10 Used High-Performance EVs That Are Notoriously Reliable But Crazy Fast

Electric vehicles (EVs) have many stereotypes, some valid and others biased. One of the main ones that people come to realize is their quickness and ability to take off like a racecar. EVs throughout the years have shown that even their base models have impressive power through their electric motors. So, which ones are the best when it comes to performance and reliability?

That’s a tricky question to answer due to many vehicles not being rated or evaluated based on their reliability. The good news is there are still EVs with ratings that can lay some rubber down on the road. So when you don’t see the Rivian R1T or the 1,000+ horsepower Lucid Air, just know it’s only a matter of time before they get scored. Try to guess some of the ones on the list and see how many you got. Here are the top ten EVs that are fast and reliable.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible the data used was sourced from various manufacturer websites, and other authoritative sources, including Kelly Blue Book, and Edmunds. The ratings were sourced from J.D. Power and the vehicles on the list are ranked on a basis 0-60 mph times.

1 2023 Tesla Model S

0-60 MPH: 1.9-3.1 seconds

It comes as no surprise that a Tesla would make the list involving fast-powered EVs. The Model S is Tesla’s sedan, which brings some extra room to its car classes. But, did you know that it is as reliable as it is fast?

The Model S has undergone various improvements throughout the years, including power, range, looks, and technology. One of Tesla’s main focal points is power. With only two trims available, the base is nothing to laugh about with its 0-60 in 3.1 seconds, but it’s the performance-based trim that packs some extra horses.

2023 Tesla Model S Plaid Performance Specifications

Unlike other EV manufacturers, the Plaid comes with a tri-motor setup, with one powering the front, the second powering the rear wheels, and the third as extra juice. Upon its release, the Model S was held as one of the fastest production cars in the world. The Model S also does well in terms of quality and reliability ratings, with a 75 out of 100.

2 2023 Porsche Taycan

0-60 MPH: 2.5-3.8 seconds

When someone sees the name Porsche, their usual thoughts instantly go to performance. While German cars have a notoriety for having bad reliability, recent years have deterred this misconception of these action-packed sports cars. If you have around $100,000-200,000 lying around, the Porsche Taycan is a car that illustrates what a sporty EV should be.

Porsche knows its audience and has kept its branding when developing its only fully electrified vehicle. The Porsche Taycan, like many other models in the lineup, is offered in a plethora of trims. There’s one in particular that outshines the rest, and that would be the Turbo S trim.

2023 Porsche Taycan Turbo S Performance Specifications

The name is purely for branding purposes and does not have a turbocharger. With an astonishing 2.5 seconds 0-60, the Turbo S keeps the Porsche lineage with a fully electric powertrain. Being one automotive manufacturer on the list with a long history of racing, Porsche has taken their Taycan to the Nürburgring throughout the last four years, coming close to holding the title of fastest-produced EV. Similar to the Model S, the Taycan comes with an extra point, scoring 76 out of 100 for reliability.

3 2023 Tesla Model X

0-60 MPH: 2.5-3.8 seconds

At this point, your assumption of seeing Tesla’s whole lineup on the list is a safe bet. One trend you’ll see throughout the list is that SUVs can get down and play, and that shows on the Tesla Model X. The Model X is yet another Tesla that comes with the Plaid trim. This specific grade has etched its name within the EV industry for its impressive performance.

2023 Tesla Model X Plaid Performance Specifications

If you’re new to EVs, a known characteristic is their quickness. While gasoline-powered vehicles can manage quickness and top-end speeds, EVs excel in being quick from the start. The Model X Plaid matches the 0-60 capabilities of the Taycan Turbo S but is less reliable than the ones above. Scoring a 72 marks the X as average, with minimal defects, malfunctions, and design flaws. According to J.D. Power, it is one of the more successful vehicles that receives a 90 out of 100 for driving experience.

4 2022 Tesla Model 3

0-60 MPH: 3.1-5.8 seconds

As D.J. Khaled would say, “Another One”. Tesla’s Model 3 is an entryway vehicle for people who want to get their foot in the door with electric vehicles. The good news about their starter model is that it isn’t slow even for the base models.

You might recognize this vehicle due to it being one of the main Teslas on the road. The surprising part is that Tesla has made minimal changes to its aesthetic, but why change something that’s clearly working? While it’s classified as a sedan, it resembles most attributes of one of a sports coupe.

2022 Tesla Model 3 Performance AWD Performance Specifications

The base model manages 5.8 seconds in 0–60 seconds, but the “Performance” trim knocks off nearly 3 seconds. One of the unnoticed features that adds to its performance is its design. The design seen on the Model 3 and other Tesla vehicles adds to their remarkable agility. The aerodynamics of these cars have distinct lines, allowing draft and air to flow past the car with minimal drag. For its reliability, the Model 3 sits at an average score of 75 out of 100.

5 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS Sedan

0-60 MPH: 3.4-5.9 seconds

Mercedes has carried over their notorious “AMG” branch on their EVs. Similar to BMW, with its M-Performance, Mercedes has designed several EVs with the option of having the best of both worlds. Whether it’s a fast car or one that can go the extra mile on electricity, you can have both in the EQS AMG Sedan.

