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Update: I just got the recall fix done at my local Hyundai dealer. They had never seen an IONIQ 5 before, and one employee asked if I was coming in for an oil change. Nevertheless, I was in and out of the dealership in about 30 minutes.
As an IONIQ 5 owner myself, I was not thrilled to see the first manufacturer recall coming in one month into ownership. I love the car, and it would take a lot to change that. Here’s what you need to know about the 2022 Hyundai IONIQ 5 recall.
IONIQ 5 Recall 228 Issued for Potential Vehicle Rollaway
On May 12, Hyundai dealers received notification of a stop-sale for IONIQ 5 electric crossovers built between November 2021 and April 2022. The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Hyundai have announced a recall for select VIN numbers of the 2022 model year IONIQ 5.
The IONIQ 5 recall is for the potential for disruptions to the vehicle’s parking actuator system when the vehicle is off. Sudden voltage fluctuations may occur while the vehicle is off, potentially causing the parked vehicle to disengage from ‘Park’ momentarily. If this occurs while the vehicle is parked on uneven terrain, vehicle rollaway is possible.
While no incidences have been reported in North America, 4 incidences have occurred in South Korea. No injuries have been reported. This is a serious recall with the potential for crashes and injuries if preventative action is not taken.
What Has Hyundai Said About the Recall?
My own IONIQ 5 is affected, so I’ve experienced this firsthand. Upon entering my vehicle’s VIN number into Hyundai’s online recall search tool, the following summary and technical information was displayed:
Description of Hyundai Recall 228
“Hyundai is initiating a safety recall to address a condition involving the parking actuator system in certain 2022 model year Hyundai IONIQ 5 vehicles in the U.S. and Canada. Hyundai is initiating this action to ensure the safety of its vehicles for Hyundai customers.”
Safety Risk
“The shift-by-wire system in the subject vehicles contains a shifter control unit (“SCU”) and electronic parking pawl actuator. A voltage fluctuation may occur with the vehicle off and in the park (P) position, which could impact the command signal from the SCU to the parking actuator, resulting in momentary disengagement of the parking pawl and potential vehicle rollaway. Vehicle rollaway after parking increases the risk of a crash and/or injuries.”
Remedy (Updated)
“Hyundai recommends all affected owners to use their electronic parking brake (“EPB”) when parking their vehicles to mitigate the risk of vehicle roll-away before the recall is performed. All owners of the subject vehicles will be notified by first class mail with instructions to bring their vehicles to a Hyundai dealer to have the SCU software updated. This remedy will be offered at no cost to owners for all affected vehicles, regardless of whether the affected vehicles are still covered under Hyundai’s new vehicle limited warranty.”
I’m not a fan of all-caps, so I typed it out for you above. But here’s how Hyundai shared the recall information:
Check Your VIN Number for the IONIQ 5 Recall
To see if your Hyundai IONIQ 5 is affected by this recall, enter your vehicle’s VIN number into the database at Hyundai’s online recall search tool. Affected owners will be notified, but the quickest way to find out if you’re affected is to use the online tool.
CarEdge’s Take
Recalls happen all the time, but I sure wish this could be fixed with an over-the-air update from the convenience of my home. Even Tesla electric vehicles see an abundance of recalls, but Tesla’s integration of OTA update capability rarely makes them an inconvenience. While you await your dealer service center visit, Hyundai says it’s best to engage the parking brake to prevent possible vehicle roll-away. Don’t park on a hill without the parking brake engaged.
As an IONIQ 5 owner myself, I’ll be following the situation closely. Check back for updates.
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We hear it all the time: electric cars save you money. Electricity is cheaper than gas, EVs require less maintenance, and incentives abound. However, there’s no hiding the fact that electric vehicles are expensive, especially the models with the best range, performance and charge rates. To shed light on the reality of electric vehicle savings, we dug deep into the data. How long does it take to break even when buying an EV? We were surprised with what we found.
Five Examples of EVs Versus Combustion Competitors
The X4 is one of the most direct competitors to the 2022 Tesla Model Y, the best selling electric vehicle in America. Although Tesla models no longer qualify for the federal EV tax credit, the cost of the BMW X4 and high fuel consumption make this an interesting comparison.
