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Best luxury EVs: Go electric in style

BMW i7 M70 front and back view
Dave MCQuilling / Digital Trends

Luxury electric vehicles have always been arguably the most important EVs for the industry. Sure, these aren’t the cars for the masses, but they are the cars that leverage new technologies and push development forward first. After all, the first so-called cool EV was the relatively expensive Tesla Model S, which paved the way for more affordable cars like the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y.

These days, there’s a much larger selection of luxury EVs, and if you have some money to spend and want something high-end, there should be a vehicle out there for you. Curious about which luxury EV is best for your needs? Here’s a look at all the best luxury EVs you can get right now, along with their starting prices.

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Lucid Air ($69,900)

Front three quarter view of the Lucid Air Grand Touring Performance EV.
Lucid

The Lucid Air isn’t just luxurious; it’s technologically advanced. The Lucid Air offers the most range of any EV out there right now, and some of the higher-end models offer a range of up to 512 miles. That’s absolutely huge and means that you won’t have to worry much about charging in day-to-day driving. It’s also incredibly fast, as some Lucid Air trims can hit 60 miles per hour in only 1.89 seconds.

But it’s also highly luxurious. The car has a stunning panoramic glass roof and a roomy interior. It’s built with premium materials both inside and out, including beautiful stitched leather seat coverings. The seats offer heating, ventilation, and massaging functionality. The interior of the vehicle also offers a somewhat unique display setup with a wide screen for instrument monitoring and infotainment, and another screen below it to control things like climate, drive modes, and so on.

BMW i7 ($105,700)

Front and side of the BMW i7 eDrive50
Christian de Looper / Digital Trends

The BMW i7 has made headlines in the past for features like the widescreen TV that can descend from the ceiling for back seat passengers. But beyond features like that, it’s an incredibly luxurious car. The plush seating with heating, ventilation, and massaging makes riding in the vehicle incredibly comfortable. Both front and rear passengers will get access to those features. Rear passengers also have displays of their own, which they can use to control their own climate zones, seat controls, and window shades. The car is adorned with LED accent lighting throughout the interior, coupled with a wide curved display at the front for infotainment.

Arguably, this vehicle is better to be a passenger in than to drive, but it’s also a great EV. The vehicle has a range of up to 321 miles, depending on which trim you get. If you get the higher performance i7 M70, you’ll be able to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in only 3.5 seconds. That’s pretty quick, even if it’s not quite as fast as the Lucid.

BMW iX ($87,250)

A 2023 BMW iX M60.
Ronan Glon / Digital Trends

Those who want something slightly bigger, with many of the features of the i7, should go for the BMW iX. The iX doesn’t have all the same features as the i7, but most of the things that make being a passenger in the i7 enjoyable are present in the iX. You’ll still get the super plush seating, the dedicated passenger controls for climate, and the stunning accent lighting. While testing many of the cars on this list, I found BMW’s seat coverings to be among the best, and the leather is both durable and comfortable. The iX also benefits from a massive panoramic glass roof, which helps make it feel even more spacious than it already is.

As an electric car, the iX isn’t bad. The car gets up to 309 miles of range. It has a charging speed of up to around 150 kilowatts, though some drivers have reported being able to charge a little faster than that.

Mercedes-Benz EQS ($104,400)

Black 2024 Mercedes-Benz EQS 450+ on front of trees
Christian de Looper / Digital Trends

The Mercedes-Benz EQS is Mercedes’ take on a luxury electric vehicle. At this point, there are a number of EQS trims to choose from. Say what you will about the exterior design of the EQS (I don’t love it), but you can’t deny how luxurious the vehicle is. On the inside of the car, you’ll get super plush seating with dedicated pillow headrests. The cabin is built from super premium materials and features a large display for infotainment. There’s nice accent lighting throughout and plenty of storage space, including a wireless charging pad for your phone. Even Mercedes’ software has been getting better, though you still might end up simply using CarPlay.

The EV specs on the EQS vary widely depending on the trim you get, but you can get up to 352 miles of range, which is pretty good. You can also get an acceleration to 60 mph in up to 4.1 seconds, which is reasonably quick. Having driven the EQS on a number of occasions, I will say that while it’s not the most responsive car to drive, it has relatively soft suspension that that helps make the road feel a whole lot smoother.

