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10 Best Electric Cars For 2023

Written by CarPro | Jun 29, 2023 12:36:53 PM

More drivers are considering electric vehicles (EVs) these days.  According to Autotrader, a Cox Automotive company, consumer interest in EVs has increased dramatically this year alone. 

Consider these Autotrader provided EV stats:

  • In 2018, the EVs share of the market was less than 1%. 
  • In 2021, EVs represented 3.2% sales
  • In 2022, EVs grew to 5.8% of sales
  • In Q1 2023 EVs were 7.2% of sales

Cox Automotive is also forecasting EV sales to surpass the one million mark here in the U.S. 

To help sort through the growing number of all-electric vehicles out there, we turn to Autotrader's list of Best Electric Vehicles of 2023.

"We are in the midst of a sea change in the industry as EV sales become a growing slice of the American automotive pie," said Brian Moody, executive editor for Autotrader.

"More and more shoppers are hungry for new EVs, and automakers are continually developing and introducing new EV models as the demand continues to surge - with no signs of slowing."

Editors spent time driving and living with the 2023 model year EVs to determine their picks.  They only evaluated pure EVs -  not hybrids, plug-in hybrids or hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles.  All the vehicles that made the list also have a MSRP under $100,000 and had to be generally available to the public in 15 states at the time of publication.

Here are the vehicles that made this year's list, in alphabetical order by brand.

Autotrader's Best Electric Vehicles of 2023 

 

1. 2023 BMW i4 Photo Credit: BMW.

Autotrader: BMW reboots its EV approach and comes up with a winner: Whatever you thought of BMW's first run at EV, the i3, it was missing a certain something – it didn't look or perform like a BMW. The 2023 BMW i4 corrects course with a Gran Coupe that our editors agree looks and drives like a BMW.


2. 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Autotrader: Ford's electric pickup gathers steam in its second year: The F-150 Lightning somehow synthesized decades of pickup truck knowledge with the latest and greatest EV technology and infused thoughtful details and user-friendly features.

Our Take:  CarPro Show host Jerry Reynolds says this truck won’t work for everyone, but it is impressive and has some amazing features like he's  never seen before.   
Read the review  →


3. 2023 Genesis Electrified G80
Autotrader:  South Korea's luxury brand shows how to elevate the executive EV sedan without breaking the bank: Genesis, Hyundai's luxury offshoot, rethought the gasoline-powered luxury sedan, the G80, and developed the 2023 Genesis Electrified G80. Precisely as the name hints, the Electrified G80 replaces the G80's engine with an all-wheel-drive EV powertrain.

Our Take:  Still not sure about all-electric vehicles yet? Then you haven't been behind the wheel of the new 2023 Genesis Electrified G80.    It's a masterful blend of gorgeous design, a luxurious interior, and cutting-edge technology at the forefront of automotive innovation.   
Read the review  →


4. 2023 Genesis GV60
Photo Credit: Genesis.

Autotrader:  An all-new compact luxury EV SUV gets the formula just right: For a company that started with a two-car lineup nearly a decade ago, Genesis has expanded in all the right directions. The 2023 Genesis GV60 is one of the latest additions to the lineup, a compact luxury EV crossover SUV with style, performance, and range.

Our Take: As CarPro Show host Jerry Reynolds always says, EVs are not for everyone but if it will work for you, this is a cool one that has some amazing features like finger point recognition that will allow you to start the car.
Read the review  →

 

5. 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5
Autotrader:  The 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5 impresses in its second year: Until the Ioniq 6 becomes widely available across the U.S., the 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5 compact EV SUV represents the best Hyundai has to offer – and that's been good enough to land it on our list two years in a row.

Our Take:  From its design, performance, and range, to its use of sustainable materials, outstanding technology and overall comfort, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 checks off all the boxes of an award-winning model and then some. 
Read the review  →


2023 Kia EV6Photo Credit: Kia.Photo Credit: Kia.

Autotrader:  Kia's take on the near-luxury midsize EV crossover continues to gain acclaim: Since we named the EV6 to our list last year, it has continued to gather awards and great reviews across the automotive landscape. The EV6 again proves Kia is a design-forward company willing to take risks to set its vehicles apart.

Our Take:  CarPro Show host Jerry Reynolds says if you are going to get an electric SUV, the EV6 should be on your shopping list.  He says it's a fantastic EV with quick charging capability, and terrific driving characteristics.
Read the review  →


6. 2023 Lucid Air
Autotrader:  A new manufacturer delivers a surprisingly well-built and beautiful EV: The road to success is littered with failed EV startups, so it's great to see the 2023 Lucid Air on our Best EVs list. The Air, a midsize sedan, delivers "ingenious engineering, attention to detail, high build quality and a finely developed aesthetic sense," according to one of our editors.

Our Take: CarPro Show host Jerry Reynolds says the Lucid Air Touring is an incredible driving machine, smooth and quiet with amazing acceleration and superb, balanced, handling. It's the most incredible EV he's ever reviewed with incredible range and super-fast charging and the first EV he would consider buying.
Read the review  →


7. 2023 Nissan Ariya
Autotrader:  Nissan adds another branch to its EV tree: Nissan has a solid history in EVs, having promoted the Leaf through two generations of production. Rather than abandoning the entry-level, the 2023 Nissan Ariya builds on the Leaf and enlarges the concept, scale, and range.

Our Take: CarPro Show host Jerry Reynolds says If you're going to jump into the world of electric SUVs, the Nissan Ariya needs to be on your shopping list, Nissan did a great job with this one.  He calls it a fantastic electric SUV that is a joy to drive and a real head-turner.  
Read the review  →

 

9. 2023 Porsche TaycanPhoto Credit: Porsche.

Autotrader:  Shocking when first unveiled, the 2023 Porsche Taycan is now a fixture in the sport sedan field: With blistering acceleration, impressive handling, and expansive range, the Taycan has even spawned two specialty spinoffs, the Taycan Cross Turismo and Sport Turismo.



10. 2023 Rivian R1T

Photo Credit: Rivian.

Autotrader: The 2023 R1T electric pickup truck proves there's room for a startup in the EV field: Rivian is a startup EV manufacturer hoping to reach maturity with innovative vehicles. The 2023 R1T electric pickup truck, a repeat entry from last year's list, demonstrates a flair for design and function.

 

Photo Credit: Kia.