10 PRACTICAL ELECTRIC SUVS WITH ROCK-SOLID DEPENDABILITY

New car buyers looking for a practical electric SUV are currently spoiled for choice in the U.S. market, as manufacturers rush the segment with attractive and compelling options catering to various needs. Crossovers and SUVs offer many benefits, including slightly improved safety ratings, more versatile capabilities, and generous interior space. Electric drive components are heavy, but their compact proportions mean that designers and engineers can maximize interior space without compromising comfort and handling physics.

Reliability is a core tenet for any family car, especially if it's the only car you have access to. Thankfully, electric cars benefit from substantially better reliability thanks to their simpler configurations that consist of fewer moving parts. Manufacturers back this by including more comprehensive warranty packages that can last up to eight years. With this in mind, there are some EV options that currently struggle with maintaining high quality and reliability standards. If you're in the market for a dependable and practical electric SUV, these 10 options are the most spacious and dependable ones you can consider.

Audi Q4 E-Tron

Cargo Capacity: 24.8 Cubic-Feet

The Audi Q4 e-Tron competes in the compact electric car segment, but still offers a respectable 24.8 cubic-feet of trunk space, which you can expand to 53 cubic-feet when folding the rear seats down. If you opt for the Sportback, cargo space increases to 26.1 cubic-feet. The NHTSA currently subjects the Q4 e-Tron to two recalls. One of these is resolved by an over-the-air software update, but the other requires a charging cable replacement.

Performance Specifications

The Q4 e-Tron sits with a 48/100 predicted reliability and 2/5 predicted owner satisfaction rating from Consumer Reports. J.D. Power is equally harsh on this model with a 63/100 quality and reliability grading. Audi starts pricing for the Q4 e-Tron off at $55,200, but you can pay as high as $62,200 for the Prestige trim before options and additional packages.

Jaguar I-Pace

Cargo Capacity: 25.3 Cubic-Feet

The Jaguar I-Pace is one of the first competitors in the electric SUV sphere. It features an impressive 25.3 cubic-feet of trunk space, which increases to 50.7 cubic-feet after folding the rear bench. There are currently two recalls to be aware of for the 2024 model year. Jaguar resolves the missing warning for a turn signal failure with a software update. The overheating high-voltage battery is a more serious issue, but an over-the-air update fixes this problem.

Performance Specifications

The I-Pace is one of the less trustworthy options on this list, with its 30/100 predicted reliability and 2/5 predicted owner satisfaction scores. Despite its age, Jaguar starts pricing off at $73,875 before adding any options. It keeps the range fairly simple by only offering one trim option.

Hyundai Ioniq 5

Cargo Capacity: 27.2 Cubic-Feet

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is a mid-size EV SUV boasting 27.2 cubic-feet of trunk space which expands to 56 cubic-feet by folding the rear bench down. 2024 models are subject to a recall affecting the charging unit, which the manufacturer will replace without cost to the owner.

Performance Specifications

Consumer reports issues the Ioniq 5 range with a 33/100 predicted reliability and 4/5 owner satisfaction score. It also gets a 70/100 quality and reliability rating from J.D. Power. The South Korean EV SUV is one of the cheaper options on this list, with its $41,800 starting price for the base SE. If you can get your hands on one, the D100 Platinum will have you increasing your budget to $59,400.

Toyota bZ4X

Cargo Capacity: 27.7 Cubic-Feet

Many critics feel that the Toyota bZ4X is a forced product, but by packaging standards, it's a fairly well-executed electric crossover. The trunk accommodates 27.7 cubic-feet of space, which is expandable to 56.1 cubic-feet by folding the rear seats down. Unlike the 2023 model's catastrophic recall for a spontaneously detatching wheel, the 2024 range is free from any concerning recalls.

Performance Specifications

Consumer Reports gives the bZ4X a 47/100 predicted reliability and 2/5 predicted owner satisfaction score, so there certainly is some room for improvement. J.D. Power's 64/100 quality and reliability rating further backs this notion. If you're interested in purchasing a bZ4X, you can expect to pay $43,070 for a base XLE trim and $45,180 for the Limited.

Audi Q8 E-Tron

Cargo Capacity: 28.5 Cubic-Feet

The Q8 e-Tron offers a good balance of practicality and reliability, with its 28.5 cubic-feet trunk that extends to 56.5 cubic-feet after folding the rear seats. The 2024 model also benefits from no recalls, investigations, or complaints at the time of compiling this list.

