Electric SUVs
just might be the best of both worlds—you get all of the roomy interior and sporty performance of an SUV without having to spend $100+ filling up your tank. Kelley Blue Book
seems to think so too, as eight out of 13 SUV semifinalists for ‘North American Car of the Year’ are EVs. Read on with the car ownership experts with Jerry to learn what cars made the cut, and why one of these EVs could take home the title of KBB’s ‘Car of the Year’.
Which EV SUVs are semifinalists?
Among the 13 semifinalists are eight EVs: the Audi Q4 e-tron, BMW iX xDrive50, Cadillac Lyriq, Genesis GV60, Kia EV6, Nissan Ariya, Rivian R1S and Volvo C40 Recharge.
The gas-powered challengers include the Honda CR-V, Honda HR-V, Kia Sportage, Lexus RX, and Mazda CX-50.
It’s not surprising to see some tried-and-true EVs on the list, like the Kia EV6, BMW ix, and the Audi Q4 e-tron, but there are quite a few newcomers as well.
The Cadillac Lyriq, Genesis GV60, Rivian R1S, and Volvo C40 Recharge are all highly-anticipated new models, but with so many new models in the running, its even harder to make a call of which one could come out on top.
EVs are here to stay
While some drivers remain skeptical about the lasting power of EVs, the lineup in KBB’s ‘Car of the Year’ semifinalists is a testament to how far these cars have come in just a few years.
SUVs like the BMW ix, Cadillac Lyriq, Kia EV6, and Nissan Ariya all have ranges that top 300 miles, while the Rivian R1S can reportedly get up to 400 miles on a single charge.
If you’re looking to get the maximum range for the best price, the Kia EV6 boasts up to 310 miles of range for a starting price of $40,900. Comparatively, the Tesla Model Y Long Range can get 330 miles, but you’ll have to shell out $64,990.
The Nissan Ariya also tops 300 miles and starts at just $45,950.
A long range may not be everyone’s top priority, though. Models like the Volvo C40 Recharge may offer slightly less range, but they come with added luxury at an affordable price.
The C40 Recharge has also earned a title of Top Safety Pick+ from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), and earned five out of five stars in crash tests performed by a European agency.
Hyundai’s exclusive subdivision Genesis has also been racking up awards recently, which has all eyes on the all-new GV60.
It’s the first all-electric luxury compact SUV from the brand and starts at $58,890. The new GV60 shares a platform with the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6, but includes a more generous set of standard equipment, loads of high-tech features, and great design.
Which car is most likely to win?
It’s tough to say which models will land at the top, but the odds are looking good for EVs in the running.
Having so many electric vehicles as semifinalists in the most competitive SUV category shows that EVs aren’t just a passing fad, and proves how much of an investment automakers have made into developing EV technology.
Electric cars aren’t just a car you’ll need to buy, they’re something you’ll want to buy.
If you’re thinking about buying a new EV and looking for a great deal on car insurance, the Jerry
app is a good place to start. A licensed broker, Jerry does all the hard work of finding cheap quotes from the top name-brand insurance companies and buying new car insurance. Sign up today!
MORE: These 2022 Electric Cars Have the Highest Range
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