Pickup trucks get the worst fuel economy. It’s just a matter of physics; the shape of a truck is not aerodynamic, and they’re often heavy. The F-150 Lightning weighs 35% more than the gas-powered F-150. So you would think that the time to break even would be shorter when buying an electric truck over the combustion equivalent.
This side-by-side comparison highlights the importance of price parity for EVs. When EVs are similarly priced to ICE vehicles, the cost of ownership savings are crystal clear. But what about when the electric version costs over $25,000 more out the door? Have a look for yourself.
Toyota sells nearly half a million RAV4s every year. Will things change now that Toyota has launched its first fully-electric vehicle? The all-new bZ4X lacks the range and charging speed to compete with the best in 2022’s electric segment, but how does it stack up to the popular RAV4 hybrid? How long would it take to break even when paying a premium for the electric bZ4X?
Subaru’s first EV is built on the same electric platform as the new Toyota bZ4X. Subaru is known for being Earth-friendly, but is the new Solterra EV friendly to your wallet? With range and charging figures more akin to 2015’s standards than today’s best EVs, the Subaru Solterra is off-road capable, but a tough sell for those who truly venture off the beaten path.
The Hyundai IONIQ 5 won big at the 2022 World Car Awards, but is it a winner for your wallet? It all depends on how much you drive, and how long you plan to keep the vehicle. The Hyundai Santa Fe just received a total makeover, and its price remains much lower than the IONIQ 5’s. Still, EVs are super efficient and electricity is cheap. Just how long would it take to break even when buying an IONIQ 5 EV instead of the more affordable Santa Fe crossover?
Disclaimer: I own a Hyundai IONIQ 5 Limited AWD, and it’s awesome.
Model
MSRP
Price Difference
Incentives
Fuel Economy
Range
Time to Refuel
Cost to Refuel ($5.00/gal or $0.14 per kWh)
Annual Fuel Cost (15,000 miles)
Average Annual Maintenance Cost
Time to Break Even
Hyundai Santa Fe SEL
$27,875
--
26 MPG
489 miles
5 min
$94.00
$2,883
$228
Hyundai IONIQ 5 SEL RWD
$45,900
+$18,005
Fed, state and local
3.4 mi/kWh (114 MPGe)
303 miles
20 to 30 min
$10.15
$502
$77
7 years (4.2 yrs with tax credit)
Electric Vehicle Savings: Other Factors to Consider
In many states and localities, thousands of dollars of additional incentives are available. Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland and California are just some of the states with very generous EV incentives. State and local incentives can reduce the time to break even considerably. For example, in Delaware, buyers of the Hyundai IONIQ 5 will break even versus the Santa Fe in just 3.5 years with the federal EV tax credit and state rebates factored in.
Conversely, for car buyers who can’t take advantage of the federal EV tax credit or any state incentives, it will take many more years to reap the full savings of switching to an electric vehicle. In the case of the new Ford F-150 Lightning, it could take up to 8 years to break even without any incentives, assuming 15,000 miles per year of driving.
Check this out >>> The North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center’s DSIRE database is the BEST one-stop resource for all EV incentives. Plus, you’ll see what solar power incentives are available in your area too.
Miles Driven
The difference between driving 10,000 miles per year and 20,000 miles per year is massive when it comes to realizing the savings of driving an EV. The average American driver travels about 14,000 miles per year in their vehicle. Simply put, long-distance commuters, frequent travelers and fleet operators will see the greatest cost savings of going electric.
With the 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning, a driver who travels 15,000 miles per year and can take advantage of the full $7,500 federal EV tax credit should expect to break even versus a combustion F-150 in 7 years. However, if they drive 25,000 miles per year, the break even period narrows to just 4 years. After that, they will be saving roughly $4,000 every year in fuel and maintenance costs. Clearly, EVs make more sense as a long-term purchase.
Maintenance
The maintenance figures included in this cost comparison is sourced from We Predict, a Michigan-based data analysis company. They dug deep into automotive maintenance data and found that during the first three years of vehicle ownership, the average annual maintenance for an electric vehicle is just $77. And based on personal experience, that’s likely for new tires (EVs are MUCH heavier).
