The electric vehicle market has exploded in recent years. Tesla’s success has awakened slumbering giants who have poured billions into R&D. But major carmakers aren’t the only competition, startups have emerged, emulating Tesla’s scrappy from the ground-up approach. All investment combined with ecological doom on the horizon has resulted in more and more new EV models coming out every year.

While there is plenty of hype from major manufacturers finally dipping their toes in the EV market due to name recognition and build quality, there are also many upstart EV companies that are generating tons of buzz. Here are some of the most anticipated high-end EVs of 2021.

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10 Tesla Model S Plaid

Tesla-Model-S-Plaid
via tesmanian

While Tesla’s Cybertruck and Roadster aren’t expected until 2022 Tesla wanted its fans to get excited for 2021. Announced on “Battery Day,” the record-breaking "Plaid" performance version of the Model S is an updated top of the line model that will feature a massive 4680-cell battery that puts out a muscular 1100HP and the company’s greatest range of 520 miles on a single charge.

Via: Teslarati

The Plaid model’s performance numbers thanks to the gargantuan battery are astounding with a 0-60 time of under two seconds, meaning it might even rival the Roadster, the company’s future hypercar. Unlike other Tesla models, the Plaid version of the Model S is handy on a track too. Elon Musk posted a video of the Plaid rounding legendary track Laguna Seca in just 1.30.3. The quarter-mile is completed in just nine seconds as well making the Plaid one of the fastest EVs you can get and for just $139,990, it’s a steal.

9 Aspark Owl

via Luxury Launches

The Plaid isn’t the only fast EV hitting the streets soon, the Japanese Aspark Owl is not only one of the fastest EVs on the road but one of the fastest cars, period. Motor Trend was able to whip the 0-60 in just 1.6 seconds, a blisteringly fast acceleration that is near impossible for any gasoline car to reach, even the hypercars of the world.

via Aspark

The 1984HP car isn’t just all speed, it’s a nice interior and the tech is cutting edge too. Of course, for $3.2 million it would be a shame if the interior didn’t match the performance. A comfortable seat lined with plush leather and one of the most solid steering wheels you’ll find in any car go a long way to inspire confidence to leave even a Bugatti Chiron in the dust. The Owl even has a 250-mile range so owners can embarrass supercar owners all day.

8 Audi e-tron GT

Promotional photo for the 2021 Audi E-Tron GT
BMW Blog

Audi has been working on EVs longer than most luxury brands with the e-tron SUV released back in 2019. The e-tron SUV proved to be one of the most popular luxury EV choices outside of Tesla. While good but not great range prevented the e-tron from being the Tesla killer that many people thought it would be the luxury outclassed almost every other EV on the market with Audi typical plush seats and loads of other comforts.

Rear end of the 2021 Audi E-Tron GT
Pinterest

But for performance buyers will have a new option in 2021, the e-tron GT, a sports sedan first featured in Marvel’s Avenger’s Endgame as Tony Stark’s futuristic ride. The AWD sedan has 590 horsepower, more horsepower than almost every version of the Model S except the upcoming Plaid version. With that much power, the e-tron GT can accelerate to 60 MPH in 3.5 seconds repeatedly without putting enormous strain on the powertrain as hard accelerations do in the Tesla. The range is still around 250 miles per charge similar to the SUV e-tron but will feature far more performance and improved styling and tech.

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7 BMW i4

Via BMW

BMW is finally entering the EV battle royale with a real contender. For a long time if a buyer wanted a BMW EV they were stuck with the i3, a boxy car with wheels skinnier than a Prius. The i3 was completely inadequate from the inside out for a serious luxury car buyer that wanted an EV with power, range, and comfort. BMW is finally releasing the i4 a competitor to the upper trims of the Model 3.

Via BMW

The i4 boasts a 372-mile range and 530 HP, both of which are greater than most Tesla models. BMW has not released acceleration numbers yet but it is expected to beat the performance trim of the Model 3. The i4 will also handily beat any Tesla in terms of luxury and build quality, a serious issue Tesla has yet to iron out.

6 Bollinger B1

B1
via Bollinger

At first glance, the Bollinger B1 is a retro boxy SUV akin to an old school Defender or Bronco but this all-American luxury SUV is completely electric and built in Detroit. Starting at $125,000 this luxury SUV is no joke and even features a 614HP and 668 ft-lb of torque powertrain. Bollinger specializes in trucks and is also coming out with the B2 an all-electric pickup truck. So, it’s not surprising that the B1 can handle 5,201 lb payload capacity and 7,500 lb of towing. While performance figures are unknown, it does have a 200-mile range on a single charge.

Bollinger B2 Interior
Via Bollinger

It’s clear that Bollinger aims to be the go-anywhere do-anything electric brand because the B1 is also marked as an off-roading beast. The SUV has 15 inches of ground clearance and up to 10 inches of wheel travel. The pricy SUV also has an advanced AWD system that is said to rival off-roading titans like Jeep and Range Rover. The unique design is modern, clean, and functional, perfect for the weekend warrior that needs an EV.

