The best luxury electric cars: which model to choose

The situation in the premium electric car market changed with the introduction of the Tesla Model S in 2012. The American sedan demonstrated for the first time what a car could be like if it combined speed, comfort, performance, and elegance. Nowadays, most European manufacturers, including Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz, present luxury electric cars.

Some cars seek to maximize sophistication and luxury. Others put performance first or add a good dose of utility to the SUV body. Competition is fierce and standards are constantly rising. Experts have named the leaders in the premium electric car segment.

BMW i7

It is an indicator of the growing preference for electric vehicles that the first version of the all-new BMW 7 Series flagship is the electric i7. It's not an elegant or even particularly aesthetically pleasing car, but the i7's monumental proportions are undeniably eye-catching.

Inside, it's even more impressive thanks to its superbly crafted finish and stunning technology. High-quality materials are used throughout, and the sleek screens located at the top of the dashboard can be accessed via the iDrive swivel controller. For rear-seat passengers, there is the option of an incredible 31.3-inch flip-down screen that, when combined with the Bowers & Wilkins audio system, provides a cinema-like experience in the car.

Thanks to all-wheel drive and four-wheel steering, the big BMW is surprisingly approachable, with precise steering and firm grip. The twin-engine setup delivers 536 hp for plenty of performance.

BMW iX

The iX is roughly the same size as the X5 but is based on a specialized platform adapted from lightweight composite materials and mixed metals and is powered by a single electric motor per axle.

The entry-level version of the BMW iX xDrive40 has a power output of 296 hp and a WLTP-certified range of 400 km. On the xDrive50, these statistics increase significantly to 516 hp and a range of 600 km, along with a 200 kW fast-charging potential. The iX M60 xDrive offers even more power and performance, but even with the lightweight platform, no iX weighs less than 2.5 tons.

In a comparison test, the iX outperformed the Mercedes-Benz EQS. The Mercedes is comfortable, but the iX's isolation and ride refinement are very special indeed and make it a top luxury car.

Porsche Taycan

Porsche has significantly expanded the range of its electric Taycan model since the car was first launched in 2020. You can now have one or two drive motors.

The car has become a competitive contender in the luxury segment with enough power to outsell all other Porsche models in the UK. The Cross Turismo's expanded cargo space and increased added versatility do not weaken its dynamic capabilities. The electric range is not the best in its class at 400 km.

Mercedes-Benz EQS

Built on an all-new platform (and partly in response to the loss of market share to the conventionally powered S-Class when the Tesla Model S gained success in the important North American market), the EQS is a luxury electric vehicle without compromise.

The EQS makes the most of its powerful 120 kWh battery pack. The air suspension ensures high standards of insulation, comfort, and refinement.

Lucid Air

Few cars have caused such a stir or kept us waiting as long as the Lucid Air. For example, the top-of-the-line Dream Edition has 1111 horsepower and 1389 Nm of torque and accelerates from a standstill to 100 km per hour in a claimed 2.4 seconds.

In addition, there is a giant 118 kWh battery that promises a range of 840 km without charging. And when you do need to recharge, the 300 kW fast charger means you can add 480 km in just 20 minutes.

The handling, according to experts, suffers a bit from a lack of damping control, even in the firmest suspension setup. On the larger wheels, the ride is also mixed, lacking the firmness and composure typical of pace-setting luxury cars, although this improves significantly with 19-inch wheels. Air suspension is also in development, which should improve things even further.

Mercedes-Benz EQC

The Mercedes EQC 400 offers a combination of driver comfort and appeal, as well as first-class infotainment and navigation systems. Sharing its platform with the GLC with an internal combustion engine, the EQC has dual electric motors, torque-vectoring all-wheel drive, and a combined maximum output of 402 hp.

The WLTP-confirmed range is 416 km. EQC has many driving modes.

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