These EVs aren’t afraid of long roads
Range anxiety has been one of the major hurdles preventing a rapid, widespread EV transition in the United States. With our long, often desolate highways, the ability to comfortably cover vast distances without worrying about finding a charger is still more relevant here than it is in Europe. However, there are now several long-range EVs that can be quickly charged, making them suitable for road trips. Our choices prioritize range, charging, and practicality. If you want an electric vehicle that can go further, these are the best options.
Winner: BMW iX3
BMW
Deliveries of the 2027 BMW iX3 are set to start in fall 2026. On paper, it already looks like a class-leading prospect. An EPA-estimated range of up to 434 miles places the iX3 ahead of its rivals, and even less capable versions arriving later will still be able to cover at least 383 miles on a full charge.
The iX3’s new 800-volt architecture allows for DC fast charging at up to 400 kW. Currently, most of the fastest-charging SUVs can only hit 350 kW, so this is another area where the BMW elevates itself above the rest. The battery can be replenished from 10 to 80% in just 21 minutes, which eases the charging burden on longer trips.
BMW
Being a new, electric BMW SUV, the iX3 is quite a performer. The 50 xDrive variant that arrives first has standard dual motors and all-wheel drive. Producing 463 horsepower combined, it can reach 60 mph in 4.7 seconds.
We found the new iX3’s design to be less polarizing in the metal, while the new interior display—with a driver’s display below the windshield—is very easy to read. As a whole, it looks nothing like BMW’s current range of SUVs, and the design language has already been repeated on the all-new X5.
A starting price of $61,500 is reasonable for what the iX3 offers. If you need to tackle the long road with your family, it’s a top contender.
iX3 Pros
- Class-leading range
- Ultra-fast charging speeds
- A new era for BMW design
- Well-priced in its segment
- Quick acceleration
iX3 Cons
- Yet to prove itself on American soil
- New design not to all tastes
iX3 Ratings
- Range: 5/5
- Charging: 5/5
- Practicality: 4/5
Who’s It For?
On paper, the new BMW iX3 is hard to beat. It’s cheaper than rivals from Audi and Porsche yet charges quicker and has a longer range. If you need an electric SUV with enough space, luxury, and range for a family of four, the iX3 should be on your shortlist.
Recommended Trim
The iX3 will only be available in one trim level when it goes on sale in fall 2026. That’s the 50 xDrive, which starts at $61,500. By default, it’s our current choice, but more variants are set to be introduced at a later stage.
Runner-up 1: Lucid Air
Kyle Edward
It’s not a cheap vehicle, but there are few better EVs for covering long distances than the Lucid Air sedan. It’s as slippery as it looks, which contributes to class-leading efficiency and range. The Pure derivative with RWD gets 146 MPGe combined and a 420-mile range, but the Grand Touring is capable of up to 512 miles on a full charge. It achieves these range figures in real-world driving scenarios, too.
Charging speeds reach up to 300 kW at a compatible DC fast charger, with Lucid claiming you can add 200 miles of range in as little as 12 minutes, depending on the trim.
Lucid
So, charging and range are better suited to road-tripping adventures than most other EVs, but that’s not where the Air’s advantages end. All versions are quick so have ample passing power, from the 430-hp Air Pure to the ballistic Air Sapphire with 1,234 hp.
The interior is smart and high-tech, and there’s generous space for legs. Rear headroom is rather limited by the Air’s low height, though. At 22.1 cubic feet, the trunk has more space than almost any other sedan, and that’s before you factor in a massive frunk with another 10 cubic feet of space. Long-distance driving is made less fatiguing with the available DreamDrive Pro system that enables hands-free driving on compatible highways.
There’s a bit of a learning curve to using the Air’s touch-sensitive controls and you must be prepared to spend at least $70,000 or more for one of these sedans. If that’s in your budget, it’s a fantastic vehicle for eating up the miles.
Air Pros
- Currently the longest-range EV in America
- Striking design
- Top-tier performance across the range
- Luxurious interior
- Serene ride
Air Cons
- Some tech is overly complex
- Larger tires increase road noise
- Limited rear headroom
Air Ratings
- Range: 5/5
- Charging: 4/5
- Practicality: 4/5
Who’s It For?
Buyers seeking an EV that can tackle longer distances while having enough space and toys for the kids should consider the Air. It’s also luxurious enough to be considered alongside electric sedans from BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
Recommended Trim
The Lucid Air Touring is a great option. It has a 431-mile range, all-wheel drive, and 620 hp. Priced at just over $80,000, it’s a good-value option when compared to a rival like the Porsche Taycan.
