Tesla, Tesla, Tesla, that’s all you hear when you ask about electric cars. Well, guess what! An entirely new generation of luxury electric cars is coming out in 2023. While some are in direct competition with the mind-blowingly fast Tesla Model S Plaid, others are in the market to compete with the affordable Tesla Model Y.
Whatever your luxury desires are, you are sure to find a fully optioned electric car to spoil you rotten in 2023. Here are the 6 best luxury electric cars available in 2023 (other than Tesla):
1. 2023 Lucid Air Sapphire ($249,000)
If you are the type of person who doesn’t settle for second best, then the 2023 Lucid Air Sapphire is the electric car for you. Not only is the Sapphire the fastest electric car, with a top speed greater than 200 mph, but it’s also the fastest four-door production car ever!
You can pick any color as long as it is Sapphire Blue. That’s because the rich blue color of the Lucid Air Sapphire signifies the top-of-the-line model for Lucid, letting all the other Lucid owners know that you reached deep into your pocket and pulled out the two hundred and fifty G’s necessary to drive one off the lot.
After all, what concern is a little extra money when you can feel like a Kardashian relaxing in the heated and massage seats while you’re zipping through rush hour traffic in the carpool lane? (Some states, like California, allow zero-emission vehicles to travel in high-occupancy lanes.)
Like the Tesla, the Sapphire’s interior is made from sustainable materials—because what’s the point of representing that you care about reducing emissions if your butt is sitting on the hide of one of the largest carbon monoxide producers.
The technology of the Lucid Air Sapphire is second to none. The Sapphire offers the fastest DC to DC charging with a whopping 900V max charging. This will allow you to add 300 miles of range in about 22 minutes. That’s barely enough time to order and enjoy a pumpkin spice latte!
The good news, at least for your waist, is that with 520 miles of range you won’t have to make many stops at the local charge station.
The Sapphire can also charge bi-directionally. This will allow you to power your home or charge another electric car from the battery of your Lucid Air Sapphire. Since the Lucid Air Sapphire is still in pre-production, some of the safety features and specs have not been released yet.
2023 Lucid Air Sapphire Feature Breakdown:
| Price | $249,000 |
| Battery | |
| Charge Time @ 9.6kWh | 12.30 hours |
| Max Rapid Charge | 900V |
| Battery Size | 118 kWh |
| Charge Port Location | Driver Side Fender |
| Motor | |
| Motor Size | Undisclosed |
| Motor Count | 3 |
| Horsepower | 1200 hp |
| Torque | Undisclosed |
| Ambient Motor Sound | Undisclosed |
| Performance | |
| Range | 520 |
| 0-60 | 1.9 seconds |
| Top Speed | 200+ mph |
| Drivetrain | AWD |
| Interior | |
| Seating Capacity | 5 |
| Display | 34” |
| Ambient Lighting | Undisclosed |
| Heated Front Seats | Included |
| Heated Rear Seats | Undisclosed |
| Ventilated Front Seats | Included |
| Massage Seats | Included |
| Heated Steering Wheel | Undisclosed |
| Leather (Real/Synthetic) | Synthetic |
| Panorama Roof | Included |
| Technology | |
| Heads-up Display | Undisclosed |
| Active Cruise Control | Undisclosed |
| 360 View | Undisclosed |
| Night Vision | Undisclosed |
| Safety Features | |
| Frontal Collision Avoidance w/ Ped | Undisclosed |
| Active Lane Correction | Undisclosed |
| Blind-Spot Detection | Undisclosed |
| Rear Cross Traffic Avoidance | Undisclosed |
| Warranty | |
| Car | Undisclosed |
| Battery | Undisclosed |
2. 2023 Lexus RZ 450e ($55,000)
With Toyota/Lexus being such an early adopter in the hybrid electric vehicle space, we would’ve expected them to jump faster into the electric car market. However, as they say, “Good things come to those who wait.”
The all-new 2023 RZ 450e from Lexus looks to be a refined example of what most electric cars of the near future will look like. This is because at first glance you wouldn’t even notice that the RZ 450e is electric.
With only 220 miles of range, it seems that the all-wheel-drive Lexus RZ 450e was built for urban or suburbanite buyers with shorter commutes. This will surely be a deal killer for many on-the-fence EV buyers that are making the choice between the RZ 450e and the 500+ miles of range with the similar hybrid Lexus RX 350h.
The Lexus has a dash similar to most gas-powered cars. But to your right, the driver will see a large 14-inch infotainment touchscreen.
That being said, the RZ has a truckload of standard features that are an upgrade in most other electric cars. These standard features include a panoramic sunroof, active cruise control, and all the necessary safety features such as frontal collision avoidance, rear cross-traffic avoidance, and active lane correction. All this for around $55,000, or about half the price of the comparable Mercedes EQS SUV.
