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Best luxury electric cars in 2023

Want to get from A to B in style? Here's our pick of the top luxury EVs available right now

By Dave Atkinson
April 13, 2023

The luxury end of the EV market used to be dominated by Tesla – now it’s one of the most competitive sectors.

A combination of big SUVs, sumptuous saloons and performance cars, there’s no shortage of choice if you have some spare lottery winnings to splash out on a new set of zero emissions wheels.

As you will see, buying at this end of the market means you end up with cutting-edge technology and the longest ranges currently available.

The prices below are correct as of April 2023. EV ranges quoted use official WLTP (Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure) figures achieved in a laboratory. Real world ranges will vary.

The best luxury EVs you can buy right now

BMW iX

From £69,905

Verdict

Masses of space and a big range, and the sporty builds are blisteringly fast

It might have divisive looks, but BMW's flagship EV is a superb achievement. Futuristically styled inside, there's a huge amount of space for all the family and the new infotainment system is sensational and the fastest version (ix M60) can sprint from 0-62mph in an impressive 3.8 seconds. More big smoothie than "ultimate driving machine", the iX is a serious statement.

Read our review of the BMW iX

Tesla Model S

From £91,980

Verdict

The luxury EV that started it all? Still a winner after all these years

A genuine game-changer when it was launched way back in 2012, the Tesla Model S is still one of the best electric cars in the world. Depending on which version you opt for, it’s capable of a top speed of 200mph and a staggeringly fast 0-60mph time of just 1.99 seconds. Spacious and sporting a minimalist cabin, cynics still question its build quality, but it's aged well and is a sublime cruiser.

Read our review of the Tesla Model S

Mercedes-Benz EQS

From £105,610

Verdict

Huge range, with a luxurious and spacious interior

The EQS executive fastback oozes kerb appeal and is one of the world's most aerodynamic cars. Futuristic, luxurious, swift and spacious, it's a supreme cruiser that handles handles surprisingly well, despite its bulk. The EQS 450+ rear-wheel drive model we tested has a 107.8kWh lithium-ion battery and produces 329bhp with a 0-62mph time of 6.2 seconds. Find a 200kW charger and it will top-up from 10-80% in as little as 31 minutes.

Read our review of the Mercedes-Benz EQS

Audi Q8 e-tron

From £67,085

Verdict

A great blend of performance and luxury

Available as a regular SUV and as a SUV coupe (called the Q8 e-tron Sportback), theQ8 e-tron has everything you'd expect from Audi (a blend of performance, luxury and driving pleasure), plus practicality and genuine off-road ability. Powered by 71.2kWh or 95kWh batteries, the fastest version can accelerate from 0-62mph in 5.7 seconds and it can be charged from 20-80% in as little as 30 minutes via a 120kW rapid connection.

Read our review of the Audi Q8 e-tron

Genesis GV60

From £53,905

Verdict

An EV for the drivers: fantastic fun and very quick

The brand may be new to you, but Genesis is to Hyundai what Lexus is to Toyota. Not everyone is a fan of its looks, but there's no argument when it comes to the sheer dynamism of the package. There are three versions (Premium, Sport and Sport Plus), all come with a 77.4kWh battery and you can choose between rear=wheel drive and all-wheel drive (the quickest has a 0-62mph time of just 4.0 seconds). There’s ultra-fast 350kW charging too, meaning it can go from 10-80% in just 18 minutes.

Read our review of the Genesis GV60

Porsche Taycan

From £79,200

Verdict

Arguably the best EV in the world right now

Winner of both the World Luxury Car and World Performance Car of the Year categories at the 2020 World Car of the Year Awards, the Porsche Taycan is arguably the best EV in the world. Boasting a winning blend of cutting-edge tech, kerb appeal, sublime driving dynamics and excellent build quality, it's available as a four-door saloon, estate-like Sport Turismo and rugged Cross Turismo body styles. There are two battery sizes (79kWh and 93kWh) and the fastest version can complete the 0-62mph sprint in a staggering 2.8 seconds.

Read our review of the Porsche Taycan

Tesla Model X

From £98,980

Verdict

Seven seats and staggering performance from such a big car

This epic SUV can seat up to seven people and features cool falcon-wing rear doors. Much like the Model S, it's a big smoothie. An ideal cruiser, its straight-line speed is remarkable, considering it weighs some 2.5 tonnes (the fastest version can hit 60mph in a blistering 2.5 seconds). However, it's not the most dynamic of drives and build quality isn't up there with Europe's best.

Read our review of the Tesla Model X

Audi e-tron GT quattro

From £85,185

Verdict

Sublime handling and a big range from the 93kWh battery

Sharing a platform with the sublime Porsche Taycan, this four-door saloon is offered as a an e-tron GT quattro or hardcore RS e-tron GT. Sleek, comfortable and well built, it's agile and blisteringly fast with the 0-62mph sprint taking just 3.3 seconds. Both versions have a 93kWh battery and twin electric motors (one on each axle) and a typical 20-80% charge should take around 30 minutes using a fast 150kW public chargepoint.

Read our review of the Audi e-tron GT quattro

Jaguar i-Pace

From £69,995

Verdict

Comfortable and practical with plenty of badge appeal. Surprisingly good off-road too.

Blending comfort, performance, practicality and genuine off-road capability, the I-Pace is a remarkably well sorted SUV. Featuring a 90kWh battery pack and dual-motor powertrain, it can sprint from 0-60mph in just 4.5 seconds and is capable of adding 78 miles of range in 15 minutes via a 100kW rapid connection. Winner of the 2019 World Car of the Year title.

Read our review of the Jaguar i-Pace

Mercedes EQS SUV

From £129,170

Verdict

Loads of space and loads of range; seven seat option available

A 2022 newcomer, Merc's electric luxury flagship rivals the Audi E-tron and BMW iX. Power for all launch models is provided by a 107.8kWh battery and it's available as a single-motor, rear-wheel-drive and dual-motor, four-wheel-drive. The EQS SUV shares its long wheelbase with the EQS Saloon, but is more than 20cm higher and there's a seven-seat option. Plug into a 200kW rapid charger and it will top-up from 10-80% in as little as 31 minutes.

Read our review of the Mercedes EQS SUV

Lotus Eletre

From £100,000

Verdict

The world's first electric hyper-SUV?

And finally, here's a treat for 2023. Lotus has unveiled the “world’s first electric hyper-SUV” - the first of three new lifestyle EVs over the next four years. Lotus claims this stunning 4x4 will have a 600hp power output, while a rapid 350kW charger can deliver 248 miles in just 20 minutes. It also joins the exclusive ‘The Two-Second Club’ because it's capable of sprinting from 0-62mph in less than three seconds. Price expected to be around £100,000.

Read our review of the Lotus Eletre