As the popularity of hybrid and electric vehicles continues to grow, U.S. drivers aren’t ready to end their decade-long love affair with the sport utility vehicle. Instead, top manufacturers are beginning to marry the two, adding new electric options to their SUV lineups in response to customer demand.
Tesla was first to introduce an all-electric SUV in 2016, when the Model X made its debut, and its competitors have been scrambling to catch up ever since. This year, consumers will have roughly a half-dozen electric SUVs from which to choose, with a few additional options on the way in model year 2021. For now, these are our picks for the best electric SUVs on the market in 2020.
Audi E-tron: Our Top Recommendation
With a base price of just under $75,000, sticker shock may scare away some potential buyers from the Audi e-tron. That’s a real shame, because if you can fit it into your car-buying budget, the e-tron delivers surprisingly good value for your investment.
In terms of efficiency, the e-tron makes an average showing, with an estimated range of about 204 miles on a single charge, and it largely maintains that range even at highway speeds. According to Audi, the average driver’s weekly commute registers around 160 miles, so you won’t need to be obsessive about charging the vehicle at every given opportunity.
However, there are several places where the e-tron could benefit from fine-tuning in future models to extend its range. For example, unlike many other electric vehicles, the e-tron doesn’t automatically maximize power generation from regenerative braking; you’ll need to manually adjust the settings using the shift paddles on the steering wheel to keep it from simply coasting to a stop and wasting potential energy.
Power Capacity
When it’s time to recharge the e-tron’s muscular 95-kWh lithium-ion battery, drivers have several options. Ideally, you’ll install a Level 2 charging station at home, where you’ll do the majority of your charging over the lifespan of the vehicle. With a Level 2 (240V) connection, the e-tron takes about nine hours to charge completely. You can charge it using a standard 120V household plug, but it will take you roughly four days to achieve a full charge.
If you have access to a 150 kW high-speed public charger in your area, you can recharge to 80 percent in just half an hour, but it’ll cost you as much as five times more than simply charging at home. Fortunately, Audi includes 1,000 free kWh of charging at nearly 400 nationwide high-speed Electrify America DC charging stations during the first four years of e-tron ownership.
Safety and Performance
The e-tron may be the safest electric SUV on the market, earning a five-star safety rating from NHTSA and a spot on the IIHS list of Top Safety Picks in 2019. It includes Audi’s pre sense® detection systems, which alert you to the presence (and potential) of pedestrians and stationary objects in the vehicle’s path and initiate preventative measures when an impending rear-end collision is detected.
Adaptive cruise control incorporates information from the vehicle’s radar, camera, laser scanner, and ultrasonic sensors to continuously monitor the environment and help you drive more safely and efficiency.
From a performance standpoint, the e-tron is a solid SUV, with a five-mode suspension that includes an off-road setting for tackling uneven terrain. Its 402 HP engine takes it from zero to 60 miles per hour in 5.5 seconds, and a towing package with a capacity of 4,000 pounds is optional.
Drivers will appreciate the car’s responsive handling and consistent torque, thanks to its low-positioned battery and dual motors set on each axle.
Additional Features
The vehicle is just as impressive inside. Its quiet electric motor makes way for the rich sound of the 705-watt, 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system, controlled by Audi’s proprietary MMI Touch Response screen.
That screen is also where you’ll make adjustments to the heating and ventilating functions on the front seats as well as the cabin climate and Google Maps-integrated navigation system. Connectivity also extends to Amazon’s Alexa, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Hyundai Kona Electric: The New Kid On The Block
With its impressive range, modest price tag and the generous warranty that has fueled the company’s growth, the Hyundai Kona Electric is a well-rounded entry into the electric SUV market.
The five-passenger Kona Electric boasts a 258-mile range on a single charge, one of the highest figures in its class. A permanent-magnet synchronous motor delivers 201 HP and 290 pound-feet of torque, which bests the gas-powered version of the Kona but doesn’t quite match the punch of the Audi e-tron. It’s also slightly more sluggish, taking 7.6 seconds to accelerate from zero to 60 and a maximum speed of 104 miles per hour.
Three driving modes—Comfort, Eco and Sport—let you further customize acceleration and braking levels, and if you’re concerned about your battery level, Eco mode disables nonessential systems and caps speed at 60 miles per hour to help you get the greatest possible range from the remaining charge.