2022 Mercedes-AMG EQS Performance Specifications

Much like Porsche, Mercedes comes with a wide array of add-ons. One package that takes the EQS even further is the AMG Dynamic Plus Package. The numbers above for power and torque have some text next to them that says “up to”, and that’s where this package comes into play.

With the Boost Function feature, the EQS AMG will squeeze some more power out of the battery, draining it quicker but bringing 100 more horsepower to the road. A unique feature similar to the HICAS in the R32 GTR is that the AMG EQS has the ability to do rear-wheel steering for better handling. The EQS received a 74 out of 100 for reliability, furthering the trend, the list being somewhere in the 70s.

6 2023 Kia EV6

0-60 MPH: 3.4-7.2 seconds

The Kia EV6 is underrated when it comes to speed. The base EV6 is widely known within the automotive industry, but the GT Performance spec transforms the car into an asphalt-bred EV. For a short time, the EV6 GT Performance held the reign as the fastest Korean car produced. That was until the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N came out. But being second doesn’t mean the EV6 GT isn’t worth the purchase.

2023 Kia EV6 AWD GT Performance Specifications

Similar to the Taycan Turbo S, Kia has focused not only on its motors but also on its suspension. The Electronic Control Suspension balances the braking and acceleration while adding stability. You might think that this just adds to cornering, but a suspension plays an integral role in planting the car on the ground, allowing it to accelerate as optimally as possible. It boasts a reliability score of 76 out of 100.

7 2023 Tesla Model Y

0-60 MPH: 3.5-5.5 seconds

Tesla has thrown thrill factors into their vehicles with fast-equipped electric motors, but it’s the Model Y that showcases its minimalistic but sleek design. While there aren’t many additional features when it comes to what Tesla Model you want, the plus side to that is you know what you’re buying throughout the entirety of the lineup.

2023 Tesla Model Y Performance AWD Performance Specifications

The Model Y has been one of the best-selling EVs in the past three years. In 2022, 252,000 units of the Model Y were sold, and it was marked as the best-selling car title in Europe, pursuing the United States as well. If you’re curious who the runners-ups were, it might be no surprise that the Model 3 and S came in second and third place. So, it’s known that Tesla has some power to lay down, but there’s another aspect that plays into practicality and reliability. Like the others, the Tesla Model Y holds its value with minimal depreciation. With impressive driving capability, the Model Y comes in with a reliability score of 70 out of 100.​​​​​​​

8 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E

0-60 MPH: 3.5-6.1 seconds

One of the more controversial cars on the list is the Ford Mustang Mach-E. While some car enthusiasts believe this EV deserves the title of “Mustang”, the GT Performance trim might change some minds with its impressive numbers.

Ford released the Mustang Mach-E with the base model having an unimpressive 6.1 seconds 0-60. As Ford has done in the past, the GT Performance was an available grade that brought more “smiles to the gallon” or is it “more smiles to the mile”. Either way, this sporty trim doesn’t excel as other Ford trims do but does allow for thrill seekers to step into one of their EVs that doesn’t poke around.

2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E GT Performance Specifications

Being in its first generation and Ford venturing out with electric trucks and cars, the Mach E GT Performance is more than impressive, allowing you to reach 60 miles per hour in the mid-threes. The reliability is on the cusp of average, with a score of 69 out of 100. This puts it as fair through J.D. Powers’ consumer ratings.​​​​​​​

9 2023 BMW iX

0-60 MPH: 3.6-4.4 seconds

The BMW iX is another underrated vehicle that gets a lot of hate due to its modernization. As many know, BMW’s move to make the front grilles bigger and bigger each generation has caused a split opinion on BMW’s designs. One thing is for certain, though: BMW has maintained its performance lineage in its lineup, which can be seen in the BMW iX.​​​​​​​

BMW is one of the few companies that emphasize the electric look of their vehicles. When driving on the road, it’s pretty easy to determine an electric vehicle from a gas-powered one. Minus its design, which is hit-or-miss for some, the power is still there.

2023 BMW iX M60 Performance Specifications

If you’re looking for some ponies, the iX will deliver 610 horsepower through two dual high-performance electric motors. BMW is known for downplaying their numbers, so it’s 0-60, which is 3.6 seconds, which is probably a few ticks down off of that. A thing to note is, much like some of the other cars on the list, the iX is not BMW’s performance-based EV. For the reliability rating, the iX comes in as the winner with 79 out of 80, almost reaching the 80 mark. ​​​​​​​

10 2023 BMW i4

0-60 MPH: 3.7-5.8 seconds

Lastly, the BMW i4 ends the list but in a considerable way. Many of the cars on the list have better performance, but the i4 brings the look of a sports car and ties it all together.​​​​​​​ The i4 M50 receives BMW’s X-drive, which is their all-wheel drive system. With an “M” attached to your BMW, it typically means you’ll receive some upgrades.

2023 BMW i4 M50 Performance Specifications

Some upgrades seen on the i4 M50 are variable sport steering, M Sport Brakes, and Adaptive M Suspension. Many cars on the list have add-ons similar to those just listed, but these tie nicely into an EV such as the i4, which is trying to blend in with gas-powered sports cars. If you’re not interested in the aesthetic of EVs with their futuristic designs, the i4 changes how an EV can look and feel. The i4 boasts a reasonable score of 74 out of 100.