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Best Electric Sedans of 2022
Over the past few years, electric cars have come a long way, and you are no longer restricted to a hatchback or electric sedan. However, the traditional three-box body style remains one of the most efficient and reliable. Sedans are cheap in comparison to SUVs or pickups, and their lower weight means they boast some of the best all-electric ranges. However, with luxury brands like Mercedes-Benz and BMW getting serious about their own EV models, this may be the future of performance vehicles, too. Here is our ranking of the best electric sedans of 2022.
BuzzScore
Design
Performance
MPG
Interior
Infotainment
Reliability
Safety
Value
Characteristics of Electric Sedans
Each type of car has its own inherent qualities that can work for or against its appeal. The best electric sedan should have more strengths than weaknesses, but these are the characteristics you can expect to find when you start looking to buy one.
- Pricing: In the past, going electric was prohibitive due to the high price of EV technology. However, that is no longer the insurmountable hurdle it once was. Most of the economy brands, such as Hyundai, Toyota, and Nissan, offer electric sedans at very reasonable prices. That said, they are still more expensive than their ICE counterparts, and this becomes very apparent on performance or luxury vehicles.
- Fuel economy: The strongest selling point for any electric car, sedan or otherwise, is the huge savings you get on your fuel bill over the period of ownership. Since they run purely on electricity, you will never need to pay the high price of gas again. And, when it comes to smaller cars, such as sedans or hatches, the savings are amplified by their light weight.
- Practicality: While most sedans still supply a decent amount of room in their back seats, they seldom win any favor when it comes to the trunk. Luckily, engineers have found more creative ways to store the larger batteries needed to power these cars, so they don’t need to sacrifice any additional rear seat or trunk space. However, even without this, a sedan will never come close to competing with a pickup or crossover when it comes to how much it can stow in the back.
- Refueling and range: Few other body styles can match the impressive maximum range of an electric sedan and, in the USA, the number of charging stations available is equally astounding. Nevertheless, there are still not enough, especially in less urban areas, and it will still be some time before EVs can surpass gasoline-powered cars in terms of range to a “full tank.” This will likely only be a problem for particularly long trips, but having to wait for up to 45 minutes at a fast-charging station is still a hassle.
What to Consider Before Buying an EV Sedan
Though there may be a wide range of electric sedans in 2022, many shoppers will still hesitate to buy them over a traditional ICE car or even a hybrid. This is because it takes several years to realize true savings on your monthly fuel fill over the higher initial price. Here are the pros and cons of buying/owning an electric sedan so that you can see if it’s the right choice for you right now.
Pros
- They offer exceptional fuel economy figures, which lead to huge savings in terms of cost of ownership.
- They are becoming increasingly affordable as the technology becomes more widely accepted and utilized.
- They are more aesthetically appealing than the traditional hatchback EVs we have been stuck with in the past.
- They are good for the environment, as well as your sense of wellbeing.
- They often come with a lot of extra tech you would have to spend extra on in an ICE car anyway, such as LED headlights and heated seats.
Cons
- Though they may be more affordable than an electric SUV or sports car, they are still expensive in comparison to an ICE sedan.
- Charging takes a lot longer than refueling a gas tank, and getting the requisite equipment for home charging can increase the overall cost.
- The maximum range of EVs may be improving, with some manufacturers claiming more than 500 miles to a charge, but you can still travel further on gas.
- Not every area has the necessary public infrastructure to support the large-scale adoption of EV technology.
FAQs
Is an electric sedan really worth it?
While EVs are becoming more affordable, they are still significantly more expensive than their gasoline-powered counterparts. That said, they are definitely worth it if you have the money. This is especially true if you take frequent short trips around town and have time to recharge in-between. Even a relatively cheap electric vehicle should have a range of around 300 miles to a full charge, while expensive models like the Tesla Model 3 Long Range and Lucid Air Dream can approach or exceed 500 miles Over the course of their life, though, they will save you a great deal in fuel costs.
What is the most reliable EV sedan car?
Electric vehicles may be more advanced, technologically speaking, but they are actually simpler machines than cars with an ICE. Since there are fewer moving parts, there are fewer things that can go wrong. That means that EVs are generally more reliable, but some models that top the list include the:
- Nissan Leaf
- Kia Niro EV
- Chevrolet Bolt
- Tesla Model S
Is an electric sedan safer?
In the general sense of safety, EVs are no different front internal combustion vehicles. They are built in much the same way, which means structural integrity is almost identical. They may even be safer since they are often a little heavier than a regular car. This added weight leads to less internal force in the event of a crash. The fact that most electric vehicles get a veritable slew of advanced driver assists, even in their base configurations, is just an added bonus.