Most Expensive Electric Cars

Porsche’s first electric vehicle, the Taycan, has improved steadily over the years, and this year's model may be the best mass-production performance EV ever. It is not just potent and powerful, it is agile as a cheetah, comfortable on long drives, and as sleek and streamlined as a four-door sport sedan can be.

The five-passenger 2025 Taycan is available as either an asphalt-hugging fastback sedan or a sporty hatchback that offers more cargo room without sacrificing style. It provides supportive front buckets and rear seating that’s surprisingly roomy for two; the middle fifth-seat position is best for stashing coats and small bags. The Taycan is a tech lover's dream with three standard displays, two of them touchscreens, plus optional displays for the front- and rear-seat passengers. Additional features include wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging, Spotify streaming, and four USB ports.

Despite outstanding performance and a low, low stance, the Taycan is surprisingly comfortable thanks to its standard air suspension, now included on the base trim.

The 2025 Taycan gets new batteries that improve range considerably. The base trim with the extended-range battery can travel more than 350 miles, according to a recent real-world test by the automaker (official EPA ratings are not yet available and likely will be lower). The Tesla Model S covers 350 to 400 miles. The Audi e-tron GT and RS e-tron GT share the same EV platform as the Taycan, and if they get the same upgrades for 2025, they should match or slightly beat its range. The Ford Mustang Mach-E GT is below the Taycan in range, offering just 270 miles in the electric pony car lineup’s most powerful trim. Most rivals carry lower price tags, and cover more ground on a single battery charge, but none do it with the Taycan’s poise and spirit. And, for 2025, none can charge their batteries faster than the Taycan, which gets boosted DC fast-charging speed.

Mercedes-Benz is well known for building vehicles with high levels of luxury and the latest advanced technologies, and the EQS Sedan is the ultimate example of these qualities. While the S-Class sits at the top of the German brand’s gas-powered lineup, the EQS holds the same flagship position among the electric-vehicle Mercedes-Benz models.

While many shoppers find the EQS sedan's style unusual, its slippery shape provides one of the lowest drag coefficients on a production car. With a larger battery for all trim levels for the 2025 model year, the EQS should deliver a driving range that bests its last-year estimates that top out at 352 miles in the EQS 450+.

With its advanced safety features, standard Hyperscreen, which covers the dashboard with display screens, and innovative suspension and damping, the EQS is a technological tour de force. Not one to rest on its laurels, Mercedes-Benz took the technology to the next step last year with the first commercially available Level 3 automated driving system to market. The new Drive Pilot system allows for hands-free driving and also lets the driver watch videos or play games on the central infotainment screen. Use is currently restricted to specific roads in California and Nevada, but additional roads are expected to be added.

The 2025 Mercedes-Benz EQS is an outstanding luxury EV, but it’s not the only option in this lofty market. Perhaps the electric Mercedes’ most direct competitor is the BMW i7 which brings a similar level of luxury with more engaging driving dynamics but can’t go quite as far on a full charge. The Lucid Air is another worthy alternative, and with an estimated range of 516 miles, it beats all other luxury EVs. Other options include the Tesla Model S or more performance-oriented Porsche Taycan and related Audi e-tron GT models.

Mercedes-Benz no longer has plans to be fully electric by 2030; however, EVs still play an important role in the German automaker's future. In addition to the EQE Sedan, Mercedes-Benz has rounded out its EV lineup with the EQE SUV, EQB SUV, EQS Sedan, and EQS SUV.

The midsize EQE Sedan has similar styling to the brand’s flagship EQS electric sedan. It may be one of the most aerodynamic designs on the road, but the rounded look with the solid grille will likely turn some buyers away. However, with its luxurious cabin replete with high-quality materials throughout, the EQE will please drivers from the inside.

Like other upscale Mercedes-Benz models, the EQE has a high-tech cabin featuring a large infotainment screen at the center of the expansive dashboard. An additional 12.3-inch driver display can be configured in multiple styles. The infotainment system is quite intuitive to use with interaction via the touchscreen or voice; virtually all physical controls have been eliminated.

Mercedes-Benz offers the 2025 EQE Sedan in multiple performance levels, ranging from the base EQE 350+ to the extreme 600-horsepower AMG EQE. The EQE Sedan can travel up to 307 miles between charges — not quite as far as the Lucid Air or Tesla Model S, but slightly better than the Genesis Electrified G80, Polestar 2, and BMW i5.

The BMW i4 represents a pretty simple concept when it comes to EVs: Take an existing gasoline-powered vehicle and swap out the powertrain for batteries and electric motors. The 2025 BMW i4 shares its looks, inside and out, with the gas-powered 4 Series Gran Coupe and it offers many of the same features. The i4’s driving characteristics are similar, too, with a sporty feel and available high-performance trims for extra thrills. Unfortunately, the shared architecture between the i4 and 4 Series means the i4 has limited cargo space, and no frunk for extra storage.

