The 5 best electric cars: Plus, the cheapest EV available

Features:

• 132 MPGe (miles per gallon of gasoline-equivalent)
• Estimated charging cost per year: $500
• Up to 334 miles on a single charge
• Max speed: 145 mph
• Accelerate from 0-60 mph in 4.2 seconds
• Max power: 430 hp
• Full self-driving capability (autopilot, auto lane change, autopark, and more) with a $12,000 upgrade
• Price: $40,390 (rear wheel drive), $56,390 (dual-motor, AWD)

The Tesla Model 3 was one of the top-selling electric cars of 2022, with good reason. It combines functionality with innovation at a higher price point. Cars usually depreciate in value over time but used Tesla prices show the opposite.

I once ordered a Lyft, and the driver showed up in a Model 3. I had no idea how to open the door. I didn't know right away that you had to press one side, and the other popped open as a handle. Once I was inside, I was blown away by the comfort of the car, the roof that took panoramic to another level, and the large touchscreen that the driver was using to navigate. 

The car has futuristic features, like autopark and auto lane change (part of the $12,000 upgrade to full self-driving capability). It's expensive but a solid investment with some cool perks.

Take the Tesla key card, for example. It's a sleek black card that fits perfectly into your wallet: Forget your keys no longer! If you have more than one Tesla, spanning different models, you can use your one specific key card to unlock them all. If you lose the key card, you can delete it from the car and order a replacement for $25. 

Say you forget to tap your card on your Tesla to lock it -- the car has a walk-away feature that detects when you walk away and locks automatically (watch YouTuber POGAuto demonstrate here). If you leave the windows open, the car will automatically close them for you when it locks. You can also control the car from the Tesla app, opening and closing the trunk, flashing the lights just in case you're in a dark space and need to locate it, and much more. If you've ever had that moment of "oh no, I think I left my trunk open," this is the car for you.

Pros:

• No key fob is necessary -- just use the Tesla key card or the app
• Amazing level of control over the car, even from afar, through the app
• Lock valuables in the glovebox, which only opens to your preset PIN number
• Two wireless chargers
• Rear heated seats, including the middle seat

Cons:

• Pricey when compared to other options
• The earliest estimated delivery is in six months
• Back windows open halfway

Features:

• 107 MPGe (miles per gallon gasoline-equivalent)
• Estimated charging cost per year: $600
• Up to 270 miles on a single charge
• Max speed: 127 mph
• Max power: 408 hp
• Tow up to 2,000 lbs
• Accelerate from 0-60 mph in 4.2 seconds
• Price: Starts at $40,900 before federal tax credit

If you want something different from a Tesla Model 3 but with similar specs and a comparable driving experience, look no further than the Polestar 2. This sleek electric vehicle has a panoramic roof and an Android tablet screen that connects seamlessly to Google Maps with no need for a phone connection -- and it has Spotify, a radio, and a "Hey Google" function too. You can even control the heated front seats (included) and the car's temperature from the tablet. Also included with the driving experience is a digital driver display behind the steering wheel with multiple views that helps you navigate to where you need to go without being distracted by your phone. 

Also: An electrifying weekend with the Polestar 2

Speaking of phones, you can actually open this car with your phone! Just download the free Polestar app, link it to your Polestar ID, and safely unlock your car by touching the door handle. You can even set the car's temperature in advance -- perfect for hot days when your car feels like an oven or cold days when you need to warm up.

When it comes to the car's design, Polestar has its design roots in Volvo, which can be seen in subtle choices throughout the vehicle. The audio with the Polestar 2 is top-notch: The system delivers 250 watts through eight speakers, including one mounted underneath the hood, just underneath the windshield.

The Polestar 2 holds its own as an electric car with top-of-the-line features. 

Video review: A comprehensive, entertaining walkthrough of this vehicle

Pros:

• The first car with Google built-in
• The digital driver display is user-friendly
• About eight hours of charging on a 3-phase 16A (11 kW) home charging station is all that this car needs
• Frameless door mirrors that move as a unit
• Lots of space in the trunk

Cons:

• The backseat and trunk aren't as roomy as a Tesla Model 3's
• Back windows only go down about halfway
• Heavier than the Tesla Model 3

Features:

• 131 MPGe (miles per gallon of gasoline-equivalent)
• Estimated charging cost per year: $500
• Up to 520 miles per charge
  
• Max speed: 168 mph
• Max power: 1,111 hp
• Accelerates from 0-60 mph in 2.5 seconds
• Price: $87,500, with certain editions (the Air Dream and the Air Grand Touring) qualifying for up to $7,500 federal tax credit

This car won the prestigious 2022 MotorTrends Car of the Year award for a reason -- it's incredibly powerful in both range and horsepower. You get up to 520 miles per charge, and it only takes 20 minutes to charge the car up to 300 miles. The car is made of sustainable materials and finishes and has the option of a glass canopy roof. 

