Road trips have undoubtedly taken a whole new (and electrifying) meaning with the surge of electric vehicles. Despite the doubts surrounding electric vehicles – like the infamous range anxiety – newer EVs are rewriting the statement in 2024. Thanks to innovations in this field, manufacturers now produce electric cars that perform on par with traditional ICE cars in power, motorsports, and cross-country road trips. Modern electric cars, such as the 2024 Volkswagen I.D. 4, Tesla Model Y, and Kia EV6, are perfect for such adventures. This post covers the best electric cars for road trips.
Beyond being a way to get from point A to point B, road trips are about exploration. They continue to be one of the best holiday adventures. You get to experience the great outdoors further on than the confines of a vehicle. The best part about road trips is that you can take them in any season. You can take a family-size SUV during the winter, or a convertible during the summer. While road trips have been around for a while, there’s one aspect of them that has changed: Electric cars. What remains the same is that the key to a good road trip is preparation. That’s why we gave you the only electric road trip preparation checklist you’ll ever need. But what are the ideal EV road trips? Flagship Drive covers the 15 Top-rated EVs for road trips.
1. Tesla Model X
Closely related to the Model S, the Tesla Model X is one of the most unique electric SUVs ever made. The Model X’s Falcon Wing rear doors and a massive 17.0-inch center console screen set it apart in a market where it competes with the BMW iX and the Mercedes-EQ EQS Sedan. Available in 5, 6, or 7-seater configurations, the Model X provides ample room and practicality.
Despite its high price, the build quality is criticized, but an improvement was noted in the 2021 update. The Model X boasts impressive performance. The entry-level Dual Motor reaches 0-60mph in 3.8 seconds, while the Plaid version achieves a remarkable 2.5 seconds. Charging the Model X is convenient. Expect to charge the Tesla Model X from 0 to 80 percent within 40 minutes at Tesla’s Supercharger.
The Tesla Model X’s electric range varies on the trim. The Tri-Motor Model X Plaid claims 337 miles and the Dual Motor Model X versions reach up to 358 miles. The Model X features autonomous technology, four-wheel drive, and a plethora of safety tech. If you recall, the Model X earned a five-star Euro NCAP rating in 2019. The interior, though improved, may lack the premium feel of German rivals. Prices of a new Tesla Model X range from £98,480 to £131,080. A used Tesla Model X costs around £31,000 in 2024.
2. Hyundai Ioniq 5
The Hyundai IONIQ 5 marked Hyundai’s entry into the electric vehicle territory. The Ioniq 5 electric crossover was the brand’s new EV platform. Sharing engineering and design elements with the Kia EV6, this award-winning Ioniq 5 model has become a global conversation starter. Similar to Tesla, Hyundai developed its highway assist software, which is awesome.
The Ioniq 5 is among the most ideal electric cars for road trips. Thanks to comes with a 58 or 77.4 kWh battery. the IONIQ 5 boasts an estimated range of 220 or 303 miles (AWD vs RWD). While it no longer qualifies for the $7500 federal tax credit, Hyundai offers attractive lease deals that pass on the savings to lessees. Most of all, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 stands out for its value, spacious cargo, efficient electricity use, and advanced driving aids.
One aspect that stands out is the Hyundai Ioniq 5 road trip performance. On top of the 303-mile driving range, charging the IONIQ 5 from 10% to 80% takes only 18 minutes with an 800V DC fast charger. That means you’ll spend less time charging and more time enjoying your road trip. However, 350 kW/800V chargers can be challenging to find. Notably, Hyundai includes two years of unlimited 30-minute complimentary charging sessions with Electrify America upon purchasing a new Ioniq 5.
3. Kia EV6
The 2024 Kia EV6 recently hit the market in eight new variants. Unlike competitors that raise prices every model year or so, Kia maintained the EV6’s 2023 prices and added a more affordable long-range and road trip-worthy trim. The rear-wheel drive entry-level EV6 Light starts at $42,600. This model features a 58.0-kilowatt-hour battery, a 125-kilowatt electric motor, and a 232-mile EPA Combined range. The new EV6 Light trim with a 77.4-kWh battery comes in rear-wheel drive (168 kW), offering a 310-mile range. The all-wheel drive Kia EV6 (239 kW) offers a driving range of 282 miles.
The Wind and GT-Line trims, both equipped with a 77.4 kWh battery, offer RWD or AWD powertrain options. Wind starts at $48,700, while the GT-Line begins at $52,900. The top-tier EV6 GT boasts a powerful 430-kilowatt powertrain. This makes it capable of going from 0 to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds. This GT model costs $61,600.