Porsche Taycan ($99,400)

2021 Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo
Porsche

The Porsche Taycan is the luxury EV to get if you’re looking for an electric sports car. The Taycan offers that classic Porsche look, with a sporty appearance and feel both inside and out. The seats offer a partial leather covering that can be personalized during configuration. However, there’s also a leather-free option too. This particular vehicle is a four-door car, so while it’s definitely a sports car, you could still use it for the family.

The overall performance and range of the car depend on the trim that you get. The highest-end version can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in only 2.1 seconds, which is incredibly fast. The vehicle offers up to 292 miles of range, which is fine. But it also supports a charging speed of up to 270kW, which is pretty quick and allows the car to charge from 10% to 80% in around 20 minutes.

Tesla Model S ($68,490)

Silver Tesla Model S
Tesla

We couldn’t discuss luxury EVs without talking about the original luxury EV, the Tesla Model S. While the Model S has been available for some time now, it has also been updated on a number of different occasions, and it’s still an excellent choice for those who want to step up from the Model 3 sedan. The Model S embodies Tesla’s approach to design with a minimalistic interior and a sleek and stylish exterior. It comes with Tesla’s sports seats, and you also get Tesla’s software, which is among the best out there.

Tesla is known for offering premium technology in its vehicles too. The Model S is available in two trims, and depending on the trim you get, you’ll get up to 402 miles of range, which is very good. The Model S Plaid is also very quick, offering an acceleration from 0 to 60 mph in 1.99 seconds. That makes it among the fastest cars out there right now.

Tesla Model X ($65,990)

Tesla Model X
Tesla

If you like the idea of the Tesla Model S, but want something a little bigger, then the Model X may be for you. The vehicle is taller overall and was made famous for its gull-wing doors that open out. That’s not only a cool party trick, but it makes the rear seat door opening bigger too, which is good news for people who have kids and constantly find themselves having to strap their kids in without enough room.

Everything else about the Model X is very Tesla. You get that minimalistic interior, the great Tesla software, and the stylish exterior design. The car doesn’t quite offer the same range as its sedan sibling, maxing out at 335 miles, though that’s still pretty good. If you upgrade to the Model X Plaid, it’s very quick too, with the ability to accelerate to 60 mph in only 2.5 seconds. For that, you’ll have to pay a little extra, though.

Christian de Looper

Christian de Looper is a long-time freelance writer who has covered every facet of the consumer tech and electric vehicle space over the past decade-plus. Christian's byline can be found in the largest and most influential consumer tech publications on the internet. He got his start covering mobile for Talk Android, then moving to a five-year stint as a mobile contributor at Digital Trends, covering new smartphones, the rise and rollout of 5G, and the many mergers and attempted telecom mergers that took place during that time. During that time, he also covered mobile technology for the likes of TechRadar, and began covering other areas of the consumer tech industry. Today, he covers automotive and electric vehicles for Digital Trends, including all the latest and greatest EVs and everything that happens in the EV industry. He also covers personal audio for PCMag, smart home and home theater for Tom's Guide, consumer tech reviews for BGR, and general consumer technology for Forbes Vetted, and tech design for Design Milk. Since 2012 when he first began writing about consumer technology, he has also appeared in publications like Lifewire, Mashable, US News & World Report, AP Buyline, and CNN Underscored. He’s attended all the biggest trade shows in the industry, including CES, MWC, and IFA, and personally reviewed all the biggest and most important gadgets over the past ten years.

Christian studied music production at a small music school in Minnesota, where he both learned how to produce music and discovered his passion for writing. In college, he found himself wanting a job, but couldn’t go to one in person without a car or a driver’s license — so he turned to online work. He soon started writing for small phone blogs (his first big gig was at Talk Android), building his byline over time.

Christian's lack of a driver's license wasn't because of a poor driving ability. He spent the first 14 years of his life in Canberra, Australia, where he spent hours on his PlayStation 2 and honing his drumming skills. After his father got a job in Paris, France, Christian spent the next five years of his life there, learning French and developing an interest in music production. In Paris, he graduated from high school, and with the U.S. citizenship that he got through his American mother, he soon moved to Minnesota to pursue a higher education in music technology. After college, Christian moved to Los Angeles but eventually settled in Santa Cruz, California, where he now lives with his wife, daughter, and cat. When he's not hanging out with his family or working, he can be found playing PlayStation or developing a new hobby (his latest is leather-working). Oh, and he's a pretty good driver now too.

