Even though they are still costly, electric cars are getting better each year. In particular, the last couple of years have seen some incredible EV launches.
Renault, Hyundai, Kia, and others are taking on Tesla and showing what they can do.
This list includes some of the best EVs of recent times that have changed the game. They have done this in several ways, including styling, efficiency, and price.
Hyundai Ioniq 5
Even a few years after its introduction, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 remains one of the best available and most popular EVs. Its radical styling, with hints of 1980s Lancia, turned heads immediately, as did the platform on which the Hyundai sits.
The E-GMP platform that Hyundai and its sister company, Kia, use is incredibly efficient. For the Ioniq 5 Premium model, you average around two miles per kWh. You can get up to 303 miles of EPA-estimated range, and with a starting price of $41,800, it’s a very attractive alternative to anything from the Tesla lineup. Plus, even though it is boxy, it still has an impressive drag coefficient of 0.288.
Renault 5
Renault’s funky-looking new electric city car was an instant winner when the concept was first launched. The production version is identical to the concept car and is here to shake up the electric car segment.
A driving range of up to 248 miles beats the 130-mile range of the Honda E, likely to be one of its key European rivals. Retro-styling harks back to the original Renault 5, and the new EV features all the advanced technology and moc-cons such as Android Auto and AppleCarPlay as you would expect. Plus, its small size is massively refreshing when it looks like cars are getting bigger and bigger.
Kia EV6
Hyundai’s sister brand, Kia, has also gotten in on the EV action, and the recent EV6 is the highlight of its lineup so far. The striking crossover offers up to 310 miles of range, with the base 252 miles still a perfect starting point for an electric vehicle.
It is also priced around the same as the Ioniq 5, at $42,600 MSRP as of 2024. The EV6 utilizes the same E-GMP platform as the Hyundai, which is just as efficient. Its sleek, station wagon-esque shape creates a fresh, modern-looking EV. It stands out from the crowd when standing next to anything from Tesla, and it shows just how far Kia has come in recent years.
Hyundai Ioniq 6
Not content with the Ioniq 5, Hyundai launched its successor, the Ioniq 6, in 2023. This time, the Hyundai EV has a sleek, low-riding, and slender streamlined shape with hints of Porsche, especially at the rear.
Once again, Hyundai has priced the Ioniq 6 competitively, with the 2024 model starting at $42,450. An EPA-estimated range of up to 361 miles is fantastic, but the Ioniq 6’s drag coefficient is the most impressive. That sleek, streamlined shape is incredibly efficient, with a drag coefficient of just 0.21, which few cars on today’s market can match. Hyundai proudly proclaims that the Ioniq 6 won World Car of the Year, World Electric Vehicle, and World Car Design of the Year at the 2023 World Car Awards. It’s easy to see why.
Citroën Ami
What might look like a small, ungainly creature is a stroke of genius from Citroën. The French manufacturer conceived the Ami as the ultimate city car—affordable, basic, and 100 percent electric. The idea is to get younger people into the Ami and drive them around town, and its compact design is perfect for city use.
The Ami’s top speed is just 28 mph, but it doesn’t need to be any faster for a car intended only for city use. The Ami is simple, fun, and cheap, too, and if you get caught out in the rain, you can gloat at any cyclists you pass. There is a lot of joy in the simplicity of the Ami.
Opel Manta GSe ElektroMOD
The crucial thing to point out here is that the Manta GSe is not a production vehicle. In 2021, Opel took a 1970s Manta and crafted it into the perfect EV. It featured the retro-styling of the original car yet integrated new features such as a refreshed, modern interior and a digital front face.
The original 1.9-liter four-cylinder engine is gone, replaced by a 134-hp electric motor with a 31 kWh battery. Safety requirements meant it would not enter production in this classic form. However, it showcased that electric cars can look interesting and dynamic and that classic-style EVs are exceptional. Opel is now looking to bring a production Manta EV to us in 2025, so let’s hope it looks at least like the concept.
Nissan Leaf
It isn’t the most exciting EV on the market, and there are certainly better choices out there. However, Nissan’s Leaf is one of the most important EVs on the market. Upon its unveiling in 2009, it was the world’s first mass-market electric and zero-emissions car, laying the foundations for what was to come.
Since its unveiling, the Leaf has evolved massively, and the latest generation sports heavily revised styling. It remains one of the most affordable EVs on the market, starting at $28,140 in 2024, and with up to 212 miles of range, the Leaf is the perfect electric car for daily driving and commuting. Nearly 15 years after its introduction, the Leaf still has a vital role in the electric world.
Ford Mustang Mach-E
While some might lament using the Mustang name on an EV, there is no denying that the Ford Mustang Mach-E is a very competent electric crossover. Ford is seeing more robust sales for the Mach-E year-on-year, much to the annoyance of those who believe the Mustang should remain a muscle car only.
While not a small vehicle, the Mach-E is smaller than many of its rivals without compromising its practicality or interior space. The styling hints at a Mustang, creating a dynamic-looking crossover that is easily distinguishable from its competitors. Plus, it is hard to argue with a starting MSRP of $39,995, which also gives you up to 320 miles of range.
Rimac Nevera
There are not enough superlatives to describe how good the Rimac Nevera is. The tri-motor setup produces astronomical amounts of power, up to 1,914 hp and 1,741 lb-ft of torque. This is thanks to its 295 hp motors up front and a 644 hp motor at the rear.
It is little wonder that Rimac recently broke the 0-249-0 mph record, achieving the feat in just 29.93 seconds and snatching it back off Koenigsegg’s Regera. The Nevera, however, is costly, with an MSRP of around $2.2 million. Yet, for your money, you get one of the fastest production cars in the world and the ultimate in EV performance.
BYD HAN
The BYD HAN might not be the most extraordinary or exciting electric vehicle on the market. However, this Chinese EV shows that the country is stepping up its electric car game and becoming a serious competitor to the United States and Europe in the market. The HAN is a conventional but sleek sedan with an impressive drag coefficient of just 0.233,
BYD says that the HAN has a range of over 300 miles, with the top-of-the-range HAN Flagship able to run for 375 miles between charges. These impressive figures come from the 76.9 kWh battery pack and the 200 kW and 163 kW motors. The HAN warns other EV manufacturers that China is beginning to get into its stride.
Fiat 500e
The electric Fiat 500e shows that electric cars do not need to come in massive packages. Fiat launched it as the New 500 in 2020, boasting the same retro design as the regular 500 but tidied up a bit. This included removing the front grille to create sleek and classy fascia.
Two models are available. The 24 kWh battery 500e has a 94 hp motor and 118 miles of range. Or you can have the 42 kWh battery version, with a larger 117 hp motor and 199 miles of range. The longer-range model, in particular, makes it the perfect commuter car and daily driver. Fiat is bringing the 500e to the US in 2024, adding a solid city car to the country’s EV market.
Cadillac Celestiq
While it is not currently available, the 2025 Cadillac Celestiq will be a game-changing EV. This luxury sedan will replace the CT6 in the Cadillac range, and hand-built craftsmanship will play a big part in its makeup. Estimates put the MSRP at around $300,000, so it will not be cheap, but with GM’s Utlium battery pack, it will pack a punch.
A dual-motor setup and all-wheel drive should produce up to 600 hp and propel the Celestiq from 0 to 60 mph in just under four seconds. Most importantly, the interior of the Celestiq will be as spectacular as the exterior, with plenty of space, an electrochromic glass roof with adjustable transparency, and stunning leather seats. Plus, it should have at least 300 miles of range.
