Best Electric Cars Of 2023

They may still account for a small percentage of total car sales, but electric vehicles have come a long way. Not only have modern EVs evolved from being awkwardly styled compacts with severely restricted ranges on a full charge, but many of them are tangibly better cars than their gas-powered counterparts. We’ve put together the best EVs of 2023, based on our BuzzScore rating methodology. While we hope to see more affordably priced EVs on this list in the near future, we’re encouraged that non-luxury models like the Kia EV6 performed strongly in our testing.

Cadillac Lyriq

With a BuzzScore of 9.8 out of 10, the Cadillac Lyriq is one of our highest-rated individual models, a notable achievement considering this is Cadillac’s first EV. The Lyriq has lots of character, inside and out, which isn’t something we can say about every EV. Like Cadillacs of old, it envelopes occupants in a cocoon of luxury; the materials are tasteful and the cabin is extremely quiet on the move.

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The 500-horsepower dual-motor model is especially rapid and you can cover over 300 miles on a full charge. Starting at a little over $60,000, the Lyriq comfortably undercuts some other midsize EVs like the BMW iX and Audi e-tron.

Porsche Taycan Sport Turismo

We review each of the Taycan variants individually, and the Sport Turismo is the first of several Taycans that appear on this list, thanks to their well-earned BuzzScores. Granted, any car that starts at over $130,000 needs to be good, but the Taycan Sport Turismo lives up to the expectations of that price tag. About as sporty as wagons get, the 2023 Sport Turismo is available in GTS guise, which equates to over 500 hp and dramatic acceleration. Responses through the corners are crisp despite the wagon’s weight, and the wagon body frees up more cargo space than is available in the normal Taycan. For those lucky enough to afford it, the Sport Turismo is a brilliant electric wagon.

Kia EV6

2023 Kia EV6

Base MSRP

$42,600

Engine

Electric

Horsepower

167 hp

Fuel Economy

136/100 MPG

The Kia EV6 is proof that a brilliant EV doesn’t have to cost luxury-car money. The 2023 model starts at under $43,000, but it does not benefit from federal tax credits, which would’ve brought the total cost into the $30k range. The EV6 is enjoyable to drive and quick enough, but the Standard Range model with RWD only has a range of 232 miles, which won’t be enough for everyone. Most people will find the interior an agreeable place to be, with smart materials, lots of features, and good space utilization. Overall, Kia’s electric crossover is one of the top choices in its class.

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Tesla Model S Plaid

It’s been a couple of years since the record-breaking Tesla Model S Plaid blasted onto the scene with 1,020 hp and a two-second 0-60 time that embarrassed every gas-powered exotic out there. Those numbers are still astonishing today, and you’ll need to spend over double the price to acquire a sedan with similar capabilities, that being the Lucid Air Sapphire. The Model S Plaid has a competitive range and a modern interior with many high-tech features. It’s comfortable, quiet, and the styling has aged well. While it’s not put together as carefully as an Audi, the Model S Plaid is still a staggering achievement, at a bargain price.

Porsche Taycan

Matching the Model S Plaid in our ratings is the first of several Taycans. The magic of Porsche’s electric sedan is that it’s consistently excellent, even from the base model without any extras. That being said, you still have to cough up over $80k for the cheapest 2023 Taycan. The Porsche accelerates swiftly, changes direction with an athleticism that belies its size, and incorporates an extra pair of doors more elegantly than the Panamera. Depending on the variant, the range on a full charge is between 206 and 246 miles, which is poor compared to the Lucid Air and Tesla Model S. But the Taycan is easily the sportiest sedan of the three.

Porsche Taycan Turbo

With up to 670 hp in the Turbo and 750 hp in the Turbo S (in boost mode), the Taycan Turbo is breathtakingly quick. Even without the boost, it makes 616 hp. In the case of the Turbo S, the 0-60 mph time is only 2.6 seconds. Despite how quick it is, the much cheaper Model S Plaid is even quicker, but the Porsche’s steering and sporty driving position make it more enjoyable everywhere else. The Taycan Turbo also rides well and has a stylishly crafted interior, but the range – like the rest of the Taycan lineup – isn’t amazing. The Turbo S can only cover 222 miles on a full charge.

Porsche Taycan Turbo Cross Turismo

This Taycan takes everything we love about the Taycan Turbo and wraps it in a cool, wagon-style body. With overboost, the Turbo S serves up 750 hp, so the 0-60 time is way below three seconds. The fact that those performance figures are available in a car with an available Gravel Mode and an Off-Road Design Package borders on comical, but yes, this Taycan has a tad more rough road ability than normal Taycans. The Turbo S costs $190k, so like other Taycans, the Turbo Cross Turismo isn’t cheap.

Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo

With a BuzzScore of 9.3, the normal Taycan Cross Turismo is as deserving of a place on this list as the rest of the Taycan family. Without the insane outputs of the Turbo models, the price dips to just below $100k for the 2023 model year. With at least 375 hp, no version of the Taycan Cross Turismo is slow, and both trims have standard all-wheel drive. You’ll probably want to dip into the optional extras list to equip some items that should be standard. Other than that and a mediocre range on a full charge, this is a superb electric wagon.

