior feels incredibly premium and well thought out - there are no buttons anywhere on the dash or steering wheel, and everything is controlled via touchscreen interfaces or voice commands through Amazon's Alexa service in Europe (Google Assistant in the US).
Tesla Model 3
The Tesla Model 3 was Top Gear’s 2019 saloon of the year, beating the old guard and maintaining its lead of the new EV pretenders. It’s been in production since mid-2017, but even heading into middle age, nothing on the market has yet managed to beat the Model 3 on all fronts. While not without flaws, it is quite simply one of the most interesting, compelling cars in the world right now.
The Model 3 was designed as an entry-level car for Tesla, with a starting price of $35K. It has a range of 310 miles (500km) on a single charge, which can be increased by upgrading to a long-range battery pack (which bumps up the price by $10k). Those looking for extra performance can opt for an RWD Performance version with 315hp (235kW), but this will set you back another $20k.
This electric saloon can reach 60mph (96km/h) from a standstill in 4.8 seconds when fitted with a Performance package and 245/35R18 tires — which are optional
Polestar 2
The Tesla Model 3, BMW i3, and Porsche Taycan are all well and good, but they’re not the future. They’re the here and now. In 2022, you’ll want to be driving a Polestar 2 – or something like it.
Polestar 2 is built by Volvo-owned startup Polestar, which sells it as an electric hatchback for around $30k with a range of around 300 miles (500km). The company isn’t short on ambition though: it plans to release more models over time in an attempt to compete with Tesla and Jaguar Land Rover (whose I-Pace is also due next year).
Lucid Air
The Air is powered by two electric motors that produce a combined 1,000 horsepower and 1,700 pound-feet of torque. Combined with its lightweight carbon fiber body panels (which are hand laid), this results in 0-60 mph acceleration times of 2.5 seconds or less — on par with Tesla Model S P100D Ludicrous mode (2.4 seconds).
The Lucid Air also boasts an impressive driving range of 400 miles per charge (EPA rated) or 483 miles per charge based on our real-world testing conditions so far (EPA estimates pending). That makes it one of the longest-range EVs available on the market today — even beating out Tesla Model S 100D Ludicrous.
Chevrolet Bolt
The Chevy Bolt EV is a four-door sedan that's available in two trim levels: Premier and Premier Plus. Both come standard with front-wheel drive and a 200-hp electric motor that powers the front wheels. The Bolt EV is also available as an all-wheel drive model called the EUV, which comes standard with an 8.9-kWh battery pack and a 3.6 kW onboard charger.
The Bolt EV's interior is roomy and comfortable, with a high level of fit and finish for the price point. Standard features include dual-zone automatic climate control, Wi-Fi hotspot capability, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, LED headlamps with LED daytime running lights (DRLs), LED taillights, power windows/locks/mirrors/adjustable pedals/tilt steering column/leather seats/heated front seats/leather shift knob/leather door trim inserts/chrome accents throughout the cabin/front parking sensors/LED fog lamps
Hyundai Kona
Hyundai Kona Electric - It's all about the battery range. The electric version of the Kona SUV retains everything we love about the regular model and offers an excellent range of 258 miles, making it a great choice for electric vehicle fans.
The new model will retain everything we like about the gas-powered version of the Kona, including its impressive cargo capacity and seating for up to five passengers. But instead of a four-cylinder engine, the Kona Electric will be powered by an electric motor with 201 horsepower.
Honda e
The Honda e is a small, city-friendly electric car. Honda’s first mass-market pure-electric car. Honda claims that 80% of all journeys are under 20 miles long, so it makes sense to have an electric car with such a limited range. We think this is where EVs will really shine in 2022; as we pointed out in our piece about where EVs go next, cars like this will finally make sense for city dwellers
The e has been on sale in Japan for a while now – it can be had there for around $25k. That’s a lot of money for a tiny electric hatchback with a range of just over 100 miles between charges and a 0-60mph time of 7.2 seconds – but it’s also cheaper than anything else on this list and has so much charm you won’t care how many times you have to plug it in every night. The styling is based on the Urban EV concept from 2017 and reminds us of an old Mini Cooper with its three-door body style and bubble roofline. Inside, there are no exposed parts or cables; everything looks like it should be.
