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Identifying the First-Gen Ford MustangThe Best New EV, Hybrid, PHEV For Families
What electrified vehicle options are available for a family? Here are our top picks for excellent vehicles to save at, or ditch, the pump.
It’s No Secret: The World is Going Electric
In fact, many industry experts expect 75% of all cars on the road will be electric by the year 2050. With that in mind, automakers are jumping on board and equipping some type of electric motor to many of their popular models.
Many of these models have been popular with families for years as gasoline-powered versions. Some of those versions are still available as gasoline-only vehicles while others have shifted completely to some form of electric power (full electric, hybrid, or plugin hybrid). This means that drivers can pick which version they want. Here are our picks for the best EV, Hybrid or Plugin Hybrid cars on the market today:
Toyota RAV4 Prime
The Toyota RAV4 has been a solid performer with families for many years. The Toyota RAV4 Prime can be thought of as an upgraded RAV4 Hybrid – it has larger electric motors and a larger battery. It gets 42 electric-only miles, 38 MPG combined, and 94 MPGe. It is quick and goes from 0-60 MPH in 5.9 seconds.
Combine those stats with a roomy interior, a comfortable ride, and impressive safety features and you have a plug-in hybrid that is ready to load up and hit the road with the entire family in tow. The only downside is that they are in such high demand that it may take a while before you find one!
Kia Sorento PHEV
The Kia Sorento PHEV is a roomy mid-size SUV with third-row seating. We find the extra cargo space (up to 75.5 cu ft with seats folded) is a big help for families that need the extra room.
The Kia Sorento PHEV offers 32 miles of electric-only driving range and 34 MPG combined. It is a bit slower than other plug-in hybrids coming in at 7.9 seconds in our 0-60 MPH test. Still, it offers 261 horsepower and 258 lbs.-ft. of torque.
There are others in the segment that offer more comfortable rides, but that doesn’t mean that the Kia Sorento PHEV rides like a wagon either. It is a completely capable crossover that offers a lot of savings at the pump.
Volkswagen ID.4
The Volkswagen ID.4 can get up to 275 miles on a single charge with the optional 77.0-kWh battery pack. If you go with the standard battery, that life expectancy is shortened to just 208 miles. Essentially, the RWD version gets 107 MPGe city/ 91 MPGe highway and the AWD version gets 104 MPGe city/ 89 MPGe highway.
Volkswagen’s offering to the world of electric vehicles is the ID.4. It is available in a single-motor RWD version that produces 201 horsepower or an AWD dual-motor version pushing 295 horsepower. The AWD version nets 5.4 seconds in our 0-60 test while the RWD version clocked in at 7.4 seconds. It may not be the fastest electric vehicle that we have ever driven, but it offers a smooth and quiet ride.
The Volkswagen ID.4 offers families a spacious cabin with plenty of technology – like a 12.0-inch infotainment touchscreen and 5.3-inch configurable gauge display. Families will also like the 30.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats. It’s a comfortable ride and a great way to eliminate gasoline from your diet.
Volvo XC90 Recharge
The interior is one of the best in its class. It has it all – high-grade materials, a thoughtful layout, and luxurious comfort. If you’re looking to take the family on a trip with lots of class, then the Volvo XC90 Recharge is a great way to do it.
The Volvo XC90 Recharge is available with a 2.0L turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine and an eight-speed automatic transmission. A 48-volt motor allows it to get up to 455 horsepower. It can get up to 36 miles on battery power alone or up to 66 MPGe.
If you want a sharp-looking and refined mid-size SUV, then you should consider the Volvo XC90 Recharge. It is a plug-in hybrid with luxury features and third-row seating allowing for plenty of passenger and/or cargo space (up to 35.6 cubic feet with the third row folded down).
Honda CR-V Hybrid
On top of the fuel savings, families also get plenty of usable cargo space (36 cubic feet behind the rear seats), comfortable seating all around, and plenty of technological goodies. The price is also affordable, especially when compared to competitors. The Honda CR-V Hybrid is one of the best choices if you’re looking for a great entry price on a hybrid vehicle for the family.
One can safely assume that the Honda CR-V is quite possibly responsible for the crossover SUV craze. The gasoline-only version has been a mainstay in the market since its debut in 1997. The new Honda CR-V Hybrid takes it to another level by giving the newest generation by adding two electric engines (AWD version) to the powertrain. This combination produces 204 horsepower and gets up to 43 MPG city/36 MPG highway.
Ford Escape PHEV
The Ford Escape PHEV is the plug-in version of the popular Ford Escape Hybrid. It combines sleek styling with a hybrid powertrain that gets up to 37 miles of all-electric driving or 40 MPG combined in hybrid mode. It is important to note that there is no AWD powertrain available at this time. This is something that competitors offer in abundance, so it is something to consider before purchasing.
The lack of an AWD powertrain shouldn’t deter you from the Ford Escape PHEV. You get plenty of cargo room (up to 60.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down) along with a relaxed, comfortable ride for the driver as well as the passengers.
