10 Electric Cars That Are Faster Than They Look

In a very short amount of time, electric cars have evolved from slow-moving vehicles to high-performance powerhouses. Some electric vehicles are now some of the fastest cars in the world. They continue to smash speed records and stand out during acceleration tests – all while banishing memories of early models.

It’s easy to see why electric power is able to provide devasting performance on the roads. These engines are powerful and compact and instantly deliver torque for an unmatched response. To make things more interesting, many options don’t have the aggressive and “fast look” that many gas-powered counterparts have. So, to help you spot the fastest electric cars on the market, we’re going to list the ten electric cars that don’t look as fast as they are.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites including Tesla, Mercedes-Benz, Polestar, BMW, Mini, Lucid Motors, Genesis, and Hyundai.

10 Mini Cooper Electric Hardtop

0-60 MPH in 6.9 Seconds

The BMW subsidiary and iconic British automaker Mini has jumped aboard the EV train with its all-electric Mini Cooper Electric Hardtop. Mini experimented with a plug-in hybrid with the Countryman PHEV back in 2018 and, in 2020, launched the Cooper SE. Now, the dedicated EV has been redesigned from the ground up with an electric take on the classic Mini Cooper design. The front-wheel-drive motor in the Cooper Electric generates 181 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque, helping the EV move from 0 to 60 in 6.9 seconds. This makes the Cooper Electric Hardtop quicker than other small EVs, like the Chevy Bolt EV.

Starting Price: $30,900

The Mini Cooper Electric Hardtop starts at $30,900 – with this price tag, drivers will get an estimated electric range of 114 miles. Mini has also incorporated a two-level regenerative braking system that allows the flow of electricity back into the Cooper Electric. Also, with this EV, there are tax incentives available, including many state and local incentives.

9 Hyundai Ioniq 6

0-60 MPH in 5.0 Seconds

Hyundai has quickly set itself as a leader in the EV market, and the Ioniq 6 acts as a testament to its place among other brands. The entry-level Ioniq 6 features a single rear-wheel electric motor that produces 225 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. This helps push the Ioniq 6 from 0 to 60 in 5 seconds.

The Ioniq 6 offers good power output and acceleration for drivers, and the regenerative brakes provide a smooth and responsive one-pedal driving experience. Like many EVs, the experience of moving from a stop quickly in the Ioniq 6 is heightened because it happens in such a smooth and quiet manner. It also has some of the best efficiency estimates in the EV segment, with 153 MPGe city, 127 MPGe highway, and 140 MPGe combined.

Starting Price: $42,450

The Hyundai Ioniq 6 offers a 361-mile all-electric range for drivers. It also provides a quick charging battery, allowing owners to go from 10 percent charge to 80 percent in just under seven hours when using a Level 2 household-style outlet or power station. When using a Level 3 DC fast-charging station, the Inoniq 6 will go from 10 percent to 80 percent in approximately 73 minutes. You’ll also get a range of 361 miles when fully charged, which is not bad for the starting price of $42,450.

8 Polestar 2

0-60 MPH in 4.3 Seconds

Polestar’s first all-electric vehicle is one of the first cars from the Volvo spinoff brand. The all-wheel drive Polestar 2 uses a dual motor system to push out 421 horsepower and 546 pound-feet of torque. These specifications translate into the Polestar 2’s ability to go from 0 to 60 in 4.3 seconds.

Going up against the likes of the Tesla Model 3 and the BMW i4, the Polestar 2 is making waves in the EV market. The Polestar 2 implements a dual motor system to push power to the front and rear axles. Thanks to everything the car brand puts into the engine, it can reach a top speed of 127 MPH.

Starting Price: $49,200

Across the board, the Polestar 2 delivers a significant range compared to available alternatives. Starting at $49,200, the Polestar 2 uses a 78-kWh battery, but drivers have the option of disengaging the front motor. This allows you to bump up the driving range of the Polestar 2 to 270 miles.

