Today's automotive landscape is unlike anything gearheads experienced 20 years ago. Back then, combustion engines were still at the center of all discussions. Whether it was the muscly V8s coming out of the United States or the marvelously engineered units found on German sports cars of that era, gasoline-powered vehicles seemed to be the only available option at the time.
Some of the electric vehicles that are changing the industry have unleashed a new wave of powerful and luxurious vehicles. With electric motors being applied to almost every type of vehicle being created, it is now becoming the norm to stumble across an overly powerful SUV or a pickup truck with electric powertrains that produce just as much power as a conventional supercar. The increase in the adoption of EVs is a great pointer that these torque machines are here to stay, and these examples are your best bet to daily potent electric awesomeness.
10 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning
Ford has been dominating the large-sized truck market for decades thanks to its F-Series. In order to satisfy buyers wanting more out of the legendary F-Series, Ford released special editions of its trucks that followed the current trend at the time. Most gearheads will fondly remember the F-150 SVT Lightning based on the 10th edition of the F-150.
There are things gearheads need to know about the Ford F-150 Lightning. Unlike its predecessor, the latest F-150 Lightning comes with two electric batteries that produce up to 580 hp and 775 lb-ft of torque. Despite being an electric truck, the F-150 Lightning has a towing capacity of up to 10,000 lbs. However, these numbers only apply to the top-line Lightnings. The Extended Range trims start at around $74,000.
9 2021 Polestar 2
Volvo has earned the reputation of manufacturing vehicles that only suburban moms and college girls would go for. Piston heads believing that Volvos are lukewarm cars made to go from point A to point B could not be farther away from the truth. The Swedish company has been producing wolves in sheep's clothing for over three decades now and is showing no sign of wanting to change things.
Polestar was acquired by Volvo in 2015. As with many Volvos, the Polestar 2 completely fell under the radar. Unsurprisingly, the Polestar is very impressive. With a dual-battery system and an electric motor on each wheel, the Polestar 2 makes at best 408 hp and 487 lb-ft of torque. With an EPA-estimated range of 249 miles, the Polestar 2 is a fun liftback that will exceed most expectations.
8 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E GT
Ford's most successful and long-lasting nameplate, the Mustang, has fascinated generations of car fans globally. In fact, the Mustang became the emblem of the American automotive industry. Despite having an outstanding track record, the Mustang did go through phases that even Ford would like to forget about. Recently, Ford released a highly-controversial electric version of its pony car.
The Mustang Mach-E is arguably the most hated Mustang after the Mustang II of the '70s. Despite its heavy look, the GT trim is quite attractive. The electric unit produces 480 hp and 600 lb-ft of torque. Though it is true that the Mach-E is the most hideous Mustang, it remains a powerful crossover that families with a need for speed would love.
7 2022 Rivian R1T
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Several startups have mushroomed in the last 10 years. Some of the most publicized startups in the car industry, such as Nikola, have completely failed and even defrauded investors. However, not every EV startup was up to no good. When it comes to legitimate companies with a product like Rivian, it is fair to say that electric vehicles have come a long way.
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Some of the coolest features of the 2022 Rivian R1T will make you forget about the Cybertruck. This amazing all-electric pickup is not only avant-garde, it is the very first American-made electric pickup truck manufactured by a startup company. The R1T Launch Edition, being the top-line trim, comes with a 180 kWh battery mated to four motors that make 835 hp and 908 lb-ft of torque. With a towing capacity of 11,000 lbs and an EPA estimated range of 314 miles, the Rivian is a powerful truck that can haul a decent load.
6 2022 Jaguar I-PACE
British cars may not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about vehicles in general, especially in the most recent years. However, British automakers have remained relevant by manufacturing astonishing supercars and ultra-luxurious sports cars. At Jaguar, vehicles have improved drastically in quality and technology, as seen with the latest I-Pace.
