Best Electric SUVs for 2022
The Manufacturers
American car consumers’ love affair with the SUV remains strong, which is why it makes sense that automakers looking to attract customers to electric vehicles are bringing battery-electric and hydrogen fuel-cell electric to this segment of the industry. Like their electric car kin, these electric SUVs are—for the most part—no longer the penalty boxes of EVs of yore. Almost every one of the vehicles covered in this list manages more than 200 miles of EPA-rated range on a full charge. Even better, these EVs are relatively affordable. Looking to spend even more money? Well, that’s what luxury electric SUVs are for. This list, however, covers the electric SUVs available for 2022 from today’s mainstream automotive brands.
Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
Car and Driver rating: 6/10Max. EPA-rated driving range: 100 miles
There’s a reason the Mazda MX-30 takes the last spot on this list: it’s not a great electric SUV option. Look past its attractive interior and exterior styling and there’s little else that’s endearing about this small SUV that packs a paltry EPA-rated driving range of 100 miles (blame its 30.0-kWh battery pack).
Though a little city-sized electric SUV such as the MX-30 may not need to be particularly powerful, its front-mounted electric motor’s 143 horsepower still leaves something to be desired. We clocked an 8.7-second run to 60 mph from the front-drive MX-30.
We might overlook these traits of Mazda’s lone electric vehicle if it were priced affordably. Alas, it’s not, as its starting sum of $34,695 makes it only the third cheapest electric car available in 2022. Nonetheless, if you’re still interested in taking home an MX-30 of your own, then you better live in California, as it’s the sole state Mazda sells this electric SUV in.
MORE ABOUT THE MAZDA MX-30
Car and Driver rating: 6/10Max. mfr-estimated driving range: 380 miles
Like Mazda’s MX-30, the hydrogen-powered Hyundai Nexo is strictly sold in California. While hydrogen fuel cells remain a promising alternative to heavy battery packs, the technology’s poor infrastructure leaves much wanting. Even in California, which is one of the most hydrogen-friendly states, the fuel needed to power the Nexo’s electric motor is hard to come by.
MORE ABOUT THE HYUNDAI NEXO
Car and Driver rating: 7.5/10Max. EPA-rated range: 247 miles
The Chevrolet Bolt EUV is the larger sibling to the Bolt EV hatchback. Like its smaller kin, the Bolt EUV relies on a 66.0-kWh battery pack to power a front-mounted electric motor. With an EPA-rated, Chevy’s subcompact electric SUV ought to travel sufficiently far for most EV buyers. Though the 2022 Bolt EUV stickers for $34,495, it’s likely consumers can run off in one of these electric SUVs for far less. Credit a price drop for 2023, which sees the Bolt EUV’s starting price come in at $28,195. The Bolt EUV is far from the best electric SUV option out there, but its reasonable price, surprisingly spacious interior, and decent power and driving range make it an uninspired but decent-enough electric SUV.
MORE ABOUT THE CHEVROLET BOLT EUV
Car and Driver rating: 8/10Max. EPA-rated range: 239 miles
The Kia Niro EV is the battery-electric kin to Kia’s Niro hybrid and plug-in hybrid SUVs. Like those models, the Niro comes strictly with front-wheel drive. A 64.0-kWh battery pack powers the Niro EV’s lone electric motor, which produces 201 hp. Though it’s a fine enough electric vehicle, it’s far from the best. We’re hopeful the redesigned 2023 Niro EV improves upon the current electric SUV.
MORE ABOUT THE KIA NIRO EV
Car and Driver rating: 8/10Max. EPA-rated range: 258 miles
Just about everything we appreciate about the gas-powered Hyundai Kona applies to its battery-electric counterpart, the Kona Electric. Like its corporate cousin, the Kia Niro EV, the Kona Electric relies on a 201-hp front-mounted electric motor for motivation. Electricity comes courtesy of a 64.0-kWh battery pack that affords the $35,295 Kona Electric an EPA-rated driving range of 258 miles.
