Best New EVs and Hybrids of 2021

The electric revolution hasn't arrived with the ferocity predicted by futurists the world over, but we're still seeing some pretty big leaps in range, performance, and style with the introduction of each new electric vehicle. It's a promising sign of things to come, and one that gives shoppers a wide variety of choices. All of the best EVs provide enough range for use as a daily driver while offering features and technology that didn't even exist a few years ago. It's an exciting new segment in the automotive industry, and the list below highlights our top picks for the best hybrids, the best plug-in hybrids, and the best pure EVs available for 2021.

Those who are interested in the best EVs and hybrids from 2020 can refer to last year's list.

To compete with the growing number of electric vehicles hitting the market, Hyundai has swapped the Kona SUV's gasoline engine for an electric motor and battery pack to create the 2021 Kona Electric. The swap has resulted in a compelling electric vehicle, with an engaging driving character, zippy performance, and up to 258 miles of all-electric driving range. Styling differences include a unique grille and wheels, but the Kona Electric's unique looks still turns heads like the regular version. Rival EVs such as the Chevrolet Bolt, the Tesla Model 3, and Kia Niro EV offer similar functionality, but the Hyundai's starting price and unbeatable warranty makes it one of the smarter choices in the segment.

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The 2021 Chevy Bolt EV isn't as interesting as the Hyundai Kona Electric or as sexy as the Tesla Model 3, but its smooth ride, roomy cabin, and popular standard features make it an appealing option to mainstream-brand shoppers. The Chevy has an EPA driving range of 259 miles, which is nothing to sneeze at, and its fast-charging capability allows it to replenish up to 100 miles of range in 30 minutes. Sure, the Bolt's design borders on dorky, and its interior quality doesn't qualify as premium despite a starting price close to $40,000 (before federal tax credits), but its electric motor sends 266 pound-feet of torque to the front wheels, providing zippy acceleration. We also appreciate its one-pedal driving and satisfying-to-use hand-brake function.

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The 2021 Honda Insight is a hybrid with great fuel economy that looks and drives mostly like a conventional compact sedan. It shares many components with the popular Honda Civic sedan, and delivers a similarly pleasant driving experience and roomy, practical interior. The crucial difference is the Insight’s combination of a gasoline engine and electric motors, which supply power in a non-traditional way in the name of efficiency. The hybrid system is seamless during everyday driving but can occasionally be noisy when accelerating hard. But the Insight’s minimal price premium over the Civic and superb fuel economy make it a smart buy.

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The 2021 Toyota Corolla continues its tradition of being an inexpensive, safety-minded, and well-equipped compact car. Available as either a four-door hatchback or sedan, the little Toyota offers a variety of personalities. Both body styles feature a pair of dutiful four-cylinder engines, and they're also offered with an extremely frugal hybrid powertrain. For folks who appreciate driving engagement, the Corolla can be had with a manual transmission and a sport-tuned suspension. However, it's still less exciting than most of its competitors, such as the Honda Civic and Mazda 3. While the hatch has a tiny back seat, it shares desirable features and an attractive cabin design with the sedan. The 2021 Corolla isn't the most exciting small car, but it's still an efficient and stylish choice.

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Hyundai is becoming increasingly known for daring designs, and the company's compact sedan, the 2021 Elantra, is the latest to receive a bold new look. The new Elantra sports angular exterior details and an upscale cabin, both of which are intended to pull focus away from the segment's heavy hitters—namely the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, and Nissan Sentra. The standard powertrain is a 147-hp four-cylinder but Hyundai also offers a 201-hp turbocharged N Line model and an available hybrid powertrain. A host of driver-assistance features are standard, with even more advanced tech offered as options.

