THE TOP 14 BEST EVS OF 2024 ACCORDING TO CONSUMER REPORTS (ONLY 1 IS A TESLA)

We're currently in the midst of an aggressive EV gold rush that is filled with manufacturers trying to promote their new and cutting-edge electric vehicle technologies. A combination of diverse products and increasing demand for these gasoline-free passenger cars highlights how the industry is unlikely to evade the electric revolution.

Considering this is still a relatively new means of private transportation, we're certain that most consumers are largely unaware of which electric car is the most sensible and logical option. Thankfully, Consumer Reports offers a comprehensive review covering most of the popular electric car options, giving us a clear idea of which brands are getting the electric car movement right. Consumer Reports orchestrates in-depth reviews covering everything from driving characteristics, predicted reliability, and owner satisfaction.

Ford Mustang Mach-E

Overall Score: 70/100

The Ford Mustang Mach-E earns a 70/100 overall score from Consumer Reports. The publication praises the model for its generous interior space and agile handling characteristics. It loses points for its firm and unsettled ride. As for user functionality, the 15.5-inch touchscreen is revolutionary, but it can be quite dominant in contrast to the rest of the interior fittings.

Performance Specifications

Consumer Reports tested the all-wheel drive model with an extended-range battery pack. This produces 266 horsepower and 428 pound-feet, resulting in a 4.8-second 0-60 MPH time. On its highway range test, this model was able to return 299 miles on a single charge. The EPA estimates this model covers 300 miles on a single charge.

Nissan Ariya

Overall Score: 70/100

The Nissan Ariya is a less popular option, but Consumer Reports enjoys how the Japanese brand was able to craft a comfortable and spacious interior setting. It also returns appropriate performance characteristics, but you may find the stiff ride and drab handling attributes a bit annoying. You should also be mindful of its awkward steering wheel angle.

Performance Specifications

A key feature for the Ariya is its 7.2 kW onboard charger, which lets it recover 20 miles of range every hour when you plug it into a household socket. Its best interior features include a snug pair of front bucket seats, a convenient center console, and easily accessible physical controls along the matte wood dashboard.

Audi Q4 E-Tron

Overall Score: 71/100

Consumer Reports notes how much of a good job Audi did at making the Q4 E-Tron feel unique, despite using the Volkswagen ID.4 platform. You can expect to enjoy characteristics such as a high-quality cabin, good performance characteristics, and a silent interior setting. Audi also includes conventional controls that make the Q4 E-Tron feel familiar and futuristic at the same time.

Performance Specifications

The Q4 E-Tron is an ideal daily driver, but you may become frustrated by its awkward-feeling brake pedal and touch-sensitive steering wheel controls. Audi offers three states-of-tune for its smallest EV crossover. This includes a base rear-wheel drive model that produces 201 horsepower and a flagship dual-motor derivative, which churns out 335 horsepower to all four wheels.

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Audi Q8 E-Tron

Overall Score: 71/100

The Q8 E-Tron gets even better in 2024, thanks to a host of new upgrades, including a larger battery that increases the model's EPA-estimated range to 285 miles. This upgrade also increases the total system output to 402 horsepower. If you want a real Audi Sport EV SUV, you can consider the SQ8, which features three motors that churn out 496 horsepower.

Performance Specifications

Consumer Reports highlights how satisfying it is to drive the Q8 E-Tron. It's highly appointed cabin, comfortable air suspension, and poised all-wheel drive system make it a well-rounded premium product. The Sportback derivative adds a level of variety to the range.

Kia Niro EV

Overall Score: 71/100

Consumer Reports highlights the second-generation Kia Niro EV as a noteworthy improvement compared to its predecessor. Its EPA-estimated 253-mile range makes it a convenient compact EV crossover to live with, but you have to make do with a front-wheel drive configuration. The brand's 11 kW onboard charger lets it enjoy rapid home charging speeds, but it's limited to 85 kWh DC Level Three fast charging, making it less practical when you're on the go.

Performance Specifications

Although the single motor only generates 201 horsepower, the Niro EV's compact proportions make it feel agile and nimble, especially when traversing extra-urban locations. The electric powertrain also makes the model much more comfortable than its hybrid counterparts. Consumer Reports also makes note of a comfortable set of front seats, spacious rear bench, and easily accessible rear hatch. You may struggle to use its split-use audio and climate control instrument panel.

Tesla Model Y

Overall Score: 72/100

The Tesla Model Y is the most successful electric car in the U.S., but Consumer Reports don't necessarily think it's the best option you can buy. Regardless, it's still an attractive package that incorporates the Model 3's sharp and agile performance characteristics while offering much more interior space.

Performance Specifications

Two standout traits are its generous EPA-estimated range figures and fast charging speeds, making it a very convenient daily driver. The mid-range Dual-Motor option covers 330 miles on a single charge and will recover a full battery charge in just 10 hours when using a 240-volt plug point.

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Lexus RZ

Overall Score: 74/100

The Lexus RZ sits on the same platform as the Toyota bZ4X, but it benefits from a much higher rating thanks to the premium brand's broad range of refinements. Its increased 308-horsepower output increase is also a major drawing card. As a result, the RZ offers a whisper-quiet and upmarket cabin experience.

Performance Specifications

Unfortunately, the model suffers from a relatively low range claim and slow charging speeds, hindering its viability as an appropriate daily driver. Consumer Reports indicates that the model was only able to cover 202 miles during its highway range test, which is far less than what some of its rivals achieved. The onboard driving assistant also offers minimal EV-related information, limiting your ability to improve overall energy consumption figures.

