This year is poised to be the most important for EVs with nearly every car brand releasing a battery-powered option. But as we await those mainstream and more affordable releases, the majority of EVs are still higher-end and pricey. The average cost of a new EV is over $63,000, which is closer to how much luxury car buyers spend. 

Newer companies dominate the the top of the list, while legacy automakers are eking out a slice of the luxury EV market. Most brands have built all-new vehicles with an electric powertrain, but others, like Volvo, are converting existing builds. 

The luxury EV market is fairly limited in the first half of 2022, but it’s growing quickly as more basic, everyday options churn out. We’ve looked at the top end of pure electric vehicles which doesn’t include any hybrid models. But the list of fully electric luxury sedans and sports cars is impressive with some of the best range and performance across all EVs.

For people with a big budget, the Lucid Air is an alluring alternative to EVs like the Tesla Model S and Mercedes-AMG EQS. No electric car has ever gone farther on a charge, at up to 520 miles of EPA-rated range, and no EV can charge faster. Performance is similarly off the charts, with up to 1,111 horsepower, all-wheel drive and confident handling. Upsides continue with a striking exterior; a sumptuous, roomy and tech-laden interior; lots of cargo space and the latest driver-assistance features. Read the full review. 

The BMW i4 may look just like the 4 Series Gran Coupe, but it’s been reimagined and re-engineered with electric motors in place of gasoline engines. The i4 is a powerful EV trapped in the legacy body of a 3 or 4 Series combustion engine sport sedan. BMW’s i4 handling is hard to top. Read the first drive.

The all-electric Tesla Model S boasts the performance specs of a supercar with the legroom and creature comforts of a five-passenger luxury sedan. Today the Model S is available in Dual Motor All-Wheel Drive or the startlingly fast Tri Motor All-Wheel Drive Plaid. Plaid will set you back more than $135,000 and isn’t available until later this summer, but its 1,020 horsepower and 200 mph top speed could make it worth the wait.

The Mercedes-AMG EQS is a stellar electric sedan with 277-mile range that sets the benchmark for other luxury automakers looking to create a powerful, quiet and luxurious battery-powered sedan. It offers leading-edge technology with a 56-inch Hyperscreen, and powerful performance in a relatively good-looking package. The less powerful EQS, reviewed separately, offers more range up to 350 miles. Read the full AMG EQS review. 

The 2022 Taycan and Taycan Sport Turismo are the first electric GTS models in the brand’s history, marking a pivotal moment in history where Porsche’s EVs are becoming further differentiated in order to appeal to more battery-powered enthusiasts. But rather than gracing them with topline performance numbers, Porsche packaged sporty features but positioned the cars for buyers seeking a mid-level value proposition. The Taycan GTS is distinguished by powertrains that put it between the $103,800 Taycan 4S and the $150,900 Taycan Turbo. Read the first drive. 

Audi is known for sporty cars and great styling and its first electric sedan, the e-tron GT, doesn’t disappoint. The e-tron GT is a gorgeous coupe-like four-door with low, slinky lines, plenty of power, sporty handling combined with a comfortable ride and a tasty, driver-oriented interior. Unfortunately, “coupe like” also very much applies to its cargo area and rear seat, both of which are confining. While it’s good at bringing smiles from enthusiastic drivers, its powerful electric drive system is one of the least efficient in its segment. Read the review.

For 2022, our ratings categories are:

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