Tag Archives: electric trucks

In a rapidly transforming automotive landscape, EVs are taking center stage. What kind of auto journos would be if we didn’t put forth the effort to sample the latest in electric cars? So, we personally tested some of the leading cars on the market to share with you our quick takes and short reviews on the best electric cars of 2023, breaking down their standout features and performance metrics.

Hyundai Ioniq 5

Starting price: $41,450

Horsepower: 168 to 320 hp

Torque: 258 to 446 lb-ft.

Combined MPGe: 101 to 114 mpge

Battery Capacity: 58 to 77.4 kWh

Range: 220 to 303 miles

IIHS Top Safety Pick? Not yet evaluated under new criteria

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 combines retro-futuristic styling with advanced driver aids and smooth, silent acceleration. It operates on an 800V electrical architecture, enabling blazing-fast charging, and it can travel up to 303 miles on a charge in its most generous configuration. While all-wheel drive is available, the most efficient and longest-range models are those with rear-wheel drive. The Ioniq 5 has a smooth ride and refined operation, and while it’s not the most powerful or exciting EV on the market, it’s certainly tuned for comfort and delivers on that promise.

Hyundai’s tech isn’t as fancy or flashy as others, but it gets the job done and makes interacting with the vehicle a pleasure. The EV comes standard with a 12.3-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster that offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, HD radio, SiriusXM, and more. Additionally, the Ioniq 5 earned a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS in 2022. As of this writing, it hasn’t yet been subjected to new crash-test standards for 2023.

See Hyundai Ioniq 5 at CarGurus

Kia EV6

Starting price: $42,600

Horsepower: 167 to 576 hp

Torque: 258 to 545 lb-ft.

Combined MPGe: 79 to 117 mpge

Battery Capacity: 58 to 77.4 kWh

Range: 206 to 310 miles

IIHS Top Safety Pick? Not yet evaluated under new criteria

The Kia EV6 shares a platform and much of its underlying technology with the Hyundai Ioniq 5, though it presents unique styling and a hotter performance variant in the EV6 GT. The 800V architecture it features enables a 10 to 80 percent charge in as few as 18 minutes using the fastest chargers available. All configurations offer healthy acceleration, but the EV6 GT’s prowess rivals that of some supercars. At the same time, the SUV has engaging handling and can hold its own in corners. It’s a little tightly wound, but most will find the ride quality agreeable. 

Psst. To any speed junkies here, note it’s the only Korean EV available with that hotted-up, sports car-fighting powertrain option. Or at least it is until Hyundai drops the Ioniq 5 N on our shores. But until then, it’s an EV6 GT or bust!

Like Hyundai, Kia focuses on functionality over flashiness in its infotainment systems. It also offers two 12.3-inch screens, along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 14 speakers, wireless charging, navigation, and more. It earned a Top Safety Pick in 2022, but the IIHS hasn’t yet smashed it in the newer, tougher side-crash tests.

Ford F-150 Lightning

Starting price: $49,995

Horsepower: 452 to 580 hp

Torque: 775 lb-ft.

Combined MPGe: 66 to 70 mpge

Battery Capacity: 98 to 131 kWh

Range: 230 to 320 miles

IIHS Top Safety Pick? No

Ford wasn’t the first to market with an electric pickup, but it hit the market hard with the F-150 Lightning — a normal-looking, full-sized truck that is surprisingly capable and demonstrates decent range. Though it has raised prices and struggled to keep up with demand, Ford configured the truck to be as familiar as possible for everyday buyers, and the Lightning delivers on that goal. It offers fantastic interior space and comfort and plenty of available tech – including BlueCruise hands-free driving. Though its range extends to 320 miles, towing and hauling heavy loads has an outsized impact on the distance it can travel, but 66 to 70 mpge combined is still pretty darn good for what it is.

Ford’s excellent Sync infotainment system runs on a 12-inch touchscreen, and the truck comes standard with a 12-inch digital gauge cluster. Buyers can upgrade to a massive 15.5-inch display, and other options include wireless charging, HD radio, and SiriusXM radio. Though it missed out on a Top Safety Pick, the Lightning comes standard with a load of advanced safety kit, including blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts, lane keep assist, and more.

All said and done, it’s a fairly well-equipped and heavy-hitting product, even if it can get egregiously priced near the top of its trim levels. And sure. Although, it’s clearly not ideally sized for urban environments, don’t let a little girth deter you from an otherwise compelling product, especially if utility is a huge plus for you.

Mercedes-Benz EQS

Starting price: $104,400

Horsepower: 329 to 649 hp (751 hp w/ boost)

Torque: 417 to 700 lb-ft. (752 lb-ft. w/ boost)

Combined MPGe: 103 mpge

Battery Capacity: 108.4 kWh

Range: 277 to 350 miles

IIHS Top Safety Pick? Not yet tested

The Mercedes-Benz EQS is a flagship electric sedan from the luxury brand that offers futuristic tech, striking style, and an available AMG variant with breathtaking performance. No matter the powertrain choice, the car carries itself with authority and composure. It remains comfortable over various road surfaces and is surprisingly capable in the corners. At the same time, the interior remains quiet, and the car feels like an S-Class Mercedes at all times.

Mercedes offers a serious array of tech in the EQS, including standard 64-color ambient interior lighting, a 12.8-inch touchscreen, and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster. The top configuration includes a massive and seriously impressive 56 inches of display, including an almost 18-inch touchscreen. The EQS comes standard with blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts, pedestrian and cyclist detection, forward and rear automatic braking, and more.

Nissan Ariya

Starting price: $43,190

Horsepower: 214 to 389 hp

Torque: 221 to 442 lb-ft.

Combined MPGe: 87 to 101 mpge

Battery Capacity: 63 to 84 kWh

Range: 205 to 304 miles

IIHS Top Safety Pick? Not yet tested

Nissan had delays with its new EV, the Ariya, but it’s here for 2023 with a decent range and impressive horsepower. Acceleration feels solid, though the front-wheel drive model takes more than seven seconds to reach 60 mph. The all-wheel drive configuration is considerably quicker, making the run in 5.5 seconds, and the SUV manages itself well on the road. Braking and steering are confidence-inspiring, and the Ariya holds its own in the corners.

Nissan equips the Ariya with a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen running wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A Wi-Fi hotspot, HD radio, Amazon Alexa capability, and much more also come standard. The Ariya has a solid list of standard safety equipment, though the IIHS hasn’t tested it yet. It’s equipped with blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alerts, lane departure warnings, pedestrian detection, automatic high beams, a rearview camera, parking sensors, and driver attention warnings.

Genesis Electrified G80

Starting price: $79,825

Horsepower: 365

Torque: 516 lb-ft.

Combined MPGe: 97 mpge

Battery Capacity: 87.2 kWh

Range: 282 miles

IIHS Top Safety Pick? Not yet evaluated under new criteria

Genesis took a tried-and-true approach with the Electrified G80, fitting batteries and an electric motor to the gas model’s body. The results are impressive: 365 horsepower, 282 miles of range, and all the luxury ride quality anyone could want. The car retains its flagship sedan feel, and the silent electric drivetrain offers strong acceleration and smooth operation. It’s not the most agile option around, but the car’s extreme level of comfort is a substantial consolation prize.

The Electrified G80 gets a 14.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 12 speakers, dual-zone automatic climate controls, a digital gauge cluster, and USB inputs. A 12.3-inch gauge cluster is available, along with wireless charging and an upgraded Lexicon audio system. The Electrified G80 earned a Top Safety Pick + in 2022 but hasn’t been subjected to the new, more intense side-crash tests. 

Cadillac Lyriq

Starting price: $58,590

Horsepower: 340 to 500 hp

Torque: 325 to 450 lb-ft.

Combined MPGe: 89 mpge

Battery Capacity: 102 kWh

Range: 307 to 312 miles

IIHS Top Safety Pick? Not yet tested

The Lyriq is Cadillac’s first EV, riding on GM’s advanced Ultium platform. And while not everyone on board Acceleramota seems to love it, there’s no denying what it has to offer GM fans. It offers up to 500 horsepower, and even the base configuration brings 340 ponies to the table. Acceleration isn’t exceptionally thrilling, but the SUV delivers refined power and good handling. It’s also every bit a Cadillac, bringing a smooth driving experience and a stable ride quality. The Lyriq’s one-pedal driving function works well, and standard braking feels solid.