The 2024 Kia EV6 GT has an improved efficiency compared to the 2023 model. It now has an energy consumption of 83 MPGe or 406 watt-hours per mile. Speaking of energy, the EV6 features a 10.9-kilowatt onboard charger. With it, the EV6 can recharge the 58-kWh battery in less than six hours. It would take over seven hours to charge the 77.4-kWh battery, though. To make it easier for road trips (in our case), the EV6 supports fast charging from 10 to 80 percent state-of-charge in 18 minutes with an 800 V high-power charger. The car also includes 1,000 kWh of charging credits on the Electrify America fast charging network. This is equivalent to approximately 3,000–3,500 miles of driving.
4. Ford Mustang Mach-E
Since its introduction, the Ford Mustang Mach-E has been a stylish and athletic all-electric SUV crossover. It’s one of the best electric muscle cars on the market that perfectly blends performance, long range, a well-appointed cabin, and technology. The Mustang Mach-E can go from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.2 seconds, making it as fast as the Ariel Atom 500 V8, the Tesla Model S Plaid, and the Chevrolet Corvette C5. Whether it’s the road or the highway, this wagon-like hatchback/SUV crossover delivers a satisfyingly swift experience. Recently, Ford threw in some enhancements to the Mach-E, which include all-wheel-drive options, an increased range with a larger battery pack, an easily navigable center touchscreen, and ample cargo space.
In response to the competition, Ford introduced BlueCruise in mid-2021, a competitor to Tesla’s autopilot. This addition complements the existing Ford Co-Pilot360 software, featuring lane assist, collision warning and braking, and blind-spot monitoring. This Mustang Mach-E update saw its battery capacity grow from a standard 68 kWh battery and an optional 88 kWh extended pack, to a 70 kWh or 91 kWh of usable battery. This also pushed its range to between 211 and 315 miles at full charge. According to Ford, the standard-range pack can charge from 10 to 80 percent in 38 minutes, while the extended-range pack achieves the same in 45 minutes, both with a maximum charge of 150 kW.
5. BMW iX
The BMW iX stands out as one of the top electric SUVs in the brand’s lineup. The BMW iX comes in a 516 horsepower xDrive50 and 610 horsepower performance-oriented M60 trim boasting. Thanks to the amazing battery capacity, the 2024 BMW iX delivers a driving range of over 300 miles, the Audi e-tron, and Rivian R1S.
Updates in the 2024 BMW iX include enhancements to the Parking Assistant Professional for remote parking via a smartphone app. The new iX also comes with BMW’s Highway Assistant feature in the Driver Assistance Professional package. The iX also introduces a battery pre-conditioning system, allowing owners to heat the battery pack before fast charging for improved charging rates.
Offered in two variants, the xDrive50 impressively reaches 60 mph in 4.0 seconds, while the M60 achieves a remarkable 3.2 seconds. The cabin showcases a blend of futuristic infotainment tech and premium materials, with plush front seats and an available hands-free driving mode. The 2024 iX comes with a 14.9-inch infotainment display that has BMW’s iDrive 8.5 infotainment software. The tech-forward dashboard also has a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster. Standard features include Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot with a 5G cellular connection.
6. Volkswagen I.D 4
Our next entry is among the most luxurious and comfortable electric cars for road trips: The VW I.D 4. With the launch of the I.D 3 hatchback, Volkswagen proved to adopt an all-electric future. This also marked the birth of the VW MEB platform, which now underpins a range of zero-emission vehicles, such as the 2024 Volkswagen i.D 4, ID.5 coupe-SUV, and ID. Buzz minibus. It also underpins some models from Audi, Skoda, and Cupra.
To stand out from the bunch, 2024 ID.4 prioritizes smooth progress by limiting available torque, catering to its family-focused setup. The VW I.D 4 lineup includes the 261bhp 4Motion and 295bhp GTX versions. On top of that, the ID.4 comes with a light steering and soft suspension, making it suitable for long road trips. The adaptive cruise control is just icing on this lovely cake.
Performance-wise, the 261bhp Pro Performance 4Motion variant achieves a 6.9-second sprint, while the 201bhp Pro Performance takes 8.5 seconds. The 168bhp Pure Performance and 146bhp Pure models reach 0-62mph in 9.0 and 10.9 seconds, respectively.
Equipped with a 52kWh battery, the base ID.4 offers up to 223 miles of range, with an optional 77kWh battery extending the range to 328 miles for rear-drive models. In a group test by Autoexpress, the ID.4 demonstrated a real-world range of 262 miles.
7. Tesla Model Y
The Tesla Model Y, much like its Model X sibling, is an awesome all-electric crossover SUV that looks and drives great. With more cargo space and extra room inside compared to its sedan counterpart, the Model Y proves itself ideal for road trips. While critics say the Model Y is like a rebadged Model 3, the crossover has secured the position of the top-selling electric vehicle.
