Our Absolute Favorites: The Best EVs and PHEV SUVs Go the Distance In Modern Style
We've grown to love all things electric, hybrid and PHEV, and for good reason.
Is there anything better than having plenty of power and feeling good about it? That’s why we’ve fallen head over heels for the best EVs and PHEV SUVs, from purely electric to battery assisted plug-in hybrids that can drive under electric power for the daily routine and use gas for longer trips. All of them are cleaner, greener and so much fun to drive.
Plus, you get to skip the gas station, sometimes or all the time.
This story is 100% human-researched and written based on actual first-person knowledge, extensive experience and expertise on the subject of cars and trucks.
The Best EVs and PHEV SUVs Is a Growing List
But which are the best EVs and PHEV SUVs? And how can you tell which is right for you? The list of options is growing by the day as more and more manufacturers roll out more electric-powered options. Some carmakers, like Toyota, are moving to a fully “electrified” lineup of hybrids, plug-in hybrids and EVs; others, like BMW, Audi and Mercedes, are offering EV and hybrid versions of their most popular cars and SUVs. And yet others, like Kia and Hyundai, continue to sell what the market demands, though efficiency is a top priority. When evaluating an EV, we look for:
- More horsepower than a comparable gas-powered model
- A range that can accommodate daily driving needs
- Dual motors for all wheel drive
- Tesla-charger compatibility
- Fast-charge capability at a level 3 DC fast charger
- A generous warranty on the EV powertrain—typically 8 years or more
And in the future there’ll be more as car makers expand their offerings and focus on EVs in places like Europe and Asia, many of which will be available here, too. Here are the best EVs and PHEV SUVs on the market right now that we absolutely love.
The Audi Q6 e-tron Is All We Love About Audi, Amplified
Audi has defined its modern era through innovation, developing a tech-focused interior, dancing exterior lights and a stream-lined lineup that builds on its design and engineering expertise. The Volkswagen Group, which owns Audi, takes a lot of its technology and innovations from this luxury carmaker, so it’s usually first to the game with the best features and details.
The Q6 e-tron, a mid-size SUV that is the Q5’s doppelgänger, is a great example of that, showcasing Audi’s “digital cockpit,” a dash-spanning screen with crisp, clear graphics and satellite images, voice assistance and custom settings that allow you to personalize your experience. But it’s the 456 HP under foot that sets this apart, as well as the very comfortable driving range. We love that Audi is designed for cold weather driving and manages that challenge well.
“I have no doubt that the Q6 e-tron is Audi’s best all-electric SUV yet,” said Myriam Joire when she reviewed the Audi Q6 e-tron for us. “The company has clearly learned a lot from the Q8 e-tron and Q4 e-tron and the Q6 e-tron is much better for it. But is that enough? Within Audi’s lineup, the Q6 e-tron makes perfect sense. It’s the obvious choice for any Audi (particularly Q5) customer looking for an all-electric SUV.”
- Electric Range: 329 miles
- Starting Price: $64,500
- Best Feature: Audi’s digital cockpit
The Redesigned Toyota RAV4 PHEV Rocks All Worlds
It’s not just that Toyota added a plug-in hybrid to its ultra-popular RAV4 compact SUV, but that the addition was strategic. When the company redesigned the RAV4 for 2026 they decided to offer the PHEV in both the Sport and Woodland models, but not in the core lineup. That’s partially because the PHEV system adds a bit to the price, but it also adds to the performance withy 324 HP, nearly a 100 bump up from the standard hybrid powertrain.
That extra power gives the RAV4 GR Sport all the juice it needs to deliver more fun on the road, and the Woodland edition the muscle to power over hills and through creek beds, which it is intended to do and now, quietly.
“After spending time behind the wheel and driving the Core, Rugged, and Sport RAV4 editions, it’s easy to see which one fits best with your life,” said our Natalie Merola. “I love the GR Sport and can’t wait to drive it more. The extra power and sporty feel make every drive feel just a bit more thrilling.”
Specs to Know:
- Electric Range: 42 miles (with 38 MPG from the hybrid engine)
- Starting Price: $41,500
- Best Feature: The redesigned front cabin with dual phone charge pads
The Rivian R1S 3-Row SUV Elevates Your Life
When the Rivian R1S made its debut, we knew it was the SUV we’d been waiting for: A true 3-row SUV with seating for 7, capacity for kids, car seats, room for strollers and camping gear, off road chops that can conquer even the ugliest winters, and an all electric power plant that relegates road trip stops for snacks and bathroom breaks only.