The Lyriq’s dash is adorned with a massive array of screens, collectively spanning thirty-three inches, and equipped with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, multiple USB ports, seven speakers, and more. Additionally, Cadillac includes ambient interior lighting, an AKG premium stereo, and a panoramic sunroof. Though it hasn’t been evaluated by the IIHS yet, the Lyriq comes standard with a vibrating safety alert seat, lane departure warnings, pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alerts, automatic emergency braking, and forward collision warnings. 

Let us preface our inaugural Hot Take by exclaiming we love pickup trucks! The commanding driving position and rugged finger-tingle driving a big truck make owning one a no-brainer, not to mention the obvious advantages in off-road shenanigans or IKEA hauls. Whether you need one or not, trucks are cool. Say it. Trucks. Are. Cool. There’s a reason almost everyone in the great Red-White-And-Blue owns one. We built our world around them. But, and it’s a fair “but,” there needs to be some sort of change on the horizon.

Pickup trucks aren’t going anywhere, and attempting to demonize them is counterintuitive. However, the dramatic increase in pedestrian fatalities warrants a conversation about these oversized pickups. The environmental impact and worsening traffic congestion necessitate it. The problems are real and need practical solutions. There is also a larger conversation around transport infrastructure and personal responsibility.

The Chicken Tax

Well, wait. Why is this even an issue? Don’t we have small trucks? Or at least we used to, right? So where did the small truck go? Look decades into the past to the age of Vietnam on national news and Ken Miles tearing up circuits behind the wheel of a Ford.

It’s 1960, and European Farmers have a problem. U.S. farmers have mastered the art of breeding chickens and are now exporting their surplus to Europe. European countries need to protect their farmers. So, West Germany and France implemented tariffs, preventing American chicken from being priced lower than their chicken. 

Negotiations between the two parties failed, and in 1964, U.S. President at the time, Lyndon Johnson, placed a 25% “Chicken Tax” tariff on certain imported goods in response to European tariffs on American poultry, including foreign pickup trucks. This tax does three things:

• Gives American truck companies a pseudo-monopoly on the pickup truck market.
• Priced small Japanese trucks out of the market.
• Classifies American pickup trucks as “light trucks,” exempting them from safety standards

This essentially killed any market for import trucks save for the minuscule, not-so-truckish trucks, like the Subaru BRAT, meant to dodge the tax by being classified as “passenger vehicles” instead of light trucks.

Americans killed the small pickup truck.

Car manufacturers live and die by consumer demand. In 2018, Ford announced it would stop production of all its cars except the Mustang in favor of better-selling SUVs and pickup trucks.

It isn’t an “American problem,” either. The Chinese auto market is in a similar phase to the American market in the 1980s. Most vehicles sold in China are Long-Wheelbase luxury vehicles or SUVs. The modern Chinese car buyer craves to be seen as successful. The modern American seeks utility, ruggedness, and, most importantly, road presence, which a small pickup truck can rarely, if ever, provide.

The Pedestrian Safety Crisis

That brings us to the next point. The Chicken tax meant that American car manufacturers were free to make whatever trucks they desired, and with it came a rise in pedestrian fatalities.

From 2009 to 2019, fatalities increased by 50%. If you find that number alarming, congratulations. You’re not a psychopath. Still, there was a further 18% rise in pedestrian fatalities from 2019 to 2023. Mind you, vehicle miles traveled (VMT) decreased by around 430.2 billion miles in 2020. 

The rise in pickup truck sales is a contributing factor to the increase in pandemic pedestrian fatalities. It is not the sole cause. The NHTSA found that many drivers who remained on the roads during the pandemic drove riskier than normal. 

Crash compatibility

In 2003, Senator John McCain called a hearing to discuss SUV and pickup truck safety. Vehicle safety advocates, Joan Claybrook and Dr. Jeffery Runge, found that if a car collided head-on with a pickup truck, the car occupants were over six times more likely to die. Side impact fatalities are even deadlier at 26 times more.

Even with those facts, another item in this hearing would be the focus: rollovers. In 2011, new legislation would mean manufacturers would need to fit all new pickup trucks with electronic stability control (ESC). This would be to prevent rollovers caused by the higher center of gravity. No new crash compatibility regulations would be implemented.

Nobody wants to be in a car accident. Still, around 40,000 Americans will lose their lives this next year in this way. To reduce this number, manufacturers have to meet certain safety standards. It sounds obvious, right? Safety features absent from pickup trucks include:

• Crumple zones
• Pedestrian collision protection
• Frame force dissipation

Now, I’m no physics professor, but the idea behind crash protection is to prevent damage to vehicle occupants. Forgoing these features increases the risk of serious injury or death… Not that we need more of that nowadays.

“The purpose of crumple zones is to minimize bounce by dissipating kinetic energy to thermal energy and to reduce collision force by extending the distance over which that dissipation work is done,” says Lawrence Davis, Associate Professor of Science at Umpqua Community College, in his book, Body Physics 2.0. “Rigid frames bounce more than crumple zones, which further increases the force on occupants.”

As much as pickup trucks are a bane to pedestrian safety, they are also anti-people in a way. If you’re more likely to die as a driver or passenger of a pickup, an occupant of another vehicle, or as a pedestrian, then the truck exists to protect itself.

Poor Visibility and Maneuverability

Nobody enjoys mowing down their kids in the driveway on the way to work. Turns out, that might be what you get with your Ford Maverick. Pickup trucks have much poorer visibility than cars. At this point, you’re riding a small tank around. A modern pickup truck is bigger than a WW2 British Sherman tank. 

It is possible you don’t have kids and like driving a tank through downtown New York. We’re not judging! But one thing we know you don’t like is lawsuits. Technologies like Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) will help prevent a parking lot accident, but they will not prevent collisions at medium-to-high speeds. In fact, if you read the fine print in the advertising for AEB or any ADAS feature, you’ll find this:

“Driver assistants are not a substitute for driver focus.”

This is one of the first things you learn when taking the written driver’s test: defensive driving. You’re supposed to drive to foresee, avoid potential obstacles, and always be aware of your environment. Again, pickup trucks go against a fundamental principle of driving. You should not be on the road if you can’t perceive your environment or make it difficult for others to judge theirs.

Pickup trucks’ correlation to climate concerns

The consensus is that we must tackle climate change with consumer and corporate changes. Driving a 4,000-pound truck takes a toll on your wallet and the environment.

Where you would get 53 mpg in a Toyota Corolla Hybrid, you get 43 mpg in a Ford Maverick Hybrid. The utility of a truck bed makes it worth sacrificing ten mpg and the better deal. However, the Ford Maverick lacks one climate-saving feature: resource efficiency.

In a perfect world, they make your truck, you drive it around, and then, when it is no longer useful, its components are recycled. A circular economy. For a hybrid vehicle, energy comes from electricity and petrol. You need to use some of the fuel to get to your destination. If you’re hitting 43 mpg to carry only yourself, that’s an inefficient use of resources.

America alone uses 369 million gallons per day. 166 million pickup trucks are registered, and the average commuting distance is 41 miles. Assuming the perfect conditions (every pickup on the road every day hitting the Maverick’s golden 43 mpg), pickup trucks would make up around 45% of that fuel usage. Increasing access to public transport by even 5% would make a significant dent in fossil fuel use and carbon emissions.

Pickup trucks are not the enemy

I know you expected a grand waffling about how great public transport is, and after all the effort to point out every flaw in pickup trucks. But nope. Once more, we iterate that trucks are cool and trucks are useful. They’re just flawed. And that’s not necessarily all to blame on the products alone.

Pickup trucks are symptoms of a larger problem. 

Most people don’t buy products solely on efficiency or merit. Personal preference and marketing play a huge role. “Big truck strong.” It’s simple. Currently, there is no active deterrent to purchasing or manufacturing pickup trucks. Road infrastructure is car-centric. Pickup trucks are exempt from safety standards, which saves manufacturing costs.

