It feels like we’re getting cursed news about gas prices and oil shortages every day. When people say cars are an expensive hobby, I never thought they’d mean it would take, like, $50 to go on a canyon drive. Things are getting dire.
Is it so dire that I’d get an EV? I’d say no. I’m not there yet. I’m very attached to my fleet of gas-powered cars, not gonna lie. I still believe that nothing can really compare to the growl of a gas-hungry V8 or yelling “WHAT!?!?” while trying to have a conversation while driving 80 miles per hour in a Lotus Elise.
Ah, the one-of-a-kind joy of being a car enthusiast.
However, it’s getting a bit… Iffy. I can see why some people are considering the switch at this rate. I figured I’d tell y’all the electric vehicles I’d get if I were finally going to buy one.
You don’t have to listen to me. Trust me. But maybe you are also bored of the bland electric SUVs taking over the road and want something that still has personality and spirit despite its lack of of an engine. If so, take a look!
Rivian R2
I have always believed in Rivian, and it’s not just the cute headlight design. However, the R2 was make-or-break for Rivian. Luckily, it’s a delightful EV that’s capable, cute, and marketed perfectly. Smaller and cheaper than the R1 models, the R2 was aimed at adventurers and backpackers. I liked that more casual and lighthearted approach.
It didn’t get released as affordably as predicted, but it’s still relatively fair for an EV. And an SUV. It comes with a dual-motor electric powertrain and all-wheel drive, offering quick acceleration, off-road capabilities, and noteworthy handling. My colleague, Dave McQuilling, drove the R2 up a mountain in Utah.
He noted: “Despite some worries about off-roading in an EV, and the lack of things like a locking diff, the Rivian R2 is still one of the more off-road capable production vehicles around these days. Couple it with the number of accessories the vehicle has, including a rear air bed and roof tent, and you might have a very capable overlanding vehicle on your hands.”
But I’ll be honest, I’m not an off-roader. I don’t really give a crap if the R2 can drive over a bunch of rocks. So, for me, the R2 is still a great choice. It’s an all-around capable SUV you can trust. The interior is roomy and comfy. You get pretty good range. You can tow up to 4,400 pounds.
And let’s be real: the headlights are cute. It’s nowhere near as boring as the other electric EVs out there, with all their plastic cladding and shapeless features. And that matters. To me, at least.
Smart Fortwo (EQ)
Every time I see this car, I can’t help but laugh. And with so many EVs not wanting you to feel anything these days, I feel that counts for something.
There’s a new Smart coming out, and I believe it won’t have this same mischievous smile. So I’m not interested. I’m interested in the Smart Fortwo. The one that’s saying “heh heh heh.”
There’s nothing really that exciting to say about the Fortwo (but I don’t care). It has a tight turning radius, can fit in small parking spots, and it can probably fit like three bags of groceries. It’s powered by a 17kWh battery with 81 horsepower, a 0-60 miles per hour that’s under 13 seconds, and it has a 70-mile range. If you wanna charge up to 80% with a fast charger, expect it to take about 40 minutes.
In other words, it’s a cute, little car to drive around the city. Key word, cute. It’s not bland, mundane, and oversized like every electric SUV on the road. Are you seeing a pattern? I hate those things.
Volkswagen ID. Buzz
I had a huge debate with McQuilling about the Volkswagen ID. Buzz after it disappeared last year. I was expressing my sadness about its discontinuation, since it was one of the few electric SUVs with personality. It had a unique, retro-inspired look, cool, popping colors, and a fun take on storage and space.
But McQuilling wasn’t impressed. He pointed out that the range was horrendous, and it had no built-in bed. This basically defeated the entire purpose of the ID. Buzz. Why even come back? It was one of the most popular ways to camp (or pursue the transient van life) back in the day. I couldn’t deny that it had a horrible range and no bed. I mean, that’s basically why it failed.
But I still loved it.
Well, Volkswagen listened. The Touring trim has a built-in bed, blackout shades, and other features meant to help you have a comfortable camping experience. I think there’s even a hidden outdoor dining set. Is the range still bad? Yes. Is it still expensive AF? Yes. Do I still want it? You bet!
If you live in a state that has enough charging stations (California, I guess), you need the ID. Buzz. It’s totally worth sitting at a few charging stations as you make your way up the coast. Can you imagine driving this thing with a scenic ocean view, crashing waves, surfers? Maybe blasting some retro tunes? I feel like you’d never be happier.
Lucid Air
If you want something sporty, the Lucid Air is my choice. No, not the Tesla Plaid or whatever the heck it’s called. You won’t catch me in a Tesla ever. I’d rather pay for gas even if it became $10 a gallon.
The Lucid Air starts at $72,400, but you can pay up to $250,500. Yikes. So, what do you get for spending a chunk of your life savings on a sporty EV? I guess the longest range there is. The cheapest version, the Pure, has a 300-mile battery range while the Grand Touring gets 410 miles. The Sapphire gets you the same, but with leather seats and a 1,234-horsepower electric motor powertrain. This gets you a 2.1-second 60 mph sprint. If you don’t wanna pay all that, you can still reach 60 mph in 4.3 seconds with the Pure.
The Lucid Air is quick, even the base one. I mean, all EVs are quick. But the Lucid Air does it while looking flashy, classy, and cool. It’s a luxury vehicle with rich-looking materials and all the technology you could ever need. If you’re going to get a higher-end EV, I feel this is the one.
Lotus Evija
Would I actually buy a Lotus Evija? No, it’s $2.3 million.
So, why did I put it in here? Well, because 1. There are really not that many EVs I’d buy and 2. I’d buy it if I wanted to spend $2.3 million. So there.
The Lotus Evija is probably the most attractive electric vehicle ever made. It literally eats air, its aerodynamic design meant to direct air through the open tunnels in the back. This is fighter-jet-level aerodynamics. The sharp curves and edges, the aggressive slopes, the dramatics… It’s a work of art. It really is.
It gets to 60 miles per hour in under 2.8 seconds and has a top speed of 217 miles per hour. This is no longer particularly impressive, since even cheap Chinese EVs are hitting these numbers. But they aren’t as sexy as the Evija.
Maybe I’m biased because I love Lotus, but I feel this is the reason I love Lotus. This attention to detail is just beyond. You’re not gonna get something like this if you just buy some overpriced electric SUV. Sorry, couldn’t help myself.