Runner-up 2: Hyundai Ioniq 9
Joe Santos
Sometimes, two rows simply aren’t enough. The Hyundai Ioniq 9 is one of just a few three-row electric vehicles on the market. It can seat up to seven people, yet every version still has an EPA-rated range of over 300 miles, topped by the 335-mile RWD variant.
Modern Hyundai EVs boast some of the best charging speeds in the industry and the Ioniq 9 is no exception. It can be recharged at speeds of up to 350 kW, which can get the battery from 10 to 80% in approximately 24 minutes. You can also charge the Hyundai at one of Tesla’s Supercharger stations, further boosting convenience when you’re far from home.
Hyundai
To drive, the Hyundai is excellent. The mid-range SEL with 303 hp felt quick enough, but you can still upgrade to the 422-hp powertrain. The suspension deals with bumps and uneven surfaces well and the lane-keeping tech works brilliantly. It has an especially airy interior that the kids will love, with 46.7 cubic feet of space when the third row is folded. Speaking of the third row, it’s comfortable for kids but rather cramped for adults. Available features like wireless phone charging, dual-zone climate control, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and ventilation/heating for both front seating rows will be appreciated on longer trips.
For 2026, the Hyundai Ioniq 9 starts at $58,955 and goes all the way up to the fully loaded Calligraphy Design, which costs $76,490. We expect 2027 pricing to be marginally higher.
Ioniq 9 Pros
- Ultra-modern design
- Decent range for a three-row EV
- Spacious interior
- Quiet interior and smooth ride
- Fast battery charging speeds
Ioniq 9 Cons
- Rearmost seats are a little tight for adults
- Base model not nearly as powerful as the rest
Ioniq 9 Ratings
- Range: 4/5
- Charging: 4/5
- Practicality: 5/5
Who’s It For?
As a quiet, quick, and efficient alternative to gas-guzzling family haulers, the Hyundai Ioniq 9 is a triumph.
Recommended Trim
The mid-range SEL with the 303-hp powertrain and standard AWD is the smart bet. It still gets 320 miles from a full charge but also adds niceties like ventilated front seats, imitation leather upholstery, heated second-row seats, and a heated steering wheel.
Honorable Mentions
Tesla Model Y L
Tesla
A new addition in the U.S., the Tesla Model Y L is a stretched version of the best-selling Model Y. It comes with a third row that can actually accommodate adults and a few more comfort features. The range is 325 miles on a full charge and it has a 0-60 mph time of just 4.4 seconds. It also has access to the Supercharger network; while some EVs like the Lucid Air can only charge at up to 50 kW at a Supercharger, this isn’t a limitation for the Model Y L. The available Full Self-Driving Suite (FSD) is also available, which makes covering long distances a lot less demanding for the driver.
Rivian R1S
Rivian
Rivian’s three-row electric SUV is a superb long-distance vehicle. In its optimal guise, it has a range of 410 miles on a full charge. With up to 1,025 hp, overtaking maneuvers can be handled without breaking a sweat, and there’s seating for up to seven occupants. Between a generous frunk and a large trunk, it’s got enough space for all the paraphernalia that comes with a family. This is now a pricey three-row EV, though, as the R1S with dual motors will cost close to $84,000.
Cadillac Escalade IQ
Cadillac
If money is no object, the Cadillac Escalade IQ combines electric propulsion with the opulent finishes of the normal, gas-powered Escalade. The regular IQ gets up to 465 miles on a full charge, giving it a longer range than any other electric SUV. It storms to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds and envelopes occupants in a huge, beautifully detailed interior. There’s a sense that the Escalade IQ is an exercise in excess, though, from its immense mass to its abundance of on-board tech and a starting price close to $130,000. But if you need the ultimate electric road-trip vehicle, this is it.
Conclusion
EVs and road trips often don’t go together, but these vehicles have the range and charging speeds to make longer trips feasible. There’s a caveat that applies to all of them, though: those impressive range numbers will undoubtedly take a dive on the highway, so you’d still need to plan your trips carefully. As things stand, the new BMW iX3 delivers with its generous range figure and class-leading charging capabilities, while the Lucid Air is in a league of its own for electric sedans. But it’s impossible to get away from the fact that a long-range EV is significantly more expensive than the average vehicle in the United States.
About the author
Karl Furlong
Senior Editor, Autoblog