Our country is built for cars and not people.

Now that we’ve established the problem, how can we find its solution? Is it even worth building a people-centric country? 

Reduction in pedestrian fatalities

This is the most obvious one. Low-density roads can become walking areas and green zones. Reducing the number of lanes in medium-density areas can make way for cycle lanes, trees, and larger sidewalks. Most pedestrian fatalities are disabled, older people, children, or otherwise impaired folks. Allow for zones where larger vehicles, like pickup trucks, are not allowed.

Quality of life improvements

Of course, there will be a natural reduction in carbon emissions with fewer vehicles on the road. The real kicker will be a major noise, air pollution, and smog reduction. Californian cities rank among the highest for poor air quality, exacerbating health issues like asthma. Taking the eight to ten-lane highways away and reducing road traffic will improve the quality of life for millions of Americans (and also open the roadways for the casual enthusiast’s Sunday cruise).

Lead fuels were once thought to be irreplaceable. Robust legislation in the 1970s meant that by the 1990s, leaded fuel was gone. People-centric American cities could be a reality.

People-centric pickup trucks

Yes, it is possible, and it starts by further bolstering the mid-size pickup. Check out these pickups that aren’t sold in the U.S.:

• Nissan NP200
• Chevrolet Ute
• Toyota Hilux
• Isuzu D-Max
• Mitsubishi Triton
• Mazda BT-50
• Volkswagen Amarok

Bringing these vehicles to the U.S. is not a pipe dream either. In 2019, Ford brought back the Ranger pickup, which was pulled from the U.S. market in 2011. The Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon have entered new generations too, and don’t forget the Honda Ridgeline! All were positively received for bringing car-like dynamics and comfort to the world of utility vehicles. We’re not hurting for Hiluxes either, as the ye ol’ Toyota Tacoma never left us. Although these vehicles are still large compared to cars, they offer much better visibility and efficiency.

Pickup trucks and E-Fuels

The European Union will ban the production of new gasoline vehicles in 2035, but there is space in this legislation for synthetic fuels. Synthetic fuels or E-fuels are made from carbon captured in the atmosphere and are produced with renewable energy. In fact, Porsche aims to become a leading producer of these carbon-neutral e-fuels, having begun development and implementing them in their race cars.

We love trucks and don’t want the gasoline engine to die. Hearing a big pickup go brrrr or a Porsche 911 RSR whizz by gives you a feeling that electric vehicles just don’t, as much as we admire the technology. There’s a charm to these big, burly bricks that E-fuels will allow us to keep the way the gods intended. 

The enjoyment of driving is people-centric.

Work trucks for the working folk

Of course, we must insert that we don’t necessarily wish to abolish all trucks from roadways. After all, there is a glaringly obvious demographic for half-tons and heavy-duty leviathans. What, you thought a Maverick Hybrid would yank that stump from the ground or move that RV toy hauler across the Mojave? Sheesh, we’re not that sadistic.

A Hot Take like this must also be followed up with the statement that it’s perfectly fine for fleets and tradesmen to have their goliaths. They literally cannot work without them. It’s simply a matter of not having excess vehicle wasting space on our roads when your usual haul is a hundred pounds of mulch, or your work site is the sixth-floor office.

The electric pickup truck will not save the pickup truck

Unfortunately, another scenario is very plausible. Synthetic fuels fail, and all gasoline vehicles are banned in a panic. You are forced to buy an electric pickup truck because corporate lobbying meant that people-centric infrastructure never came to fruition.

The truth is we are at a crossroads. If we choose the path of a pickup-truck-centric world, we may experience a dystopian reality not imaginable today. If we choose a people-centric world, we may avert this crisis and be able to enjoy our world for centuries to come.

A huge thank you to Myles Russell (@FreckleEars) for the great conversation and the truck visibility graphic. And to Derek Bradley (@Dellboy) for international info on taxes and pickup trucks and for being an amazing source of ideas.

Earlier this week, Ford invited Acceleramota down to Brooklyn for an early look at a blacked-out special edition of the Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum trim. Naturally, it’s called the 2024 Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum Black, and it offers little more over the regular Platinum model than a few edgier styling choices, including a matte black wrap, standard 22-inch black wheels, black badges, 10 black Bang & Olufsen speakers – you get the idea.

When deliveries start in early 2024, the Lightning Platinum Black will be first production truck with a matte black wrap in Ford’s history. Special edition ‘Blacked-out’ trims of existing models are nothing new for car companies, or even trucks for that matter. Stellantis sells a ‘Night Edition’ Ram 1500, GM has ‘Midnight’ versions of both the Chevy Silverado and the GMC Sierra Denali, and there’s even a ‘Midnight Edition’ Nissan Frontier.

2024 Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum vs Lightning Platinum Black

Feature	2024 Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum (w/ no additional options)	2024 Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum Black
Exterior paint	Oxford White	Matte Black
Wheels	20-inch polished aluminum	22-inch polished aluminum
Badging	Platinum	Platinum Black
Interior	Light Slate Gray leather	Black Onyx leather
Other features	Panoramic sunroof, Bang & Olufsen 8-speaker audio system, 360-degree camera system, Panoramic sunroof, Bang & Olufsen audio system, 360-degree camera system	Exclusive Platinum Black interior accents, Bang & Olufsen 10-speaker audio system w/ subwoofer

Ford F-150 Lightning: see inventory near you

The overlap between well-to-do pickup truck drivers and goths, I imagine, is pretty small. Still, Ford believes enough exist to make 2,000 of ’em at $99,990 apiece – nearly six grand more than the Lightning Platinum without the brooding blackout accouterments. Not counting the base “Pro” model, which is “currently unavailable” on the Ford website and has been since before I launched Acceleramota. The average MSRP of an F-150 Lightning across trim levels is $79, 243 – nearly $30K more than that of the mid-size Ford Ranger pickup; the Lightning is $12,000 more than the gas-powered F-150 as well.

As our own Nathan Meyer reported in his must-read coverage of the 2024 Cadillac Lyriq, the average price of a new electric vehicle (roughly $67K) is much closer to that of a luxury car ($74K) than new vehicles overall ($48K). For The American Prospect last month, columnist Harold Meyerson argued, that the reason Ford’s bleeding money on EVs is not because Americans aren’t interested, but because car companies have strategically positioned EVs as a “premium” option.

“The big problem for EVs from a price standpoint is that the whole industry has decided that the only way to cater to American tastes is to make their EV fleet out of trucks and SUVs, eliminating the economical sedans that might be affordable.”

Harold Meyerson, The American Prospect

Unlike the Lightning, the base model internal combustion engine (ICE) F-150 XL starts at $33,835. Not only will Ford dot com tell you where you can get one, but you can order your truck piecemeal, allowing you to choose your creature comforts – and forego the features you don’t need. In the case of the F-150, up until 2023, the base model was about as barebones as you could get: seat adjustments, locks, and even windows all lacked electronic power inputs. (Yes, manual windows were only discontinued this year!) While it does have an infotainment system, the display was less prominent than that of higher trims.

Sure, I imagine most Americans want a vehicle with power windows and locks. But, believe me when I say that some don’t. My grandfather, for example, literally lives on his farm. Where he lives, in the rural sprawl of the Eastern Shore, Maryland, you have to drive about half a mile down the street to make a phone call. Ostensibly, he is the target audience for a new pickup. Even the Lightning, which Ford describes as a “true, purpose-built work truck.”

Yet, rather than shell out for inessential frills, my grandfather owns a current-generation base model F-150 with rear-wheel drive (RWD), and I think that’s great! In fact, most workers you see on farms today are still rocking old Chevy C/Ks, F-150s, and Toyota Pickups from the 90s and early 2000s, back when they were small! While Ford’s marketing will have you convinced the F-150 Lightning is built for the American working class, the real starting price tells a different story, and the new, even more prohibitively expensive Platinum Black raises the ceiling without lowering the floor. Putting aside for a moment Ford is a corporation that values high margins over affordability, this fun little side project is a waste of resources when lower-cost trims are still hard to find. Not to mention it makes Forcd seem out of touch with its intended base.

