There has been an air of inevitability around the emergence of EVs in the automobile sector. Increasing environmental sustainability concerns, alongside climate change warnings, led to more capital investments in developing alternatives to the traditional combustion engine.
Tesla, General Motors and Nissan were among the first automakers to go down the EV route, with the former adopting an all-electric-vehicle lineup from the start. Tesla reaped the first-mover advantage and is currently a dominant player in the automobile industry.
However, there are many other players today, and the options continue to increase as more automakers hop on the EV trend. Even marque names and performance brands like Rolls Royce, Porsche, BMW, and Mercedes Benz are no longer watching from the sidelines.
Customers shopping for an EV now have a wide range of selections across the various automobile segments. Below are a few of the standout EVs for 2024.
- 2024 Tesla Model Y
- 2024 Kia EV9
- 2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5
- 2024 Tesla Model S Plaid
- 2024 Lucid Air Sapphire
- 2024 Porsche Taycan 4S
- 2024 Rolls Royce Spectre
- 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E
- 2024 BMW i4 M50
- 2024 Mercedes Benz EQS
2024 Tesla Model Y (Long Range AWD)
Image Credit: Mobile Syrup
Specifications
- MSRP: Starts from $49,630 USD /Â $67,509 CAD
- Engine: 1 Permanent-magnet Asynchronous AC Motor, 1 AC Induction Motor
- Power / Torque: 384 hp / 376 lb-ft (combined)
- Transmission: AWD
- 0-60 mph: 4.4 seconds
- Fuel Economy: 127 MPG (city) | 1.9 L/100 km /Â 117 MPG | 2.0 L/100 km (highway)
- Range: 310 miles (499 km)
- Basic Warranty: 4 years /Â 50,000 miles (80,000 km)
Our Take
Tesla’s share value has taken some heavy knocks in recent times, but it is not all bad news for the EV automaker. After all, the Model Y emerged as the best-selling automobile for 2023, edging out the traditional winner, the Toyota Corolla. The Model Y remains one of Tesla’s most popular vehicles, with strong selling points that include an affordable price point, access to Tesla’s Supercharger network, and an impressive battery range.
Kia EV9
Image Credit: Top Gear
Specifications
- MSRP: starts at $56,395 USD /Â $75,955 CAD
- Engine: Permanent-magnet synchronous motor (rear)
- Power / Torque: 215 hp /Â 258 lb-ft (combined)
- Drivetrain: RWD (optional AWD)
- 0-60 mph: 7.7 seconds
- Fuel Economy: 88 MPGe /Â 2.7L/100 km (combined)
- Range: 230 miles (370 km)
- Basic Warranty: 5 years /Â 60,000 miles (100,000 km)
Our Take
The EV9 is Kia’s bold take on an electric variant for one of its most successful models, the Telluride. It stands apart with a striking, almost futuristic design, but there’s much more to this family SUV than just its looks. The EV9 boasts three rows of seating, different trim levels and an above-average driving range, especially if you opt for the dual-motor setup. It’s early days yet but the EV9 has already put forward a strong foot in the market. It was recently awarded the World’s Best Car for 2024 by an esteemed panel of judges at the Women’s Worldwide Car of the Year (WWCOTY).
2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5
Image Credit: InsideEVs
Specifications
- MSRP: starts at $43,175 USD /Â $58,149 CAD
- Engine: Permanent-magnet synchronous motor (rear)
- Power / Torque: 168 hp /Â NA
- Drivetrain: RWD
- 0-60 mph: 7.4 seconds
- Fuel Economy: 127 MPG (city) | 1.9 L/100 km /Â 94 MPG | 2.5 L/100 km (highway)
- Range: 220 miles (354 km)
- Basic Warranty: 5 years /Â 60,000 miles (100,000 km)
Our Take
The Ioniq 5 was a fresh entry for the 2022 MY, Hyundai’s tip of the spear as it planned to roll out 23 battery-electric vehicles by 2025. It’s not yet clear if the carmaker will be able to achieve its ambitious goal. However, one thing that’s certain is that the Ioniq 5 has been a worthy ambassador for the brand. Its edgy styling, spacious interior, practicality and top safety rating by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) have made it a front-runner in its class.
2024 Tesla Model S Plaid
Image Credit: GuideAutoWeb
Specifications
- MSRP: Starts from $91,630 USD /Â $124,639 CAD
- Engine: 3 permanent-magnet synchronous AC Motors
- Power / Torque: 1020 hp / 1,050 lb-ft (combined)
- Transmission: AWD
- 0-60 mph: 2.1 seconds
- Fuel Economy: 102 MPG (city) | 2.3 L/100 km /Â 99 MPG | 2.4 L/100 km (highway)
- Range: 280 miles (451 km)
- Basic Warranty: 4 years /Â 50,000 miles (80,000 km)
Our Take
The Model S Plaid, a variant of Tesla’s earliest sedan, launched in 2021 and completely redefined the notion of a super sedan with its blistering launch speed. It was the fastest accelerating car in the world until the arrival of the Rimac Nevera hypercar, a truly impressive feat for a sedan. The Model S Plaid is largely unchanged for 2024, but the EV still impresses with a well-laid-out interior, battery range and a balanced ride.