Performance Specifications

From a reliability standpoint, the Q8 e-tron is another EV that could do with some improvement. Consumer Reports issues it with a 41/100 predicted reliability and 3/5 predicted owner satisfaction score. J.D. Power's 74/100 quality and reliability rating gives it a bit more hope. Audi starts the Q8 e-Tron range off at $74,400 MSRP before options and packages. The SQ8 range ups the price to $89,800.

Genesis Electrified GV70

Cargo Capacity: 28.7 Cubic-Feet

The Genesis Electrified GV70 is a larger electric SUV option, offering up to 28.7 cubic-feet of trunk space. If this is still too compact, you can extend it to 56.5 cubic-feet when folding the rear bench down. You do have to be mindful of two active recalls affecting the model's charging unit and transmission harness.

Performance Specifications

Consumer Report's 44/100 predicted reliability rating and 4/5 predicted owner satisfaction scores are some of the better results you'll find on this list. J.D. Power sings the Electrified GV70's praises with an 84/100 quality and reliability rating. For a luxury model, the GV70 benefits from a relatively competitive $66,450 MSRP. The brand only offers one trim and drivetrain option, but there are several packages that will increase the price by a few thousand dollars.

Ford Mustang Mach-E

Cargo Capacity: 29.7 Cubic-Feet

The Mach-E's position on this list is impressive considering it's one of the few crossovers here that the brand markets as a more performance-inspired option. The mid-size crossover features a generous 29.7 cubic-feet trunk. When you fold down the rear bench, this increases the capacity to 59.7 cubic-feet. The NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2024 model year, which should ease the minds of many Blue Oval enthusiasts.

Performance Specifications

Despite a fairly good track record, Consumer Reports gives the range a 45/100 predicted reliability score, but a more preferable 4/5 predicted owner satisfaction rating. J.D. Power's 69/100 quality and reliability score further motivates its dependable nature with plenty of room for improvement. The base Select rear-wheel drive Mach-E's pricing starts off at $39,995. The aspirational Rally edition sits at the top with a $59,995 MSRP before options.

Tesla Model Y

Cargo Capacity: 30.2 Cubic-Feet

The Tesla Model Y punches above its class with a 30.2 cubic-feet trunk capacity. Folding the second row of seating expands this to an impressive 72.1 cubic-feet of space. You also benefit from a 4.1 cubic-feet frunk for storing smaller items. The 2024 model year also isn't subject to any noteworthy recalls, making it a more stress-free new EV option.

Performance Specifications

Consumer Reports gives the Model Y a 41/100 predicted reliability score, but the model fares better in the predicted owner satisfaction grading, with a 4/5 result. J.D. Power's 70/100 quality and reliability score shines the popular EV in a more positive light. Pricing starts at $44,990 for the base rear-wheel drive model, but the flagship Performance derivative will cost $51,490 MSRP.

Lexus RZ

Cargo Capacity: 34.9 Cubic-Feet

The Lexus RZ is a lesser discussed EV, but it's one of the better options you can consider if you're looking for a spacious EV SUV. This premium option features 34.9 cubic-feet of cargo space, which you can extend to 55.6 cubic-feet by folding the second row of seats down. Reliability thus far has been exemplary, as the NHTSA lists no recalls, investigations, or complaints.

Performance Specifications

Where dependability is concerned, the Lexus RZ aces its competition with a 79/100 predicted reliability score from Consumer Reports, as well as a 3/5 predicted owner satisfaction rating. It is a fairly costly option for its segment, with the 300e starting at $55,150, and the flagship 450e Luxury priced at $65,580.

BMW iX

Cargo Capacity: 35.5 Cubic-Feet

The BMW iX is a bit larger than the other options on this list, so its more spacious 35.5 cubic-feet trunk should be no surprise. It shines as a practical luxury SUV when you fold the second row of seats to increase capacity to 77.9 cubic-feet. Two active recalls currently affect the Bavarian SUV, namely an unintentional cruise control activation problem and a poorly secured HV battery cell monitoring circuit. A software update fixes the first issue, but 31 units must go to the dealership to repair the second problem.

Performance Specifications

The BMW iX gets a 59/100 predicted reliability and 4/5 predicted owner satisfaction score from Consumer Reports, while J.D. Power awards it 79/100 for quality and reliability. These are some of the highest grades quoted on this list, which you should expect, considering the base model starts at $87,250. The M60 is substantially more expensive, with its $111,500 starting price, but BMW will introduce more accessible rear-wheel-drive trims in due time.

2024-06-08T07:14:56Z dg43tfdfdgfd