Naturally, the choice to luxury-wash EVs only intensifies the air of skepticism felt by half the U.S. population. Of course, as emission regulations tighten and states like California – if it were a country, the fifth largest economy in the world – pledge to ban gas-powered cars by 2035, affordable EVs aren’t a matter of if but when. In the meantime, color-swapping an EV version of America’s favorite truck that costs damn-near-$100K isn’t the flex Ford thinks it is. If anything, publicity stunts like the Platinum Black (let’s be honest, that’s what this is) further sour the blue-collar ethos it claims to uphold.

Ford isn’t the only, or even the worst, offender when it comes to the “luxification” of EVs. As with many trends in this segment, Tesla started it with the Model S and everyone else followed suit. But, knowing I could buy a slightly used Ferrari California for around the same price as the F-150 Lightning Platinum Black, I have two words of advice for the Ford executive looking down at this blog from their ivory tower: crank windows.

Earlier this month, we were somehow entrusted with media credentials for Electrify Expo at Nassau Coliseum in Long Island, just East of New York City (not too far from where we hold NYCars & Coffee each week). This little EV-focused festival was less New York International Auto Show and more CES, minus all the boring stuff from CES that doesn’t sit on four wheels. Unlike a traditional media expo full of idle concept cars designed to drum up headlines, Electrify Expo gave us the chance to drive cars that are already out, but without the anxiety-inducing pressures that come with test-driving at a dealer.

Although we didn’t have time to take every car on display out for a spin, we at least had the opportunity to get up close and personal with a few notable models from top carmakers like Lexus, Ford, Volvo, and Tesla. Without getting too in the weeds, I do have Some Opinions on the cars we saw. No, that doesn’t include the Ford Lightning. I did drive it, but I’ll save those thoughts for another day. Maybe when I’ve moved on mentally from the Fisker Alaska.

1. Mustang Mach-E GT

I unabashedly love the GT version of the Mach-E. The base Mach-E is whatever, but Electrify Expo flawlessly demonstrated why the Mach-E GT deserves a second look. For one, they hired a professional drifter to burn those tires bald, and that was a feat to behold. My car can do 0-60 in about 3.5 seconds, but 3.8 hits different when you’ve got instant torque. That it can handle like this while looking like that is a testament to the potential for fun driving in EVs and crossover SUVs alike when a carmaker cares about delivering an engaging experience for the driver rather than another cookie-cutter commuter car.

Whenever Ford is inevitably forced to turn off the lights on the Dark Horse, the Mach-E GT has established a solid enough baseline for what we can expect from the next generation of Mustang sports coupes.

Mustang Mach-E GT: see local prices near you

2. Lexus RZ

The Lexus RZ has stirred up controversy recently, not only for its steer-by-wire system but Toyota’s also taken a page out of Tesla’s book and decided normal people need F1-style steering yokes. While I sadly didn’t get the chance to drive the yoke-equipped model, I did drive an RZ with a regular steering wheel and it was just as unremarkable as I anticipated given its shared DNA with the underwhelming Toyota bZ4X. Just get a Prius, and if that’s not lavish enough, meet the Toyota Crown.

Lexus RZ: see local prices near you

3. BMW i5

I said it in the newsletter, and it’s even truer now that I’ve seen it showcased next to the repulsive BMW iX: the new 5 Series looks fire, and the BMW i5 M60 is the best of the bunch. I’ve gone on record saying the BMW i4 M50 is the best EV I’ve driven, and that still holds true today.

At least as far as design goes, the electric 5 Series M takes all the positive qualities of the i4 M50 – 500+ horsepower with a sub-4 second 0-60 speed on a rear-biased AWD platform – and pairs them with a front end I hate a little less. It also helps that on its other side was the BMW i7, which I lamented as my worst driving experience in recent memory.

BMW i5: see local prices near you

4. Volvo EX30

Mark my words: No matter how this little crossover SUV turns out, the Volvo EX30 will print money. I came this close (imagine my thumb and pointer finger very close together) to reserving one before my wife told me not to because she wanted the Alfa Romeo Tonale.

She made the right call, however, since 1) We needed a car and the EX30 doesn’t come out until next summer and 2) I don’t fully trust Geely with a Chinese-made Volvo. Not necessarily because it’s made in China – hell, the MacBook Pro I’m typing on was, too – but because most other Volvo models are still manufactured in Sweden. This was clearly a move to cut costs. Whether that means cutting corners remains to be seen.

Volvo EX30: see our full preview

5. Ford Eluminator concept truck

Did you know you can buy a Mach-E motor from Ford’s website and swap it into any vehicle it fits? I didn’t either until I saw the Ford Eluminator concept truck, which is less of a truck and more of an overarching concept. For a little over four grand, Ford is saying you can put an electric motor with 480-horsepower and 634 pound-feet of torque in a 1978 F-Series pickup, sure. But you can also do your best RDJ impression and get a little more creative. For instance, if you’re mad about the Mach-E because it’s an SUV and not a proper Mustang, why not build your own electric muscle car? Show Ford how it’s done.

Browse local new and used inventory at CarGurus

Honorable mention: Tesla Model X

“It’s not a recession,” they say. Stop blowing your paychecks on avocado toast and someday you, too, can afford to live in a Tesla Model X.

Tesla Model X: see local inventory near you

The U.S. electric pickup truck market is the latest automotive gold rush, and Fisker – whose Ocean SUV has only reached 22 customers so far – wants in. But even with a sharp focus on sustainability (similar to the Polestar 4), practical power, and the world’s biggest cupholder, the Fisker Alaska EV pickup has its work cut out for it.

Seriously, the competition is fierce. The 2024 Chevy Silverado EV is around the corner and the Ford F-150 Lightning and Rivian R1T are just waiting for another unworthy rival to overshadow. Then again, judging by its exterior styling in the high-quality renderings Fisker provided to Acceleramota, the Fisker Alaska wants to be more Huracan Sterrato than Silverado.

Don’t be fooled by its exotic appearance, though. The Fisker Alaska is being manufactured from the in the U.S. of A. There’s still a chance to beat Tesla to the punch. After all, the Fisker Alaska has reached the same number of customers as the long-delayed Cybertruck.

What’s even better than all that though? Everything about it was built in the U.S. of A. The Fisker Alaska will be built right in the country of its namesake. Fisker is also committed to producing this one at scale, so you won’t have to wait three years to buy it, allegedly.

2025 Fisker Alaska price and specs

Pricing for the 2025 Fisker Alaska starts at $45,400 before tax incentives. The real kicker here is that you get large pickup storage in a mid-size truck.

• Price: $45,400
• Battery capacity: 75 kWh and 113 kWh
• Electric range: 230 to 340 miles
• 0-60 speed: 3.9–7.2 seconds (depending on trim)
• HP: horsepower and other performance metrics TBA

2025 Fisker Alaska interior and tech

The Fisker Alaska appears to be full of character, inside and out. Suede inserts with noir leather give it hunting-trip-with-dad vibes. A big cowboy hat holder on the roof in the rear is stunning and brave, and the flat rear glass not only improves rear visibility, but it also helps the cabin feel roomier. This cozy lounge feel carries over to the front with wood inserts, a giant center screen, and soft-touch surfaces.

The longest bed in its class

What would you do with a 9.2-foot truck bed? That’s what you’ll get when the powered liftgate is down on the 2025 Fisker Alaska. The rear wall and window come down in what Fisker calls the “Houdini door,” allowing the whole rear cabin space to be used for larger items. If you’re a camper, this means more sleeping space, and for surfers, a lot more room for your buds and boards.

The world’s biggest cupholder

Americans like BIG things. BIG Gulps, BIG trucks, and even BIGGER hospital bills. So a massive cup holder is a no-brainer. The largest Mcdonald’s cup is 32 ounces. Venturing even further into soft drink heaven, the Team Gulp from 7-Eleven is 128 oz. Henrik Fisker drank from what looked to be a 128-ounce water bottle. That said, this mega cupholder can be removed if you want to use smaller cups, like a chud.

Practical storage

Fisker looks to be taking a page out of the Rivian handbook when it comes to cargo space. The Alaska has cockpit storage for work gloves, a large center armrest for flashlights and pens, and a passenger tray with a tablet holder. If the mega cupholder is any indication, plenty of optional accessories and Fisker-themed doo-dads will be sold alongside the Alaska.