7 Genesis Electrified G80

0-60 MPH in 4.1 Seconds

The Genesis Electrified G80 is a near-clone of the brand’s gas-powered 2022 G80 3.5T Sport in the Prestige trim. During testing, the Electrified G80 can accelerate from 0 to 60 MPH in 4.1 seconds. This places the Electrified G80 0.6 seconds ahead of the V6 G80 Sport.

At the heart of the Genesis Electrified G80, you’ll find an 87.2 kWh battery capacity that operates two electric motors. The layout of this EV maintains a dual motor all-wheel-drive format while delivering 365 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. This is comparable power and approximately 25 percent more torque than Genesis’s quickest, non-electrified G80s.

Starting Price: $74,375

For the starting price of $74,375, you’ll get an EV with a useful range of 282 miles and MPGe rating of 105 city, 89 highway, and 97 combined. The battery architecture of the Genesis Electrified G80 allows you to charge the car from 10 percent to 80 percent in 22 minutes when plugged into a Level 3, 350 kW direct current charger. As an owner of this car, you’ll get three years of complementary, 30-minute charging sessions at Electrify America locations using Combined Charging System ports.

6 BMW i4 M50

0-60 MPH in 3.7 Seconds

For the first time, BMW combined the BMW M and BMW i’s power and, as a result, created the BMW i4 M50. BMW’s goal was to create an EV with performance driving and maximum range, and first, it did very well. The i4 M50 pushes out 536 horsepower and 586 pound-feet of torque, allowing the EV to jump from 0 to 60 in 3.8 seconds.

The i4 M50 is incredibly quick, especially when trying out the “sport boost” mode. Unlike many gas-powered sports cars, the i4 M50 doesn’t have any wheel spin or much sound at all other than a whoosh of wind and tire rumbling. The eye-popping acceleration drivers can experience with this car rockets it forward like a bullet train.

Starting Price: $69,700

In its base form, the BMW i4 M50 offers an automatic e-speed transmission with a top speed of 130 MPH. The total range you can expect after every full charge is between 227 and 269 miles, with a charging time of under 10 hours when using a Level 2 port. Not bad considering this EV gives drivers everything they expect from BMW, starting at $69,700.

5 BMW i5 M60

0-60 MPH in 3.7 Seconds

The BMW i5 M60 is launched alongside the eighth generation of the ICE 5 Series, which is widely believed to be one of the world’s most beloved business saloons. This all-electric car is fitted with BMW’s fifth-generation e-Drive technology. This EV combines the power of the BMW M and the technology of the BMW I to create a powerhouse.

The i5 M60 makes use of dual motors with a power output of 593 horsepower and 586 pound-feet of torque. With all this power underneath the hood, the i5 M60 will go from 0 to 60 in 3.7 seconds. Acceleration-wise, these specs put the BMW i5 M60 in the same space as other makes and models known for speed, such as the Porsche Taycan 4S and the Audi e-tron GT quattro.

Starting Price: $84,100

For the starting price of $84,100, you’ll get an 84.3 kWh battery. This will give you an estimated range of 256 for every full charge. The i5 is also one of the most efficient, with a rating of 86 MPGe highway, 85 city, and 85 combined.

4 Lucid Air Touring

0-60 MPH in 3.4 Seconds

Lucid Motors is an emerging young car brand that has managed to feature a significant amount of gadgetry and performance from its very first product. The Lucid Air Touring is in the middle of the other models from the manufacturer. Coming on the market with 620 horsepower, 885 pound-feet of torque, a top speed of 140 MPH, and a dual-motor all-wheel drive.

Thanks to all this power output, the Air Touring can reach 0 to 60 MPH in 3.4 seconds. This matches the Mercedes-AMG EQS and beats the Porche Taycan GTD by a tenth of a second. Lucid Motors has said the Touring also offers the best energy efficiency of all Air trims with a 0.20 drag coefficient – which is the lowest of any car in the U.S.