The i4 is available in several trim levels, with top models serving up 536 horsepower and blistering acceleration. Range estimates span from 276 to 310 miles depending on model. Inside, the i4 has all the BMW panache you’d expect, with a massive set of screens dominating the dashboard and high-quality materials throughout the cabin. Top trims, however, can get pretty pricey for the segment, so we recommend sticking to mid-level i4’s for the best value.

Rivals such as the Cadillac Lyriq and Mercedes-Benz EQE Sedan offer more space and practicality, along with a substantial increase in luxury, but the i4 is certainly more entertaining to drive. The Polestar 2 is also worth considering, with slightly lower prices than the i4, more cargo space, and similar range estimates.

Hyundai's Ioniq 6 electric sedan picked up steam in 2024, and the company has decided to leave a good thing virtually unchanged for 2025. The streamlined, midsize four-door offers an alternative to SUVs and boxy crossovers, along with a range — up to 342 miles in front-wheel-drive models — that few competitors in its reasonable price range can match.

The Ioniq 6 shares its platform and powertrain with the Hyundai Ioniq 5 electric crossover, but its styling cuts down on interior space, especially in the rear seating area. Cargo capacity is lower than in the boxy, SUV-styled Ioniq 5 as well.

Sedans have fallen out of favor in the U.S., so the Ioniq 6 has few direct rivals. Competition includes the Tesla Model 3 sedan, Ford Mustang Mach-E coupe-like crossover, Polestar 2 hatchback sedan, and BMW i4 sedan. Overall, the Ioniq 6 is longer than any other electric sedan in its price range, and only the wider and taller Mach-E has more total passenger space. The Hyundai also falls short in cargo space and horsepower but still has plenty of oomph and a more comfortable, composed ride than most of the competition.

The only other drawback is that as a Korean-built car, the Ioniq 6 doesn't qualify for a federal income tax credit while the Mustang Mach-E and Model 3, its two North American-built competitors, do. That means both cost less when the tax credit is applied. Other potential rivals cost more and, like the Hyundai, don't qualify for the federal tax credit because they are built overseas.

The 2025 Leaf is Nissan's low-cost effort to keep the nameplate alive while it develops a replacement.

Now entering its 14th year, the Leaf was redesigned for the 2018 model year and hasn't been fundamentally updated since significant safety system improvements were made in 2020. The five-seat compact hatchback is available in just two trims, and we think the base S version is the best value. The SV Plus costs almost as much as the base trim of the Nissan Ariya, which launched as a 2023 model and offers as much or more range, more modern tech, better battery management, and more performance and premium touches than either Leaf trim.

The base Leaf S is a bargain for buyers looking for an EV that can provide reliable, economical service as a grocery hauler and commuter car. Its closest competitors all cost more than the base Leaf. The rival Fiat 500e and Mini Electric Hardtop are substantially smaller and don't offer any more range. The Mini travels only two-thirds of the range delivered by the base Leaf but still starts at almost $3,000 more. A third potential competitor, the Hyundai Kona Electric, is nearly the same size as the base Leaf and offers substantially more range but at an almost $5,000 premium.

As far as the upper-trim Leaf SV Plus goes, it has slightly more than 200 miles of range but is outclassed in looks, range, and power by almost all of its compact EV competition. This group includes the Kia Niro EV, Ford Mustang Mach-E, and Volkswagen ID.4. The Leaf SV-Plus' saving grace is that it costs less than any of the others. That's until Chevrolet releases the promised $34,995 base version of the new Equinox EV, expected for sometime in 2025. It will likely qualify for a $7,500 federal tax credit that cuts its real cost to $27,495 — almost $2,000 less than the base Leaf S.

Overall, the 2025 Nissan Leaf beats existing competitors on price and can be a good deal for EV shoppers who don't need to drive many miles between charging sessions.

If you live in a city or suburb and can access EV charging at your home or in your apartment's garage, it is hard to imagine a more appealing everyday vehicle. All Minis have their own special charm, and the 2024 Mini Electric Hardtop epitomizes that while mixing in zero-emission electric propulsion. Who said saving the planet couldn't be fun? While it is true that the Mini EV doesn't offer the 200+ mile range on a charge that some of its competitors do, overall range might be getting too much attention. With its total claimed range of 114 miles, the electric Mini will suit you just fine if you drive fewer than 90 miles a day and have easy access to charging at night. With an entry price of just over $30,000, it will keep money in your pocket versus EVs that offer 200 miles of range — range that you might not need. Unfortunately, unlike some other EVs, the Mini EV doesn't qualify for the $7,500 federal income tax credit.

Its status as a battery-electric zero-emission vehicle is the prime reason to put the Mini Cooper EV on your shopping list. But for urban dwellers in particular, there is a lot to like about the car beyond its propulsion system. Small and nimble, it delivers intuitive handling, satisfying acceleration, and the special joy of driving a car that isn’t like every other car on the road. Substantially shorter in overall length than its most direct competitors — the Chevrolet Bolt EV and Nissan Leaf — it still offers a roomy driver's seat and good overall interior space. Its short length makes it easy to park, and its distinctive shape and bright colors make it easy to find in a crowded lot.