2025 Fisker Alaska range and charging

Data on the charging capabilities of the Fisker Alaska has yet to be announced. For some reference, you can look at our EV explainer to get an idea of what you can realistically expect based on present standards.

Fisker is currently partnering with CATL to supply its Ocean SUV batteries. We expect similar usage of the NMC cells for the lower spec Alaska and the LiFePO4 cells for the top trim. CATL are world-leaders in EV battery tech and works with most of the top EV makers.

The Fisker Alaska will be manufactured in the U.S.

Details are scarce, but Fisker says it will manufacture U.S. models of the Alaska domestically in its home country. Magna Steyr will partner with Fisker to produce Euro-spec models. The Alaska is being produced alongside the Pear, its other electric SUV, at its refurbished Lordstown, Ohio plant.

GM is going all out with electric vehicles in the next few model years. As proven by the exciting Hummer EV SUV, massive Chevy Silverado EV, and (uhh…) elusive Cadillac Lyriq, the American auto giant fully intends on making its Ultium battery platform the gold standard for EVs. The 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ is GM’s latest Ultium EV SUV, and it promises to make a splash — with experts and auto-spies across the internet speculating about its design and features.

The 2023 Cadillac Escalade IQ was announced at a grand event in New York City on August 9, 2023. Like the Hummer EV SUV and Chevy Silverado EV, the Escalade IQ will be assembled at GM’s Factory Zero Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Center. For some reason, GM is promoting this event with the tagline “Built in Detroit. Revealed in New York City,” which, let’s be honest, doesn’t really mean anything.

2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ price and release date

• Price: $130,000 – $175,000 minimum
• Release date: Summer 2024

As is expected from the EV version of an already pricey full-size luxury SUV, the 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ starts at a cool $130,000. While we don’t know much about the pricing apart from that, GM has shown off one configuration that adds up to around $175,000.

There will seemingly be four trim levels including Luxury 1, Sport 1, Luxury 2, and Sport 2. Based on what we’ve seen from Caddy models, we suspect these names will change to something a little less generic as we get closer to the Escalade IQ’s summer 2024 launch. GM has teased that there may eventually be an Escalade IQL trim with a longer wheelbase and an Escalade IQ-V trim with boosted performance, according to GM Authority — but this will likely come later.

2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ specs

Although much information about the various Cadillac IQ trims are still behind closed doors, GM has its overall dimensions as well as a handful of options.

Exterior color options

• Flare Metallic (available with optional black roof)
• Black Raven
• Black Cherry Tintcoat (available with optional black roof)
• Deep Space Metallic (available with optional black roof)
• Summit White (available with optional black roof)
• Midnight Steel Frost (available with optional black roof)
• Luna Metallic (available with optional black roof)

Interior seating options

• Sheer/medium dark cinder gray
• Backen black / Santorini

Wheels

• 7-spoke alloy wheels with mask/polish with machine face and high gloss black pockets and inserts
• 7 tri-spoke alloy wheels with deep night metallic
• 7-spoke alloy wheels with mask/polish with high gloss black pockets and chrome inserts

Exterior dimensions

• Height: 76.1″
• Length: 224.3″
• Width: 94.1″ (including mirrors) 

Interior and tech

As we mentioned above, one of the primary benefits of the Ultium battery platform is that GM’s designers have unprecedented freedom when it comes to the interior of their vehicles. This remains true for the Escalade IQ, as the combustion-engine version’s cabin would probably be considered a “spacious studio apartment” in some major cities.

With this massive cabin space comes even more real estate for tech, screens, and all sorts of bells and whistles (probably not literally, but who knows?) The Cadillac Escalade IQ will have luxury-level technology including GM’s Super Cruise semi-autonomous driving capabilities as well as other premium trappings like HD Surround Vision that have been announced for its other luxury-level vehicles.

Interior dimensions

• Cabin cargo space: up to 119.2 cubic-feet
• eTrunk cargo space: up to 12.2 cubic-feet

2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ electric range and charging times

• Electric range: up to 450 miles
• DC fast charging time: 100 miles of range in 10 minutes

Assuming it lives up to its own internal estimates in the real world, the Cadillac Escalade IQ packs some seriously impressive electric range – 450 miles to be exact. And because it gets 100 miles of range from 10 minutes of charging, it would only take a little over 30 minutes to charge from 10% to 80% capacity, or in a less realistic and unadvisable scenario, 45 minutes to reach 100% from 0.

2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ powertrain and 0-60 performance

• Horsepower: 750 horsepower
• Torque: 785 lb-ft

GM’s mantra with its latest line of EV SUVs seems to be “bigger is better,” and the Cadillac Escalade IQ is no exception. With 750 horsepower and 785 lb-ft of torque under its belt, you’ll certainly never miss a meeting, even if using all that power in such a hefty machine means putting pedestrians at risk, not to mention other drivers. Though GM hasn’t said a whole lot else about its performance, the 8,660-pound Hummer EV SUV can accelerate from 0-60 in 3.5 seconds – a terrifying thought!

2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ design changes

Unsurprisingly, the Cadillac Escalade shares many of its design elements with the Lyriq – such as the chevron-hatched “black crystal shield” grille and “vertical light blade” smart headlights, but with the Escalade’s even more extravagant styling. It does have a lower stance, thankfully, which is being advertised as a feature to improve its aerodynamics, but in reality, the floor-mounted battery allows for a lower center of gravity.

Otherwise, the 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ pretty closely resembles the Escalade of old, so if you liked how it looked before, you’ll appreciate the more conservative approach the folks at GM took with this gargantuan block of wealth on wheels.

FAQs

When will the Cadillac Escalade IQ be released?

While the exact date has yet to be confirmed, GM has confirmed the 2025 model year Cadillac Escalade IQ will arrive at your local dealer no later than summer 2024. We’ll see.

What will the Cadillac Escalade IQ cost?

As the flagship of GM’s luxury all-electric offerings, the 2025 Cadillac Escalade IQ will start at $130,000 for the base trim with no options. Beyond that, the Escalade IQ website shows a $175,000 spec, suggesting the price will go much higher depending on the spec you (or the dealer) decide to order.

What is the Cadillac Escalade IQ’s electric range on a single charge?

See above.

For years, eco-friendly Hummer fans have been conflicted. How can one rectify the urge to protect Mother Nature with the overwhelming, primal need to climb into a military-grade gas guzzler? Waffle no more, because the 2024 Hummer EV SUV is finally available — if you already reserved one.

This sibling to the Hummer EV SUT pickup truck introduces a number of flashy new options, including an innovative feature where the Hummer EV SUV can be used to charge other EVs. This beefy, tactically-styled electric SUV boasts enough bells and whistles to justify the luxury price tag — like Hummer’s proprietary “crab walk” tech, previously only available on the EV SUT.

The Great Recession of 2008 was a death knell for GMC’s original run of Hummer vehicles, as the badge was retired in 2010. Gone are the days of Arnold Schwarzenegger pulling up to movie premieres in decommissioned military Humvees. As trucks and SUVs got bigger and bigger over the next decade, GMC saw a chance to bring the brand back as an all-electric, edgy competitor to the increasingly ubiquitous Land Rover. Joe Biden even got to test-drive one.

Will GMC’s big bet on electrifying an SUV whose name became synonymous with excess and air pollution pay off? Let’s see what makes the 2024 Hummer EV SUV stand out in an increasingly crowded field.

Hummer EV: shop new inventory near you

2024 Hummer EV SUV price and trim levels

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The 2024 Hummer SUV is available in four trim options, the EV², the EV^2X, the EV^3X, and the Edition 1. The Edition 1 is limited to 1,000 and is already sold out. Waiting lists for all three regular trim options have been slammed since they were announced, so don’t be surprised if you can’t find one at your local GM dealership. Hummer owners have generally always been known for their patience.