EV sales surge could continue as Trump delays ending federal rebates, report says
Second-Gen Rivian R1S on a road

A surge in sales of electric vehicles in the final months of last year could continue well into 2025, as consumers continue to take advantage of federal tax incentives while they last, according to a report by the Associated Press.
On the day of his inauguration, President Donald Trump signed an executive order titled “Unleashing American Energy”, which says the government is “considering the elimination of unfair subsidies and other ill-conceived government-imposed market distortions that favor EVs over other technologies.”
During his campaign, Trump’s team said it was planning to end the Biden administration’s $7,500 tax credit on the purchase or lease of an EV, although it did not provide a timeline for doing so.
Americans rushed to take advantage of the incentive, helping fuel a surge of more than 15% in EV sales in the fourth quarter, according to Cox Automotive.
Recent surveys show that incentives have played a major role in fueling EV sales over the past few years, and that a majority of Americans are in favor of government incentives to help with the purchase of an EV.
Meanwhile, the wording in Trump’s executive order, which says his administration is still 'considering' its options, leaves room for ambiguity about the timing of its application.
“Temporarily, sales of EVs could skyrocket as car-buyers rush to take advantage of existing tax credits,” the report by the Associated Press says.
In order to repeal the EV tax credit, the Trump administration will need to obtain the approval of congress. The process will likely take place as part of broader negotiations on extending Trump’s first-term tax cuts, which are due to expire near the end of 2025.
It’s also not entirely clear if the Trump administration will seek to end the whole of the $7,500 EV tax incentive. In order to obtain the incentive for the purchase of an EV, restrictions apply for high-income households and for EVs with non-U.S. made batteries. But those restrictions don’t apply to leasing an EV.
According to Cox Automotive, members of the Trump administration are particularly keen on ending “this leasing loophole, which was created partly to appease Korean and Japanese automakers, who have invested billions in U.S. EV manufacturing.”
Ending rebates and other subsidies for EVs is also likely to meet challenges, be they legal or political, from different actors.
The Zero Emission Transportation Association (ZETA), a trade group whose members include the likes of Tesla, Waymo, Rivian, and Uber, has come out in support of incentives for both the production and the sale of EVs.
ZETA says the incentives for both EV and battery-makers have led to enormous investments and job gains in Republican-dominated states like Ohio, Kentucky, Michigan, and Georgia.

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Tesla Model Y Juniper vs Rivian R1S: Can Tesla’s newest take out a much more expensive vehicle?
Tesla Model Y 2025.

Tesla and Rivian actually have a lot in common. Both are relatively new companies in the grand scheme of things, at least compared to the legacy automakers that are now switching to EVs, but their actual vehicles are pretty different. The Tesla Model Y is the most popular electric vehicle in America, serving as a high-tech crossover for those interested in buying a Tesla. The Rivian R1S is Rivian's electric SUV, obviously boasting a larger body, but also putting tech first.

On top of the Tesla Model Y being the most popular EV right now, it's also in the midst of getting a major refresh in the form of the Model Y Juniper. We're still early on in the rollout of that refresh, though. While Tesla has released the Model Y Juniper in its base form in China, the version of the vehicle being sold in the US right now is the so-called Launch Edition New Model Y, which is a high-performance version of the Model Y Juniper that comes with a high price tag. For this comparison, we'll use the specs from the both the entry-level Model Y Juniper being sold in China, and the launch edition New Model Y being sold in the U.S. Keep in mind, however, that until the Model Y Juniper gets a wider U.S. release, only the previous-generation Model Y is being sold alongside the Launch Edition New Model Y

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Tesla Model Y Juniper vs Kia EV9: Can the new Model Y beat a large SUV?
White Tesla Model Y Juniper at a Supercharger

America's most popular electric vehicle, the Tesla Model Y, is getting a major refresh. Tesla already launched the Tesla Model Y Juniper in China, but now it's bringing the vehicle to the US.

Of course, the new Model Y has to go up against a host of competitive electric vehicles, some of which are larger, some faster, and some even cheaper. The Kia EV9 has been hailed for being one of the few full-size electric SUVs that offers a high-quality driving experience without completely breaking the bank.

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