If you’re thinking about hauling the kids off to school with zero emissions, today’s EVs offer more range, faster charging and greater fuel savings. The best electric cars and SUVs for families are available in a wide range of options to meet your needs, and an even wider range of price points. These are the best electric crossovers and SUVs on sale in 2023, and the ones we’re looking forward to in 2024.
These electric crossover SUVs and full-size SUVs are the highest-rated, most-loved EVs for families today. Spaciousness, pricing, range and charging speeds vary from one electric model to another. We’ve also included NHTSA safety ratings if they’re available. Let us know which EVs you have your eye on!
The Model Y is the best-selling electric vehicle in America, however prices have increased over 20% since 2020. Although it’s known for autonomous driving, the full capability (known as FSD) is a $15,000 package.
Charging (Public fast charger): can add 200 miles in 15 minutes
Cargo volume behind second row: 26.6 cubic feet
Total cargo volume: 72 cubic feet
See Model Y new and used listings.
Ford’s first serious EV is very popular among small families and speed freaks alike. If the Mustang brand has a special place in your heart, this just might be the EV for you.
Range: 211 to 314 miles of range
Charging (Public fast charger): can add 120 miles in 20 minutes
Cargo volume behind second row: 29.7 cubic feet
Total cargo volume: 59.7 cubic feet
Safety rating: IIHS Top Safety Pick
See Mustang Mach-E new and used listings.
I can confidently say that the IONIQ 5 is a great family car, and that’s because my wife and I haul our own kiddo around in this segment-bending electric crossover with hot hatch flavors. The IONIQ 5 has won many awards, including Car and Driver’s 2022 EV of the Year.
Charging (Public fast charger): Adds 200 to 240 miles of range in 20 minutes
Cargo volume behind second row: 27.2 cubic feet
Total cargo volume: 59.3 cubic feet
Safety rating: Top Safety Pick Plus from IIHS
See Hyundai IONIQ 5 new and used listings.
The spaceship-styled EV6 is Kia’s version of the Hyundai IONIQ 5, which shares the e-GMP electric powertrain. The Kia EV6 has slightly less passenger and cargo space than the Hyundai, but it’s better range and equally fast charging make it an obvious feature on this list of best electric cars for families.
Charging (Public fast charger): Adds 200 to 240 miles of range in 20 minutes
Cargo volume behind second row: 24.4 cubic feet
Total cargo volume: 50.2 cubic feet
Safety rating: In Europe, the EV6 earned 5 stars
See Kia EV6 new and used listings.
Starting in late 2022, the ID.4 is now made in Tennessee. The newest American-made EV is equipped with decent range, okay charging, and a comfortable interior that’s designed for families. However, don’t expect Tesla-level infotainment. The ID.4 is best for those who are content with the simpler things in life.
Charging (Public fast charger): Adds up to 190 miles of range in 30 minutes
Cargo volume behind second row: 30.3 cubic feet
Total cargo volume: 64.2 cubic feet
Safety rating: Top Safety Pick Plus
See Volkswagen ID.4 new and used listings.
When the e-tron first debuted in 2019, it was ahead of its time. Today, the e-tron remains a solid choice for families with a large interior, acceptable range and average charging capabilities. The premium styling and interior comforts make up for what it might lack. The original larger e-tron has recently been joined by the Q4 e-tron crossover.
Charging (Public fast charger): can add 135 miles in 35 minutes
Passenger volume: N/A (two rows)
Cargo volume behind second row: 28.5 cubic feet
Total cargo volume: 56.6 cubic feet
Safety rating: IIHS Top Safety Pick Plus
See Audi e-tron new and used listings.
Where are all of the suburban-sized electric SUVs at? Unfortunately for larger families, large SUVs and minivans are not very aerodynamic, and therefore require larger battery packs to travel the same number of miles. As traditional and startup automakers ramp up their EV production, they’re increasingly left with no choice but to ration their batteries. The vast majority of EV automakers rely on battery manufacturers like Panasonic, LG and CATL to produce the batteries they need for their electric vehicles. If an automaker like Ford has signed supply contracts for X number of batteries, does it make sense for them to make 100,000 compact crossovers, or 20,000 full-size SUVs?
However, it looks like electric full-size SUVs are coming due to popular demand. There are just two quite expensive options now, but others are nearing production soon.
If you’re open to plug-in hybrids, the Chrysler Pacifica PHEV is a great vehicle, if you can find one at a fair price.
It’s not cheap, but the Model X is the most popular fully-electric three-row SUV today. With gull-wing doors and a massive glass roof, there’s no hiding the fact that the Tesla Model X is a luxury SUV.
Charging (Public fast charger): can add 200 miles in 15 minutes
Passenger volume: N/A (three rows)
Cargo volume behind second row: 42.5 cubic feet
Total cargo volume: 92.3 cubic feet
Safety rating: 5 stars from Euro NCAP
See Tesla Model X new and used listings.
Rivian is just beginning to ramp up production and sales of the Rivian R1S, the full-size electric SUV companion to the R1T electric truck. The R1S is a blend of luxury and off-road capability.