During the same period, combustion vehicles average $228 in annual maintenance, with most of the costs in the first few years going towards oil changes and the like.
We may be underestimating the maintenance savings associated with going electric when comparing luxury brands. For example, BMW is notorious for costly maintenance. Opting for a Tesla Model Y over a BMW will likely result in even greater maintenance savings, and therefore a reduced break-even period.
Gas Prices!
As of early June 2022, the average gas price in the United States is $4.87 per gallon. In California, it’s $6.34. Nevada, Hawaii, Washington, Oregon and Illinois all have gas prices much higher than the national average. In these states, EV drivers will see even greater fuel savings.
Let’s take a closer look at an example of someone purchasing a Hyundai IONIQ 5 in California. We’ll assume that the consumer qualifies for the full $7,500 EV tax credit and the $2,500 state rebate for a zero-emissions vehicle. They drive 15,000 miles per year. At gas prices of $6.34 per gallon, the break even point for the IONIQ 5 versus the Hyundai Santa Fe arrives in just 2.5 years, versus 4 years for the rest of the nation. That figure includes the 59% higher residential electricity rates in California.
CarEdge’s Take
What can we learn from this EV cost of ownership comparison? The specifics of your situation matter.
What combustion vehicle are you considering in addition to an EV?
These are the most important questions to ask when deciding whether or not it makes sense to buy an EV in 2022. Have questions? Let us know in the comments, or better yet join the CarEdge family at caredge.kinsta.cloud/community. You can also reach me at justin@CarEdge.com. We’d love to hear from you.
Norwegian EV testers have found that the Toyota bZ4X does not get anywhere close to achieving the claimed range, efficiency and battery capacity shared by Toyota. The most we’ll known EV testers in Norway, Elbil24, tested the AWD Toyota bZ4x three times in 70-degree weather, and we’re shocked with the data they collected.
Here’s a summary of what they found, but I recommend reading it for yourself at elbil24.no (using a translator). Elbil24 found that the AWD Toyota bz4x has a 62 kilowatt-hour usable battery, much lower than the 71 kWh Toyota claims. In standardized range testing with an outdoor temperature of 70 degrees F and with the climate control set to 73 F, the bZ4X drove just 190 miles on a full charge. Its efficiency is 25% worse than Toyota claims. Merely turning the climate control on dropped the range estimate by nearly 30%.
This isn’t the first poor showing for the model. Toyota bZ4X charging tests are bad to the point that it’s almost scary. InsideEVs previously found that it takes 90 minutes (yes, 1.5 hours) to charge the AWD bZ4X from 0% to 90% (adding 205 miles of range). Trying to get the car to 100% was pointless. It took another few HOURS. Check out their experience here.
Needless to say, we can’t recommend the Toyota bZ4X or its platform sibling the Subaru Solterra with testing showing huge disappointments. We’ll update this page as we learn more.
Is Toyota’s First EV Worth It?
When Toyota unveiled the Prius hybrid in August of 2000, green tech and sustainability advocates jumped for joy, while the rest of the world pondered the reliability and durability of a hybrid gasoline-electric powertrain. Toyota proved to the world that it was on to something, and has since gone on to sell more than 15 million hybrid vehicles globally. Over 22 years later, Toyota has launched its first-ever fully-electric vehicle, the 2023 Toyota bZ4X. Has the bZ4X electric crossover been worth the wait? Well, it depends on your driving habits and budget. Here’s what we know.
bZ4X Pricing and Availability
For those who were anticipating an affordable EV from Toyota, I have some bad news. The 2023 bZ4X starts nearly $17,000 above the entry-level RAV4, and $12,000 over the RAV4 XLE Hybrid. The bZ4X is offered in two trims: XLE and Limited. The front-wheel drive XLE starts at $43,215 with destination. Adding dual-motor all-wheel drive to either trim will tack on $2,080. The Toyota bZ4X Limited with all-wheel drive comes out to $49,995. Of course, these MSRPs are before any dealer markups.
bZ4X Incentives
Although the bZ4X is Toyota’s first fully-electric mass-market vehicle, America’s best-selling brand sold enough Prius and RAV4 plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) to approach the sales cap enshrined in the existing federal EV tax credit. In 2022, the federal EV tax credit is worth up to $7,500, depending on your tax liability. Tesla and General Motors electric vehicles no longer qualify for this incentive after the two automakers exceeded their 200,000 sale limit, and completed the phase-out period.
