Wheels Advice Best Electric Cars For 2021 Andrew Wendler Forbes Staff Updated Sep 17 2021 Forbes Wheels independently tests and reviews cars and automotive accessories We may earn an a liate commission from links on our site The analysis and opinions are our own 2021 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for EVs Long regarded as novelties with limited range and glacial recharging times mass market EVs have finally crossed the tipping point in the value and cost equation Upstarts like Tesla were here early but when everyone from Chevy to Ford and Jaguar to Porsche is fielding EVs and there s a proliferation of rapid charging networks to support them it s a burgeoning trend The impressive performance numbers that humble their internal combustion counterparts are an added bonus These are the best electrified cars and SUVs for 2021 listed in alphabetical order Audi e Tron View Deals On The Audi e Tron Price starting from 65 900 EPA estimated range 222 miles 78 MPGe Audi e Tron Audi Why We Picked It The first large scale production EV to come from VW s Audi brand the E tron flies under the radar in a segment where broadcasting electrification is standard practice If not for the grille and few pieces of brightwork the EV powertrain within would remain anonymous Power comes from a pair of electric motors one front and one rear for a total output of 414 pound feet of torque or 490 in boost mode enough to launch it to 60 mph in a claimed 5 5 seconds A 95 3 kWh battery is said to provide 222 miles of range and 10 minutes on a DC public charger will net 54 miles As an Audi quattro all wheel drive is standard kit and the interior displays the brand s trademark Teutonic style and ergonomics The EPA pegs the combined mileage at 78 MPGe which isn t bad considering its medium to full size footprint and an interior with space for five fully formed adults Read full specs Pros Cons New lower entry price Stylish exterior of the Sportback blends form and function Snappy high torque EV performance Range is less than some competitors Expensive considering the size of the battery and driving range Only one powertrain configuration Also Featured In 12 in Best Electric Vehicles For Range Chevrolet Bolt Starts at 36 500 EPA estimated range 259 miles 115 MPGe View Deals On The Chevrolet Bolt Chevrolet Bolt Chevrolet Why We Picked It With high line and exotic EVs crowding into the electrified space it might seem a little odd that the humble Chevrolet Bolt did so well in our rankings but that s precisely the point With an EPA estimated 259 miles of range DC fast Charging capability GM claims 100 miles of range in 30 minutes room for four and 56 cubic feet of storage space with the rear seats folded it hits the critical compact vehicle prerequisites at a price the average family can afford Spend some time with the Bolt and you ll that it s also a blast to drive many testers reporting zero to 60 times in the mid 6 second range and sub 16 second quarter mile runs While those numbers are average it s the way the 266 pound feet come on and launch the Bolt with surprising enthusiasm The chassis is tight and the way it likes to cut and run in urban traffic reminds us of the best hot hatches of just a few years ago Still the exterior can be a bit much for buyers who d prefer to go through life without drawing attention to themselves The 2021 Bolt is priced at 37 890 including the 995 destination fee before state tax credits like Tesla GM passed the 200 000 unit sales so it can t dangle the potential 7 500 tax credit to buyers Those willing to wait will be pleased with the 5 000 price adjustment Chevy just made to the forthcoming 2022 version which costs 31 995 and sports a refreshed interior It will also go on sale alongside the all new larger Bolt EUV short for electric utility vehicle think more legroom not cargo space It s priced to sell at 33 995 and will also wow tech fans as it s equipped with GM s SuperCruise semi autonomous driver assistance technology that delivers the same futuristic and fun driving experience as Tesla s AutoPilot Read full specs Pros Cons Roomy interior for such a tiny vehicle Entertaining to drive for any vehicle let alone an EV Long driving range No native navigation system Battery update limits usable storage capacity to 90 Standard equipment isn t as generous as competitive offerings Also Featured In 4 in Forbes Wheels Car Of The Year For 2021 1 in Best Small Cars For 2021 7 in Best Electric Vehicles For Range Ford Mustang Mach E Starts at 43 895 EPA estimated range 260 270 miles Forbes Wheels Rating 90 100 View Deals On The Ford Mustang Mach E Ford Mustang Mach E Ford Why We Picked It A couple of years into the Mach E s development Ford observed the segment was filling up fast and knew it had to do something to stand out among a crowd of crossover shaped EVs To do so it leveraged one of the most treasured names in the Ford portfolio and instructed the designers to stretch out that roofline for more of a fastback shape And though it s related to the Mustang in name alone it still offers an engaging driving experience as long as you re not expecting the rumble of V8 to announce your arrival Various front and all wheel drive models are on offer providing between 210 and 300 miles of range Range figures for the high performance Mustang Mach E GT and Mach E Performance Edition are forthcoming Read our review here Pros Cons Solid real world driving range Satisfying performance Intuitive technology More expensive than gasoline powered SUVs Tesla still wins on driving range efficiency Public charging still lags Tesla s Supercharger network Also Featured In 5 in Best Electric Vehicles For Range Hyundai Kona Electric Starts at 37 390 EPA estimated range 258 miles 120 MPGe View Deals On The Hyundai Kona Electric Hyundai Kona Electric Hyundai Why We Picked It Hyundai s Kona won plenty of fans when it was launched for the 2018 model year for its spunky looks and driving demeanor and the Kona EV inherits that legacy with the benefit of an EV powertrain Utilizing a single electric motor and a 64 kWh battery pack the Kona squeaks out an impressive 258 mile range and earned a combined 120 MPGe from the EPA It s still fun to drive though thanks largely to the Electric motor s 291 pound feet of torque A near doppelganger of its internal combustion sibling the Kona EV tones down the color keyed fender flares and adds a futuristic fascia that stops just short of being gimmicky Part of Hyundai s mission to