Charging (Public fast charger): can add 140 miles in 20 minutes
Passenger volume: N/A (three-row SUV)
Cargo volume behind second row: N/A
Total cargo volume: 88.2 cubic feet
Learn more about the Rivian R1S.
This three-row SUV has a starting price nearly $30,000 below the electric competition in this segment. VinFast is building a massive factory to build EVs in North Carolina. There’s a catch: Batteries are sold separately. VinFast offers two battery subscription plans. The VF9 also has a smaller sibling, the VF8.
Price: Starting at $55,500 + battery subscription
Passenger volume: N/A (three-row SUV)
Cargo volume behind second row: N/A
Total cargo volume: N/A
NHTSA safety rating: N/A
Learn more about the VinFast VF9.
The Hyundai IONIQ 7 will be Hyundai’s first three-row electric SUV. It will be joined by Kia’s version, the Kia EV9 electric SUV. Both of these should bring somewhat more affordable electric full-size SUVs to the American market. The IONIQ 7 and EV9 remain concept cars for now, with production details to be released this year.
NIO is a Chinese automaker very likely on a path to North American auto sales. With a corporate headquarters already open in California and US-market job postings, it’s all but certain. The NIO ES8 is a three-row electric SUV likely to make an American debut in 2024.
These EVs are great around town, but not recommended for family road trips.
With disappointing fast-charging capabilities, the bZ4X would be a real hassle on a road trip. The most capable all-wheel drive variant is rated at just 228 miles on a charge. That would be a non-issue if it wasn’t restricted to 100 kW at a DC fast charger. In the real world, the bZ4X and its sibling the Subaru Solterra would require 45 minute to hour-long charging stops every 175 miles or so on the interstate. That’s a lot of waiting around with a family!
Weeks after deliveries began, all bZ4X electric crossovers were recalled due to the risk of the wheels literally falling off. See our full breakdown of the Toyota bZ4X here. With faster charging, it would be a much better option!
The Solterra is the Subaru-branded sibling to the Toyota bZ4X. It’s essentially an electric Crosstrek. While standard all-wheel drive stays true to its Subaru roots, once again it’s the pitifully outdated charging capabilities that keep the Solterra off of our recommendations. Range is below average at 222 to 228 miles of range. It could be worth a look if you never hit the highway. Learn more about the Subaru Solterra.
You’re probably starting to see what makes or breaks an EVs suitability for families. Range, safety, interior room and charging speed are all important. If you travel, range and charging speed matter a lot. If you plan to stick around home, you have many more affordable electric vehicles to consider. The Bolt really only fails in one of these categories, but it fails in a big way. The 2023 Chevrolet Bolt has the same 55 kW DC fast charging limitation as the original Bolt did way back in 2017. With 238 miles of range (that’s solid), that means you’d be stopping to charge for 45 minutes to an hour every 180 to 200 miles on a road trip. About 90% of EV charging is done at home on average, but public charging is slow with the Bolt. We covered the 2023 Chevy Bolt in detail here.
The Leaf was the first mainstream EV to go on sale in North America. It’s been a much-appreciated affordable option since 2011, but Nissan has failed to update the Leaf as competitors entered the scene. A top-of-the-line 2023 Nissan Leaf is rated for 212 miles on a charge, but the peak charging speed is outdated. In a best case scenario, it takes 40 minutes to add 175 miles of range. Plus, the Leaf has an outdated charge port style known as CHAdeMO. You’ll have to haul an adapter around with you to charge in public.
It would be a welcome surprise if electric car prices dropped in 2023. Right now, EV prices are headed in the opposite direction. It seems like every week automakers from Tesla to Ford are announcing price increases for their electric models. In 2022, the average transaction price for an electric vehicle was $66,000, more than $10,000 higher than traditional vehicles. Fuel savings add up, but higher prices can bite into fuel and maintenance savings for years. See break even times for today’s most popular EVs. Gas prices matter!
A new analysis by iSeeCars finds that used electric car prices are rising much faster than their combustion counterparts. The report finds that EV prices are up 54% year-over-year. ICE vehicles were up 10.1% during that same period. There are more signs that used car prices are beginning to drop, but it’s within the realm of possibility that EV and PHEV prices will remain elevated even as the overall used car market softens. People are scrambling to buy EVs, and demand continues to exceed supply.
The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 eliminated the original EV tax credit and replaced it with a completely revised tax credit. For vehicles that qualify, up to $7,500 in tax credits are available. However, the incentive is based on battery sourcing, which will be determined by the automakers. Income limits restrict buyer eligibility, too. See the full details on qualifying models here.
There’s also a used EV tax credit for the first time, but a price cap of $25,000 eliminates every single family EV on this list. See what does qualify.
Generous state and local incentives may make the switch to an EV much more affordable, depending on where you live. See the most generous state-level EV incentives, and check with the DSIRE clean energy incentive database to find more incentives for your specific location.
Which family-size electric car are you considering? Let us know in the comments, or better yet join the conversation at our YAA Community forum.
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