The Model Y’s estimated driving range varies by year and trim, typically spanning between 240 and 330 miles with a battery size ranging from 60 to 75 kWh. It’s essential to note that the Real Range often falls between 60-80% of the EPA range, particularly in extreme temperatures. Despite this, the Model Y excels in charging reliability and speed, achieving an 80% charge in 20 mins with a 210kW charger, 30 mins with a 120kW, and 1.2 hours with a 50kW. As always, considering ideal conditions, it’s wise to factor in extra time for charging stops if you’re in a hurry.
The center of the Model Y’s dashboard features a sleek infotainment display, which consolidates practically every function, from climate control to the speedometer. It has Tesla’s powerful autopilot driving system, which provides safety and support features that are especially useful on long journeys. A notable perk is the inclusion of “karaoke,” adding a fun element to extended trips.
8. Audi Q4 E-Tron
More than a year ago, the Audi Q4 E-Tron made its way to the market. As the brand’s first all-electric crossover SUV, the Audi Q4 set the tone for all Audi electric cars to follow. And it’s here. Autocar reported that the 2024 Audi Q4 E-Tron has a longer driving range and additional horsepower. That’s a lot to be excited about as is. What are we talking about exactly? The Audi Q4 E-Tron and its Sportback variant receive a significant upgrade. This 2024 Audi Q4 consists of a new rear-mounted synchronous electric motor. Manufactured in-house by the Volkswagen Group, the 400V motor features a redesigned cooling system for the stator and a new gear set for the single-speed transmission.
The 2024 Q4 45 E-Tron received an 80bhp improvement and is now producing 281bhp. The dual-motor, four-wheel-drive version Q4 55 E-Tron Quattro now produces 335bhp. Acceleration times are claimed at 6.7 seconds for the Q4 45 E-Tron and 5.4 seconds for the Q4 55 E-Tron Quattro, with a top speed limited to 112mph across all models.
With a standard 77kWh lithium-ion battery, the Q4 Sportback 45 E-Tron achieves a WLTP-tested driving range of 349 miles.
9. Subaru Solterra
The Subaru Solterra, the first electric car from Subaru, is a joint venture with Toyota, akin to their collaboration on the 86/BRZ sports cars. Positioned as a medium-sized crossover, the Solterra competes with 4WD versions of electric SUVs like the Ford Mustang Mach-E, Kia EV6, Skoda Enyaq, Nissan Ariya, and VW ID.4.
Built on Toyota’s platform, it boasts distinctive design elements, including creased sheet metal and bold wheel arches. The interior, a departure from Subaru’s traditional style, adds a touch of avant-garde. Leveraging Subaru’s expertise in torque management and chassis tuning and Toyota’s experience in battery durability and electronics efficiency, the Solterra promises a robust performance.
Equipped with 107bhp motors at both ends, the Solterra offers brisk acceleration and secure traction. Notably, the front and rear motors, while providing matching power and torque, differ in physical design for an optimized turning circle and a low boot floor. With a claimed WLTP range of 291 miles on 18-inch wheels and 257 miles on 20-inch wheels, the 2024 Subaru Solterra joins the growing market of all-electric crossovers.
10. Lucid Air
The 2024 Lucid Air impresses with its remarkable engineering, offering a blend of luxury, affordability, and a long driving range. The entry-level Pure trim boasts a near-six-figure starting price but stands out with its clever tech, unique battery design, and power-dense electric motors. Lucid’s Formula E racing experience contributes to the Air’s exceptional performance, reaching 60 mph in just 3.0 seconds and covering over 400 miles on a single charge.
The Sapphire performance model accelerates even faster, claiming a sub-2.0-second 60-mph time. The Air offers a maximum DC fast-charging rate of 250 kW, theoretically recouping 200 miles of range in 15 minutes. Lucid introduces the Sapphire trim, featuring three electric motors with a combined 1234 horsepower, retuned suspension, carbon-ceramic brakes, and Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires. On the more affordable end, a rear-wheel-drive Pure model offers an attractive entry price and an estimated range of 410 miles.
The Lucid Air lineup includes various models with single or dual electric motors. The 2024 Lucic Air’s power output ranges from 430 in the Pure to 1050 in the Grand Touring. Lucid’s top model, the Air Sapphire, claims a top speed of 200 mph. The Air’s range stands out, with the Grand Touring reaching 446 miles, making it the longest-range EV tested. Lucid offers three years of free fast charging at Electrify America stations.
11. Nissan Leaf
Introduced in 2011, the Nissan LEAF holds the distinction of being widely recognized as the first accessible electric vehicle (EV). Although the initial range was modest at around 70 miles, significant advancements have propelled it forward.
Nissan updated the LEAF in 2018, giving the EV a larger 40 kWh battery and an optional 62 kWh battery.