The flat, floor-mounted 64 kWh battery makes way for plenty of cargo space in the Kona Electric, with an adequate amount of leg and head room for backseat passengers. While the additional weight of the battery may slow the vehicle slightly, it still delivers quality handling and a smooth ride. Aerodynamic design features like a flush grille, flat underbody tray and optimized wheels help maximize the vehicle’s efficiency.
The Kona Electric comes standard with a 7.2-kilowatt fast-charger—a feature that costs extra in many electric vehicles—that can bring the vehicle to 80 percent charge in just under an hour. With a Level 2 charger, you’ll need about 9.5 hours to fully charge the battery.
Fortunately, Hyundai makes charging convenient via the Blue Link smartphone app or integration with Amazon Alexa, so starting the charging process is as simple as a voice command. You can also schedule charging to take place during off-peak hours to save on electricity costs.
Inside, the vehicle is equipped with impressive technology: a 7-inch color touchscreen audio system comes standard with the SEL ($36,690) and Limited ($41,600) trims, while the Ultimate trim ($45,200) includes a 10.25-inch color touchscreen audio system with onboard navigation and traffic information sourced from HD radio.
The Limited and Ultimate models also provide wireless device charging as a standard feature, while the wireless charging pad is optional in the SEL. Proximity key with push-button start, rearview monitor with parking guidance, heated seats and the Blue Link Connected Car System are standard in all trims.
The Kona Electric also comes with Hyundai’s industry-leading warranty: 10 years/100,000 miles for electric battery and powertrain and five years of 24/7 roadside assistance.
Jaguar i-Pace: Simple Luxury
Since its debut two years ago, the Jaguar i-Pace has racked up plenty of well-deserved accolades, including World Car of the Year, World Car Design of the Year and Green Car of the Year at the 2019 World Car Awards and 2019 European Car of the Year. The i-Pace offers an excellent balance of performance, efficiency and luxury in a surprisingly affordable package, with a base price of just under $70,000.
The i-Pace is one of the zippiest models in its class, with two electric motors that deliver 394 HP and take the car from zero to 60 miles per hour in 4.5 seconds. It offers agile handling on the roads and can even handle rough terrain, thanks to an air suspension system that gives the vehicle an extra 5.6 inches of clearance to navigate water and mud.
Thanks in part to a powerful 90 kWh lithium-ion battery, the i-Pace can go up to 234 miles between charges, although it does take slightly longer to recharge than some of its competitors: With a 50 kW DC fast charger, it takes about 90 minutes to reach 80 percent charge; a Level 2 home charger takes it to 80 percent in about 10 hours. Regenerative brakes also help extend the range.
Inside the cabin, the i-Pace seats five adults comfortably, with supportive seats and pleasant ambient lighting to enhance the ride. It also provides more cargo space than you might expect, with 25.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats and double that with the rear seats folded.
Standard features include push-button start, smartphone integration, high-quality Meridian sound system, six USB ports, Wi-Fi hot spot and the InControl Touch Pro Duo dual-screen infotainment system. This smart system learns your driving patterns to estimate your total range and automatically adjusts the climate settings based on the number of passengers it detects in the vehicle. It can also be programmed to identify available charging stations along your navigation route.
The i-Pace is also equipped with a long list of standard safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, rearview camera, rear cross traffic alert and traffic sign recognition. A clear exit monitor warns backseat passengers of approaching vehicles and other obstacles before they open their doors. The i-Pace is covered by a five-year/60,000-mile new vehicle warranty that includes complimentary scheduled maintenance and an eight-year/100,000-mile battery warranty.
Kia Niro EV: Affordability, Electrified
Perhaps the most direct competitor to the Hyundai Kona Electric, the Kia Niro EV offers a comparable price point, range, capacity and performance.
Powered by the same 201 HP motor and 64 kWh lithium-ion battery as the Kona, it doesn’t quite reach the Hyundai’s range, clocking in at 239 miles per charge—due in part to its slightly larger wheelbase and length and the extra 152 pounds on its sturdy frame. Still, its acceleration to 60 miles per hour is just one-tenth of a second slower than the Kona when the Niro’s speedy sport mode is engaged.
Niro drivers have several options for recharging the vehicle. Kia has partnered with Amazon to make it more convenient to have a Level 2 charger installed at home, which allows for a full recharge in less than 10 hours. The Niro also comes standard with 100-kW DC fast-charging capability, a feature that costs extra on many electric vehicles, which can return you to an 80 percent charge in about an hour. In a pinch, you can also extend your range by plugging into a standard 120V household outlet, although this method is painfully slow.