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The 2021 Hyundai Ioniq isn't flashy or exciting. Instead, the small hatchback offers hybrid and plug-in-hybrid powertrains that prioritize efficiency. The Ioniq also looks like a normal car, which is a departure from extroverted—some would say weird-looking—alternatives such as the Toyota Prius. While the Toyota hybrid is renowned for its gas-sipping efficiency, the hybrid Hyundai actually has better EPA fuel-economy ratings, especially on the highway (up to 59 mpg versus the Prius' 53). However, the plug-in hybrid version of the Ioniq is less efficient than the plug-in Prius Prime. Along with a handsome interior as well as a competitive roster of driver assists and infotainment features, the 2021 Ioniq does a great job of sipping fuel while shipping people. Just don't expect it to raise any pulses.

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In the shrinking segment of family sedans there are still some great cars to choose from, but one stands above the rest for its impeccable driving dynamics, practical interior, and value: the 2021 Honda Accord. So impressed are we with the Accord that it's become a nearly permanent fixture on our annual 10Best list and it finds itself there again for 2021. Buyers can choose from two turbocharged four-cylinder powertrains; there's also a fuel-sipping hybrid model available. No matter what engine powers the Accord, its handling is effortlessly balanced, which makes navigating twisty roads a joy and long highway journeys a pleasure. The Accord boasts a spacious trunk that will make grocery runs a snap and a back seat is commodious enough for two adults for long road trips. The roomy interior also easily accommodates multiple child seats for growing families.

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With electric vehicles becoming more commonplace, the electron-fueled 2020 I-Pace adds some excitement to the mostly sedate segment. Its alluring exterior makes a statement that rivals don't, while its interior supplies an excellent mix of luxury and technology. The all-electric Jaguar SUV accelerates with quiet gusto and actually manages to engage its driver with a surprising amount of athleticism. While every model has a claimed driving range of 253 miles and DC fast-charging capability, we found it hard to achieve that range and regular charging was on the slow side. Still, the 2020 I-Pace interrupts EV innovation in favor of making the species more desirable.

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Among the more affordable options in the electric-vehicle marketplace, the 2021 Tesla Model 3 is without doubt the one with the most name recognition. It borrows some styling cues from the company's Model S sedan and Model X SUV, but goes its own way with a unique interior design and an all-glass roof. Acceleration is quick, and the Model 3's chassis is playful as well—especially the Performance model's, which receives a sportier suspension and a track driving mode. But EV buyers are more likely interested in driving range than speediness or handling, and the Model 3 delivers there too. The base model offers up to 263 miles of driving range according to the EPA, and the more expensive Long Range model can go up to 353 per charge.

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Tesla's Model S sedan was the first mass-market car to prove that electric vehicles could be fun-to-drive, eco-friendly, viable as everyday transportation, and even useable for long trips. The Model S does all that even better for 2021. Depending on which trim you choose, the Model S can travel between 390 and 520 miles on just one charge and deliver blistering acceleration performance that rivals some of the world's best supercars. Tesla now sells more practical and more affordable models such as the Model Y SUV and the Model 3 sedan, but the Model S remains the flagship of the brand. Its interior is spacious for four adults but doesn't live up to the luxury price tag. With increased pressure from rivals such as the Porsche Taycan and the upcoming Lucid Air, the Model S is no longer in a class of one, but for some buyers the car's athletic chassis, Ludicrous driving mode, and exceptional range are enough to sell them on the Tesla EV lifestyle.

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The 2021 Porsche Taycan (pronounced tie-kahn) is a truly innovative electric vehicle, showcasing the high-performance potential of the species. As the first production EV with an 800-volt architecture and a multispeed transaxle, it sets new benchmarks in charging speeds and acceleration times. In fact, the top-of-the-line 750-hp Turbo S is among the quickest cars we've ever tested, even tying hypercars like the $1.7 million, 1000-hp Bugatti Veyron 16.4 to 60 mph in 2.4 seconds. This EV also has stamina, with the ability to make multiple high-speed runs without a significant loss in performance. Sure, the four-door sedan has a much shorter estimated driving range than its primary rival, the Tesla Model S, and all-wheel drive versions cost at least six figures at present. But the Taycan drives like a Porsche sports car and exhilarates in ways few electric models have done before.

Review, Pricing, and Specs