2024 Hummer EV² SUV

• Starting Price: MSRP: $80,395 DFC: $1,995
• EV² standard features:
  • Super Cruise – GM’s proprietary self-driving system
  • Adrenaline Mode – sends more power to the wheels, granting faster acceleration
  • Infinity Roof – removable panels and i-bar allowing an open-air driving experience
  • Surround Vision – a 14-camera system for safety and visibility

2024 Hummer EV^2X SUV

• Starting price: MSRP: $90,395 DFC: $1,995
• EV^2X standard features:
  • Longer Range – 800-volt DC fast-charging capability up to 300 kW for about 50 miles more range
  • 4-Wheel Steer – for a tight turning radius and maneuverability on rough terrains
  • CrabWalk Mode – vehicle can move sideways, like a crab (for tight terrains or parallel parking)
  • Extract Mode – an air suspension system that allows the vehicle to be raised or lowered as needed

2024 Hummer EV^3X SUV

• Starting price: MSRP: $100,395 DFC: $1,995
• EV^3X standard features:
  • Ultium e4WD – a third motor, for more power.
  • Torque vectoring – intelligent 4WD to prevent slipping
  • Watts To Freedom mode – an immersive experience including sounds and haptic feedback
  • Available Power Station generator – charges almost anything, including other EVs

2024 Hummer EV SUV Edition 1

• Starting price: MSRP: $105,595 DFC: $1,595
• Edition 1 standard features:
  • One-Pedal Driving – deceleration begins when you take your foot off the pedal, charging the batteries
  • Terrain Mode – modified One-Pedal Driving for off-road terrains
  • Sky Panels – translucent Infinity Roof panels

2024 Hummer EV SUV exterior color options:

• 2024 Hummer EV SUV Edition 1 only
  • Moonshot Green Matte (green)

• 2024 Hummer EV SUV (late availability and some at additional cost)
  • Afterburner Tintcoat (orange)
  • Deep Aurora Metallic (dark bronze)
  • Interstellar White (white)
  • Meteorite Metallic (gray)
  • Supernova Metallic (dark blue)
  • Tide Metallic (ice blue)
  • Void Black (black)

2024 Hummer EV SUV interior color options:

• Lunar Horizon (jet black/light gray)
• Lunar Shadow (jet black/taupe)

Interior and tech

The Hummer EV SUV borrows much of its interior from the EV SUT’s design. As you’d expect, it’s cavernous and should offer plentiful legroom to your professional athlete friends. As with the EV SUT, the 2024 Hummer EV SUV features an Infinity Roof that is fully removable, including the i-bar — in case you live in a part of America that is not rotten with forest fire smoke during peak road trip season. You can even stash the roof panels in the spacious (11 cu ft.) “eTrunk.”

While the console features multiple large screens for infotainment and the driver’s side dashboard, GMC has included a number of customizable physical buttons to control various aspects of the car — including a t-shaped shifter and rotary drive mode selector. This means 2024 Hummer EV SUV owners will have more controls at their fingertips, instead of hidden beneath an elaborate vehicle operating system.

Regarding tech features, GMC touts the 2024 Hummer EV SUV’s Super Cruise, which allows hands-free driving on over 200,000 miles of roads in the U.S. — including lane changes. Additionally, HD Surround Vision supplied by 14 cameras keeps you safe and aware of what’s going on around you. The GMC press release also promises some 200 additional accessories that will be available to personalize your 2024 Hummer EV SUV.

Interior space

• Seating capacity: 5
• Front head room: 42.48″
• Front leg room: 45.57″
• Front shoulder room: 63.87″
• Front hip room: 60.5″
• Second row head room: 38.4″
• Second row leg room: 39.0″
• Second row shoulder room: 63.98″
• Second row hip room: 60.2″

Exterior dimensions

• Wheelbase: 126.69″
• Length: 206.7″
• Width, without mirrors: 86.46″
• Height: 77.8″

Cargo area dimensions

• Cargo space/area behind front row (with rear seat down): 81.8 cu ft.
• Cargo space/area behind second row: 35.9 cu ft.

Tech features

• 13.4″ infotainment screen
• 12.3″ driver information center display
• Integration with the myGMC app
• In-vehicle energy app
• Digital key
• HD Surround Vision (14 cameras)
• Off-road widgets

2024 Hummer EV SUV electric range and charging times

The Hummer EV SUV sets itself apart from the competition with its optional Power Station generator. Unlike Ford’s F-150, which generates power from its internal combustion engine, the Hummer’s Power Station is all electric and promises up to 25 amps (3.0 kW) for 120-volt power or 6.0 kW at 240 volts (for charging other EVs). This power-sharing feature might not get your pal’s car all the way up to 100%, but in most cases, it should be more than enough to jumpstart a stranded electric vehicle.

2024 Hummer EV SUV battery info

• Battery pack: liquid-cooled lithium-ion, 170.0 kWh
• Onboard charger: 19.2 kW
• Peak DC fast-charge rate: 300 kW
• Estimated range: 314mi (EV^3X trim)
• DC fast charge time (10-90%): 128 minutes

Engine and performance

The Hummer EV SUV was built around GMC’s top-of-the-line Ultium platform, a “flexible battery architecture” that according to the automaker is going to “change [your] life.” This new approach to manufacturing and aligning batteries allows GMC to create EVs that apparently have “a near 50/50 weight distribution of the vehicle and a lower center of gravity, which together result in a vehicle that’s sporty, responsive and allows for spirited driving.”

2024 Hummer EV SUV powertrain info

• Transmissions: direct-drive
• Front motor: permanent-magnet synchronous AC
• Rear motors: 2 permanent-magnet synchronous AC
• Combined power: 830 hp
• Combined torque: 1200 lb-ft
• 0-60 speed: 3.5 seconds (manufacturer claim)

Design changes

While the 2024 Hummer EV SUV shares a lot of design DNA with its SUT cousin, GMC went all out with the SUV-specific details. Electrified details on the badges and throughout the cabin help the future-forward design stand out. A power swing-out tailgate comes equipped with a full-sized spare and opens up to a massive cabin that allows for 81.8 cubic feet of space when the rear seats are folded down.

And if all of that doesn’t sound quite big enough, the back door swings all the way open, granting you an unimpeded 48″ opening — perfect for tailgating, camping, and packing up everything to hit the road when debt collectors try to repossess your $100k SUV.

2024 Hummer EV SUV review round-up

Reservations for the 2024 Hummer EV SUV are currently full, so it could be a while until the team here at Acceleramota gets our hands on one, so here’s a quick round-up of some thoughts from around the world of automobile journalism.

The Hummer EV SUV defies a lot of expectations. It accelerates like a sports car, handles like it’s thousands of pounds lighter, and charms with the improbability of it all. There’s not much on-pavement grip, but it’s capable off-road, and you’ll never have to worry about sucking water into the intake. There’s a lot of weight here, but there’s also a lot of everything. Born of attitude and consequently full of attitude, the Hummer EV SUV left us thoroughly entertained.

Tony Quiroga – Car & Driver

The Hummer SUV is a riot on the road, but when pavement gives way to dirt, the real fun begins. With specs that rival Jeep’s Wrangler Rubicon, the Hummer SUV boasts an approach angle of 49.6 degrees, a breakover angle of 34.4 degrees, and a departure angle of 45.6 degrees. (Removing the spare tire bumps departure angle up to 49.0 degrees.) It also has up to 16 inches of ground clearance and 13 inches of wheel travel, can climb an 18-inch vertical wall, and can ford up to 32 inches of water.

Jason Gonderman – Motor Trend

It shouldn’t make any sense. But drive it for a couple of days and you realise being sensible is for other vehicles. The Hummer is about fun.

Top Gear

FAQs

When will the 2024 Hummer EV SUV be available?

The 2024 Hummer EV SUV has been rolling off the production line for a few months now, but it could be a while before you see one at a GMC lot. You can sign up to “stay in the know” on GMC’s site but your best bet might be surreptitiously becoming best friends with someone who works at a dealership if you’d like to get your hands on one.

How many miles can the 2024 Hummer EV SUV drive on a single charge?

GMC’s documentation says the 2024 Hummer EV SUV can travel about 314 miles on a single charge at the EV^3X trim level. According to Car and Driver’s testing, the 2024 Hummer EV SUV had a range of 250 miles at 75 mph.

Who makes the 2024 Hummer EV SUV?

