All Electric SUVs Are Becoming More Popular
Is there a new electric vehicle (EV) SUV in your future?
If there was any doubt that electric vehicles would eventually dominate new car sales, that disappeared when California recently announced that in 2035 it would ban the sale of new vehicles powered by gas engines.
GM and Ford have already poured billions into electric vehicle research and plant retrofit, as has Volkswagen and the ten brands they own. The Japanese and Koreans are already masters in battery technology and electric powertrain design. It has been 25 years since Toyota introduced the Prius in the United States.
Electric vehicles have evolved since the first hybrid and 2022 has been an exemplary year of electric vehicle development and acceptability. SUVs and crossovers will be getting a redesign this year. Range anxiety is disappearing and prices are becoming more affordable. Check out this collection of the best SUVs for 2022.
2022 Hyundai IONIQ 5: Range, Price and Performance
The first of Hyundai’s new electric vehicle series, the IONIQ SUV sets a very high bar for Hyundai electric vehicles to follow. With three trims available (SE, SEL, and Unlimited), the IONIQ 5 offers 220-to-303-mile range, 225 to 320 horsepower and a stellar Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rating of 132 city and 98 mpg.
This electric vehicle will cost you between $39,700 and $50,000.
Couple those great basic stats with the capability of high-speed charging that allows the SUV to take an 80% charge in 18 minutes and you have an impressive vehicle. That’s just the beginning! The IONIQ 5 is a standout with its retro/futuristic styling, clamshell hood, pixel-inspired LED headlights, 20-inch alloy wheels, flush door handles, rear spoiler and pixel-style brake lights.
The sleek aerodynamic design is carried through to the interior, where a folding 60/40 back seat complements a spacious cargo space. Seating for five is ample with a reclining rear seat, a front seat with footrest, a head-up display (HUD) with augmented reality, a 12-inch instrument cluster, a 14-inch infotainment touchscreen and a 120-volt outlet and multiple wireless charging locations.
Packed with advanced technology, safety systems and driver assistance systems, the IONIQ 5 represents an incredible combination of engineering, performance and affordability.
2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E: Not Your Daddy’s SUV
It’s called a Mustang and wears the Mustang logo; it even looks a little like a Mustang if you squint your eyes, but the Mach-E is an electric vehicle SUV. There’s no question that Mach-E has identity problems.
MotorTrend doesn’t consider it an SUV, yet they listed it as a finalist in their “SUV of the Year Contest”. Despite its appearance, there is ample horsepower coursing through the ions that fuel this ride resulting in a 0 to 60 time of 4.8 seconds and handling it on twisty roads will paste a grin on your face.
It’s an electric vehicle so it won’t growl like a mustang, but it will take you 314 miles on a full charge, give you 108 mpg-e city and 94 mpg-e highway. This new electric vehicle will cost buyers $23,895 to $61,995.
However, like the other Ford electrified icon and cash cow, the F150 Lightening, the Mustang Mach-E is sold out for 2022.
Here are a few features that headlined the 2022 CA-1 trim that you might find on the 2023 model:
- An extended-range battery that generates 346 hp and 428-pound feet of torque.
- Show-stopping sheet metal work across the entire exterior.
- Single-piece glass roof with shade, elevated SUV seating, a 15.5-inch touchscreen and 18-inch aluminum wheels.
- An engaging, fun ride.
With less than six inches of clearance, the Mach-E is not an off-road ride, but on the road, it brings a whole new level of fun and style to electric vehicles.
2022 Volkswagen ID.4: The Family Ride
Volkswagen hits a home run with its entry in the practical family SUV segment, the VW ID.4. Smart styling, a large cabin that can comfortably seat five adults, over 30 cubic feet of cargo space (over 60 cubic feet with the back seat folded down), a 272-mile range, packed with VW’s high-tech safety systems and a $41,230 price point make the ID.4 a compelling choice.
Here are a few examples of what the Volkswagen ID.4 brings to the table:
- A 5-star rating from NHTSA and Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS.
- IQ. Drive: Driver assist and active safety tech, including an impressive array of adaptive assistance programs as standard equipment.
- Dual motor AWD available.
- Innovative wireless smartphone integration and hand gesture control for the infotainment system.
- Elevated SUV seating.
- Three years of free charging at Electrifying America (VW owns them) chargers.
The VW ID.4 offers reliable transportation, a spacious cabin, superior safety and a respectable range. For a family looking to rid itself of expensive fuel and maintenance costs, the ID.4 offers a practical solution.