2024 Lucid Air Sapphire
Image Credit: Car and Driver
Specifications
- MSRP: Starts from $250,500 USD /Â $340,742 CAD
- Engine: 1 permanent-magnet AC Motor (front) /Â 2 permanent-magnet AC Motors (rear)
- Power / Torque: 1,234 hp / 1,430 lb-ft (combined)
- Transmission: AWD
- 0-60 mph: 2.1 seconds
- Fuel Economy: 108 MPG (city) | 2.2 L/100 km /Â 101 MPG | 2.3 L/100 km (highway)
- Range: 427 miles (687 km)
- Basic Warranty: 4 years /Â 50,000 miles (80,000 km)
Our Take
Lucid Motors was founded by one of Tesla’s past executives, and the Air Sapphire luxury sedan is a direct competitor to Tesla’s Model S. The Air Sapphire is well equipped to take on not just the Model S but the other heavy-hitters in the luxury EV segment. There’s its neck-snapping acceleration, elegant design and premium cabin on the one hand. On the other hand, all those elements are well complemented by the Air Sapphire’s superb handling. In fact, the car has been described by Top Gear as one of the best-handling EVs on the market today.
2024 Porsche Taycan 4S
Image Credit: Top Gear
Specifications
- MSRP: Starts from $149,722 USD /Â $203,659 CAD
- Engine: 2 permanent-magnet synchronous Motors
- Power / Torque: 455 hp (536 hp with Overboost) /Â 512 lb-ft
- Transmission: AWD
- 0-60 mph: 3.7 seconds
- Fuel Economy: 82 MPG (city) | 2.9 L/100 km /Â 82 MPG | 2.9 L/100 km (highway)
- Range: 206 miles (332 km)
- Basic Warranty: 4 years /Â 50,000 miles (80,000 km)
Our Take
Porsche took a big gamble with the Taycan when it first launched back in 2019. It was a daring move that paid off, with the EV even outselling Porsche’s iconic 911 sports car. The German carmaker has refreshed the Taycan for the 2024 MY with an updated design and some new tech on board. Skip the top-end Turbo and Turbo S model, especially if you are sensitive to depreciation. However, even the lower-tier specs, like the Taycan 4S, are still pretty decent with punchy acceleration, ride and Porsche’s build quality.
2024 Rolls Royce Spectre
Image Credit: InsideEVs
Specifications
- MSRP: Starts from $422,750 USD /Â $575,045 CAD
- Engine: Current-excited synchronous AC Motors (front & rear)
- Power / Torque: 577 hp / 664 lb-ft (combined)
- Transmission: AWD
- 0-60 mph: 4.2 seconds
- Fuel Economy: 77 MPG (city) | 3.0 L/100 km /Â 86 MPG | 2.7 L/100 km (highway)
- Range: 291 miles (468 km)
- Basic Warranty: 4 years /Â Unlimited miles
Our Take
It was inevitable that premium brands like Rolls Royce would eventually get on board the EV train. Its first offering, the Spectre, debuted in 2022 after years of rigorous testing that included trials in some of the harshest weather conditions. It is everything one might come to expect in a luxury Rolls Royce – elegant design, premium feel, silky smooth ride and, of course, extreme quietness, courtesy of its super-refined electric powertrain and chassis.
2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E (Base)
Image Credit: GuideAutoWeb
Specifications
- MSRP: Starts from $45,390 USD /Â $61,741 CAD
- Engine: 1 permanent-magnet synchronous motor
- Power / Torque: 266 hp / 317 lb-ft (combined)
- Transmission: RWD
- 0-60 mph: 5.2 seconds
- Fuel Economy: 110 MPG (city) | 2.1 L/100 km /Â 96 MPG | 2.5 L/100 km (highway)
- Range: 247 miles (396 km)
- Basic Warranty: 4 years /Â 50,000 miles (80,000 km)
Our Take
The Mustang Mach-E looks nothing like the muscle car it shares the nameplate with. For one, it’s a crossover with an electric powertrain. The Mustang Mach-E was launched for the 2021 MY and has proven quite popular, especially among Ford loyalists. There are several trims to pick from, allowing the Mach-E to compete more favourably with rivals. An attractive entry price point, handsome design and high safety ratings are other points in the Mach-E’s favour.
2024 BMW i4 M50
Image Credit: Motor Authority
Specifications
- MSRP: Starts from 70,695 USD /Â $96,162 CAD
- Engine: Synchronous AC Motors (front and rear)
- Power / Torque: 536 hp / 586 lb-ft (combined)
- Transmission: AWD
- 0-60 mph: 3.3 seconds
- Fuel Economy: 79 MPG (city) | 3.0 L/100 km /Â 80 MPG | 2.9 L/100 km (highway)
- Range: 227 miles (365 km)
- Basic Warranty: 4 years /Â 50,000 miles (80,000 km)
Our Take
Design-wise, the BMW i4 looks almost exactly like any other 4-Series. Of course, the internals have been reworked to accommodate all the electric bits. The M50 variant is the most expensive variant, but it boasts a dual-motor setup and is arguably more fun to drive. Apparently, customers do not mind the extra expense as the M50 was BMW M’s best-performing model in 2023.
2024 Mercedes-Benz EQS450+
Image Credit: CarExpert
Specifications
- MSRP: Starts from $105,550 USD /Â $143,574 CAD
- Engine: 1 permanent-magnet synchronous motor
- Power / Torque: 355 hp / 419 lb-ft (combined)
- Transmission: RWD
- 0-60 mph: 5.4 seconds
- Fuel Economy: 95 MPG (city) | 2.5 L/100 km /Â 98 MPG | 2.4 L/100 km (highway)
- Range: 352 miles (566 km)
- Basic Warranty: 4 years /Â 50,000 miles (80,000 km)
Our Take
The Mercedes-Benz EQS is arguably one of the most luxurious electric SUVs currently on the market. It boasts a competitive range across all trim levels, superb build quality, and cutting-edge technology. Then, there’s the standard 56-inch Hyperscreen, which completely transforms the interior with a futuristic appearance.