Fiat 500
The Fiat 500 is one of the best electric cars on the market. It has a range of around 150 miles, can be charged at home, and is available in several different versions, including an all-wheel drive version and a limited edition model called the Popstar that comes with extra features like heated seats and sat nav.
It’s not as fun to drive as some other small cars though, so if you love driving and want something with more power then you might want to look elsewhere.
Mercedes-Benz EQS
The Mercedes-Benz EQS is a midsize luxury sedan designed to be an electric car for the masses. It’s big, it’s luxurious, and it’s expensive.
The EQS grasps all the advantages an EV promises – smoothness, peace, effortless performance, and clever body packaging – and blends all of the above with everything Mercedes has learned over several decades of building classy plutocrat barges. It’s an exquisite vehicle to cover the distance in, to drive or in which to be driven, finished nigh-on perfectly and peppered with attention to detail.
This is not a car that was built on a shoestring budget or rushed out to meet some arbitrary sales target. The EQS is built like a Mercedes should be built: with an eye toward quality over quantity and style over speed.
Volvo XC40 P8 Recharge
The XC40 P8 is a game changer. It's the first electric car we've driven that feels like it has been designed from the ground up to be electric.
It is amazing right out of the box. This is what EVs should feel like from day one: fast, powerful, communicative, and fun!
Peugeot e-2008
The first thing you notice about the Peugeot e-2008 is that it looks like a normal car. It doesn’t have any over-the-top design features to make it stand out from its petrol brother, just a few subtle cues – like the lack of exhausts or cooling vents – to give away that this is an EV.
But it does have some tricks up its sleeve. The most obvious is that it doesn’t need a gearbox because electric motors are direct drive, so there’s no need for a transmission tunnel on the floor. Instead, there are two rear seats where the gearbox would normally be, freeing up space at the front for passengers and their luggage.
The interior is similarly pragmatic, with nothing superfluous but plenty of storage options and cup holders dotted around. There are four USB charging ports and three 12V sockets too – one more than on most mainstream cars.
Audi e-Tron GT
There are three electric car ranges to choose from, with the top-spec E-Tron GT S topping out at 408 miles on a single charge. The all-electric four-door saloon will be able to reach 60mph in 3.5 seconds. It also has over 800 horsepower and a top speed of 160mph
The e-Tron GT S is a rival for the Mercedes-Benz EQC, BMW iX3, and Tesla Model X 75D, with all four offerings similar performance and range. But what sets the Audi apart is its design.
Jaguar I-Pace
Jaguar I-Pace is the first EV from a mainstream premium brand and it’s a stunner. It’s also a stunner in terms of performance, with 0-60mph taking less than four seconds and the ability to do 186mph.
It won’t be for everyone, though; it lacks the space of a Tesla Model S or Model X and doesn’t have the range of an Audi e-Tron or Mercedes EQC. But to Jaguar for making a car that steps boldly into the unknown.
Mini Electric
Mini Electric is a complete little EV. It preserves everything about a standard Mini Cooper S. It's accelerative and has zero emissions. Mini Electric will have a future as an EV.
Mini Electric is based on the same platform as the BMW i3, but it's not just another BMW i3 clone. It's got its own powertrain, interior, and styling. Mini has always been known for its fun-to-drive character and this car doesn't disappoint in that area. The Mini Electric feels like it's been tuned to deliver maximum fun with minimal energy consumption.
The Mini Electric is powered by an 88 kW electric motor that produces 140 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque (350 Nm). That’s enough to move this little city car from 0-60 mph in 8 seconds flat, which is impressive considering its 2,500-pound curb weight is less than half what you’d expect from your average electric car. The Mini also has great regenerative braking — even more than we expected from such a tiny vehicle — so you can spend less time charging and more time driving if you want.
Volkswagen ID.4
Volkswagen ID.4 plays against crossovers, and no one buys a crossover for driving. Crossovers are family transit pods. And judged through that lens, ID.4 is right on target.
