Consumer_Reports_-_April_2020

HATCHBACK

POLESTAR 2

$63,000

Polestar, an electric-focused

spin-off from Volvo, plans to

release its second model later

this year, a four-door hatchback

aimed to slot in between Tesla’s

Model 3 and Model S. With

an estimated driving range of

275 miles, this tall hatchback

is also likely to be quick. Dual

motors—one at the front axle

and another at the rear—pro-

vide all-whee l drive. Polestar is

also adding some unique styl-

ing details, like a gear selector

with an illuminated Polestar

symbol at the center, and a

thin, bladelike rear light that

stretches the entire width of

the car. The interior sports a

new vegan fabric called

WeaveTech, made without

solvents and a signifi cantly

reduced amount of phthalates,

a chemical typically found in

automotive plastic. Polestar

claims the material is also dirt-

and moisture-resistant.

ON SALE: July 2020*

PICKUP AND SUV

RIVIAN R1T AND R1S

$69,000-$72,500

The R1T is an all-electric

pickup scheduled to

beat Tesla’s Cybertruck

to market by two years.

It has a promised range

of up to 400 miles, up

to 750 horsepower, and

11,000 pounds of towing

capacity. Acceleration from

0 to 60 mph is claimed to

be 3 seconds. It also has a

transverse tunnel between

the bed and cab for storage.

The R1S is a three-row

luxury SUV version. Rivian

is the rare tech startup

that has attracted heavy-

duty investors, including

Amazon, Ford, and Cox

Automotive. Unlike other EV

companies that have faded

like vaporware , Rivian may

have the ability to sop up

some of the pent-up demand

for an electric pickup while

Tesla is still developing its

Cybertruck concept.

ON SALE: Late 2020

FORD MUSTANG

MACH-E

POLESTAR 2

SMALL SUV

MERCEDES-BENZ EQC

$67,900

The EQC is an electric

version of Mercedes’ GLC

SUV. It’s more practical than

the Jaguar I-Pace because

it has plenty of room for

families as well as cargo and

is less expensive than the

Aud i E-Tron. Right now, it

promises a range of more

than 250 miles based on the

standard used in Europe , but

range-conscious customers

should wait for the EPA’s

estimate, which is more

realisti c—and will probably

be lower. Mercedes says

the EQC’s infotainment

system can map out the most

effi cient routes and fi nd

charging stations. Because

Mercedes-Benz hasn’t sold

anywhere near 200,000

EVs, the EQC qualifi es for the

$7,500 federal tax credit.

ON SALE: Spring 2021*

SMALL SUV

TESLA MODEL Y

$52,990-$60,990

The Tesla Model Y is a

crossover version of the

Model 3. The Y won’t have

the trouble-plagued gull-wing

doors of the Model X SUV.

The fi rst versions available

will be the Long Range and

Performance trims, similar

to the approach the car

company took with the

Model 3 rollout. Tesla says

both of these versions will

be capable of an estimated

315 miles of range. These

Model Y trims start at

$52,990 and $60,990,

respectively. The entry-

level Model Y trim, called

Standard Range, won’t begin

production until early 2021.

ON SALE: March 2020

*Estimated. APRIL 2020 CR.ORG 35