Its staggering 1,111 hp max power is more than double that of the Polestar 2 and the Tesla Model 3, and that max power finds a perfect complement in the 2.5-second acceleration time needed to get from 0-60 mph. 

I admired the dashboard display on the Polestar 2, but the Lucid Air takes it to a higher level with a 34-inch, 5K glass cockpit display, a 21-speaker surreal sound system, and Alexa-enabled voice commands. 

The only downside is the luxury price range for this line of electric vehicles. The Lucid Air Pure starts at $87,400 while the most expensive option of the lot, the Lucid Air Dream Edition, starts at an eye-watering $169,000. 

Pros:

• Up to 520 miles per charge means an unrivaled range
• It only takes 20 minutes to charge the car up to 300 miles
• It has a distinctive design that doesn't look like anything else on the road
• Came out on top compared to other cars, electric or otherwise, to secure the car of the Year award. The criteria included efficiency, value, advancement in design, engineering excellence, safety, and performance.

Cons:

• Expensive
• Slight delays in screen responsiveness 
• Most drivers might not need that much horsepower

Features:

• 120 MPGe (miles per gallon of gasoline-equivalent)
• Estimated charging cost per year: $550
• Up to 259 miles on a single charge
• Max speed: 90.1 mph
• Max power: 200 hp
• Accelerates 0-60 in 6.5 seconds
• Price: $26,595

This car costs about the same to charge per year as a Tesla and has a 120 MPGe, which sets it apart as a highly efficient EV -- and yet it's much more affordable than cars with similar stats. 

The standard model comes with Chevy Safety Assist, which has front pedestrian braking, forward collision alert, automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, distance indicator for a vehicle you're following, and auto high beams, which adjust to traffic conditions. That's a considerable amount of value for the standard model price tag.

Chevy will install a Level 2 charging outlet in your home for free if you purchase or lease a 2022 Bolt EV or EUV. If you go on a road trip, download the myChevrolet mobile app to calculate when you'll need to stop to charge along the way -- and find those needed charging stations too. The app uses the vehicle's current battery level and real-time weather to alert you when to stop and charge the car when you're on the road. It automatically changes its recommendations when driving conditions change. 

The 8-inch graphic display behind the driving wheel shows you essential driver information, like the battery range. There's another screen above the radio, a built-in tablet, that wirelessly connects to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto so that you can stay connected. The icing on the cake is a built-in Alexa that responds to every question and command. This car incorporates the essential high-tech features of luxury options at an accessible price point.

The 2023 Bolt is cheaper than the comparable Nissan Leaf and has a significantly higher driving range. It also has a 56.6 cubic feet cargo capacity with the rear seats folded down compared to the Leaf's 30 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

Pros:

• Free Level 2 home charging outlet installation
• myChevrolet mobile app tells you when it's time to charge
• Wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, and built-in Alexa
• The standard model comes with Chevy Safety Assist 

Cons:

• Only has 200 hp
• Six-speaker audio system is not as powerful as other options

Features:

• 120 MPGe (miles per gallon of gasoline-equivalent)
• Estimated charging cost per year: $550
• Up to 258 miles on one charge
• Max speed: 103.8 mph
• Max power: 201 hp
• Price: $35,295, minus a federal tax credit up to $7,500

The Kona Electric is a formidable all-electric SUV that prioritizes safety and comfort. The steering wheel has mounted audio and cruise controls, the basic package comes with an 8-inch color touchscreen display for audio, and there's a push-button start.

There are some class-exclusive features of the Kona that aren't available on the Chevy Bolt EUV, like the 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster. Class exclusive safety features include Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist. The vehicle can also avoid forward collisions with a pedestrian detect feature and monitors your driving patterns to detect drowsy or inattentive driving. 

The convenience package is $3,500, and it gives you access to some of the perks that higher-end electric vehicles have, including heated front seats, a sunroof, LED interior lighting, and the Hyundai Digital Key, which is an app on your phone that you can use to control your car.

Pros:

• 8-inch touchscreen display
• Has wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for your phone
• Audio and digital controls are mounted to the steering wheel
• Can upgrade to the Hyundai Digital Key, which allows you to control your car from your phone

Cons:

• It doesn't have the power or acceleration ability of some of the other options on this list
• Upgrading to the convenience package costs an additional $3,500