Starting Price: $77,900

Unlike many of its gas-powered competitors, the Air Touring is quicker and quieter and offers more confidence-building connections between drivers and the road. Starting at $77,900, the Air Touring offers owners an efficient drivetrain and is one of the fastest-charging EVs in the world. You’ll also have the ability to drive the Air Touring for an estimated 411 miles between each full charge.

3 Mercedes-AMG EQE 53 4MATIC+

0-60 MPH in 3.2 Seconds

The Mercedes-AMG EQE 53 4MATIC+ is the car maker’s second attempt at an electric AMG vehicle after the Mercedes-AMG EQS 53. AMG was an early adopter of electric performance cars back in 2014 with the Mercedes-AMG SLS Electric Drive. It was an impressive attempt with a significant range for an off-the-shelf EV.

Now, with the Mercedes-AMG EQE 53 4MATIC+, drivers will get 617 horsepower, a 90.6 kWh battery, and two powerful AMG-specific electric motors. As a result, the EQE 53 4MATIC+ will accelerate from 0 to 60 MPH in 3.2 seconds. This makes the saloon-sized sedan one of the fastest accelerating models from Mercedes.

Starting Price: $106,900

The price tag of $106,900 is what you’d typically expect from luxury car brands for their gas-powered options. But, with the Mercedes-AMG EQE 53 4MATIC+, owners will get the economy and MPGe specifications you’d expect from today’s EVs. The EQE 53 4MATIC+ has an efficiency of 73 MPGe in the city and 74 MPGe on the highways.

2 Tesla Model 3 Performance

0-60 MPH in 2.9 Seconds

The Tesla Model 3 has been a significant disruptor in the EV sector globally. From out of nowhere, this car became the bestselling electric car and outgrew many premium car brands and models, such as the Audi A4, BMW 3-Series, and Mercedes-Benz C Class. Even after new electric car rivals have entered the market, the Model 3 remains a huge part of the EV market.

Much like other Tesla options, the Model 3 is spectacularly fast. In fact, the automaker recently launched the Performance trim for the 2024 model year. This trim boasts an all-wheel-drive drivetrain, which helps the car sprint from 0 to 60 in 2.9 seconds. It achieves this thanks to its front and rear motors that generate 510 horsepower and 546 pound-feet of torque.

Starting Price: $52,990

Not only has Tesla shown the world that long-range EVs are here now and not just some concept for the future, but it’s also shown what’s possible, paving the way for alternatives from other car brands. From the starting price of $52,990 for the top-of-the-line Performance trim, you will get Tesla’s smallest, most affordable high-performance model. It sits below the Model S, Model X, and Model Y in Tesla’s all-electric lineup.

1 Tesla Model S Plaid

0-60 MPH in 1.99 Seconds

The Tesla Model S Plaid was a vision that had problems during the beginning of its production thanks to supply chain challenges, which caused it to be suspended for two years. Now it’s here and ready to smash speed records. As Tesla’s first mass-market, all-electric car, the Model S Plaid is one of the quickest cars ever tested.

This four-door, five-seat saloon established Tesla as a force to be reckoned with, placing it among major manufacturers like BMW, Audi, and Mercedes-Benz. With three electric motors providing 1,020 horsepower and 1,050 pound-feet of torque on the road, the all-wheel-drive Model S Plaid will jump from 0 to 60 MPH in 1.99 seconds. This time puts it slightly ahead of the Porche 918 Spyder.

Starting Price: $89,990

Those considering the Tesla Model S Plaid can expect to pay $89,990 for this powerhouse car. With this vehicle, Tesla expects owners to save $3,900 over three years from not having to pay for gas to get around. For this price, you can get a driving range between 320 to 359 miles, depending on wheel selection. You’ll also get a tri-motor all-wheel drive, basic autopilot, sentry mode, and adaptive suspension.