The 2024 Hummer EV SUV is manufactured by GMC, a subsidiary of General Motors. General Motors has owned the Humvee (later Hummer) branding since 1998. The Hummer line was initially discontinued in 2010 after the anti-gas-guzzler backlash related to the Great Recession. In 2020, GMC announced that the nameplate would be returning, rebranding Hummer as a line of electric super trucks.

Hummer EV: shop new inventory near you

Memorial Day is coming up quickly. While you’re hopping between barbecues and pool parties, be sure to hit up your local dealer. Car dealer that is! We’ve rounded up all of the best Memorial Day car sales of 2023 from top automakers across all of the most popular makes and models.

What Memorial Day car sales can I expect in 2023?

Historically, Memorial Day has been one of the best times of the year to buy a new car. That said, the new-car market for the past couple of years has been a little dire due in no small part to the global microchip shortage, supply chain issues, and the enduring effects of the pandemic. We saw a whole bunch of horrific markups that expectedly set off consumers.

This year, we can expect to see things pan out a little bit differently given the improved economic climate. Most manufacturers have shifted into reverse a bit. In a lot of ways, car dealerships are on their last few breaths. Now we have car subscription models beginning to surface along with companies like Volvo promising to start selling directly to consumers. Tesla has already laid the foundation for cutting out the middleman.

Toyota and Lexus

Who doesn’t love a good deal on a reliable, long-lasting Toyota? While you won’t find discounts on the slick new 2023 Prius, you can drive on the beach this summer with the Highlander FWD at 3.49% for 60 months. Toyota is also offering 3.99% for 48 months on the Camry, Corolla, Highlander, RAV4, and Tacoma. For those looking for something a bit more on the luxury side, Lexus has the ES at $519 per month ($589 for the hybrid) for 39 months with $3,999 due at signing.

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Ford and Lincoln

The beloved American manufacturer has a ton of Memorial Day car sales but by far the strongest is the Ford Edge at 0% for 72 months plus you’ll get $3,000 in bonus cash. Along with that, the Mustang is going for 0% for 60 months, the Bronco Sport, Expedition, Explorer, and F-150 at 0.9% for 60 months (with $1,000 in bonus cash for the F-150), as well as the Escape for 1.9% at 60 months. On the luxury side, you can make like Matthew McConaughey and take home a Lincoln with 5.9% financing or as low as $468/month for a 2023 Corsair lease.

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Kia

One of the more popular choices for Memorial Day sales, Kia is coming in hot with the EV6 at 2.75% for 60 months, the Niro EV for 2.9% for 72 months, the Forte and Soul at 2.9% for 48 months, and the Sorento at 3.25% for 48 months.

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Honda and Acura

The CR-V has durability, storage, and the versatility to take whatever life throws at you. And right now, Honda is offering 3.9% for 48 months for the CR-V along with the CR-V Hybrid, HR-V, Odyssey, Pilot, and Civic. Other deals include 2.9% for 48 months on the Accord, Accord Hybrid, Passport and 0.9% for 36 months on the Ridgeline. Step it up to an Acura from Honda’s luxury division, and you can finance a 2023 Integra at 4.9% for up to 60 months.

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BMW

Quite a bit of lease deals here, it’s easier to list them.

• 2 Series: $479/month for 36 months ($4,619 due at signing)
• 3 Series: $549/ month for 36 months ($4,999 due at signing)
• 4 Series: $589/month for 36 months ($4,769 due at signing)
• 5 Series: $629/ month for 36 months ($6,409 due at signing)
• X1: $549/month for 36 months ($4,849 due at signing)
• X3: $579/month for 36 months ($5,929 due at signing)
• X4: $729/month for 36 months ($5,209 due at signing)
• X5: $909/month for 36 months ($5,959 due at signing)
• i4: $489/month for 36 months ($4,239 due at signing)
• iX: $989/month for 36 months ($5,919 due at signing)

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Volkswagen

While we’ll probably never see the Golf-like Volkswagen ID.2 come stateside, the ID.4 is a well-rounded German SUV that won’t set you back a kidney. Like other carmakers who had their EV tax credits taken away as a financing incentive, VW is giving customers $7,500 back when they lease an ID.4. Military service members get a $500 bonus on top of that. By far, the most interesting Memorial Day car sale from Volkswagen, however, is a tantalizing 1.9% APR for 36 months on the Tiguan.

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I amost bought a VW Tiguan last year, and if I hadn’t already put money down on the Alfa Romeo Tonale, I’d be tempted to pull the trigger. – Gabe

Audi

For a limited time, Audi is offering a $7,500 leasing bonus for EVs. This includes 2022 and 2023 e-tron models, the 2024 Q8 e-tron, and Q8 e-tron Sportsback. Plus, 0.99% for up to 60 months on the 2022 Audi e-tron GT or RS e-tron GT.

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Jeep

Memorial Day Jeep sales are a Jeep thing, you wouldn’t understand. Take control of the road in the Grand Cherokee, going for 2.9% for 36 months this coming weekend. Jeep is also offering $2,000 in bonus cash for the Compass (at 0% for 36 months) and the Renegade (at 1.9% for 36 months).

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Hyundai

Hyundai has its Nexo Fuel Cell for 0% for 72 months plus a whopping $25,000 off. And apparently they’ll still offer you the deal regardless of whether you pronounce it “Hyundai” or “Hyundai” (it’s “Hyundai”). Other Memorial Day weekend deals include 0.9% for 48 months on the Tucson, 1.9% for 48 months on the Elantra, Santa Fe, and Sonata. On the luxury end, the Genesis G70 can be leased for $470 per month for36 months and the G80 at $619 for 36 months.

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Nissan

I can’t hear of the word Nissan without thinking of that classic Vine, Liam Neeson’s knees on his niece on E’s on a Nissan. But if you hear the word Nissan and think, “I’d like to drive one of those,” good news. This weekend, the Titan is going for 0% for 60 months, the Murano and Rogue are at 0% for 36 months, and the Altima and Pathfinder are at 2.99% for 36 months.

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Subaru

Drive off into the woods in a brand new Subaru thanks to some great Memorial Day savings. The WRX is going for 2.9% with the Ascent, BRZ, Crosstrek, Forester, Outback, and more all going for 3.9%.

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Mazda

I’ve driven a Mazda CX-5 and I’ve got no plans on changing that. You can lease one yourself for $299 a month for 36 months ($2,999 at signing) as well as the Mazda 3 for $348 a months for 36 months ($2,999 at signing) or the CX-9 for $390 a months for 24 months ($3,999 at signing).

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Dodge

Some great lease deals from the folks at Dodge. The Charger is going for $461 per month for 36 months with $4,249 due at signing, the Challenger for $410 per month for 36 months with $4,249 due at signing, the Durango for $448 per month for 36 months with $3,999 due at signing, and the Hornet for $449 per month for 36 months with $4,249 due at signing.

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Mercedes-Benz

Got another big list for ya. Here’s what Mercedes-Benz has to offer for this coming Memorial Day weekend.

• GLA: $649/month for 36 months ($4,923 due at signing)
• GLB: $679/month for 36 months ($5,033 due at signing)
• GLC: $639/ month for 36 months ($4,553 due at signing)
• GLE: $859/ month for 36 months ($5,583 due at signing)
• C-Class: $579/month for 36 months ($4,573 due at signing)
• E-Class: $789/month for 36 months ($5,863 due at signing)
• CLA: $669/month for 36 months ($5,193 due at signing)
• EQB: $689/month for 24 months ($5,753 due at signing)
• EQE: $689/month for 24 months ($6,673 due at signing)
• EQS: $1,049/month for 24 months ($9,283 due at signing)
• EQS SUV: $1,049/month for 24 months ($9,283 due at signing)

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Volvo

In addition to its evergreen military incentives for those in the service, Volvo is promoting its top-selling SUVs, such as the XC40 and XC90 across trim levels at 5.99% APR for up to 72 months. Certain sedan and wagon models in the Swedish carmaker’s lineup are also eligible for the same offer. EVs, on the other hand, qualify for a $7,500. Presumably, this means Volvo will pass the savings along from the federal EV tax credit, for which most leases still qualify.