In the five years since Rivian’s R1S SUV and R1T pickup truck have been in our world, Rivian has worked hard to make them even better. Last year they introduced a new Quad edition—quad for four motors—that puts out an astounding 1,025 HP and can go where no other like-size SUV can. And they’ve introduced true point-to-point hands-free driving that is sort of like having your own Waymo in your driveway.
But the foundational R1S is roundly impressive because even at the entry level, it makes no compromises. It’s comfortable and capable on the road with all you expect in an SUV: high ground clearance, good visibility and all the features you know and need. It has lots of innovative touches, from a clam shell tail gate to cool storage cubbies. Best of all, the base model is faster, goes further and now, has a lower entry price than it did five years ago. Big yay.
- Electric Range: 270-374 miles
- Starting Price: $76,990
- Best Feature: Pet mode, which keeps the cabin cool while the R1S is parked
The Electric Soul-Stirrer, Mustang Mach-E
When the iconic Mustang added its name to the electric Mustang Mach-E, the skeptics scoffed. Would it work? Woud it be convincing? Not only did Ford put all its Mustang smarts into this car, I said when I first reviewed it, but they did it in a way that blends the best of what we know, need and love in cars with smart design details that advance the future of car design.
I liked it so much I took it as a long-term test drive and put it to the test on road trips, sought out tips from other owners and convinced my family to drive it, too (they loved it as much as I do).
The best part may be all the options it offers; there’s a road rally GT version designed for light off-roading, premium details and a base model that has a much lower starting price than it did just a few years ago.
Specs to Know:
- Electric Range: 240-320 miles
- Starting Price: $35,818
- Best Feature: The design. It’s just gorgeous
Related: The 7 Best 7 Passenger Luxury SUVs
The Spacious Space-Age Kia EV9
Kia is on a journey to build more luxurious and aspirational cars, and the Kia EV9 is part of that future. Taking a cue from the Kia Telluride, the EV9 is a fantastic option for families who want an all-electric experience but also need space, luxuries and future-forward tech.
The EV9 shares much of its technology and framework with the Hyundai Ioniq 9, from its wide, flat front screen, voice-activated assistance, top-tier safety systems and fast recharging, reclaiming up to 80% in 18 minutes at a DC Fast Charge station. The only drawback is that to get its best features, all wheel drive and a longer range, buyers will need to look to the middle or higher trim levels. Still, everyone will feel posh in this future-forward SUV with seats that evoke a mid-century design feel, a sunroof that floods the cabin with light and materials that feel simply posh.
Specs to Know:
- Electric Range: 230-304 miles
- Starting Price: $54,900
- Best Feature: This modern design, inside and out
Our Favorite PHEV: The Kia Sorento
I can’t say enough about the Kia Sorento. It’s one of the few 3-row PHEVs that offers space, affordability and a decent electric drive range—31 miles for a single charge. To entice PHEV buyers, Kia has loaded the Sorento PHEV with lots of luxury features, from leatherette seating and heated front seats, expansive screens and standard all wheel drive. Upgrade for a panoramic sunroof, leather seating and even more luxe features.
The best part, though, is never having to get gas. Owners who charge it regularly—and a standard household outlet can replenish the Sorento overnight—is a true bonus, one that Brittany Winters discovered when she bought hers. She wasn’t looking for a PHEV but wanted a hybrid; the electric-only power was a bonus. She quickly learned she could plug her Sorento in every day and do her errands, grocery runs, dog park runs and playdates on electric, bypassing the gas station every week. And when her plans take her further, the hybrid engine takes over and is still very efficient, getting about 36 MPG.
Specs to Know:
- Hybrid range: 31 miles
- Starting Price: $48,290
- Best Feature: A 3rd row that’s big enough for daily use
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 Earned Its Place Among the Best EVs
Hyundai was early to the EV party with the Ioniq 5 and has kept it going since with innovations and iterations that continue to show us just how capable and fun these little SUVs can be. At its outset it was named World Car of the Year for 2022, as well as World Car Design of the Year and World Electric Car of the Year. Then, Hyundai added a sport version, the Ioniq 5 N, fully outfitted with paddle shifters, a loud “engine” and downshifting rev-matching, boost mode and best of all, 641 HP to really rocket you around a track. That one won the Performance Car of the Year award for 2024.
Then, the brand introduced an XRT off-road version to give it even greater capability in snow, sand and on trails, a place that an EV really makes sense; who wants loud engines and smelly emissions poisoning the back-to-nature experience?
