The best new EVs and plug-in hybrids arriving soon: Consumer Reports

More new EVs and plug-in hybrids are entering the market than at any point in automotive history, covering segments from bare-bones pickups to three-row family SUVs. Tax credit changes and new tariffs have unsettled the EV pipeline, but automakers are pressing ahead with models that push further on range, charging speed, and cabin technology. The price window now runs from roughly $27,000 to well over $100,000, giving buyers more entry points — and more tradeoffs to evaluate — than ever before.

Consumer Reports compiled a rundown of models worth watching, covering range estimates, on-sale timing, and key specs, to help buyers plan ahead.

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Starting at $61,500, the 2027 iX3 rides on a new platform engineered specifically for electric vehicles, with a BMW-estimated 434 miles of driving range that places it among the highest-range EVs in production. Its 800-volt architecture enables a maximum charging rate of 400 kW, with a 10-to-80-percent charge possible in as little as 21 minutes. Consumer Reports says the iX3 also introduces a new operating system with a redesigned display layout, including a 17.9-inch central touchscreen designed to learn driver preferences over time. A second version with a range slightly over 300 miles goes on sale in early 2027, and the initial iX3 arrives in mid-2026.

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Priced from $28,595 to $31,600, the 2027 Bolt returns after a two-year absence as a limited-run model built on GM's Ultium battery and motor technology. DC fast-charging speeds are 2.5 times faster than the previous Bolt, though the estimated driving range of 255 miles is not much improved over the outgoing model. Consumer Reports says the interior is efficiently packaged with substantial cargo space for the vehicle's size. Like all GM EVs, the Bolt uses a Google $GOOGL-powered infotainment system with no Apple $AAPL CarPlay support.

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The electric Jeep Recon starts at $65,000 and is engineered to pair highway manners with serious off-road hardware, including a removable top and removable doors carried over from the Wrangler. Power comes from a 650-hp dual-motor setup with full-time four-wheel drive, and Jeep says the Recon covers 0-60 mph in 3.6 seconds in Sport mode. Consumer Reports points out that its towing capacity of just 3,300 pounds is a notable limitation for buyers who haul equipment. The Recon debuts this year in the Moab trim with 33-inch tires and a 230-mile range.

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Expected to be priced from $40,000 to $50,000, the EV3 is a new subcompact SUV that replaces the Kia Niro EV and is positioned as a smaller version of the EV9. Battery options run from 58.3 kWh with front-wheel drive and a 220-mile range to 81.4 kWh with two motors, a 320-mile range, and optional all-wheel drive. Consumer Reports says the interior echoes the EV9's layout, with wide digital displays and a twist-action gear selector. Kia estimates about 30 minutes for a 10-to-80-percent charge on the 400-volt platform.

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Lexus estimates pricing from $65,000 to $75,000 for the three-row 2027 TZ, which shares its platform with the Toyota $TM Highlander EV and the 2027 Subaru Getaway. Dual motors and all-wheel drive are standard across the line, with battery options of 77 kWh and 95.8 kWh and a Lexus-estimated maximum range of 300 miles. Consumer Reports says heated seats are standard in all three rows, with ventilated seats and powered ottomans available in the front two. The TZ also carries Lexus Safety System+ 4.0, the brand's most current active safety package, and goes on sale in late 2026.

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Mercedes-Benz's first all-electric C-Class, the C400, goes on sale in spring 2027 with estimated pricing from $55,000 to $65,000. Its battery carries more usable capacity than the larger EQE sedan, promising a longer range despite the lighter body. Consumer Reports says the C400 supports 800-volt DC fast charging, with Mercedes saying a compatible charger can add up to 200 miles of range in 10 minutes. The interior's most dramatic option is a 39.1-inch Hyperscreen that runs the full width of the dashboard.

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The GLC EQ is priced at an estimated $60,000 to $75,000 and represents an all-new, all-electric compact SUV that shares only its name with the gas-powered GLC. Its 800-volt architecture pairs with energy-dense new battery chemistry and a 94-kWh pack to power dual motors producing 483 hp, with all-wheel drive standard. Consumer Reports calls it a technology showcase for the brand, with AI-powered voice assistants built to understand plain English, not scripted commands. An optional dashboard-spanning touchscreen, four-wheel steering, and air suspension are available when it goes on sale in late 2026.

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With a 102-kWh battery standard across both versions, the Polestar 4 is a coupe-like SUV priced from $56,400 to $72,900. The rear-wheel-drive version makes 272 hp with a 300-mile EPA-estimated range, and the all-wheel-drive version makes 544 hp with a 270-mile range. Consumer Reports notes the Polestar 4 is the first production vehicle without a rear window, relying instead on a high-mounted camera that feeds a wide-angle view to the rearview mirror display. Wireless Apple $AAPL CarPlay is standard, and a hands-free driving system is available at launch.

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Porsche prices the Cayenne Electric from $109,000 to $163,000, spanning a base model with 435 hp, a mid-grade S Electric with 657 hp, and a Turbo Electric with 1,139 hp and a 0-60 time of 2.4 seconds. Consumer Reports identifies the Turbo Electric as the most powerful production Porsche ever built. All three versions support wireless in-garage charging, with owners parking over a floor-mounted plate and no cable required.