Analysts (and even Toyota itself) estimate that the bZ4X will remain eligible for the full $7,500 EV tax credit through 2022. Soon after, they expect to hit the 200,000 sale limit, and the one-year phase out period will ensue until the credit disappears entirely.
State incentives in the form of rebates, tax credits and tax exemptions promote EV adoption in a number of states around the country. Find out if your state offers generous incentives here.
Free charging?
Toyota will offer bZ4X owners and lessees one year of free fast charging at EVgo stations.
EVgo is America’s third-largest public charging network behind Tesla and Electrify America. Over 800 DC fast chargers are located around the U.S., with most located on the coasts, Texas and Great Lakes region.
The Toyota bZ4X’s Charging and Range Are Already Outdated
Before you get too excited about free charging at EVgo, let’s talk charging capabilities. Electric vehicle enthusiasts like myself are puzzled by the outdated charging speeds of the 2023 bZ4X. The front-wheel drive bZ4X is capable of charging at up to 150 kilowatt speeds, which isn’t bad (if the charging curve can sustain that). However, the more powerful and likely more popular all-wheel drive bZ4X is only capable of charging at 100 kilowatts. Why the difference? Battery supply shortages forced Toyota to source the batteries for these two powertrain variants from two different suppliers. And with these charging speeds, it almost seems like Toyota was scraping the bottom of the global battery barrel.
The bZ4X’s charging times are wild, and not in a good way. A recent bZ4X charging test by Kyle Conner of Out of Spec Reviews found that it took 58 minutes (an hour!!!!!) for the AWD bZ4X to charge from 10% to 80%.
Additionally, InsideEVs found that it took 93 minutes to charge from 0% to 90%. That’s NOT normal for an EV in 2022. For comparison, my very own Hyundai IONIQ 5 accomplishes the same feat in 20 minutes, and Tesla’s can do that in 15 minutes. Over 80% of EV charging is done at home overnight, but if you’re a frequent traveler, be very wary of the Toyota bZ4X’s charging speeds.
Range
The 2023 bZ4X’s range is merely okay. It would not be NEARLY as big of an issue if it could charge faster. The front-wheel drive bZ4X is rated for 242 miles with the Limited trim, and 252 miles on the XLE. Upgrade to dual-motor all-wheel drive, and range suffers. The AWD Toyota bZ4X is EPA-rated for 222 miles on the Limited, and 228 miles with lower trims.
Can Performance and Features Redeem Toyota’s First EV?
The bZ4X comes standard with a panoramic glass roof. There’s also adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safe Exit Assist. The Limited’s features include a motion-activated power liftgate, a heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, an upgraded camera, 20-inch rims and faux-leather upholstery. Does that make it worth the hours you’ll spend charging? I’m not so sure.
Toyota’s first EV is loaded with safety features, but bZ4X charging and range capabilities leave a lot to be desired. With the all-wheel drive variant, you’re essentially buying 2016 tech at 2023 prices.
I know more than a few Toyota fans who are disappointed by the bZ4X’s specs. Will this EV turn out to be a winner for Toyota? Time will tell.
Gas prices are up over 50% since last year, and that has more drivers looking to an electric vehicle for their next car purchase. The average EV costs a whopping $19,000 more than internal-combustion engine (ICE) vehicles in 2021, and that figure has surely risen after a dozen price hikes from Tesla and MSRP increases from the rest. So, affordability is hard to come by when shopping for an EV. Fortunately, EV incentives can make a difference, and a big difference depending on where you live.
First and Foremost: The Federal EV Tax Credit
In the United States, the federal EV tax credit remains in effect for up to $7,500 off of next year’s taxes. Revisions to the electric vehicle tax credit failed passage in 2021, but legislators are looking into other pathways for revisions to the law. (Stay up to date with the latest here.)