However, road-tripping with a LEAF may necessitate more frequent stops, even with the 226 EPA mile Plus version. The upside is the smaller battery allows for quick recharging in approximately 30 minutes. The LEAF stands as a reliable choice for those embracing EVs, with its journey offering both efficiency and the occasional pit stop for rapid recharge.
12. Jaguar I-Pace
The Jaguar I-Pace, introduced in 2018, marked a significant shift in the electric car landscape by offering a credible alternative to Tesla’s premium dominance. With an elegant yet bold design, the I-Pace signaled mainstream manufacturers’ commitment to building compelling, ground-up electric vehicles. Utilizing two concentric electric motors for permanent four-wheel drive, it delivers 395bhp and 513 lb-ft of torque through a single-speed gearbox.
Powered by a 90kWh lithium-ion battery, providing a usable 85kWh, the 2024 Jaguar I-Pace achieves up to 292 miles on the WLTP cycle. Accelerating from 0–62mph in 4.8 seconds and reaching a top speed of 124mph, it combines performance and practicality. While home charging is at 22 miles per hour from a 7kW wall box, its DC charging capability maxes out at 100kW, requiring around 45 minutes for a 5-80% top-up.
For 2023, the I-Pace undergoes subtle facelifts, featuring a new grey grille, updated Jaguar badge, and body-colored front bumper, lower door finishers, and rear diffuser. The key appeal of the I-Pace lies in its engaging and rewarding driving experience, with precise steering, a smooth ride, and agile handling, setting it apart in the electric car market.
13. Mercedes-EQ EQS
The 2024 Mercedes-EQ EQS combines the luxury legacy of Mercedes-Benz’s large sedans with an electric drivetrain. Noteworthy updates for 2024 include the standard MBUX Hyperscreen, spanning the dashboard width. Rear passengers can also enjoy power-adjustable seats and wireless phone charging.
Performance-wise, the EQS 450+ offers 355 horsepower, reaching 60 mph in 5.4 seconds, while the EQS 580 4Matic with 536 horsepower achieves the same in under four seconds. The AMG variant boasts an impressive 649 horsepower, accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in just three seconds.
The EQS lineup boasts impressive real-world range figures, with the EQS 450+ and its all-wheel-drive counterpart covering 352 and 342 miles, respectively. The EQS 350 4Matic achieves a maximum range of 345 miles, while the EQS AMG is expected to cover approximately 277 miles. Charging the EQS from 10 percent to 80 percent capacity on a DC fast charger takes just 31 minutes.
The 2024 EQS interior combines luxury and technology, featuring the standard MBUX Hyperscreen with a 12.3-inch instrument cluster, a 17.7-inch OLED infotainment touchscreen, and a 12.3-inch touchscreen for the front passenger.
14. Porsche Taycan Sport Turismo
If you want your electric road trips more luxuriously, then the Porsche Taycan Sport Turismo is an ideal option. Distinguished by an extended roofline, the Sport Turismo boasts a lower stance compared to the Cross Turismo variant, enhanced by stylish alloy wheel options. The Porsche Taycan Performance Plus Battery option provides a 306-mile range on a single charge. The Sport Turismo excels in driving fun, particularly on back roads.
Inside, the Porsche Taycan features two displays for the instruments and a central infotainment system. An optional additional screen for the front passenger is available. The overall interior space is commendable. The estate-car style provides added practicality, offering 39 extra liters of luggage capacity over the regular Taycan. The front also houses an 84-liter ‘froot’ for storing charge cables and other small items.
The Taycan Sport Turismo offers five power options ranging from 408 horsepower to 762 horsepower. The high-performance GTS variant offers up to 598 horsepower. This model accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds, reaching a top speed of 155mph. While its performance is exhilarating in sport mode, the car maintains day-to-day drivability with a comfortable setup.
15. Rivian R1T
The last entry in our list of electric cars for road trips is the RIvian R1T. The Rivian R1T is an adventure-focused electric pickup truck offering a driving range of 260 to 400 miles, equipped with features ideal for road trips. Notable attributes include ample cargo space, trip planning facilitated by A Better Route Planner, an impressive 11,000 lb. towing capacity, and the capability to wade in up to 3 feet of water. The R1T also features a panoramic roof and 62 cubic feet of storage. Sadly, the advertised camping kitchen did not make it to production. Still, users can enhance their road trip experience with rooftop crossbars and a fitting tent for rugged camping.
Safety is prioritized with standard features like lane assist, collision prevention, and blind spot monitoring. Rivian commits to providing additional safety and software updates over the air. Charging convenience is ensured with a 200 kW charging capability, allowing for a 140-mile range boost in just 20 minutes. The Rivian is constructing its proprietary charging network, the “Adventure Network,” entirely powered by renewable energy. The R1T is also CCS compatible, providing flexibility to use other chargers along the route.
