Best Electric Vehicle of 2025

Winner: 2025 Kia EV9

Starting price range (all prices include destination charge): $56,395-$75,395
EPA-estimated electric driving range: 230-304 miles
EPA-estimated combined efficiency: 80-89 mpg-equivalent

Electric SUVs aren’t exactly a new concept anymore, but three-row mainstream electric SUVs are. Kia is setting trends with the EV9, but being a pioneer isn’t a reason for getting this award. The 2025 Kia EV9 takes home our Best Electric Vehicle award for its near-ideal balance of attributes that shoppers look for in an electric SUV: range, comfort, control usability and space.

The EV9 debuted as a 2024 model, and it comes in a lot of flavors: It’s available with a single electric motor driving the rear wheels or two motors for all-wheel drive. Battery choices range from a 76.1-kilowatt-hour Standard Range battery to a 99.8-kWh Long Range battery pack. EPA-estimated range varies from 230 to 304 miles on a charge, and power starts at a modest 201 horsepower and tops out at 379 hp; shoppers looking for more oomph can opt for an over-the-air Boost upgrade that amps torque output to 516 pounds-feet on Wind and Land trims, same as the high-end GT-Line.

Cars.com editors have had a lot of time — and miles — to get to know the EV9 after we bought one and added it to our long-term test fleet last year. As a daily driver for many of our staff, we’ve found its range to be competitive, and it stands out from other electric vehicles due to its charging capabilities: All trims use an 800-volt electrical architecture, and most trims can DC fast-charge at up to 210 kilowatts, enabling the EV9 to charge from 10% to 80% in just under 25 minutes in ideal conditions.

The EV9 has impressed on many fronts during our ownership, from its pleasant road manners, practical cabin and intuitive controls to its roomy second and third rows. We’ve also put it through car seat and cargo tests, and it emerged with flying colors.

And unlike other three-row luxury EVs, the EV9 has an approachable price starting around $56,000 for a base Standard Range variant and around $61,000 for a base Long Range trim.

What’s more, that pricing includes a generous list of standard driver-assistance and safety features, including a hands-on semi-autonomous driving system and forward collision warning with pedestrian and bicyclist detection and automatic emergency braking.

Overall, the Kia EV9 is a well-rounded electric SUV that won us over with its excellent blend of efficiency, intuitive controls and fast charging speeds. For all these reasons and more, we name the 2025 Kia EV9 Cars.com’s Best Electric Vehicle of 2025.

2025 Kia EV9 Specs and Reviews | Find a 2025 Kia EV9 Near You

hyundai ioniq 6 2025 exterior oem 01 jpg

2025 Hyundai Ioniq 6 | Manufacturer image

2025 Hyundai Ioniq 6: Finalist

Starting price range: $38,945-$52,195
Estimated electric driving range: 240-342 miles
Estimated combined efficiency: 103-135 mpg-e

It’s no secret that Cars.com is a fan of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 — the electric hatchback has won numerous awards during the last two years. Now the Ioniq 5’s sedan sibling is getting some love. The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 6 mid-size sedan earned a spot as a finalist for Cars.com’s Best Electric Vehicle of 2025 award thanks to its blend of comfort, efficiency and value.

The Ioniq 6 debuted for the 2023 model year and is a total styling departure from the blocky Ioniq 5; the sedan stands out with its dynamic face and slippery silhouette. Like its hatchback sibling, however, the Ioniq 6 combines easy-to-use controls, a pleasant ride and impressive efficiency.

The Ioniq 6 is offered in a couple of flavors: rear-wheel-drive versions use a single motor, and all-wheel-drive versions have two motors. The SE Standard Range version has a 53-kilowatt-hour battery, while all other Ioniq 6s get a larger 77.4-kWh battery pack. Depending on equipment, the Ioniq 6 has an EPA-estimated driving range of 240 to 342 miles on a charge. DC fast-charging speed is also impressive, with the Ioniq 6’s battery able to go from 10% to 80% in ideal conditions in as little as 18 minutes, according to Hyundai.

With a base price around $39,000, including destination, the Ioniq 6’s pricing also impresses, and even the entry-level trim comes with a host of standard driver-assist and safety tech. If you’re looking for an EV that can go lots of miles but don’t want to spend lots of money, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 should make your list.

2025 Hyundai Ioniq 6 Specs and Reviews | Find a 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 6 Near You

lucid air pure 2025 01 exterior front angle scaled jpg

2025 Lucid Air Pure | Cars.com photo by Aaron Bragman

2025 Lucid Air: Finalist

Starting price range: $71,400-$250,500
Estimated electric driving range: 361-512 miles
Estimated combined efficiency: 105-146 mpg-e

The Lucid Air is a five-seat electric sedan that exudes luxury-car style and comfort and is also quite efficient. It’s an impressive sedan, especially when you consider it’s the first vehicle from the startup automaker. The Air debuted for the 2022 model year with a futuristic, clean-sheet design that looks like nothing else on the road.

Its specs are just as breathtaking: Depending on the variant, it’s good for between 430 and 1,234 horsepower and between 361 and 512 miles of EPA-estimated electric range, making it among the most powerful and longest-range EVs on the market. And with a claimed 0-60 mph time of 1.89 seconds for the Sapphire trim level, it’s also among the quickest. DC fast-charging times are impressive, too, with 200 miles of range added in as little as 12 to 17 minutes, according to Lucid.

Outside, the Air’s dramatically lit face, fastback silhouette, sculpted body and vivid horizontal rear light bar stand out. Inside, it takes luxury to new highs with an opulent, spacious, tech-focused interior trimmed with posh materials. It drives like a dream, too, with instant and effortless power at the ready along with composed, confident driving dynamics. Put it all together, and the 2025 Lucid Air is an EV tour de force and a well-deserving finalist for our Best Electric Vehicle of 2025 award.

2025 Lucid Air Specs and Reviews | Find a 2025 Lucid Air Near You