Car enthusiasts seem to thinkelectric vehiclesare boring, but they’re wrong. Sure, some EVs are dull, but most are effortlessly fast and have instant torque, propelling them ahead of any sports car that dares to challenge. Best of all, these EVs are faster than they look, so you can really embarrass other drivers at the lights.
All cars, especially electric ones, are becomingtechnologically advancedand ever more impressive. However,electric vehicles depreciate fasterthan other cars. For the best of both worlds, you might like ahybrid vehicle as a solid investment.
to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer’s websites. These entries were chosen because they do not look like performance-based EVs, but have quick 0-60 mph times.
10Chevrolet Bolt EV
0-60 MPH: 6.5 seconds
This unassuming small city car hides a lot. As standard, the Chevrolet Bolt EV gets plenty of features, such as Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and keyless entry and start. In terms of performance, it holds a 65 kWh battery that can hold up to 259 miles of range, which is impressive by any standard. With 200 hp and a relatively lightweight body, the Bolt EV can reach 60 mph from a standstill in 6.5 seconds, which is much faster than your average economy car with a gas engine.
65 kWh
Single-speed automatic
200 hp
266 lb-ft
0-60 MPH
6.5 seconds
93 mph
9Hyundai Ioniq 6
0-60 MPH: 5.0 seconds
The Hyundai Ioniq 6 looks like a car from a sci-fi movie, with its pixel headlights, active flaps, and swooping roof. Despite a long body, the Ioniq 6 is agile, and the single motor in the SE model sends 225 hp to the rear wheels to push the sedan to 60 mph in 5 seconds flat. Like most EVs with a single-speed transmission, acceleration is instant and smooth, like an airplane taking off.
77.4 kWh
225 hp
258 lb-ft
5 seconds
115 mph
8Lucid Air Pure
0-60 MPH: 4.5 seconds
Lucid is a young automaker, proudly producing theAmerican EV with the longest driving range. The Lucid Air Pure is more aerodynamic than a Mercedes-EQ EQS sedan without looking like a bubble, and has four digital screens inside. While there’s no need for that many displays, the brand wanted to show what it could do. With 430 hp on demand, this heavy sedan only requires 4.5 seconds to hit 60 mph.
82 kWh
430 hp
406 lb-ft
4.5 seconds
125 mph
7Polestar 2
Another subtle sedan that sees 60 mph in 4.5 seconds is the Polestar 2 Long Range Dual Motor. Some of you may remember Polestar as the performance branch of Volvo, which is why the cars share the same overall shape and Thor’s Hammer headlights. Polestar 2 was the brand’s first mainstream EV, and its refined exterior is hugely popular among executives.
78 kWh
408 hp
487 lb-ft
127 mph
0-60 MPH: 4.1 seconds
Genesis cars could easily be confused with Bentley’s
Similar to Polestar, Genesis was formerly the luxury arm of Hyundai, now a standalone brand. Still producing prestige vehicles, Genesis cars could easily be confused with Bentley’s. Other than being able to shave some time off of the 0-60 mph time, the electrified G80 looks identical to the gas version, giving the impression of a mellow executive car.
87.2 kWh
365 hp
516 lb-ft
4.1 seconds
5BMW i4 M50
0-60 MPH: 3.7 seconds
Electric power alone wasn’t enough for BMW, so they decided to add an M performance touch to create the BMW i4 M50. While the M badge and M-style mirror caps hint at its speed, it’s hard to tell the M50 apart from the other i4 trims. With 536 hp and instant torque under foot, this German barge effortlessly sprints to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds. Despite its speed, true BMW M fans will mourn a loud exhaust.
84.3 kWh
536 hp
586 lb-ft
3.7 seconds
130 mph
4Tesla Model Y
0-60 MPH: 3.5 seconds
Beating the M car without trying, the Tesla Model Y will complete the run in 3.5 seconds. That’s quick by electric car standards, and more so for an SUV. The Model Y is an ideal family car with a roomy cabin and up to seven seats available. It shows off Tesla Autopilot self-driving technology, and can recharge up to 80% in 15 minutes using a supercharger. No wonder it was one of2024’s best-selling SUVs.
74 kWh
295 hp
310 lb-ft
3.5 seconds
135 mph
3Mercedes-AMG EQE 53 4MATIC+
0-60 MPH: 3.2 seconds
Similar to the BMW i4 M50, Mercedes-AMG gave the EQE sedan the Affalterbach treatment. This is the second electric Mercedes to wear an AMG badge, following the successful EQS. Capable of accelerating to 60 mph in 3.2 seconds, this luxury sedan packs a big battery and two powerful motors, sending 617 hp to all four wheels. The fact it is electronically limited to 149 mph is probably a good thing.
90.6 kWh
617 hp
701 lb-ft
3.2 seconds
149 mph
2Tesla Model 3 Performance
0-60 MPH: 2.9 seconds
Entering the sub-three second realm, the Tesla Model 3 Performance is specifically designed to be fast, but there are few clues to tell it apart from the regular Model 3, to the point where the average person in traffic has no idea how to differentiate it. That is, until it races off from a red light and passes 60 mph in the blink of an eye. The fact that anyone can order this supercar-fast EV online for less than $60,000 is slightly worrying. With EVs becoming more popular,Tesla is introducing incentivesto keep buyers intrigued.
510 hp
546 lb-ft
2.9 seconds
163 mph
1Tesla Model S Plaid
0-60 MPH: 1.99 seconds
The Tesla Model S Plaid is the ultimate sleeper car. Like the Model 3, it blends in with ordinary traffic. However, planting the accelerator unleashes 1,020 hp and 1,050 lb-ft of torque to send this sedan hurtling to 60 mph in less than two seconds. To the best of my knowledge (and depending on the measurement protocols), this is the fastest-accelerating car in the world, and it does it while coming in under $100,000.
1,020 hp
1,050 lb-ft
1.99 seconds
200 mph
