Consumer Reports – September 2019

Road Report Electric Cars Come of Age

ADDITIONAL ELECTRIC VEHICLES are arriving

on the market soon, so if your needs aren’t met

by a Tesla Model 3 or a Chevrolet Bolt, you

won’t have to wait long for a wider selection.

A host of new EVs are going on sale within the

next 18 months, and almost every automaker

will offer one by 2023, according to market

research firm IHS Markit.

These include affordable commuter cars,

luxury crossovers, and even pickup trucks that

plug in. Many of these new EVs will come from

established automakers, but a few startups

also have promised new vehicles. Many of

these models have federal tax credits available.

Here’s a model-by-model look at the next

generation. BY KEITH BARRY

AVAILABLE NOW

Audi E-Tron

MSRP: $74,800

RANGE: 204 MILES*

Audi’s newest luxury

SUV is all-electric, and

its size falls between

the Q5 and Q8. The

automaker says it can

go from 0 to 60 mph

in 5.5 seconds. We’ve

purchased an E-Tron

and will publish test

results soon.

Kia Niro EV

MSRP: $38,500

RANGE: 239 MILES*

The Niro hatchback

was already available

as a traditional hybrid

and plug-in hybrid.

Now, Kia offers an all-

electric version. Like

the similar Hyundai

Kona EV, it’s currently

available only in select

states. We are testing

one now.

COMING SOON

BMW iX3 EV

MSRP: $72,000*

RANGE: 250 MILES*

As Hyundai did with its

Kona Electric, BMW is

using a popular SUV

as the basis for its new

model. This X3-based

SUV promises fast

charging and luxury

appointments. It’s

scheduled to go on

sale in 2020.

Kia Soul EV

MSRP: $36,000*

RANGE: 243 MILES*

This isn’t the first

time we’ve seen an

electric version of the

practical, boxy Soul.

But unlike its short-

range predecessor,

this new model shares

a powertrain with

the Niro EV and the

Hyundai Kona Electric,

and can go much

farther on a full charge.

Mercedes-Benz

EQC

MSRP: $75,000*

RANGE: 200 MILES*

The first car in Mercedes’

new luxury EV lineup is

the EQC SUV. Like other

new luxury EVs, the

EQC is capable of fast

DC charging—it can

reportedly get from

a charge of 10 percent

to 80 percent in as fast

as 40 minutes. It uses

the same confusing

infotainment system

as other new Mercedes

models, and its unique

grille sets it apart from

the GLC it is based on.

Polestar 2

MSRP: $63,000

RANGE: 275 MILES*

From Volvo’s all-electric

performance division,

the Polestar 2 is an all-

wheel-drive hatchback

that shares many design

elements with newer

Volvos. It goes on sale in

the U.S. in late 2020.

Porsche Taycan

MSRP: $90,000-$130,000*

RANGE: 300 MILES*

Porsche is already

taking deposits for

this sporty, premium

EV with ultra-fast

charging. It reportedly

can add 250 miles

of range in less than

20 minutes from an

800-volt charger. It

will have more than

600 hp and accelerate

from 0 to 60 mph in

less than 3.5 seconds,

the automaker says.

Rivian R1T Pickup

and R1S SUV

MSRP: $69,000*

RANGE: 400 MILES*

Rivian is a Michigan-

based startup that

plans to debut an

all-electric pickup

(the R1T) and a rugged

SUV (the R1S) by

the end of 2020. In

addition to futuristic-

looking exteriors,

Rivians have unique

storage compartments

and should be able

to drive through up

to 3 feet of water, the

company says.

Tesla Model Y

MSRP: $48,000*

RANGE: 300 MILES*

This Model 3-based

SUV is scheduled to

arrive in late 2020. All-

wheel drive is optional,

and Tesla says a

Performance version

should be able to go

from 0 to 60 mph in

3.5 seconds.

Volkswagen ID.3

MSRP: $33,600*

RANGE: 200 MILES*

Details are scarce, but

Volkswagen says this

electric hatchback

will be the first in a

family of 20 new EVs.

It’s scheduled to make

its European debut in

September.

*ESTIMATED

10 MORE

EVs

COMING

SOON

Audi E-Tron

Estimated Range: 204 miles

Rivian R1S SUV

Estimated Range: 400 miles

Polestar 2

Estimated Range: 275 miles

60 CR.ORG SEPTEMBER 2019