2023 Lexus RZ 450e Feature Breakdown:
| Starting Price | $55,000 |
| Battery | |
| Charge Time @ 9.6kWh | 7.44 hours |
| Max Rapid Charge | 150 kW |
| Battery Size | 71.4 kWh |
| Charge Port Location | Driver Side Fender |
| Motor | |
| Motor Size | 230 kWh |
| Motor Count | 2 |
| Horsepower | 308 hp |
| Torque | 320 lb-ft |
| Performance | |
| Range | 220 miles |
| 0-60 | 5.2 seconds |
| Top Speed | Undisclosed |
| Drivetrain | AWD |
| Tow Capacity | 1653 lbs |
| Interior | |
| Seating Capacity | 5 |
| Display | 10.2” |
| Ambient Lighting | Included |
| Heated Front Seats | Optional |
| Heated Rear Seats | |
| Ventilated Front Seats | |
| Massage Seats | |
| Heated Steering Wheel | Optional |
| Leather (Real/Synthetic) | Synthetic |
| Panorama Roof | Included |
| Technology | |
| Heads-up Display | Optional |
| Active Cruise Control | Included |
| 360 View | Included |
| Safety Features | |
| Frontal Collision Avoidance w/ Ped | Included |
| Active Lane Correction | Included |
| Blind-Spot Detection | Included |
| Rear Cross Traffic Avoidance | Included |
| Warranty | |
| Car | 4 yrs / 50,000 miles |
| Battery | 8 yrs / 100,000 miles |
3. 2023 Mercedes Benz EQS 450 4matic ($108,450)
What does the Mercedes of the future look like you ask? The smooth grill, sloped hood, and headlights resemble the very common late 2000s Honda Civic to me.
Aside from the unimpressive exterior styling, the Mercedes EQS 450 4Matic has a very acceptable 340 miles of range from its 516 hp motors and 107.8 kWh battery. The 4Matic refers to the all-wheel drive platform. This $5,000 option not only adds an additional front motor to the Benz but also adds an additional 26 horsepower to the base EQS 450+ model.
The combined motors propel the EQS 450 4Matic from 0 to 60 mph in an impressive 4.1 seconds. That’s fast enough to take the win against a gas-powered Mustang GT at the on-ramp metering light.
Once you get past the exterior and sit inside, you will see that Mercedes Benz designers spent overtime on the EQS 4Matics gorgeous interior. With modern yet plush seating and up to three screens that fill the entire dash, you will feel like Captain Kirk on the bridge of the Enterprise.
The standard interior includes heated and ventilated front seats as well as multi-color ambient lighting. The panoramic roof, real leather, and massage seats are optional.
The Mercedes EQS 450 4Matic also comes fully equipped with active cruise control, 360-degree view, and blind-spot detection. The standard safety features are frontal collision avoidance, active lane correction, and rear cross-traffic avoidance.
Mercedes also offers one of the best warranties of all EV manufacturers with a 4-year 50,000-mile warranty on the car and a 10-year 155,000-mile warranty on the battery. However, the additional $50,000 starting price, over the base price of the gas-powered Mercedes E Class, may keep the typical Mercedes buyer from taking the leap to electric.
Mercedes EQS 450 4Matic Features Breakdown
| Starting Price | $108,450 |
| Battery | |
| Charge Time @ 9 kWh | 11.9 hours |
| Max Rapid Charge | 200 kW |
| Battery Size | 107.8 kWh |
| Charge Port Location | Passenger Rear |
| Motor | |
| Motor Size | 400 kW |
| Motor Count | 2 |
| Horsepower | 516 hp |
| Torque | 611 lb-ft |
| Performance | |
| Range | 340 miles |
| 0-60 | 4.1 seconds |
| Top Speed | 155 mph |
| Drivetrain | AWD |
| Interior | |
| Seating Capacity | 5 |
| Display | 12.8” |
| Ambient Lighting | Multi Color Included |
| Heated Front Seats | Standard |
| Heated Rear Seats | Optional |
| Ventilated Front Seats | Standard |
| Massage Seats | Optional |
| Heated Steering Wheel | Optional |
| Leather (Real/Synthetic) | Optional |
| Panorama Roof | Optional |
| Technology | |
| Heads-up Display | Optional |
| Active Cruise Control | Standard |
| 360 View | Standard |
| Safety Features | |
| Frontal Collision Avoidance w/ Ped | Included |
| Active Lane Correction | Included |
| Blind-Spot Detection | Included |
| Rear Cross Traffic Avoidance | Included |
| Warranty | |
| Car | 4 yr / 50,000 miles |
| Battery | 10 yr / 155,000 miles |
4. 2023 Genesis Electrified G80 ($79,825)
If the Mercedes EQS 450 4Matic is out of your price range then you may want to consider the 2023 Genesis Electrified G80. The more aggressive styling of the Genesis looks more like a Maybach than a Civic.
The Genesis Electrified G80’s styling isn’t misrepresenting the performance within. The 365 horsepower motors launch the four powered wheels from 0 to 60 only one-tenth of a second slower than the higher-priced Mercedes EQS.