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Chevy trucks and SUVs

General Motors is another one with generous military discounts, so check in with your nearest dealership if you’re an active military service member. The same likely goes for everyone else since the Memorial Day sales vary depending on your location.

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Cadillac

If you’re shopping around for a new Cadillac, existing lessees of a 2018 model or newer might be able to claim $2,250 toward their purchase of a 2023 XT4 for a limited time. Not only that, but you could lock down a $379/month payment for your Cadillac XT4 over 36 months. Meanwhile, those who finance an XT4 can do so at 2.9% APR for 36 months in addition to receiving a $500 purchase allowance.

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Buick

SUVs wearing GM’s Buick nameplate can be financed for 2.49% APR and no monthly payments for 90 days across the board. What’s more, Encore GX and Envision models come with a $750 signing bonus. At this rate, don’t be surprised to see more Buicks on the road after this.

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The Ford F-150 Lightning, known colloquially as the Ford Lightning, takes a traditional approach to electrification in that it’s not trying to be an interstellar spaceship on wheels. This truck looks and performs like a truck. I’ll be damned. The F-150 Lightning offers strong towing and payload numbers, a spacious and upscale interior, and a long electric range.

Though it has been on sale for a couple of model years, Ford still struggles to keep pace with demand, and the wait for a new truck extends to a year for some configurations. Still, if you do find a Lightning for sale, the pickup offers actual truck capability without the need for gas, and that’s a compelling proposition for many buyers. 

Ford Lightning price and specs

2023 Ford F-150 Lightning: check local availability at CarGurus

Ford has raised prices on the Lightning a few times since its inception, moving it from the sub-$40,000 starting price to almost $60,000 at the bottom end.

2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Pro

• Price: $59,974
• Range: 240 miles (standard), 320 miles (extended)
• Horsepower: 462 hp (standard), 580 hp (extended)
• Torque: 775 lb-ft
• Curb weight: 6,015 lbs (standard), 6,361 lbs (extended)
• 0-60 time: 4.1 seconds (standard), 3.8s (extended)

2023 Ford F-150 Lightning XLT

• Price: $63,474
• Range: 240 miles (standard), 320 miles (extended)
• Horsepower: 462 hp (standard), 580 hp (extended)
• Torque: 775 lb-ft
• Curb weight: 6,015 lbs (standard), 6,361 lbs (extended)
• 0-60 time: 4.1 seconds (standard), 3.8s (extended)

2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Lariat

• Price: $75,974
• Range: 240 miles (standard), 320 miles (extended)
• Horsepower: 462 hp (standard), 580 hp (extended)
• Torque: 775 lb-ft
• Curb weight: 6,015 lbs (standard), 6,361 lbs (extended)
• 0-60 time: 4.1 seconds (standard), 3.8s (extended)

2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum

• Price: $98,074
• Range: 320 miles
• Horsepower: 580 hp
• Torque: 775 lb-ft
• Curb weight: 6,893 lbs
• 0-60 time: 4 seconds

Ford options most Lightning trims with either a standard- or the pricier extended-range battery. Not only does the extended-range battery give you an extra 80 miles of juice, but it also adds nearly 120 horses, bringing the Lightning’s official 0-60 time from 4.1 seconds to under 4.

Naturally, the Platinum comes standard with the extended-range battery. The tradeoff is more than 800 lbs of added weight. And sure, that can add a fraction of a second to your 0-60 time, but who’s complaining about a 4-second pickup truck? Remember the Ram SRT-10? That thing had a Viper engine and just barely managed under 5. Besides, trucks are all about how much you can haul before you stall, which the Ford Lightning has in spades. With 775 lb-ft of torque gracing the lineup, it’s rated for a towing capacity up to 10,000 pounds – although, if we’re being real, you probably shouldn’t go over 2,000.

Buyers can add towing packages, upgraded wheels, power side steps, and a myriad of interior upgrades. That said, the F-150 Lightning is expensive and has only gotten pricier as time has gone on. Part of that is due to inflation, but it’s the opposite of the actions Ford took with its other mass-market EV, the Mustang Mach-E.

The F-150 Lightning currently competes against the Rivian R1T seemingly for the titles of Most Expensive and Hardest to Find. In the near future, the Ram 1500 Revolution, Chevrolet 1500 EV, and GMC Sierra EV will land, giving the Lightning a whole host of electric rivals. The Ram is more traditionally styled like the Ford, but the two GM EVs are futuristic in appearance. Pricing for all is expected to be close to the Ford’s MSRP, so we’re in for an expensive electric future in which we’ve subbed burning gas for burning cash.

Ford F-150 Lightning interior and tech

Just like its gas-powered brethren, Ford offers several upgrades and customization options for the F-150 Lightning. While the top Platinum trim brings all the goodies, including leather upholstery and a panoramic sunroof, lower trims can be outfitted with much of the high-end kit through packages and standalone options.

As with most modern vehicles, but especially the electric ones, the 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning follows the polarizing trend that is replacing physical HVAC controls with an oversized tablet. The 15.5-inch touchscreen display in the F-150 Lightning’s center console runs the automaker’s own Sync 4A software for all your truck specific needs. Thankfully, for everything else, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (not to be confused with Android Automotive) still remain.

Unlike GM, whose electric Silverado and Hummer trucks have taken to Android Automotive, Ford is sticking to the proprietary stuff, for better or worse. On one hand, because Sync 4A is built by Ford for Ford drivers, its interface is tailor-made to fit the F-150 Lightning. In the main control panel, for instance, the first selection you’ll see highlighted is the onboard scales feature – as long as you have the tow technology package. This lets you check the weight of your payload to make sure you didn’t overdo it on the supplies for your latest home improvement project.

Like the onboard scales utility, some of the more exciting tech is exclusive to certain packages or options. The 360-degree exterior zone lighting, ambient interior lighting, leather seats, and moonroof are all add-ons, as are the upgraded B&O speakers. Even the trailer brake controller is locked to the tow technology package. But no matter how it’s configured, the Ford Lightning comes standard with a host of different drive modes, tons of hidden storage as well as a frunk, built-in navigation, and a stow-away shifter that converts your center console into an in-car workstation.

Ford electrified trucks: F-150 Lightning vs F-150 PowerBoost hybrid

The Ford F-150 Lightning offers similar configurations and options to the standard F-150, including the PowerBoost hybrid truck. They both provide in-bed generators and traditional truck capabilities, but the similarities do not extend to their powertrains. The hybrid powertrain delivers 430 horsepower and 570 pound-feet of torque, giving it stout towing and hauling capabilities – but it still uses gas. 

The Lightning offers up to 320 miles of range on a charge and can use DC fast charging to charge from 15 to 80 percent in around 40 minutes for the extended-range battery. The challenge with an electric truck is that doing any “truck stuff” reduces the range. Towing and hauling put more strain on the electric drivetrain and can zap range. Additionally, cold weather can drain the batteries faster, as using the heat and other accessories takes more power. 

Pricing is another significant difference between the two trucks. The Lightning easily crests the $100,000 mark in its top configuration with options, while adding the hybrid powertrain to the standard F-150 drives the price upward by about $3,300. Of course, the hybrid requires gas purchases, and despite its improved fuel economy, it can be more expensive to operate. Charging costs money, but it can be cheaper than refueling. Some configurations of the Lightning are eligible for federal tax credits of up to $7,500, but some are too expensive to quality. 

2023 Ford F-150 Lightning: check local availability at CarGurus

Ford Motor Company news

Ford is deep into its electrification strategy and has made progress on its Blue Oval City EV and battery production facility in Tennessee. In addition to the F-150 Lightning, the automaker sells the Mustang Mach-E and E-Transit EVs in the United States. Ford has partnered with Volkswagen and others to produce and sell unique EVs in other countries, but there’s no indication that those models will make it to North America.

Ford has struggled with quality in recent years and has faced multiple recalls from all corners of its vehicle catalog. Consumers tend to rate EVs poorly for quality and satisfaction, so it’s not just a Ford problem, but the company has spent a ton of time and money fixing quality issues that could have been resolved on the factory floor. CEO Jim Farley has acknowledged the problem and promised a plan to fix the quality issues, but Ford has work to do.