Editors' Choice 2026: EVs
Our favorite EVs combine engaging driving dynamics with solid driving range.
Battery-powered vehicles are no longer the compromised machines of yore. Credit battery advancements that allow today's electric cars to travel hundreds of miles on a full charge. While charging an EV may still take a bit more time than a gas-powered car, the delta between the two is constantly closing. Below are our editors' picks of their favorite EVs on sale for 2026.
Audi e-tron GT
HIGHS: Wicked acceleration, excellent driving range, costs a good deal less than its cousin, the Porsche Taycan.
LOWS: Less expensive is still expensive, tight rear seat, few options to choose from.
VERDICT: Ballistically quick and sports-car nimble, this ground-bound electric rocket ship offers Porsche-like performance for a less-than-Porsche price.
BMW i4
HIGHS: Playful handling, smart looks, effortlessly quick acceleration.
LOWS: Middling range estimates, cramped back seat, light on steering feel.
VERDICT: The electric i4 is as practical, agile, and attractive as the 4-series Gran Coupe. Albeit with a silent twist.
BMW i5
HIGHS: Acceleration that satisfies, comfortable and stylish interior, rewarding BMW driving behavior.
LOWS: EV components eat into trunk space, competitors offer more range at this price point, infotainment operation is borderline complex.
VERDICT: A virtual doppelganger for the gas-powered 5-series sedan, the i5 delivers genuine BMW driving character with a punchy battery-electric powertrain.
BMW iX
HIGHS: Tranquil cruising, competitive driving range, deluxe cabin.
LOWS: Busy exterior styling is polarizing, low rear seating position.
VERDICT: Futuristic, flashy, and fancy, the BMW iX drives well, coddles its passengers, and goes far on a charge.
Cadillac Lyriq
HIGHS: Attractive starting price, quiet when cruising, fashionable interior styling.
LOWS: No front trunk cargo area, single-motor model feels poky, dual-motor model’s real-world highway driving range is disappointing.
VERDICT: As a luxury SUV, the Lyriq is plenty satisfying; as an EV, it does an admirable job making the case for electric driving.
Cadillac Optiq
HIGHS: Nicely balanced ride and handling, roomy inside for passengers, good estimated driving range.
LOWS: Optiq-V ups performance but reduces range, regenerative brakes feel weird at first, could use a bit more cargo space.
VERDICT: The Optiq is an attractive and premium electric crossover with an expertly tuned chassis and competitive driving-range estimates.
Cadillac Vistiq
HIGHS: Cabin teeming with luxury details, smooth ride, nimbler than its size suggests.
LOWS: Uncommunicative steering, pricey top trims, shoddy main display control dial.
VERDICT: With commendable power, solid electric range, and lavish interior environs, the Cadillac Vistiq provides an Escalade IQ-like experience without the need for a hangar-sized garage.
Hyundai Ioniq 5
HIGHS: Rapid charging speeds, distinctive styling, engaging and cheery driving personality.
LOWS: Speediest version gives up range, steering a little light on feel, frunk is an afterthought.
VERDICT: A holistic effort, the Ioniq 5 blends range, space, and personality in an affordable package with a style all its own.
Hyundai Ioniq 5 N
HIGHS: Wicked acceleration, novel EV experience enhancements, entertaining handling.
LOWS: Spendy compared to the standard Ioniq 5, too many powertrain and chassis settings, longer range would be nice.
VERDICT: The Ioniq 5 N is as successful in pushing the envelope of EV performance as it is in mimicking the driving experience of an internal-combustion vehicle.
Hyundai Ioniq 9
HIGHS: Library-quiet interior, plenty of space for people and their stuff, modern styling.
LOWS: Some interior materials look and feel slightly off tune, hefty price premium over Palisade sibling, video-game illumination elements may overwhelm some buyers.
VERDICT: With ample interior space and competitive range, the Georgia-built Ioniq 9 EV exudes sensible style.
Kia EV6
HIGHS: Choice of powertrains, fast-charging prowess, nice ride and handling balance.
LOWS: Limited outward visibility, infotainment could be a bit more intuitive, costlier than its Hyundai Ioniq 5 cousin.
VERDICT: The EV6 is a well-rounded EV that's fun to drive, fast to charge, and plenty spacious inside.
Kia EV9
HIGHS: All-wheel drive models feature quick acceleration, impressive DC fast-charging rate, spacious interior with a genuinely usable third row.
LOWS: Single-motor base models lack range and power, overreliance on touch controls, hints of low-grade plastic inside.
VERDICT: The family-friendly EV9 returns for 2026 with the same satisfying blend of style and practicality.
Lucid Air
HIGHS: Class-leading driving range, all models are quick, classy design inside and out.
LOWS: Screen-heavy cabin may not appeal to everyone, tire roar is bothersome at highway speeds, best options require a big increase in price.
VERDICT: For luxurious EV road-tripping, the Lucid Air reigns supreme.
Lucid Gravity
HIGHS: Quick acceleration, long driving-range estimates, megasize cargo room.
LOWS: High-tier trims come with massive price tags, third-row seats not standard.
VERDICT: As a follow-up to the successful Air sedan, the Gravity nails its mission and furthers the brand's EV ethos.
Nissan Leaf
HIGHS: Improved driving range, quiet and comfortable ride, upscale interior design.
LOWS: Acceleration is merely adequate, doesn't offer all-wheel drive, unexciting handling.
VERDICT: The new Leaf is improved in nearly every way, with better range and a nicer interior, and it offers a lot of EV for the money.
Porsche Macan Electric
HIGHS: Immaculate chassis balance, solid driving range, preserves the gas Macan's lively character.
LOWS: Huge price premium over the standard Macan, little interior flair over the gas model, outdated-looking infotainment system.
VERDICT: In addition to being practical and efficient, the Macan Electric refuses to sacrifice any driving pleasure in the transition to green propulsion.
Porsche Taycan
HIGHS: Impressive handling, impressive DC charge speed, vision-altering acceleration.
LOWS: Less range than other high-horsepower rivals, tight on cargo space, price tags that keep spiraling upward.
VERDICT: The Taycan is a Porsche through and through, providing some of the most agile handling, potent acceleration, and sheer driving satisfaction that you can find in the electric sedan segment—or any segment.
Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo
HIGHS: Blistering acceleration, superb handling, a station wagon in an ocean of SUVs.
LOWS: Taycan sedan starts thousands less and gives up little, a few more primary hard controls would be welcome.
VERDICT: An uncommon beast, the Taycan Cross Turismo delivers unfiltered supercar-level EV performance in a wagon-like package—and we love it for all that.
Tesla Model 3
HIGHS: Satisfyingly quick acceleration, quiet and comfortable cabin, priced attractively for its performance quotient.
LOWS: Real-world range falls short of estimates, relies too heavily on touchscreen for basic functions, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are MIA.
VERDICT: The Model 3 succeeds at delivering performance, style, and driving personality at a reasonable price.
Telsa Model Y
HIGHS: Long EPA driving-range estimates, strong acceleration, quieter interior than the previous model.
LOWS: Too many controls in the touchscreen, firm ride quality, awkward exterior design.
VERDICT: The Model Y is a distinctively modern and sometimes quirky electric SUV that offers more range and quicker acceleration than many of its competitors.
Despite their shared last name, Greg Fink is not related to Ed "Big Daddy" Roth's infamous Rat Fink. Both Finks, however, are known for their love of cars, car culture, and—strangely—monogrammed one-piece bathing suits. Greg's career in the media industry goes back more than a decade. His previous experience includes stints as an editor at publications such as U.S. News & World Report, The Huffington Post, Motor1.com, and MotorTrend.
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