Sunday, 01 December 2024

 

Electric vehicles continue to generate news, specifically regarding how ready the public are to adopt them en masse.

But in the luxury realm of vehicles, many automakers are fully committed to making EVs a priority, and Audi is one that fits that category — planning to make all new vehicle offerings electric by 2026, and completely electrify its vehicle lineup by 2033.

At the moment, they have several EV options for sale, and I recently spent some time behind the wheel of their flagship EV — the 2024 Audi Q8 Sportback e-tron.

Improved for 2024 with a more powerful battery and longer range, improved aerodynamics, as well as some styling updates, the Q8 e-tron aims to be one of the main options for people looking to join the ranks of luxury EV ownership.

Read on for a full breakdown of what it has to offer and how well it competes in the overall EV landscape vs. rivals from BMW, Genesis, Jaguar and more.

Published in SUV / TRUCK REVIEWS

The Genesis brand, which has made major moves in the luxury car world for the past half-decade or so, is making a heavy move toward EVs.

They see the future is electric, and already offer multiple EV options, both on the SUV and sedan side of the business.

When it comes to the Genesis sedan lineup, the vehicle that began this transition is the midsize G80 sedan. Genesis first launched an Electrified G80 variant for the 2023 model, which carries over to 2024. What’s interesting about this particular model is there isn’t some radical new design offered, instead they are keeping the standard G80’s looks essentially intact, and swapping in electric power. 

Read on for a breakdown of how well the Electrified G80 holds up in the growing luxury EV market.

Published in CAR REVIEWS

As all automakers work to step up their game in the EV sector, Nissan is finally growing its EV presence with the new Ariya SUV.

An early adopter with the Nissan Leaf EV being on sale for more than a decade, Nissan has now delivered a strong second EV entry. All new for 2023, the Nissan Ariya delivers a bold look unlike anything else in the Nissan lineup, and expands the brand’s EV footprint beyond the long-running Nissan Leaf. 

The Ariya represents a logical step into the EV world for fans of the top-selling Nissan Rogue SUV, as the Ariya is sized similarly to the Rogue.

I spent some time behind the wheel of a 2023 Nissan Ariya Empower+, and I’m back with a full report on how it holds up in a growing and competitive EV market with offerings from Tesla (Model Y), Kia (EV6/EV9), Hyundai (Kona), Ford (Mach-E Mustang), Volkswagen (ID.4), Chevy (Bolt EUV) and more.

Published in SUV / TRUCK REVIEWS

BMW has been a longtime supporter of electric vehicles in the luxury realm, dating back to the quirky little i3 a decade ago. And they have stepped up their game with recent EV models that are much closer in design and performance to their regular lineup than ever before.

I recently tested one of those offerings, the BMW i4 — their entry in the compact EV sedan category, which is significant since so many new EVs are focused on SUV lineups. (NOTE: I tested a 2022 BMW i4 eDrive40, which transferred to 2023 with only minor changes)


LOOKS

The BMW i4 is a small EV sedan — based on the longtime favorite 3-series sedan and the 4-series Gran Coupe — with a hatchback-style trunk. It features a sleek, eye-catching exterior design that visually tops the looks of the few EV sedans available in the luxury realm, such as the Tesla Model 3 and Polestar 2.

BMW’s kidney-style grille will continue to polarize opinions, with some loving it while many loathe it, but I thought it fit well with the overall design. The Mineral White Metallic paint on my test vehicle was also very sharp, and the power glass moonroof lets the sun shine in.

Published in CAR REVIEWS

 
Electric cars are no longer the vehicles of the future. They are the vehicles of today, with seemingly every new vehicle announcement focusing on a new EV.

Volvo is one brand leading the charge in the EV landscape, having announced publicly a goal of selling only electric vehicles by the year 2030.

Volvo’s portfolio today includes the all-electric C40 Recharge – a compact crossover model that takes on competitors such as Ford’s Mustang Mach-E, Volkswagen’s ID.4, Audi’s Q4 e-tron, Mercedes-Benz EQA, and Tesla’s Model Y.

The C40 Recharge competes in a segment that focuses on offering extended range and luxury-light styling. Read on for a full breakdown of how it measures up.

Published in SUV / TRUCK REVIEWS

 

Electric vehicles will eventually be coming to a mass audience. 

It’s just a matter of how fast they get here. 

And while that timetable is debatable, what’s happening right now is automakers are each making their claim on this territory at the outset. Kia has jumped into the fray with the 2019 Kia Niro EV — a full-electric version of it’s Niro crossover, which is also offered as a hybrid.

How does the Niro EV compare to the growing field of EVs? Quite well actually, punctuated by a 239-mile range, roomy interior and high-tech offerings.

While other EVs may get more press, the Niro EV displays enough positive attributes to be a dark horse in the EV battlefield.

Published in SUV / TRUCK REVIEWS

Search Reviews by Make

AutoTechReviews  is your home for In-depth reviews of the latest cars, trucks, and SUVs; information on all the emerging vehicle technology; and breaking news from the world of NASCAR and other motorsports.