5 Jaguar XJ Electric

ev
Via: The Driven

Jaguar’s early success with the I-Pace EV encouraged the carmaker to expand into a more sporty EV similar to what Audi is doing with the e-Tron GT. Jaguar is keeping a tight lid on performance figures but we do know Jaguar will use the same 90.2-kWh battery pack that is powering the I-Pace. The I-Pace has a range of 234 miles on a single charge and has 394HP and a beefy 512 lb-ft of instant torque that can accelerate the SUV from 0-60 in 4.5 seconds.

ev
Via: Autocar

The XJ Electric is rumored to have a quad motor setup for increased sportiness and extremely fast acceleration but if it has a dual motor setup like the I-Pace it will still be plenty fast and will likely have greater range and performance than the I-Pace due to less weight and a sportier suspension setting.

4 Mercedes-Benz EQC

caranddriver.com

This list wouldn’t be complete without a Mercedes-Benz. One of the car luxury kings, Mercedes-Benz will release a series of EVs under the EQ sub-brand which includes the EQS and EQE sedans and the EQC and EQA SUVs. The first planned EQ Mercedes-Benz is the EQC a smaller SUV that is closely based on the GLC-class of SUVs. Being a Mercedes-Benz, the EQC is completely premium from the expensive leather seats to the solid buttons and switches.

Mercedes-Benz-EQC
Via caricos

But the EQC is no slouch. It has 402HP and 561 lb-ft of instant torque with an advanced dual-motor AWD system. Mercedes-Benz claims the EQC will accelerate hard and reach 60 MPH in around 4.8 seconds. While that may be very fast for an SUV it does not beat rivals from Audi, BMW, and Tesla. Mercedes has said their aim was not to compete in the EV market with speed but with the most comfortable interior and ride in the entire EV market and early reviews have backed up that claim.

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3 Rivian R1S

suv ev electric
via products.rivian.com

One of Tesla’s oldest and biggest competitors, Rivian made waves for trying to create the first and best electric pick-up truck beating both Ford and Tesla to the punch. But, the R1S is coming out sooner and may actually be the better option for most buyers. The R1S is a luxury SUV meant for off-roading like the Range Rover and G-Wagon.

Rivian R1S rear third quarter view
Via: Caranddriver.com

The R1S will feature 105.0-kWh, 135.0-kWh, or a 180.0-kWh battery back, the largest of which can get a claimed 410-range on a single charge. This would make it one of the longest ranges out of any EV other than Tesla’s Model S Plaid and Roadster. The top of the line R1S will have 754PH and should go from zero to 60 in just three seconds. But what makes the R1S truly impressive is the off-roading capability. Each wheel will have its own motor and the ground clearance is at an impressive 14.5 inches.

The interior will be comfortable despite the harsh off-road conditions outside. High-quality leather, wood, and aluminum line the entire interior, and two huge infotainment screens create a very comfortable driving experience no matter where a driver finds themselves.

2 Volvo XC40 Recharge

The Volvo XC40 Recharge is actually the cheapest EV on this list at $34,000 and is actually one of the cheaper EVs on the market in general but Volvo’s reputation for luxury earned a spot on this list. Stepping one foot in the compact SUV instantly reassures buyers that the price tag didn’t force Volvo to cut any corners. A heated leather-wrapped steering wheel greets the driver as the large center screen lights up with the industry-leading Volvo infotainment system.

ev electric
Via: Car News

There is no shortage of high-quality materials in the cabin and it’s easy to see the similarities to Volvo’s XC90 commonly cited as best in class for comfort and luxury. Luckily, drivers can also feel the refinement that is part of the Polestar’s platform. The 75-kWh lithium-ion gives the XC Recharge more than 200 miles of range on a single charge and a dual motor setup gives the Recharge a healthy 402HP. Almost as fast as the Polestar, the XC40 Recharge can go from zero to 60 in 4.3 seconds putting it far ahead of competitors in the same price range. The Android-based infotainment also makes it one of the best in the industry comparable with Android Auto and just as smart. The XC40 Recharge looks, feels, and drives like an $80,000 car for less than half the price.

1 Lucid Air

This list wouldn’t be complete without the Lucid Air. The EV company run by an ex-Tesla engineer has one of the most investment money out of any EV startup and has long been expected to be the best hope to topple Tesla off the EV throne. The Air has a sleek and futuristic styling much like the Tesla Model S but boasts bigger and better figures in almost every metric.

Lucid-Air
via cleantechnica

The Air has 1080HP and has up to 517 miles of range from a single charge making it far more impressive than any Model S except the upcoming Plaid version which is the latest and greatest Tesla before the Roadster goes on sale. But where the Air has a clear advantage over Tesla is in charging. At a DC fast charger, the Air can recover 300 miles in just 20 minutes, faster than a Tesla even at a supercharging station.

Lucid has also made sure that the interior is more comfortable than a Tesla Model S as well. The Air has more space, cushion, and support for people inside. There is even an executive reclining function for the rear seats. The Air also features 10 cubic ft of space for the frunk making it the biggest frunk of any EV. Lucid has promised to have better build quality than Tesla but it’s unclear how the fledgling carmaker will avoid Tesla’s pitfalls. There are high hopes that the Air will finally bring serious competition to Tesla.

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