The current federal EV tax credit code was written with a 200,000 vehicle cap per automaker. Once an automaker sells 200,000 electric vehicles, a step-down of the credit begins to phase out the incentive before it completely disappears. How does the EV tax credit phase out? The credits continue at full value until the second quarter after the 200,000 sale threshold is reached. For the next six months, the EV tax credit steps down to half of the maximum value ($3,750), followed by one-quarter value for the final six months ($1,875).
These are the automakers no longer eligible for the federal EV tax credit:
Tesla (surpassed 200,000 sales in 2018)
General Motors (surpassed 200,000 sales in 2019)
Others have been slow to catch up, but the industry is going all-in on EVs.
These are the next automakers expected to reach the 200,000 sale cap for the federal EV tax credit:
Toyota (expected to begin phase-out in late 2022)
Nissan (expected to begin phase-out in 2023)
Ford (expected to begin phase-out in 2023)
Toyota’s place on the list is due in large part because of plug-in hybrid (PHEV) sales contributing to sales totals.
See the latest federal EV tax credit phase out numbers at EVAdoption, an amazing resource full of head-turning data.
States With the Best Electric Vehicle Incentives
New Jersey EV Incentives
New Jersey’s Charge Up program exhausted funding for the $5,000 rebate, but a sales tax exemption remains. Considering how expensive EVs remain, the value of New Jersey’s sales tax exemptionranges from $2,500 for a vehicle like the Chevy Bolt to nearly $8,000 for a luxury EV like the Lucid Air. Find out more here.
California EV Incentives
$2,000 rebate (Tesla and higher-priced vehicles such as Lucid and Rivian do not qualify). Details and qualifying vehicles can be found here.
Colorado EV Incentives
$2,500 state tax credit: Colorado’s EV state tax credit will step down to $2,000 in 2023, where it will remain until being eliminated at the end of 2026. Leases qualify for $1,500. Learn more here.
Xcel Energy EV rebate: $5,500 in upfront rebates for new electric vehicles and $3,000 for used models; maximum vehicle price of $50,000. Learn more here.
Connecticut EV Incentives
Incentive amounts currently range from $4,250 for an eligible new battery electric (BEV), $2,250 for a plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV), and up to $9,500 for a fuel cell electric vehicle (hydrogen-powered) when a Standard Rebate is combined with Rebate+ for income qualified individuals. Learn more here.
Massachusetts EV Incentives
Receive $2,500 for a new electric vehicle, and $1,500 for a new plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. Purchases must be made in-state. Learn more here.
Oregon EV Incentives
Up to $2,500 for the purchase or lease of a qualifying new EV. Low- and moderate-income Oregonians can save an additional $5,000 on qualifying new or used EVs. Learn more here.
New York EV Incentives
The Charge NY initiative offers electric car buyers the Drive Clean Rebate of up to $2,000 for new car purchases or leases. Learn more here.
Delaware EV Incentives
A $2,500 rebate is available for the purchase of electric vehicles that do not exceed $60,000 in cost. Plug-in hybrids qualify for $1,000. Learn more here.
Phase Outs and Revisions?
EV incentives are subject to frequent change at the whims of legislators and the limits of funding. Stay informed as you consider your EV purchase. Several states around the country have pending legislation that may affect electric vehicle incentives in the year to come.
EV cost of ownership largely depends on availability of incentives, at least until EV prices come down to cost parity with ICE. When will EVs get cheaper? Not in 2022, and it may be a few years before raw material costs and supply shortages settle into a new normal. In fact, that may be just in time for battery shortages if electric vehicles become as popular as many would suspect.
What do you think? Are state and federal incentives keeping the electric dream alive? What would happen to automaker’s half-trillion dollar electrification plans if incentives were to evaporate overnight? It’s a scary thought considering what’s at stake for them.
At a time when the average transaction price for a new vehicle is inching closer to $50,000, getting your money’s worth matters more than ever. Electric vehicles are popular, but they’re expensive. Most importantly, not all EVs are equal in terms of range, charging speed, and overall value for the money. These are the worst deals for a new electric car in 2022, plus some better alternatives on the market today.