If you’re looking for a basic SUV with a hybrid powertrain, then the Ford Escape PHEV may be your next daily driver. Its electric power can be used whenever you want it, which can make a trip across town or a ride to work basically gas-free.
Hyundai Ioniq 5
The Hyundai Ioniq originally hit the market in 2016 and has become one of the best electrified vehicles on the market. Drivers can choose between hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or fully electric models, all of which are great choices in their own right.
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is the fully electric version, and it gives families up to 320 horsepower and 446 lbs.-ft of torque with the AWD powertrain. It is available with a 58.0-kWh battery pack that provides up to 220 miles of range or a 77.4-kWh battery pack rated at 266 miles (dual motors) or 303 miles (single motor). The Hyundai Ioniq 5 provides one of the longest ranges of any EV sub-$60k.
One great thing about the Hyundai Ioniq 5 is that it can charge very quickly. In fact, it can add 68 miles in about five minutes, or charge from 10% to 80% in about 18 minutes when plugged into a fast charger. If you’re planning long trips, then you’ll probably want to spring for the Hyundai Ioniq 5.
Overall, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 may just be one of the most affordable EV options on the market right now. It provides an exceptional ride with a quick-charging electrical system. What more could you want in an EV?
Genesis Electrified G80
With a posh interior and plenty of luxury appointments, the ride is comfortable for the entire family. It isn’t cheap, but it’s worth it.
The Genesis Electrified G80 appears to be nothing more than a gasoline-powered luxury sedan on the outside, but underneath the hood are dual electric motors capable of 365 horsepower. An 87.2-kWh battery provides up to 282 miles of driving range per charge (105 MPGe city/89 MPGe highway). This power can be felt quickly too with the Electrified G80 going from 0-60 in only 4.1 seconds. When you need to recharge it, you can hook it up to a fast charger to go from 10% to 80% in just 22 minutes.
If SUVs aren’t your thing and you want a sedan with a bit more luxury, then the Genesis Electrified G80 should be something you consider. It can pull double duty by acting as an attractive business sedan by day and a classy, comfortable family cruiser by night – something SUVs just can’t pull off.
Chevrolet Bolt EUV
On the opposite end of the pricing spectrum sits the Chevrolet Bolt EUV. It is one of the most affordable EVs on the market and is great for those looking for a daily driver. The Bolt EUV gets 247 miles from a 65.0-kWh battery pack which is plenty for most families who are looking to simply get from Point A to Point B in an affordable fashion.
The Chevrolet Bolt EUV is powered by a 200-horsepower electric motor in an FWD configuration. It gets from 0-60 in 6.8 seconds – not bad, but not good compared to other EVs in its class. It can be charged on a regular 120-volt outlet, a 240-volt outlet, or a DC fast charger which can add 95 miles of range in just 30 minutes. The combined EPA rating is 115 MPGe.
It offers a nicely appointed cabin with cargo space that is great for groceries and luggage. Perhaps some of the best features are the host of technological features it boasts. Families can enjoy Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, or its own smartphone app. A Wi-Fi hotspot is also standard.
If you’re looking for a more affordable subcompact SUV that blends simplicity with technology, then the Chevrolet Bolt EUV should be on your list of considerations. GM announced that 2023 will be the final model year for the Bolt and Bolt EUV, so consider buying one soon!
Ford F-150 Lightning
America is crazy about pickups, so we thought we’d add one to the list that would be a good choice for families. The Ford F-150 Lightning offers truck fans a viable – albeit expensive – option that looks just like your neighbor’s gasoline-powered F-150.
The Ford F-150 Lightning comes with two electric engines in an AWD configuration. The standard-range battery makes 452 horsepower, and the extended-range battery gets 580 horsepower with 775 lb-ft of torque. For a big truck, that’s fast! You can expect a 0-60 performance of only 4.0 seconds!
The biggest downfall to the Ford F-150 Lightning is that the battery range suffers greatly if you’re towing anything. You can expect it to drop to just 100 miles when towing a 6,100-lbs. double-axle trailer.
As for the space, you have plenty of it with a bed and a frunk (trunk located at the front of the vehicle). This allows you to store luggage up front where the engine would normally be located. The crew-cab configuration allows for plenty of room for passengers, and there’s plenty of technology. A 15.0-inch display is offered along with two premium sound systems by Bang & Olfusen.
The Ford F-150 Lightning is a great choice for those who need a truck for work but still want room for the family when the workday ends.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for your next EV, relax and enjoy the journey. You may pay more upfront, but you’ll save money in the long run when it comes to gas and service costs.
Families now have a plethora of choices when it comes to owning an electric vehicle. The market will continue to grow as more manufacturers jump on board with more EV offerings. We can only expect greater battery range and technology features added to even the most affordable EVs.
Electric vehicles are here to stay, and more and more families are expected to get one as technology grows and prices fall. After all, EVs require less maintenance than ICE-equipped cars which means less money in service costs. Once prices level out, EVs will be cheaper to own than a standard ICE-equipped vehicle.