As part of the Kia family of vehicles, the Niro EV relies on the UVO Link system for a host of connectivity features. The “Lite” package of this subscription-based system is included free of charge for five years and covers remote charging commands, 911 Connect, maintenance alerts and trip information. For another $100 to $300 per year, you can upgrade to premium subscription levels that add roadside assistance, rear seat occupancy notification, remote start with climate control and a host of other bells and whistles.
The Niro is available in EX ($38,500) and EX Premium ($44,000) trim options. Push-button start, Apple and Android compatibility, adaptive cruise control, steering assist and blind-spot warning alerts are standard in both packages, while the Premium version upgrades you to a larger center touchscreen, Harmon/Kardon stereo, heated and ventilated front seats and leather upholstery, among other creature comforts. All models are covered by a five-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.
Tesla Model X: The Gold Standard
Given Tesla’s status as the manufacturer that brought electric vehicles to the mainstream—and the years it has spent perfecting them—you’d be justified in expecting the company’s all-electric SUV to blow you away, and the Model X does not disappoint. This sleek, swift SUV seats seven adults comfortably and has a whopping 328-mile range, effectively crushing its competition in the efficiency metric.
But the Model X isn’t simply a greener people-hauler. It’s also incredibly fun to drive, with powerful all-wheel drive and a “Ludicrous Mode” capable of reaching 60 miles per hour in under three seconds. It’s also the most aerodynamic SUV ever produced, with the lowest drag coefficient in its class. The dual motors provide independent traction and torque to its front and rear wheels, giving you precise control even in sloppy road conditions.
From a design perspective, the Model X is also in a class by itself. Its “falcon wing” doors make it easier for third-row passengers to get in and out of the vehicle, even in tight parking spaces. The vehicle’s front doors automatically open as you approach it, and once you’re in the driver’s seat, a quick tap of the brake pedal gently closes them.
The vast panoramic windshield delivers an unobstructed view to both driver and passengers, with optimized solar tinting for comfort and safety. The interior seating can be reconfigured to transport five, six or seven passengers, and it offers up to 88 cubic feet of cargo capacity in both the rear of the vehicle as well as a second front trunk.
Recharging your Model X is easy, thanks to Tesla’s network of Superchargers scattered throughout the country. Drivers also have the option to recharge at home via a 240V or 120V connection.
The Model X may also be the safest electric SUV on the market today, earning a NHTSA five-star safety rating in every category and subcategory. With no internal combustion engine under the hood, the crumple zone can more effectively minimize occupant deceleration in a front-end crash. Equally robust side-impact protection comes from a high-strength central pillar and an energy-absorbing sill structure, while the floor-mounted battery lowers the vehicle’s center of gravity to virtually eliminate rollover risk.
As is customary with Tesla vehicles, the interior of the vehicle is spare, sleek and modern. A massive 17-inch touchscreen provides instant access to the sound and navigation systems, although the Model X isn’t equipped with Apple or Android integration—a rare oversight from the forward-thinking manufacturer.
The touchscreen is also the hub for managing the vehicle’s Autopilot features, which enable your Model X to steer, accelerate and brake automatically within its lane based on information delivered by its eight cameras and 12 ultrasonic sensors. Ultimately, the company expects to upgrade its vehicles with self-driving capabilities, which will be delivered seamlessly through a software update to the touchscreen system.
The cabin is comfortable enough, but perhaps not as luxurious as you’d expect from an SUV with a price tag that starts at $80,000 for the Long Range version and just under six figures for the Performance version. Front and rear seat heaters are a nice touch, as are the heated steering wheel, wiper blade defrosters and washer nozzle heaters.
However, the seats could use some improvements in the areas of comfort and adjustability. The warranty also leaves much to be desired, with limited coverage over four years/50,000 miles and no complimentary scheduled maintenance benefits. The powertrain warranty is good for eight years with no mileage cap.
Final Thoughts
If you love the features and function of a sport utility vehicle but have qualms about putting another gas-guzzler on the roads, you’re in luck: the available selection of electric SUVs is continuously expanding, with each new model year bringing new choices to the marketplace. Whether you’re seeking an affordable family vehicle or a high-end luxury SUV, you’re increasingly likely to find what you’re looking for in an electric version.