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Ford Mustang Mach-E

The Mustang Mach-E is the first of seven accomplished 2023 EVs to have an identical BuzzScore of 9.1 out of 10. More significantly, the Mach-E is one of the few non-luxury models on this list, demonstrating that a top-class EV doesn’t have to have a prestigious badge or sky-high price. The 2023 Mustang Mach-E is sportier to drive and to look at than its Tesla Model Y rival. The California Route 1 trim can cover a decent 312 miles on a full charge, and you can go for the energetic GT if you want a seriously quick crossover.

Tesla Model S

2023 Tesla Model S

Base MSRP

$74,990

Engine

Electric

Horsepower

670 hp

Fuel Economy

124/115 MPG

They may not be as quick as the Plaid, but the normal Model S sedan variants have a near-unbeatable combination of range and performance. Take the Long Range, for instance, with its range of over 400 miles and 0-60 time of close to three seconds – you’ll struggle to find many cars that are quicker off the mark than this one. A spacious cabin and a simple, sophisticated exterior are other Model S virtues, but do make sure you can live with the absence of physical controls.

Tesla Model X Plaid

It’s been a couple of years since the Model X Plaid rewrote the performance rulebook for three-row SUVs. There still isn’t anything out there with its combination of pace and space. 1,020 hp results in a 2.5-second run to 60 in a vehicle that can seat seven occupants. The 2023 model’s price is also substantially lower than it was for 2022, so buyers can spend more on options like fancier paint or the full driver-assistance suite. All that being said, the basic Model X shape is now starting to age and the SUV’s quality still isn’t on par with its price.

Audi e-tron GT

2023 Audi e-tron GT

Base MSRP

$104,900

Engine

Electric

Horsepower

469 hp

Fuel Economy

81/83 MPG

If you could combine the Audi e-tron GT’s quality and sense of occasion with the range of the Tesla Model S, you may just end up with the perfect four-door EV. The Audi is stunningly styled, and the interior builds on the brand’s high standards with several futuristic touches. Sharing a platform with the Porsche Taycan, the Audi is utterly composed in the corners, and you can add rear-wheel steering to improve agility. 469 hp from the dual motors (and 522 hp in Boost Mode) is more than enough, but the 238 miles of range may not be sufficient for everyone.

BMW i7

2023 BMW i7

Base MSRP

$119,300

Engine

Electric

Horsepower

536 hp

Fuel Economy

81/85 MPG

More convincing than the Mercedes-Benz EQS, the BMW i7 closely resembles the gas-powered 7 Series. That won’t be good news for a lot of people in light of the new 7’s controversial sheet metal, but it does mean that the i7 won’t be mistaken for anything but BMW’s flagship sedan. Driving the electric xDrive60 alongside the V8-powered 760i, we ended up preferring the former because of its more immediate responses and superior refinement. All i7s have a truly majestic interior with comfy seats and an endless number of toys. A range of 318 miles is possible in the xDrive60, but only with the smallest 19-inch wheels; the range drops to 308 miles on 21s and 296 miles on 20s.

Mercedes-AMG EQS

The electric equivalent of the S-Class, this is also the most powerful EQS. At $147,550, it produces 649 hp (751 hp with boost) and 700 lb-ft of torque. That all goes to Merc’s 4Matic+ AWD system to manufacture a 0-60 time of 3.4 seconds. The AMG EQS also has a wonderful ride, which is essential for a car in this segment, and the interior feels expensive for the most part, even if the abundance of screens and elaborate ambient lighting is a bit more nightclub than executive lounge. Like the i7, not everyone loves the styling of the EQS, which some feel has strayed too far from the S-Class blueprint. It’s also been criticized for the rear seats being cramped for a vehicle of this stature, but it makes up for this in other areas.

Genesis GV60

2023 Genesis GV60

Base MSRP

$59,290

Engine

Electric

Horsepower

314 hp

Fuel Economy

103/86 MPG

The GV60 looks every bit the upscale EV, and that’s reflected in the 2023 model’s fairly expensive starting price of around $60k. It shares underpinnings with the Hyundai Ioniq 5, and you can opt for an upgraded powertrain with 429 hp. Genesis has managed to develop an EV that isn’t merely good at accelerating in a straight line; the GV60 also exhibits sharp handling and good composure. The maximum range of the Genesis is 248 miles, which isn’t particularly remarkable, but it will be enough for those who can charge at home or at the office.

Summary: Luxury EVs Dominate

Most of our top-rated EVs fall into the luxury segment, with the Kia EV6 and Ford Mustang Mach-E the only two exceptions on this list. This reflects the state of the EV market, with a disproportionate number of options priced out of reach of consumers looking for an affordable car. However, there are a few excellent EVs that fell just short of the exceedingly high standards here, including the 2023 Chevy Bolt EV (with a BuzzScore of 8.9/10) and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 (8.8/10). For those with more freedom in their budgets, there are many enticing electric sedans and SUVs for 2023.