But it’s the basics that won over so many fans: quick charging capability—up to 80% recharged in 18 minutes at a DC Fast Charger—Tesla Super Charger capability, phone-as-key function, reverse charging vehicle-to-load capability and an open cabin, all at a lower price than when it was introduced just a few years ago.
Specs to Know:
- Electric Range: up to 318 miles
- Starting Price: $35,000
- Best Feature: The open cabin design lends a luxe feel in this very well-priced EV
The Charmingly Efficient Chevy Equinox EV
This might be the most-for-your-money EV on the road; it’s loaded with great features including Super Cruise hands-free driving. Liv Leigh reviewed it for us, then leased it, she was so smitten.
As a driver with physical limitations, Liv looks very closely at every car she drives and reviews, and that’s a lot of cars. The Chevy Equinox hit on all points for her. “The thing is, it just doesn’t drive big. It FEELS like a much smaller, more nimble car, and that really contributes to how comfortable it is to drive,” she said. “It definitely doesn’t feel like the teensy little Bolt, but it doesn’t feel BIG. The seating position, interior layout, dashboard design, and excellent visibility help make it feel just right.”
Specs to Know:
- Electric Range: up to 319 miles
- Starting Price: $34,995
- Best Feature: The 17″ multimedia screen
Bring Everyone Along in the Volvo EX90
This is the EV we waited, and waited, and waited for: The Volvo EX90. With seating for 7, a rethought front cabin, Volvo’s top-notch design and sustainable and renewable materials, this SUV is both comfortable and fun. The model’s several trim options offer HP that ranges from 329 to a racecar-like 670, as well as the option of all wheel drive.
Specs to Know:
- Electric Range: 293-305 miles
- Starting Price: $78,090
- Best Feature: The glowy back-lit dashboard and door panels
The Always Elegant, Now Pluggable, Mazda CX-90
When Mazda redesigned its flagship 3-row SUV, the Mazda CX-90, the company worked hard to ensure it delivered everything its customers want. On that list: fewer gas station stops. And we get that; when you have a car full of kids and lots of stops to make, a stop for fuel is just an invitation for mayhem that makes the day longer (“Can I get a soda?” “I need the bathroom” “I need my homework out of the trunk” “Wheeennnnnn are we going to be there???”).
With a gas-powered turbo, a hybrid and a plug-in hybrid, Mazda wanted to provide whichever powertrain option buyers wanted. We’re fans of the PHEV for the reduced stops and increased pleasantness in the car. All the premium finishes and comforts are merely a bonus.
Specs to Know:
- Electric Range: 27 miles
- Starting Price: $50,695
- Best Feature: The sporty performance delivers 323 HP
The Range-Defying Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e
This may be our favorite PHEV on the market right now, purely for the 60 mile driving range. Yes, 60 miles. The EPA estimate of the Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e is 50 miles but on my test drive I found the system reliably outdid that by 10 miles and I was grateful for Every. Single. One. That’s because this is not a ‘daily plugger’ but a 2x or 3x a week plugger; you get a pass on those days you’re just too busy to plug it in (can you imagine?).
Then, it’s all Mercedes-Benz: The design, the technology, the comforts are everything you expect in the mid-size GLC SUV from the luxury carmaker—there’s a reason the GLC is their best-seller. Plus it delivers a confidence-inducing 313 HP output that’ll never leave you worried you can’t pass that annoying truck ahead.
Specs to Know:
- Electric Range: 50+ miles
- Starting Price: $60,300
- Best Feature: The 17″ multimedia screen
The All-Electric and Ultra Luxe Lucid Gravity Adds Incredible Family Function
The Lucid Gravity’s exterior hides a few secrets: First, you might be surprised to learn that this elegant SUV has a 3rd row and seats up to seven passengers. You’ll definitely find delight in its huge cargo space which is larger than it’s luxury EV competitors, some of which are much longer and taller. And then when you learn why it has all that space you have to smile: It has minivan inspired 3rd row s eats that stow in the floor, creating a cargo well when up and a spacious load space when they’re down.
That’s just part of this car’s charm; adding to it is the long range, up to 450 miles, the power it generates, up to 828 HP and interior design ‘themes’ that set the tone in the cabin. Add the control screens, the glass roof—yes it’s nearly all glass and it’s fun to drive nature, and if this is in your budget, it’s also likely in your future.