Toyota bZ4X
Long the authority when it comes to hybrid powertrains, the world waited with great anticipation for the first all-electric Toyota. The automaker that brought us the legendary Prius collaborated with Subaru to engineer the 2023 Toyota bZ4X, and its sibling the Subaru Solterra (more on that below). The result is puzzling. At a time when Hyundai, General Motors and of course Tesla are bringing cars to market with fast-charging times under 30 minutes, Toyota jumps into the game with an electric crossover that takes a whole hour to charge under optimal conditions.
Okay, so it charges slowly. What about the Toyota bZ4X’s range? The front-wheel drive bZ4X is rated for 242 miles with the Limited trim, and 252 miles on the XLE. Upgrade to dual-motor all-wheel drive, and range suffers. The AWD Toyota bZ4X is EPA-rated for 222 miles on the Limited, and 228 miles with lower trims.
Pricing starts at $43,215 before incentives, and tops out at $49,995 for the bZ4X Limited all-wheel drive.
Here’s a summary of what the 2023 Toyota bZ4X offers:
Up to 200 miles of range added in one hour
Peak 150 kilowatt (FWD) or 150 kilowatt (FWD) charging
222 to 252 miles of range, depending on trim and motor configuration
Two different battery suppliers, depending on the trim selected
bZ4X pricing: $43,215 – $49,995
The bZ4X does qualify for the $7,500 EV federal tax credit
Subaru Solterra
I get why Subaru drivers love their cars. I’m a fan of the outdoorsy, all-terrain capable vehicles at an attainable price. Now that Subaru’s first electric vehicle has arrived, I’m heartbroken. It’s not a compelling EV, especially compared to the competition as a 2023 model.
Toyota’s new electric platform paired with all-wheel drive and the Subaru badge will set you back at least $46,220, and the Solterra Touring’s MSRP is a lofty $53,220. Range isn’t anything to brag about. In fact, it just might cause range anxiety from day one.
2023 Subaru Solterra
Price: $46,220 – $53,220
Range: 222 – 228 miles
Add up to 180 miles of range in one hour (peak 100 kilowatt charging)
8.3 inches of ground clearance (best in class)
X-MODE electric traction control settings
Perhaps if you don’t travel too far off the beaten path, the 2023 Subaru Solterra could be right for you. But that defeats the purpose of having a Subaru, doesn’t it?
When it comes down to the specs, looks and driving experience, the 2022 Volvo XC40 Recharge is not a bad car. Many owners love its zippy performance and Scandinavian looks. What’s not to like? The price paired with the range. The XC40 Recharge is not an affordable EV. With a starting price of $51,700 and most trim options ending up around $60,000, this Volvo’s price approaches that of its competitor: the Tesla Model Y.
Here’s what to expect from the 2022 Volvo XC40 Recharge:
223 miles of range
Up to 156 miles of range added in 37 minutes
Google operating system for infotainment
0-60 time of 4.7 seconds
Qualifies for the federal EV tax credit
Jaguar I-PACE
The I-PACE was one of the first electric vehicles to earn mainstream popularity in North America. When it arrived in 2018, range and charging capabilities were on-par with the best. What’s the problem then? Jaguar has not invested in powertrain upgrades for the I-PACE, and it has consequently fallen out of favor among EV buyers.
The 2022 Jaguar I-PACE starts at an MSRP of $71,200, plus destination and fees. What do you get for such a lofty price, other than the Jaguar brand?
234 miles of range
Add 187 miles of range (0 to 80%) in 45 minutes at a DC fast charger
0 – 60 time of 4.5 seconds
Qualifies for the federal EV tax credit
Lucid Air
Seasoned electric vehicle enthusiasts may be surprised to see the Lucid Air on this list of overpriced EVs, but hear me out. Although the newly-released 2022 Lucid Air starts at $78,900, you’d be hard pressed to find one in 2022 for under $150,000. Lucid’s design is sharp and sleek, and it’s certainly worthy of a luxury price tag. But if you want all the bells and whistles seen in Lucid’s commercials, brace yourself for sticker shock. The fully-loaded Lucid Air Dream Edition costs $169,900.