Genesis GV60

Overall Score: 75/100

The Genesis GV60 is a fine example if you're looking for something with a quirky exterior design and impressive EV performance characteristics. Consumer Reports praises the model for offering good acceleration times, a plush ride, and sharp handling. It also benefits from a very plush interior. The EPA estimates the dual-motor model covers 248 miles on a single charge, which is somewhat in line with its major rivals.

Performance Specifications

Genesis fits this model with a larger onboard charger, so you can replenish energy much faster than its key competitors. A collection of physical controls enhances the model's overall usability, unlike the Electrified GV70 and G80's more complicated infrastructure. Unfortunately, the crossover's obscure design means that rearward interior visibility is limited.

Porsche Taycan

Overall Score: 76/100

Consumer Reports notes that you don't get much better than the Porsche Taycan range if you're looking for a well-balanced performance EV sedan, wagon, or crossover. The 4S model in particular is a highly enjoyable and sharp car to drive, while still achieving an impressive 235-mile range from its 93 kWh battery pack. You can expect this battery to recharge in about 11 hours via a 240-volt system, which isn't as fast as one would hope. Thankfully, it does feature a 270 kW fast charging system, making it much more convenient when you're covering long distances.

Performance Specifications

For the sake of aerodynamics and traditional sleek performance car design aesthetics, the Taycan struggles with rear legroom and headroom, as well as poor exterior visibility from the driver's seat. Consumer Reports also highlights how the touch-based controls are confusing and surprisingly unresponsive. Some aspects of the interior can also appear a bit dull in comparison to its rivals.

Kia EV6

Overall Score: 77/100

It appears that Kia has done a great job at adapting its premier EV crossover to the E-GMP platform. The result is a sleek crossover that returns agile handling without compromising ride comfort. The South Korean brand has also done a stellar job at ensuring a quiet and well-appointed cabin. Unfortunately, you will struggle with poor rear visibility and some cumbersome audio and climate controls.

Performance Specifications

The rear-wheel drive long-range model is a standout derivative, as it benefits from a 310-mile EPA-estimated range. This reduces to 282 miles if you opt for the dual-motor derivative. The single-motor with the standard battery sacrifices range and performance for the sake of energy efficiency. The EV6's 235 kW charging speed makes it one of the fastest charging options you can consider in its segment.

BMW i4

Overall Score: 83/100

The BMW i4 is a perfect example of how to make an electric vehicle cater to enthusiastic drivers. The brand achieves this by intelligently adapting the CLAR platform, resulting in it maintaining a lot of the ICE 4 Series handling and comfort characteristics. BMW also issues the range with a great selection of configurations, ranging from the efficient eDrive35 to the potent M50 xDrive.

Performance Specifications

The BMW i4 only features a 195 kW fast charging capacity, which means you have to wait 15 minutes to recover 65 miles of range. The model's sharp and enjoyable ride, familiar interior setting, and well-appointed front seats will more than make up for this. Due to its Gran Coupe body style, it does lack some rear head and legroom. Consumer Reports also complains that the new iDrive 8.0 configuration packs too many features into the touchscreen infotainment system.

Hyundai Ioniq 6

Overall Score: 83/100

Consumer Reports claims that the Hyundai Ioniq 6 is the best E-GMP-based EV, and that's an opinion that's pretty hard to argue with. This sleek and accessible EV option benefits from some of the best EPA-estimated range and efficiency ratings. You also get the benefit of choosing between single or dual motors, both of which return enjoyable driving characteristics.

Performance Specifications

Hyundai sets the suspension to be a bit on the firm side, but for the most part, you should be satisfied with its overall comfort levels. DC fast charging speeds make it a convenient choice as a long-distance daily driver, but the rear seating is fairly tight due to its fastback design. For some reason, Hyundai opts to place the window controls on the center console, making it a bit of a pain to operate.

Kia EV9

Overall Score: 84/100

The Kia EV9 is one of the younger EV options on this list and another fine example of how competent the group's E-GMP platform is. Consumer Reports highlights its amazing interior practicality thanks to its three rows of six or seven seats. A generous wheelbase means that you get to enjoy one of the largest cabins in its class at an amazing price point.

Performance Specifications

Kia also offers a very diverse range, consisting of rear- and all-wheel drive options with power outputs ranging between 201 and 379 horsepower. Key characteristics include a comfortable ride and generous specifications, but you may become frustrated by some odd control designs and a poorly positioned set of digital displays.

BMW iX

Overall Score: 84/100

According to Consumer Reports, the BMW iX is the best electric car you can purchase today. Considering this model starts at $87,250, we'd certainly hope that was the case. The iX adopts a lot of the already accomplished X5's traits, and adds more performance, a quieter interior experience, and a much more premium cabin experience. Speed and handling are two of the iX's strongest traits, across both xDrvie50 and M60 derivatives.

Performance Specifications

Unfortunately, BMW's focus on interior aesthetics means that you have to deal with a lot of confusing and frustrating digital controls via the aforementioned iDrive 8.0 configuration. This model also struggles with a 195 kW fast charging limit, which is a bit more frustrating considering it features the larger 111 kWh battery pack. You can expect to wait 11 hours for a full charge via a 240-volt plug point.

2024-07-26T07:04:16Z dg43tfdfdgfd