Specs to know:
- Electric Range: up to 450 miles
- Starting Price: $79,000
- Best Feature: The spacious, luxurious interior
Caddy’s Best EV: Cadillac Lyriq
Cadillac is unapologetic about its commitment to electrification. The company’s 5 EV models showcase electric luxury from entry-level to super-car level of poshness. But the Cadillac Lyriq, a 5-passenger SUV, is in our opinion, the best EV of the bunch. It’s smart, fast-charging, fun to drive and the simplified trim lineup makes it easy to shop. And, for those who want the true Cadillac experience, the V trim delivers 615 HP—nearly double the rear wheel drive model’s 365 HP which is in itself, a luxury.
The cabin is comfortable and quiet, and for a two-row SUV, quite spacious with ample room for kids car seats or tall passengers. However, if you do need a 3rd row, the Vistiq takes everything the Lyriq does and simply adds more seating.
Specs to Know:
- Electric Range: 319 miles
- Starting Price: $59,200
- Best Feature: The unique front and rear lights
Seven Passengers? No Problem: Hyundai Ioniq 9
If you’re sitting in the Hyundai Ioniq 9, you’re among the privileged who can take in the company’s advanced design language and materials; it’s sort of like sitting in their design studio and seeing how they envision the future. The future, it turns out, is crafted in soft colors and materials, a calming sense created by rounded corners and lower thresholds so you can see more of the landscape around you. Tech is designed with purpose, from screens to voice activation and interior microphones that let everyone be heard. An auto pay system will let you charge on the go without popping out the credit card, and eventually (probably, hopefully) payments that will extend to coffee shops, curbside pickup and park passes.
For now, though, the Ioniq 9 is among the best EVs on the road, a luxe and capable 3-row SUV perfect for family routines and road trips—since it’s Tesla Super Charger compatible, delivers up to 422 HP in all wheel drive and charges fast at level 3 chargers.
Specs to Know:
- Electric Range: up to 335 miles
- Starting Price: $58,955
- Best Feature: Flexible storage makes the interior feel calm and uncluttered
The OG Best EV Is Back and Better Than Ever: Nissan Leaf
For a time the Nissan Leaf was the most-driven EV on the road. That’s because Nissan got to the party early and planted its flag everywhere; the Leaf has been sold in pretty much everywhere around the world EVs are now sold.
Finally, to celebrate its 16th birthday, Nissan gave it a massive makeover with a new shape, luxe features and a decidedly chic look about it, inside and out. With a power output of 214 HP, seating for five and 35 minutes to charge to 80%, it’s a better option for around-town driving than long hauls, but it can do that, too. But probably the best part its price and the fact that you’ll never have to pay for gas making it one of the best deals on the road.
Specs to Know:
- Electric Range: up to 303 miles
- Starting Price: $29,990
- Best Feature: The haptic touch-sensitive features and open cabin feel
The Uber-Charming VW ID. Buzz STILL Has Us Smitten
If there is a cuter, more fun car on the market we have yet to find it. The VW ID. Buzz, which got us talking all over again with the recent news that the 2027 model will have a camping trim with special features for sleeping in the wild, might be the ultimate 3-row EV. It’s by far the most spacious, it’s filled with luxuries like standard front massage seats, and it can be ordered with a fancy electrochromatic sunroof that frosts at the touch of a button and a cargo area organization system that made us geek out just a bit at the idea of filling it with all the necessities.
“I swore I’d never drive a minivan,” said Kim Smith. “As a millennial mom, I thought it was the car equivalent of surrendering my identity. But then the 2025 VW ID. Buzz rolled into my life, and suddenly, the line between “mom mobile” and “cool ride” got very, very blurry.”
But it’s the basics that we really love the most: the decent range, all wheel drive option and a 3rd row that will hold half the basketball team, even those who are 6’4″ (or taller!). It’s truly a standout for families or those who simply want to live a more charmed life.
Specs to Know:
- Electric Range: 239 miles
- Starting Price: $59,995
- Best Feature: The huge 3rd row
When shopping for an electric car, hybrid or PHEV, assess your needs and capabilities honestly. If you can’t regularly charge at car at home, a hybrid may be a better choice. If you frequently take long drives to places where electric charging isn’t as prevalent, a PHEV that you can keep charged for short distance driving may be the way to go. And keep in mind that most all electric models have several battery options which can impact not only driving range, but also horsepower, all wheel drive capability and price.
But no matter which way you decide to go, welcome to the future of driving. And to the fun of electric car driving!
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