Electric vehicles are the future. Even racing and off-road enthusiast have accepted this reality with the knowledge that EVs can be fun and engaging. We’ll lose the smell and the sounds, but one of the key purposes of racing is to improve the breed, so why not welcome the transition to electric propulsion?

The 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EV could not be further from an enthusiast vehicle, but it’s just as important—if not more so—to the auto industry. Introduced for the 2017 model year and updated for 2022, the Bolt EV is the tip of GM’s EV spear. More EVs are coming, but it all starts here.

For 2020, the Bolt EV's range was increased to 259 miles. That carries over to 2022, and the Bolt EV gets standard DC fast charging as well, making it a more realistic option for more car shoppers. But is it enough to get you to make the leap to EV?

The 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV trades on the established Equinox nameplate to help ease the transition to battery-electric power, but the Equinox EV is just that: an EV, from the ground up. Its dedicated architecture is wholly independent of the internal-combustion-engined (ICE) Equinox. It’s available in two well-known Chevy flavors, LT and RS, with additional differentiation among the more sedate 1LT, 2LT, and 3LT and the sportier 2RS and 3RS. Accounting for current availability puts base MSRP at $43,295, for the 2LT, but that will fall to $34,995 when the 1LT trim level becomes available later in 2024.

Verdict: The Equinox EV does exactly what its name promises, offering the benefits of electric power in a comfortable package, and at a price point that’s hard to beat.

By 2023, it should be clear that electric vehicles are here to stay. Companies that got started early on EVs have a head start, and when considering the current era of electric mobility, no major automaker got out of the starting blocks faster than Nissan. The 2010 Nissan Leaf invited the masses to experience quiet, efficient motoring—but in the decade-plus since its debut, it has been caught by more impressive competition.

The all-new 2023 Nissan Ariya aims to retake market share in the space. With front- and all-wheel-drive powertrain options, slick design, immersive technology, and a competitive price tag, the Ariya looks capable of putting Nissan back into the EV conversation. We tested a single-motor Ariya in the fall of 2022 and have since evaluated the dual-motor e-4ORCE model for this updated review.

The 2023 Kia Niro enters its second generation with fresh styling and numerous mechanical and tech updates, but it still offers a choice of three powertrains, with the Niro Hybrid, Niro EV, and Niro PHEV plug-in hybrid all returning for 2023. That means a change in focus for the all-electric Niro EV, which is the subject of this review.

The first-generation Niro EV was Kia’s first mass-market not based on an existing gasoline model (the Soul EV paved the way for it). But the redesigned 2023 Kia Niro EV now shares the lineup with the Kia EV6. That model takes aim at more premium EVs like the Ford Mustang Mach-E, Hyundai Ioniq 5, and Nissan Ariya, leaving the Niro EV to compete with entry-level models, such as the Chevrolet Bolt EV and EUV, Volkswagen ID.4, and Nissan’s Leaf.

Available in all 50 states, the 2023 Niro EV launches in whimsically named Wind and Wave trim levels. We spent some time in the higher-level Wave version for this review.

Thanks to a new, more powerful rear-drive motor, increased driving range to nearly 300 miles, a next-generation infotainment system with substantial user-experience improvements, and a handful of comfort and convenience upgrades, the 2024 Volkswagen ID.4 is a better than before. However, it no longer includes complimentary DC fast charging for three years. Instead, you get up to 500 kWh of free charging, after which you’ll pay to play.

Verdict: While the downgrade in free charging is a bummer, the updated 2024 Volkswagen ID.4 is not. With the technology better sorted, improved comfort, an impressive sound system, and more power, performance, and range, VeeDub’s electric SUV need not make apologies.

In terms of buzz, Ford's sporty all-electric crossover has come a long way since it first sparked outrage for appropriating the famous Mustang name. It seems most have accepted or resigned themselves to that, and the conversation these days seems to be all about how much owners love it-and how much Ford continues to improve it. It got Ford's BlueCruise hands-free driving highway driving technology for 2023. For 2024, Ford raises the bar with a new Rally trim while also giving the rest of the lineup some key upgrades.

Verdict: Thanks to Ford's continued attention, the Mustang Mach-E is a better value proposition than ever. Best of all, the automaker has plans to look after owners of 2023 and older models as well.

Toyota is not known for . Aside from the RAV4 EV models built to satisfy California regulations, Japan’s largest automakers quest to reduce emissions has mostly focused on hybrids like the Prius. So the 2023 Toyota bZ4X is a major shift for the firm.

The bZ4X is Toyota’s first electric car for the United States market aimed at volume sales—and it won’t be the last. The “bZ” prefix stands for “Beyond Zero,” the name Toyota is using for a family of planned electric models. For now, the bZ4X enters a crowded market of small electric crossover SUVs, already populated with a long list of entries like the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Nissan Ariya, and Volkswagen ID.4, among others.

When it comes to configurations, Toyota keeps things simple. Buyers can choose between XLE and Limited trim levels, and single-motor front-wheel drive (FWD) or dual-motor all-wheel drive (AWD) powertrains. This bZ4X review is based on our experience with an AWD Limited model.

Just one year after Subaru introduced its first electric car, the 2024 Solterra receives changes to upgrade battery charging, update the EyeSight collection of standard safety features, enhance comfort and convenience, and add utility. Better yet, Subaru hasn’t raised prices, at least as the 2024 model year kicks off. The automaker is also using a regulatory loophole related to the EV federal income tax credit to make leasing a Solterra more affordable.

Verdict: With the 2024 Solterra, Subaru has a more credible EV to sell. From the new steering wheel and available ventilated front seats to the updated EyeSight features and quicker charging battery pack, it is more appealing than before. However, unimpressive range ratings remain an issue.