Electric vehicles, commonly known as EVs, have become more common on the roads recently, and for good reason: Automobile manufacturers are finally offering EVs that people want to drive.
However, not all EVs are created equal. Here are some of the most notable electric vehicles available in 2024, for better or worse.
1. Hyundai Ioniq 5
No list of electric vehicles is complete without Hyundai’s most attractive option, the Ioniq 5. Thanks to an innovative exterior design that invokes 80s technology, a comfortable interior, and a (relatively) low price, the Ioniq 5 is an attractive option for anyone who wants to dive into the world of electric vehicles without being subject to the whims of Elon Musk’s Tesla vehicles.
2. Hyundai Ioniq 6
Released just a few years after the Ioniq 5, Hyundai’s Ioniq 6 caters to EV owners who want their car to look more like a Porsche. The Boxster-influenced Ioniq 6 takes everything people love about the Ioniq 5 and combines it with the effortless styling of a modern roadster. I have to hand it to Hyundai: they’ve focused on a market that is arguably suffering from Tesla fatigue and are offering fun, well-driving, economical electric vehicles in 2024.
3. Tesla Model S
Many believe we have Tesla’s Model S to thank for spurring the electric car craze in the United States. Initially introduced for the 2013 model year and still offered today (with no fundamental design changes whatsoever since launch), the Model S proved that Tesla can deliver electric vehicles to the masses with relative ease. The Model S is a performance sedan through and through. Its Plaid trim level can reach 0-60 in under three seconds, which is ridiculously fast, no matter how you feel about Elon Musk.
4. Tesla Model Y
While Tesla’s Model X came before the Model Y, the latter deserves inclusion on this list for its affordability. The Model X is a cumbersome first-generation vehicle with the stupidest doors ever put on a car, while the Model Y shows that Tesla can show restraint and still deliver an affordable family hauler at a competitive price. It’s a good option for anyone looking to bridge the gap between Tesla’s high-end offerings and their cheapest option, the mass-produced Model 3.
5. Tesla Model 3
Although the price of the Tesla Model 3 has not dropped to where Elon Musk promised it would, it’s still among the best values in the electric vehicle market. For less than $40,000, you can own an honest-to-goodness Tesla (for better or worse). However, as someone who’s ridden in quite a few Model 3s, I’m disappointed in their overall build quality. A car that intends to define a generation of vehicles should have fewer panel gaps and more attention to detail. Clearly, Tesla is focused on quantity over quality as far as the Model 3 is concerned.
6. Kia EV6
Like Hyundai, Kia is attempting to fill a hole in the EV market that Tesla is not currently occupying. The bones of the EV6 are strikingly similar to the Ioniq 5, but many drivers prefer the styling of Kia’s electric crossover. The EV6 can be summed up in one word: Sexy. If an EV’s sexiness isn’t enough to entice you, then maybe the EV6’s GT trim will get you going. It boasts over 575 horsepower and will make you forget companies like Tesla even exist.
7. Ford Mustang Mach-E
Ford’s first foray into the electric vehicle market has been overwhelmingly successful. What Ford accomplished is clever. They took an established model (Mustang) and trim package (Mach) and used name recognition to launch their first EV. While there’s traditionally nothing electric about the Mustang, the Mach-E has just as much power as its gasoline-powered cousin. As a result, Ford produced an electric vehicle that’s an attractive option for gearheads and families alike. This is a good-looking car, and I get a twinge of jealousy whenever I see one on the road.
8. Nissan Leaf
Despite its popularity among young drivers, you have to hand it to Nissan for delivering a wholly economical and mundane EV in the Leaf. The affordable, no-frills vehicle is ideal for any budget-conscious driver who wants to dive into the world of electric cars without spending an astronomical amount of money. Bearing a style and personality similar to the last-generation Toyota Prius, the Leaf is better suited to a slower, lifestyle-oriented driver, which doesn’t mean it’s a bad vehicle.
9. Rivian R1T
Rivian was one of the first automobile manufacturers to explore the still-burgeoning electric truck market. By all accounts, the R1T is a hit. Unlike other vehicles on this list, the R1T is more than capable off-road and is still a pleasure to drive on the street. Decked out in the latest technology and with aggressive, futuristic styling, it’s an attractive option for an off-road enthusiast who’s sick of driving Jeep Wranglers and wants to dip their toes into the world of EVs without sacrificing fun.
10. Polestar 2
For my money, there’s no better option in the EV market than the Polestar 2. Designed with help from Volvo, this sporty sedan/hatchback hybrid is everything you could want from your first electric vehicle. It’s fast, stylish, and more affordable than you would think. The 2024 models start at less than $50,000, making it an attractive choice. Look at the Polestar 2, and you’ll come to the same conclusion I did: “Wow, that is a handsome automobile.”
11. Kia Niro EV
There’s nothing wrong with a quirky, sensible EV. This genuine commuter vehicle offers a no-frills experience while embracing creature comforts. The Kia Niro EV checks all those boxes and more, making it one of the most personable electric vehicles on the market. It’s not lightning-fast or impeccably styled, but it will transport you from point A to point B. With a starting price of less than $27,000 (is your mind blown yet?), it’s arguably the best value in the EV market today.
12. Lucid Air
If class and sophistication are more your style and you’re not pleased with the bland EV offerings from companies like Mercedes, the Lucid Air is right up your alley. Lucid is the luxury electric vehicle brand, and the Air is phenomenal in every sense. Starting at $77,000 and heading into the six-figure range with specific options, the Lucid Air isn’t too affordable. However, it offers an experience that other electric vehicles can’t possibly compete with.
13. Chevrolet Blazer EV
As one of the most beloved brands in the automobile industry, it makes perfect sense that the famous Chevy Blazer returns as an electric vehicle for the 2024 model year. Chevrolet has a reputation for making solid, American-built vehicles for generations, and their first serious entry into the EV space (apologies to the Bolt and Bolt EUV, of course) is getting many potential owners excited. It’s hard to imagine a legacy auto manufacturer like Chevy not being one of the leaders in the EV industry. If things turn out right, the Blazer EV will boost Chevrolet next to Tesla as the market leader.
14. Tesla Cybertruck
The Tesla Cybertruck is what happens when Elon Musk decides to develop the most impractical vehicle ever created. An authentic nightmare come to life, the Cybertruck is a stainless steel-clad mess of a pickup truck that seemingly is loved by all Tesla fans and despised by everyone else. It’s prohibitively expensive, obnoxious, and tends to get stuck in just a few inches of snow. It’s an electric vehicle that makes you doubt the owner’s (and creator’s) sanity.
15. GMC Hummer EV
The Hummer EV is a beast in all the wrong ways. The Hummer has historically attracted a certain kind of driver — the kind who likes their trucks as big as possible and tends to pass you on a double-yellow line because you’re driving the speed limit. The 2024 Hummer EV weighs over 9,000 pounds (eight and a half tons for those keeping track at home) and is a menace on the road. It’s a gigantic, electrified murder machine on wheels, and I’m embarrassed to see people driving one.
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