The car's exterior lines are sharp and aggressive, but not overbearing. It looks like it should be fast, and it is — 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds is quick even by today's standards. The interior is clean and comfortable, with plenty of room in both rows of seats (though the middle console can get in the way of rear seat passenger legs). The center console has two touchscreens for controlling everything from climate control to infotainment; one of the screens controls climate control functions while the other provides access to all infotainment functions (including navigation).
BMW i4
The BMW i4's snug and well-made, a car with the sort of range that should allow them to do almost any of their road trips. It charges fast, and brisk driving or low temperatures don't harm the range as badly as some EVs. It doesn't look like a spaceship, but lots of people don't want that.
The BMW i4 has an electric motor at each axle, so the all-wheel drive is standard — even on front-wheel-drive models — which gives it better traction than most other EVs in icy weather or on snow-covered roads.
BMW's infotainment system isn't quite as good as Tesla's, but it's still excellent overall: easy to use and responsive, with lots of customization options. The car also features Apple CarPlay compatibility
KIA EV6
The EV6 is the one that we think will be most successful at the mass market level. It’s not a Tesla Model 3 or a Nissan Leaf: it doesn’t have an overwhelming amount of power or range, but it does have all the hallmarks of an exciting and fun vehicle. The electric motor — which drives all four wheels — puts out 446 pound-feet of torque for 0-60 mph in 4.6 seconds. Designed with a sleek body and distinctive lights that give it a bold look.
Renault Megane E-Tech
It’s also extremely practical and comes with all the kit you’d expect from a premium hatchback: heated leather seats, Apple CarPlay, sat nav, parking sensors… The only thing missing is a sunroof (which would add cost).
Power comes from a 1.5-liter petrol engine that drives the front wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. The battery is positioned under the boot floor and takes up no extra space - it delivers the same boot capacity as its ICE equivalent.
Performance is brisk enough but not blistering: 0-62mph takes 10.7 seconds, which puts it behind most of its rivals but still ahead of some EVs (and certainly ahead of most diesel). The range figure quoted by Renault is 155 miles per charge - more than enough for most commutes - but if you want more range there's an optional 39kWh battery pack available that
Ford Mustang Mach-E
Ford’s first fully-fledged electric car. Built on an all-new platform, it’s available with either a 75 (Standard Range) or 98kWh (Extended Range) battery, and with either a single motor (rear-wheel drive) or twin motor (all-wheel drive) layout. Claimed range is up to 372 miles, making it one of the longest-haul electric cars around. The entry-level car weighs just under two tonnes and has 265bhp, while the most potent GT version, capable of 0-62mph in 3.7 seconds, has 480bhp.
All of this means that this is one seriously quick EV. It also looks great too: sleek lines, sharp creases, and contemporary detailing give it an appealing appearance that should age well over time – as long as you don’t go for the bright green color option! Inside there are no traditional gauges or dials at all; instead, there are full-width digital displays that show everything
Skoda Enyaq iV
The Skoda Enyaq iV is a very good electric car. It has all the practicality, space, and refinement of its larger sibling, the Volkswagen ID Crozz, but it's cheaper to buy, cheaper to run, and easier to park.
It's also more fun to drive than you might expect from an electric car. In fact, it's almost as good to drive as a Golf GTI. There's no torque steer or body roll when you push hard into corners and the steering is direct and responsive. The chassis doesn't have quite the same agility as that of a Golf GTI but it feels perfectly balanced for a family car like this.
The range is further than many other EVs available today - up to 250 miles on a single charge - and charging times are relatively short - around two hours from 0-80% capacity using DC Fast Charging (50 kW).
BMW iX
BMW iX: Electric SUV - BMW iX. The Bavarian giant's answer to all the SUV-crossover SUVs out there is the iX, an electric-shunning crossover SUV. It has the looks of a Range Rover Velar and the interior of a Tesla Model X -- but with BMW dynamics and performance bolted on.
The iX was designed from the ground up to be an electric car, with a focus on space and comfort. It has lots of room in the back for people or luggage, plus a huge boot. It's big enough to fit four adults in comfort and five if you want to squeeze them in there. And if you want extra adult space you can get an optional bench seat in front (so two kids can sit behind).
BMW claims that the iX has more interior space than any other electric car on sale today (even bigger than Tesla Model X).
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