Top EVs of 2023
In the last few years, electric vehicles (EVs) have begun to flood the market. More and more auto manufacturers are producing them. Not only are EVs growing in popularity among consumers, but, in some places around the world, governments are wanting to phase out gasoline-powered vehicles. To make the increasingly crowded EV market a bit easier to navigate, here are our top picks for the newest EVs of 2023 in no particular order. Please note that all prices listed in this article are Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Prices (MSRP), and do not include fees and taxes.
BMW i4 – Starting MSRP: $54,990
Whether you’re coming from another luxury brand or want to dip your toes into the luxury market, the BMW i4 is a great place to start. It is available in 3 different trim levels (eDrive35, eDrive40, & M50 xDrive), but it’s only the standard eDrive35 that is eligible for government rebates. Up to $9,000 at the time of writing this article.
The eDrive35 variant can provide up to 412 km of range which is more than enough to drive as far east as Kelowna or as far south as Seattle and still have plenty of range left over. It’s also a pretty quick car with 282 hp on tap and has the driving dynamics that BMW vehicles are known for.
Hyundai KONA EV – Starting MSRP: $44,599
As of the end of 2023, the Hyundai KONA EV will be the least expensive new electric vehicle that you can purchase or lease. Don’t think, however, that you’re getting a bare bones car. It comes well equipped with a 10.25” touchscreen, heated front seats & heated steering wheel, Apple CarPlay & Android Auto integration, keyless entry with push button start, 17” alloy wheels, and a slew of safety & driver aids. All of this on top of a 201 hp motor with up to 415 km of driving range. Not bad for less than $45,000. And don’t forget the government rebates as well.
Hyundai IONIQ 5 / IONIQ 6 – Starting MSRP: $48,999 (IONIQ 5) / $54,999 (IONIQ 6)
Sticking with the Korean brand, the Hyundai IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 6 may look like totally different EVs, but underneath the sheet metal they’re the same. They are both available with RWD or AWD motor configurations, both available with up to 320 hp, and both can be recharged from 10% to 80% in just 18 minutes. However, the different body shapes dictate the range that they are able to achieve.
The IONIQ 5 with its boxier shape can only drive for up to 488 km, which is still a good amount of driving range. The IONIQ 6, however, with its streamlined profile can drive for up to 581 km. Most gasoline-powered sedans can’t even drive that far on a full tank of gas, but the IONIQ 6 can, and it’s impressive. Because both these models start from under $55,000, they are both eligible for up to $9,000 in rebates at the time of this article, depending on the trim level.
Toyota bZ4X / Lexus RZ450e – Starting MSRP: $44,990 (Toyota) / $64,950 (Lexus)
Just like the Hyundai IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 6, the Toyota bZ4X and Lexus RZ450e share the same powertrains and are made on the same assembly line. These two EVs are not the first ones produced by the respective companies, but they do give us a glimpse of future electric vehicles to come. Over the next few years, Toyota & Lexus will begin to introduce smaller and larger versions of these crossover SUVs.
As for their powertrains, the bZ4X is available as a single motor or a dual motor with the former being able to deliver up to 406 km of driving range. The RZ450e is only available with a dual motor layout and the driving range is not as high, at up to 354 km. However, it does provide more power with 308 hp on tap and is noticeably more luxurious than the Toyota. Additionally, the Lexus is only eligible for up to $4,000 in rebates while the bZ4X is eligible for up to $9,000 in rebates.
Porsche Taycan – Starting MSRP: $131,700
If you have a “need for speed” (on a racetrack of course), then the Porsche Taycan is the right EV for you. This is one of the fastest electric vehicles on sale today with many options to choose from. There are 8 different trim levels and two different body types. There’s a traditional sedan or a modern interpretation of a station wagon called the Cross Turismo. There are also different power outputs to choose from. It can deliver as little as 523 hp all the way up to 751 hp and a 0-100 km/h time of just 2.8 seconds for the latter.
BMW i7 – Starting MSRP: $147,000
For the ultimate in luxury, look no further than the BMW i7. This is the flagship electric vehicle of the German brand. Not only does this luxury sedan provide excellent comfort for all occupants, it is also loaded with gadgets that have never been seen before in any vehicle. By far the biggest highlight is the 31” 8K theater screen that drops down from the roof. There are also smaller screens on the rear doors that allow you to control the theater screen, the audio system, the ambient lighting, the sunshades and many more features of the BMW i7.
But this EV is not all about show and no go. It has a driving range of up to 512 km with a 0-100 km/h time of just 4.7 seconds. That’s impressive for something so large. But if those numbers are not enough for you, there will be a faster M70 version coming soon with more power.
Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV – Starting MSRP: $136,000
One of the largest EVs on sale today is the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV. It is a luxury SUV with a 6-figure price tag, but, at the moment, the Tesla Model X is the only other electric SUV with just as much space and that, too, is a luxury-focused vehicle. The Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV is available as a two-row or a three-row SUV. It is capable of delivering up to 491 km of range and up to 536 hp in the EQS 580 trim.
Its features speak to the luxuriousness of this SUV. The front seats can be massaging, while the rear seats can be power operated. The standard air suspension provides a supple ride, and the Hyperscreen will no doubt dazzle passengers.
Genesis GV60 – Starting MSRP: $71,000
If these last few luxury cars made your eyes water with their price tags, then the Genesis GV60 is a luxury EV that costs half as much and will be kinder to your wallet. It shares the same platform as the Hyundai IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 6, but it receives more powerful motors. It can develop up to 429 hp with a driving range of 378 km. The less powerful variant can get up to 399 km.
But, even with a more down-to-Earth price tag, the Genesis GV60 doesn’t omit the luxury features. It has massaging, heated, & ventilated front seats, a spacious and leather lined interior, a larger panoramic moonroof, a plethora of driver aids including an excellent highway driving assist system, and there’s even a face scanner that can detect the owner’s face and unlock the car without the use of a key.
If you’d like to know more about any of these new electric vehicles, please contact one of our OpenRoad locations near you.