Despite a slowdown in overall demand for electric vehicles (EVs), there are still some great electric sport utility vehicles (SUVs) available on the market for drivers who prefer EVs to hybrids or gasoline combustion engines.
Here, we rank the 10 electric SUVs with the highest overall Consumer Reports scores.
While none of the electric SUVs on this list start at under $30,000, there are a handful of vehicles priced under $50,000. Regardless of price or quality, there are two important considerations that all electric SUV shoppers should take into account when comparing vehicles:
2 important questions to ask when shopping for an electric SUV
- What is the SUV’s total range on a full charge?
- How long does it take to fully charge the lithium-ion battery?
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What is Consumer Reports & how does it score vehicles?
Consumer Reports is a non-profit consumer advocacy organization that surveys its millions of members about the cars they own and drive and uses professional drivers to test these same vehicles on a private driving course in Connecticut.
Criteria factored into Consumer Reports' vehicle scores (which range from 0 to 100) include reliability, owner satisfaction, road test results, gas mileage estimates, acceleration, braking, routine handling, emergency handling, ride, and noise.
What are the top-rated electric SUVs according to CR?
Luxury electric SUVs tend to rank the highest on Consumer Reports’ list. The 2024 BMW iX — with the base model priced at $87,250 — is the highest rated, with an overall score of 84 out of 100. It also has the highest road test score and ranks high for ride and noise.
The 2024 Nissan Ariya landed and the 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E tied for the lowest score on this list — a 70 out of 100. However, the Ariya is the second lowest-priced SUV, with the base model going for an MSRP of $39,590. Tesla’s Model Y is the cheapest electric SUV, with the online price for the base model listed at $30,990.
Upgrades from the base model can significantly increase an electric SUV’s price tag. Common upgrades include higher horsepower (HP) and a larger battery to boost total range on a full charge. It’s important to keep in mind that even with a higher-capacity extended-range battery, higher horsepower can come at the expense of range.
Outside the rankings from Consumer Reports, data on MSRP, miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe), EPA-estimated range, and HP are compiled from automakers’ websites and fueleconomy.gov. As automakers make way for 2025 models, there aren’t significant differences from the 2024 versions.
Here's the full list:
10. 2024 Nissan Ariya
- CR Score: 70
- Type: SUV
- Starting MSRP: $39,590
- MPGe: 109 city / 94 highway / 101 combined
- EPA-Estimated Range: 216 miles
- HP: 214
9. 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E
- CR Score: 70
- Type: SUV
- Starting MSRP: $43,995
- MPGe: 102 city / 106 highway / 98 combined
- EPA-Estimated Range: 250 miles
- HP: 264
8. 2024 Audi Q8 e-tron
- CR Score: 71
- Type: Luxury SUV
- Starting MSRP: $74,400
- MPGe: 80 city / 83 highway / 81 combined
- EPA-Estimated Range: 285 miles
- HP: 355
More on cars:
- Hybrid cars with the best fuel economy according to Consumer Reports
-
Best new cars and SUVs under $30k according to Consumer Reports
- The best used cars & SUVs under $20k according to Consumer Reports
- 2025's best hybrid cars: Toyota, Hyundai & more
7. 2024 Audi Q4 e-tron
- CR Score: 71
- Type: Luxury SUV
- Starting MSRP (2025 Model): $49,800
- MPGe: 125 city / 104 highway / 115 combined
- EPA-Estimated Range: 288 miles
- HP: 282
6. 2024 Tesla Model Y
- CR Score: 72
- Type: Luxury SUV
- Starting MSRP: $30,990
- MPGe: 128 city / 112 highway / 120 combined
- EPA-Estimated Range: 305 - 337 miles
- HP: 384
5. 2024 Lexus RZ
- CR Score: 74
- Type: Luxury SUV
- Starting MSRP: $56,390
- MPGe: 137 city / 112 highway / 125 combined
- EPA-Estimated Range: 266 miles
- HP: 308
4. 2024 Genesis GV60
- CR Score: 75
- Type: Luxury SUV
- Starting MSRP: $52,000
- MPGe: 125 city / 99 highway
- EPA-Estimated Range: 294 miles
- HP: 225
Related: How to buy a new car in 2024: An 8-step guide with tips
3. 2024 Kia EV6
- CR Score: 77
- Type: SUV
- Starting MSRP: $42,600
- MPGe: 136 city / 100 highway / 117 combined
- EPA-Estimated Range: 232 miles
- HP: 167
2. 2024 Kia EV9
- CR Score: 79
- Type: SUV 3-row
- Starting MSRP: $54,900
- MPGe: 99 city / 77 highway / 88 combined
- EPA-Estimated Range: 230 miles
- HP: 215
1. 2024 BMW iX
- CR Score: 84/100
- Type: Luxury SUV
- Starting MSRP (2025 Model): $87,250
- MPGe: 87 city / 85 highway
- EPA-Estimated Range: 217 miles
- Max HP: 516
Do electric SUVs qualify for federal tax rebates?
Electric SUVs that have a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) not exceeding $80,000 qualify for federal tax credits. The U.S. Department of Energy manages a page on the fueleconomy.gov website that tracks EVs, including SUVs, eligible for rebates of up to $7,500.
TheStreet also compiled a full list of EVs and hybrids that qualify for federal tax credits.
How does temperature affect EV battery performance?
Cold and hot temperatures can both reduce battery performance and, in turn, affect a vehicle’s range. Mild temperatures are best for EV batteries and usually lead to optimal range. Typically, electric SUVs lose charge faster (which leads to a shorter range) during the extreme temperatures characteristic of summer and winter and perform better during the moderate temperatures more common in spring and fall.
Range may also be affected by other factors, such as road conditions, driving style, and the age and strength of the vehicle's lithium-ion battery.
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