SUVs dominate the current American electric vehicle market, much in the same way they've squeezed out smaller vehicles in the combustion-powered world. Of the 40 or so EV models available in the US today, almost 70% are SUVs, with even more on the way in the coming months and years . Modern automotive design has transformed today's SUVs from truckish off-roaders into more road-friendly multitaskers, but Americans can't seem to get enough of SUVs, electric or otherwise, with their elevated seating position and spacious family-friendly cabins, and automakers love to sell 'em.
However, there's a very practical reason why most EVs worth your attention are technically SUVs, from the traditional two-box silhouette of the Rivian R1S to weird tall crossovers like the Polestar 2 or Hyundai Ioniq 5 : Taller SUV proportions just happen to leave plenty of room beneath the floor to accommodate the big, flat battery pack required to provide the range American drivers demand. And since most drivers care more about the visibility sitting high in an SUV affords than they do about ground clearance, it's a win-win for shoppers and automotive engineers alike. SUVs were already a force to be reckoned with on the automotive landscape and those that plug in are no exception.
With so many choices in such a fast growing and highly competitive class, it can be difficult to wrap your head around the options. That's where I come in with my 15 years of experience evaluating hundreds of SUVs for CNET revi.