That said, we do wish the Kona Electric offered optional all-wheel drive and a more spacious rear seating area. More irksome is this electric SUV’s limited availability, as Hyundai sells it in just 12 states (California, Colorado, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington). For many consumers, that fact alone may be enough to eliminate the Kona Electric from any list of potential best electric SUVs.
MORE ABOUT THE HYUNDAI KONA ELECTRIC
Car and Driver rating: 8.5/10Max. EPA-rated range: 275 miles
It’s not the best electric SUV available today, but the Volkswagen ID.4 is a darn good one. Credit the VW’s spacious interior, comfortable ride, and reasonable driving range from its 77.0-kWh battery pack (the entry-level rear-drive Pro will go 275 miles on a full charge).
If the single-motor model’s 201-hp feels a little low, then the dual-motor all-wheel-drive ID.4 may be for you. Though the dual-motor model’s driving range falls to an EPA-rated maximum of 251 miles, its total output rises to 295 horses.
With a starting price of $42,525, the ID.4 is reasonably affordable, too. That said, those looking to save even more coin, albeit at the sacrifice of driving range, may want to wait until the arrival of the 2023 ID.4’s new Standard trim, which features a 58.0-kWh battery and stickers for $38,790.
MORE ABOUT THE VOLKSWAGEN ID.4
Car and Driver rating: 9/10Max. EPA-rated range: 314 miles
Consider the Ford Mustang Mach-E among the best electric SUVs available today. After all, there’s a reason we named it our 2021 EV of the Year. There are many reasons the Mustang Mach-E earned this distinction, but chief among them is the fact this electric SUV is among the best to drive in this segment.
It also helps that Ford offers the Mach-E in a variety of trims, from the reasonably affordable $44,995 base Select guise to the range-focused California Route 1. And then there’s the 480-hp GT that pushes the Mustang Mach-E’s dynamic performance to its limits.
Yes, we wish the Mach-E was a smidge less expensive (particularly the $63,095 GT) and we think Ford engineers could improve the ride quality a bit, but overall this Mustang-inspired electric SUV more than earns its place on the podium as one of the best options in this segment of mainstream EVs.
MORE ABOUT THE FORD MUSTANG MACH-E
Car and Driver rating: 9/10Max. EPA-rated range: 310 miles
The Kia EV6 is a looker. It’s also one of the best electric SUVs available today. Available with either rear- or all-wheel-drive and with either a 58.0- or 77.4-kWh battery pack, the EV6 offers as little as 232 miles of EPA-rated range with the base battery and as much as 310 miles with the bigger one. While the EV6 may not be quite as thrilling to drive as Ford’s Mustang Mach-E, it’s still a surprisingly enjoyable electric SUV to tool about in.
MORE ABOUT THE KIA EV6
Car and Driver rating: 9/10Max. EPA-rated range: 303 miles
Our top-ranking electric SUV is arguably the best of its kind. Though it’s certainly not the driver’s choice, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 impresses in just about every other way. From its chic style to its spacious, high-quality cabin and variety of powertrain options, the Ioniq 5 is an EV that feels completely worthy of its $41,245 starting sum.
Like Kia’s EV6, the Ioniq 5 comes with either rear- or all-wheel-drive and with either a 58.0- or 77.4-kWh battery pack. In its most range-focused form, this Hyundai electric SUV is capable of traveling 303 miles on a full charge. Even better, Hyundai plans to eventually release a performance-focused Ioniq 5 N that ought to satiate our appetite for driving engagement.
MORE ABOUT THE HYUNDAI IONIQ 5
9. Mazda MX-308. Hyundai Nexo7. Chevrolet Bolt EUV6. Kia Niro EV5. Hyundai Kona Electric
4. Volkswagen ID.43. Ford Mustang Mach-E2. Kia EV61. Hyundai Ioniq 5
Advertisement – Continue Reading Below