The first all-electric crossover by Jaguar is far from being a let-down. In fact, the I-PACE is an excellent family vehicle that would satisfy fathers with a need for speed. The I-PACE is powered by a 90 kWh battery connected to two motors that develop 394 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. Its EPA estimated range of 246 miles is on par with what has been witnessed in the industry.
5 2022 Kia EV6 GT
South Korean car companies, namely Kia and Hyundai, have drastically improved the quality of their vehicles over the last two decades. Kia went from producing the disposable Sephia back in the early '90s to offering a super sedan from the seventh layer of hell. In its effort to become increasingly relevant internationally, Kia has done everything possible to come with respectable vehicles.
The 2022 Kia EV6 GT could be the best electric car to come out of South Korea. The compact crossover comes with a stylish design that would attract most skeptics. However, the cherry on top remains the dual-motor system combined with the 77.4 kWh battery. With that configuration, the EV6 makes 576 hp and 546 lb-ft of torque. Going from zero to 60 mph in 3.2 seconds and reaching a top-speed of 162 mph, the EV6 GT is the proof that electric cars do not have to be boring.
4 2022 Porsche Taycan GTS
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Porsche seems to always be at the forefront of innovation. Back in the early 1900s, Ferdinand Porsche had already produced the very first hybrid vehicle. Since then, Porsche has come up with a plethora of innovative products. In the most recent decades, Porsche made sure to offer vehicles that were in line with the current trends.
When Porsche announced it was working on an all-electric sports car, gearheads everywhere started losing their mind. Since its release the Taycan has shown that Porsche always excels whenever it builds a sports car. The GTS trim comes with a motor on each axle and a 93.4 kWh battery that develops 590 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque in launch mode.
3 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5
Asian carmakers have been quick to hop on the electric vehicle bandwagon. As far as South Korean Hyundai is concerned, things have moved rapidly. Models under Hyundai's luxurious subsidiary Genesis have inherited some of the latest technology. However, these amazing vehicles are far from being affordable. Consequently, Hyundai released an all-electric vehicle that is made for the masses.
Hyundai has come a long way since the early '90s. As with most Asian carmakers, Hyundai learned from other's mistakes and leapfrogged into the big league. The Ioniq 5 is the prime example of Hyundai's success. The compact crossover comes at best with a dual-motor system mated to a 77.4 kWh battery. The combination makes 320 hp and 446 lb-ft of torque. The Ioniq has an EPA estimated range of 303 miles.
2 2022 Audi e-tron GT
Realizing major changes in the market starting in the '90s, Audi went above and beyond to offer vehicles that would become iconic. From the very first Audi RS4 to the latest R8, Audi has shown the world that the success of its Sport Quattro was not just a fluke. When Audi entered the electric vehicle market, the German automaker showed once again that it was there to annihilate the competition.
There are several reasons why piston heads would buy the Audi e-tron GT over the Tesla S any day. In fact, the 2022 Audi e-tron GT looks far fiercer than the Tesla S. Even if the e-tron GT has a shorter range than the Model S, the dual-motor and 93.4 kWh combination produce 469 hp and 464 lb-ft of torque. The stylish and sporty electric sports sedan turns into a true beast when given the RS treatment.
1 2023 Toyota BZ4X Limited
Toyota has dominated the hybrid market since the release of the second generation Prius. While the Prius is far from being perceived as a real car among gearheads, it remains one of the best-selling hybrids in the world. Noticing that carmakers were seriously considering electric vehicles, Toyota came up with its own family-oriented all-electric crossover.
The BZ4X looks like the electric version of the fifth generation Rav4. What is even more interesting is that Toyota released an all-electric version of the Rav4 back in 1994. The BZ4X is unlike its electric uncle. Equipped with two electric motors and a 72.8 kWh battery, the BZ4X pumps out 214 hp and 248 lb-ft of torque. With an EPA estimated range of 242 miles, the BZ4X is a great mid-range crossover for somebody looking for an affordable and reliable vehicle.