7 EVs Worth Waiting for in 2024
A number of smaller and less expensive electric vehicles are on the way, in addition to more choices in family-friendly segments.
As more automakers enter the electric era, there will be more choice for car shoppers in the near future in all segments, including ones that have been largely overlooked until now. 2024 will see Honda offer its first electric SUV, while Volkswagen will field a challenger to the Tesla Model 3, which remains a top seller in its segment and will receive a refresh soon. Another trend to look forward to in 2024 are a greater variety of smaller and more affordable EVs arriving on the scene, after a seemingly long period of luxury SUVs from traditionally pricey brands.
But this doesn't mean EV makers will actively overlook performance in an effort to hit low starting price targets. There will be a number of choices that will seek to offer alternatives to Tesla's Ludicrous speeds.
Here are seven models worth waiting for in 2024:.
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Base price: $36,145
Volvo's littlest EV to date will offer not only a smallest physical footprint, but also the smallest CO2 footprint of any Volvo model when it goes on sale in summer 2024 as a '25 model.
A 64.0-kWh battery paired with a single-motor layout will be good for 268 hp and 253 lb-ft of torque, giving it a top range of 298 miles, while a sportier dual-motor version will dial up the output to 422 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque.
A minimalist interior with a vertical infotainment screen will keep occupants infotained, while a choice of sustainable interior materials will keep the production process greener than usual.
Why it's worth waiting for: That starting price will put it within reach for many car shoppers, inviting more Volvo owners to the EV party alongside the EX90.
Base price: $55,000 (est.)
Wolfsburg may have kicked off its electric lineup with an SUV in the form of the ID. 4, but a sedan is on the way as well.
Dubbed ID.7, the sedan will seek to challenge the Tesla Model 3 directly, with a 77-kWh battery under the floor to start and a new electric motor producing 282 hp and 401 lb-ft of torque. A larger 86-kWh battery will also be on the menu.
A 116.8-inch wheelbase will give passenger plenty of room to stretch out, with the midsize sedan also boasting a drag coefficient of approximately 0.23, helping conserve juice on trips long and short.
On top of everything, a PDLC (polymer-dispersed liquid crystal) electrochromic dimming panoramic sunroof will be a standard item.
We expect the ID.7 to gain a dual-motor version in due time, but the debut model will feature a single-motor layout. The sedan is already in production, going on sale in Europe and China first.
Why it's worth waiting for: A long-awaited competitor in a segment that Tesla has had to itself for years, the ID.7 should tick all the right boxes for EV fans and casual family sedan shoppers alike when it goes on sale here next year.
Base price: $30,000 (est.)
The Cinquecento seemed destined to become an EV, pairing a city-friendly footprint with a cheeky design.
The 500e headed stateside next year will pair a 118-hp electric motor with a 42-kWh battery, the larger of the two offered in Europe at the moment, which will also give it a range of 205 miles in the WLTP cycle.
Even with slightly more realistic EPA numbers, the 500e's range should still land well north of the 150-mile mark, which will rescue it from the doldrums of being a short-range EV.
Why it's worth waiting for: Classic design, tiny footprint, and a zero-emission drivetrain will tick the right boxes for those who need a pocket-sized EV, especially at a time when everything is becoming a crossover of some sort.
Base price: $48,000
Honda is getting into the EV game following a couple of smaller-scale experiments, including the Clarity EV sedan sold for a brief time in the late 2010s. It's next mass-market EV will be a crossover based on GM's Ultium platform.
The Prologue, due stateside next year, will offer a distinctive design language, a starting price below $50,000, a roomy interior thanks to a long wheelbase, an 11.3-inch infotainment screen, and a range of at least 250 miles.
Positioned between the Pilot and the Passport in size, the Prologue should be a logical choice for repeat Honda SUV owners looking to go electric.
Acura will get its own version of the model around the same time, albeit with a few more goodies inside.
Why it's worth waiting for: A sleek and modern Honda electric crossover should tick all the right boxes for many families even in base flavor.
Base price: $100,000
Polestar has been on a roll, set to unveil two crossovers in the next two years. But a large GT sedan is also on the way, ready to challenge competitors from Team Germany as well as Tesla's aging Model S.
The Polestar 5, previewed a number of times over the past few months, promises blistering dual-motor performance with 884 hp and 663 lb-ft of torque on tap, if the prototype we saw at Goodwood last year is any indication.
A long wheelbase should give passengers plenty of room to stretch out, while the bonded and extruded aluminum chassis should give the four-door excellent road manners.
That tall sticker will confer some exclusivity, but that price range is now par for the course when it comes to luxury EV four-doors.
Why it's worth waiting for: It will be Polestar's competitor to the Porsche Taycan, with a fresh design that should distinguish it from the many Tesla knockoffs.
Base price: $50,ooo (est.)
Up until recently, Stellantis has not been a visible player in the EV game. But that will all change in the near future with the arrival of the Dodge Charger Daytona SRT.
Revealed in concept form in 2022, the two-door coupe promises an 800-volt electrical architecture and a multi-speed transmission, which is not something we've seen in mass-market EVs so far.
Among other things, the Daytona will be a roomy and relatively affordable full-size domestic coupe, which is something Ford, GM, and Tesla aren't contemplating at the moment.
Why it's worth waiting for: A large electric coupe with performance to match will be a breath of fresh air in a sea of midsize luxury crossovers, with Dodge planning to bring American muscle with appropriate noises into the EV age.
Base price: $50,000 (est.)
One of GM's upcoming Ultium-platform vehicles will go to Buick, resurrecting the Electra nameplate for a midsize crossover.
More than a few items should be similar to the Cadillac Lyriq, arriving later this year, which should mean an output of 340 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque, and a rather large battery pack with 102 kWh.
This should give the Electra a range of just over 300 miles, along with near perfect 50/50 weight distribution. It should also give repeat Buick buyers a reason to go electric, just as the Ulitum platform offerings begin to separate into distinct price categories.
Why it's worth waiting for: A more affordable but still luxurious alternative to the Cadillac Lyriq, the Electra will be Buick's debut electric offering starting next year.
Jay Ramey grew up around very strange European cars, and instead of seeking out something reliable and comfortable for his own personal use he has been drawn to the more adventurous side of the dependability spectrum. Despite being followed around by French cars for the past decade, he has somehow been able to avoid Citroën ownership, judging them too commonplace, and is currently looking at cars from the former Czechoslovakia. Jay has been with Autoweek since 2013.
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