Range Five electric cars with the highest range in their class

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FAULHABER Drive Systems

Wuxi InfiMotion Technology Co., Ltd.

Electric cars have many qualities, but one outshines them all: Range. In five vehicle classes, new leaders have emerged—from city cars to luxury sedans.

Electric cars have many attributes that can influence the purchase decision. However, despite all the pros and cons, there is one metric in the electric world that eclipses all others: range. Horsepower, Newton meters, top speed, or trunk volume? None of it matters.

Those who invest in an electric car primarily look at the WLTP range. This depends, among other things, on the vehicle class. An extremely expensive luxury sedan with an XXL battery will always go further than the practical city compact. That's why we have crowned "range giants" in five segments.

Subcompact

The first mass-produced electric cars mainly came from the subcompact segment. Pioneers like the Mitsubishi i-Miev were purely city cars that quickly ran out of energy. Things are looking much better now, as 400 kilometers (approx. 249 miles) is the new gold standard for the smallest cars.

This range is achieved, for example, by the Stellantis electric models in the 115 kW drive variant with a 54-kWh battery. The Fiat 600e promises the greatest range with 409 kilometers (approx. 254 miles), according to WLTP), followed by the Peugeot E-2008 (406 km or 252 miles) and the Opel Corsa-e (401 km or 249  miles).

The new king of small cars is the recently introduced Renault R5 E-Tech in Germany, which narrowly claimed the blue ribbon with 410 WLTP kilometers (approx. 255 miles). This victory is well-deserved by the fresh French model, as the version with the longest range manages with a capacity of 52 kWh, two kWh less than its closest competitors. However, those who want maximum range with the small car will have to pay a hefty price of about 33,000 euros (35.244 USD) for the R5 E-Tech.

Compact class

The range of models in the electric compact class is now very large. Just a few years ago, range was quite limited in this category. The VW e-Golf, built between 2017 and 2020, could manage 200 kilometers (approx. 124 miles) on a good day with very conservative driving, which relegated it to being an urban electric vehicle. Its successor, the VW ID.3, is a true long-distance runner. The now over five-year-old series offers many variants with different battery formats and ranges.

The 210 kW strong GTX, only a few months old, offers not only enhanced driving pleasure but also an extended range. The two-ton vehicle, equipped with an 86 kWh high-voltage battery, is said to achieve 606 kilometers (approx. 377 miles) and can also be recharged quickly. However, it will set you back around 47,000 euros (50.196 USD). Considerably less, namely about 41,000 euros (43.788 USD), is the cost of the new Kia EV3 with an 81 kWh battery, which narrowly falls short of the ID.3 with a 605-kilometer (approx. 376 mile) WLTP range.

Crossover coupe

For those who find the compact class insufficient, they should look into the next higher class of medium-sized crossover coupes. They are particularly popular with customers as lifestyle models. A coupe-like rear end gives it the final touch. The already high body offers plenty of space for large batteries in the underbody.

When thinking of the range king in this segment, most would first consider Tesla's Model Y. The Long Range RWD version, with 75 kWh, achieves 622 kilometers (approx. 386 miles) according to WLTP. However, the model now has to concede to the Ford Capri, which is only a few months old. Produced in Cologne, the vehicle manages a good 627 kilometers (approx. 390 miles) with 82 kWh. Around 52,000 euros (55.536 USD) are required for the Ford, which externally only vaguely resembles the original Capri.

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Large SUVs

In the next higher class, the large and seven-seater SUVs, the range extends even further. The new range king here is the Peugeot E-5008. The seven seats are somewhat questionable, as unlike the Kia EV9, which offers full-fledged seating in all three rows, the rear seats of the E-5008 are only really suitable for children.

In return, the range is generously measured at 664 kilometers (approx. 413 miles). The electric vehicle is supposed to take the lavishly equipped 2.3-ton vehicle with 97 kWh that far. If you want this range, you must invest around 55,000 euros (58.740 USD) in the single-motor, 170 kW French vehicle.

Luxury sedans

For those who find that too cheap, too small, or not enough range, they should consider entering at the top. In the luxury segment, which in extreme cases allows for an operational range of almost 1,000 kilometers (approx. 621 miles). At least that's possible with the Lucid Air, which has been available in Germany for a little over two years.

The outwardly elegant and inwardly luxuriously equipped American is listed in the Grand Touring version, costing at least 130,000 euros (138.840 USD), with 960 kilometers (approx. 597 miles) for several months now. The basis for this is a 117 kWh battery. This makes the Air by far the electric car with the greatest range on the German market. Following at a considerable distance is the Mercedes EQS, also positioned in the upper class, with up to 821 kilometers (approx. 510 miles).

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