Within the electric luxury sedan segment, the Lucid Air makes the Tesla Model S look like a bargain. Although the base ‘Air Pure’ starts at $77,400, the Air Pure won’t be available until late 2022 at the earliest. If you’re looking for luxury, a glass roof, and insane performance, the Tesla Model S offers that and more at $99,990. Even with the federal EV tax credit factored in, the Lucid Air Dream Edition costs over $50,000 more, and stepping down to the Lucid Air Grand Touring at $139,900 will still cost 30% more than the Tesla.
At least you get some impressive specs with the Lucid Air, but the competition offers more value and a longer track record of build quality and electric powertrain performance. Still, the Lucid Air is the range king of all electric cars for now.
Price (for early 2022 availability): $139,900 – $169,900
Range: 406 to 520 miles on a charge
The fastest charging: adds up to 300 miles of range in 20 minutes
At CarEdge, we’re all about solutions. If you’re on the market for one of these overpriced electric cars, here are some more compelling EVs to take for a test drive.
Electric Crossovers
2022 Hyundai IONIQ 5
Why? For less than $50,000, this retro-styled EV sports a roomy cabin, decent range, and ultra-fast charging powered by the new e-GMP platform’s 800-Volt engineering.
Price: $44,875 – $56,200
Range: 256 to 303 miles
Charge time: Adds 180 – 200 miles of range in 18 minutes (230 kW charge speeds)
Why? If you love the Hyundai IONIQ 5’s specs and pricing, but aren’t a fan of the looks, chances are the Kia EV6 will be right up your alley. This sporty electric crossover is also powered by the new e-GMP platform’s 800-Volt architecture for the fastest charging available.
Price: $40,900 – $55,900
Range: 274 to 310 miles
Charge time: Adds 190 – 210 miles of range in 18 minutes (230 kW charge speeds)
Why? You’d be hard-pressed to find a dissatisfied Mustang Mach-E owner. This EV is on a much more sport-oriented suspension, with a family-friendly modern interior.
Price: $43,895 – $61,995
Range: 224 to 314 miles
Charge time: Charging improvement incoming via over-the-air update, but for now, the Mustang Mach-E adds 59 miles of range in ten minutes, and charging from 10%-80% takes about 45 minutes.
Why? This is still the best electric crossover on the market. Great efficiency, range and charging speeds paired with Tesla’s superior over-the-air update capabilities makes this EV the EV sales leader. If only it still qualified for the federal tax credit!
Price: $62,990 – $82,990
Range: 303 – 330 miles
Charge time: Add 200 miles of range in 15 minutes at over 1,200 Tesla Supercharger locations in North America.
Availability: Available now via Tesla’s direct-to-consumer sales, or pre-owned on CarEdge Car Search.
Does it qualify for the federal EV tax credit? No, not unless the tax credit is revised by congress.
Why? If you can find one at MSRP, the ID.4 is a solid choice for those opting for a more leisurely, less sporty EV. However, it has lost much of its appeal ever since the Hyundai and Kia electric crossovers hit the market with much faster charging.
Price: $41,230 – $52,500
Range: 249 – 260 miles
Charge time: Add up to 190 miles of range in 40 minutes
Why? Tesla’s first mass-produced model has matured into the gold standard among luxury EVs. It’s pricey, but sky-high resale value and frequent OTA updates make this Tesla a smart choice for those in the market for something larger than the more popular Model 3.
Price: $99,990 – $156,990
Range: 348 – 405 miles
Charge time: Add up to 200 miles of range in 15 minutes
Availability: Available now via Tesla’s direct-to-consumer sales, or pre-owned on CarEdge Car Search.
Does it qualify for the federal EV tax credit? No, not unless the tax credit is revised by congress.
Why? The first dedicated electric vehicle from Mercedes to make it to North America is something to behold. It doesn’t have the Tesla Supercharger network, but the interior is luxury on another level.
Price: $102,310 – $108,510
Range: 350 miles
Charge time: Add up to 200 miles of range in 20 minutes
Do you agree with this analysis, or did we miss the mark? Please, let us know in the comments below, or join us at the CarEdge Community to talk cars, deals and more. Our CarEdge auto experts are ready to take the headache out of your car buying experience.
