In a little over a decade, electric vehicles have gone from a rare niche product to being the most innovation-driven field in the automotive industry. Each year has seen automakers introduce more and better features, designs, and options, and 2024 is shaping up to offer some of the most exciting developments yet.
For many drivers, Consumer Reports is a go-to for accurate automotive advice, so we looked to them to learn about the latest EVs to look for in the coming months.
Take a look at a few of the top picks of upcoming electric cars from Consumer Reports.
Anaheim, California-based Fisker Automotive made a major impression when it entered the growing EV market in 2007, but the company didn’t manage to last more than a decade. The manufacturer of the Karma plug-in hybrid then went dormant after most of its assets were bought out by the Chinese corporation Wanxiang Group.
Now, fans of the Karma will be glad to know that founder and designer Henrik Fisker is returning to the road with the Ocean electric SUV. Available in four trim levels ranging in price from just under $40,000 to almost $70,000 for the two all-wheel-drive packages, the Fisker Ocean hit dealership lots in June 2023.
Aside from a 275 horsepower single electric motor (with front-wheel drive models) or 540-550 horsepower dual electric motors, the Ocean offers several innovative features. For one, the interior is made of recycled materials such as discarded fishing nets and waste rubber. Drivers will also have the option to use “California mode,” which lowers the roof panel and windows to make the vehicle into a convertible.
From the Tesla Cybertruck to the newly-electrified Ford F-150, truck drivers have more options than ever before when looking for sustainable transportation. General Motors’ Silverado EV is a new take on a well-loved line, diverging from previous generations in its use of the EV-only Ultium platform.
Ultium incorporates the latest developments in battery design and digital technology, making the new Silverado comparable in capability and performance with the most advanced EVs on the market. GM is offering three trim packages for the redesigned Silverado. The luxury/performance RST First Edition, the 3WT, and the 4WT offer an estimated 754 horsepower and torque of up to 785 lb-ft, towing capacity of up to 10,000 lbs, and a range of over 400 miles.
The RST First Edition starts at $105,000, while the 3WT and 4WT range in cost between under $75,000 and $80,000. The Silverado EV was released in Spring 2023, but the 3WT and 4WT will only be available for purchase by fleet customers.
As EVs gain more ground among everyday drivers, expect to see more from companies like California-based startup Indi EV. Founded in 2017, the company is now entering the EV market with the Indi One, a five-passenger, all-electric compact crossover SUV in two versions.
The base model, priced at $45,000, carries a fully electric drivetrain offering 275 horsepower and a range of 230 miles. The Premium version, at $69,000, offers 475 horsepower and a 300-mile range and, the manufacturer claims, can reach 60 mph from 0 in 4.2 seconds. The Premium package is also equipped for high-performance gaming and streaming.
Both versions will be built in Vernon, California, making the Indi One eligible for the full $7,500 tax credit brought in under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. Preorders for the EV opened in April, and Indi EV expects to release the Indi One by late 2023.
Volvo-owned Polestar first started production in 2018, making them a latecomer but a strong challenger to other luxury EV brands like Porsche and Tesla. Their latest entry is the Polestar 4, a fully electric crossover SUV (described as a coupe by the manufacturer) based on the Sustainable Experience Architecture platform.
The Polestar 4 will come in two models: the rear-wheel-drive Single Motor, offering 272 horsepower and 253 lb-ft of torque, and the all-wheel-drive Dual Motor, with 544 horsepower and 506 lb-ft. The Single Motor will be able to go from 0 to 62 mph in a respectable 7.4 seconds, whereas the Dual Motor can achieve the same rate of acceleration in a more impressive 3.8 seconds.
Drivers may have to take some time to get used to the 4’s lack of a rear window. The design instead uses a roof-mounted rear camera to provide a live video feed. Other features include autonomous lane changing, front and rear collision avoidance, and adaptive cruise control.
The Single Motor package will start at $60,000, and production is set to begin in November of 2023. Although Polestar hasn’t announced a release date yet, it’s likely to go on sale beginning in the second half of 2024.
These are just a few of the exciting new options coming to an EV dealership near you in the coming year. If you want to learn more about upcoming EVs to watch for, head over to Consumer Reports for more of the latest reviews and features, and be sure to sign up for our sign up for our e-newsletter and follow Evee Life on Facebook and Instagram.
Published September 6, 2023 5:15PM
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