The Genesis Electrified G80’s interior includes heated and cooled front seats, a heated steering wheel, and massage in the driver’s seat. Unlike the Mercedes EQS, there is no option to upgrade the rear seats.
The unique wood trim in the Electrified G80 is made from recycled wood and newspaper. An interesting decision considering the Genesis offers real Nappa leather as a standard option. I mean, if you’re going to use real animals, why not use real trees?
Another issue I have is that many of the photos of the Genesis feature a solar roof in place of a panoramic sunroof. However, the solar roof isn’t available in the US models and the Genesis doesn’t offer a panoramic sunroof.
The less impressive dash of the Genesis Electrified G80 still offers a full suite of technology features. Heads-up display, active cruise control, and 360 views are all included with the G80’s sub-$80,000 base price.
The Genesis also includes all our recommended safety features like frontal collision avoidance, active lane correction, and rear cross-traffic avoidance. This is a complete package compared to some of the other luxury cars that charge thousands of dollars for these safety features.
2023 Genesis Electrified G80 Features Breakdown
| Starting Price | $79,825 |
| Battery | |
| Charge Time @ 9.6kWh | 9 hours |
| Max Rapid Charge | 800v |
| Battery Size | 87.2 kWh |
| Charge Port Location | Driver-side Grill |
| Motor | |
| Motor Size | 272 kW |
| Motor Count | 2 |
| Horsepower | 365 |
| Torque | 516 |
| Ambient Motor Sound | Not Available |
| Performance | |
| Range | 282 |
| 0-60 | 4.2 seconds |
| Top Speed | 150 mph |
| Drivetrain | AWD |
| Interior | |
| Seating Capacity | 5 |
| Display | 12.3” |
| Ambient Lighting | Not Available |
| Heated Front Seats | Included |
| Heated Rear Seats | Not Available |
| Ventilated Front Seats | Included |
| Massage Seats | Driver Side Included |
| Heated Steering Wheel | Included |
| Leather (Real/Synthetic) | Real |
| Panorama Roof | Not Available |
| Technology | |
| Heads-up Display | Included |
| Active Cruise Control | Included |
| 360 View | Included |
| Safety Features | |
| Frontal Collision Avoidance w/ Ped | Included |
| Active Lane Correction | Included |
| Blind-Spot Detection | Included |
| Rear Cross Traffic Avoidance | Included |
| Warranty | |
| Car | 5 yr/ 60,000 miles |
| Battery | 10 yr / 100,000 miles |
5. 2023 Porsche Taycan Turbo ($154,750)
It’s fair to say that, with ten Taycan models, Porsche is taking a stand for EVs in 2023. Porsche is offering the Taycan in both a sedan model and a slightly larger hatchback called the 4 Cross Turismo. You can order these two body styles from the base model for $86,700 Taycan to the Taycan Turbo S Cross Turismo for $190,000.
For the sake of time we will review the impressively fast 2023 Porsche Taycan Turbo. The 670 horsepower Taycan Turbo blows away most other EVs with a neck-breaking 0 to 60 time of three seconds and a top speed of just over 160 mph.
The 93.4 kWh battery pack gives the Porsche an estimated range of 275 miles, while the 800v rapid charge can refill the batteries at a DC to DC rapid charger in less than an hour.
One of the most unique features of the Porsche Taycan Turbo is the optional Electric Sport Sound. This is a manufactured sound to familiarize the gas-powered Porsche lover with the new electric Taycan.
Obviously, most Porsche buyers are planning to drop a few thousand, or tens of thousands, of dollars to upgrade their high-performance vehicle. However, it amazes me that even the most basic of safety features like active cruise control and lane change correction are upgrades on the Taycan Turbo.
Building out a comparable luxury EV with all the safety features, creature comforts, and panoramic roof raises the price of the Taycan Turbo from $155,000 to nearly $175,000.
So if you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind luxury electric car then the Porsche Taycan is the right choice. With 10 models and endless options, there is a better chance of you winning the Powerball than pulling up to a stop light next to an identical Taycan.
2023 Porsche Tican Turbo Features Breakdown
| Price | $154,750 |
| Battery | |
| Charge Time @ 9.6kWh | 10.5 |
| Max Rapid Charge | 800v |
| Battery Size | 93.4 kW |
| Charge Port Location | DC Passenger Front Fender |
| Motor | |
| Motor Size | 500kw |
| Motor Count | 2 |
| Horsepower | 670 hp |
| Torque | 626 lb-ft |
| Ambient Motor Sound | Optional |
| Performance | |
| Range | 275 (AMCI) |
| 0-60 | 3.0 seconds |
| Top Speed | 161 mph |
| Drivetrain | AWD |
| Tow Capacity | N/A |
| Interior | |
| Seating Capacity | 4 |
| Display | 16.8 |
| Ambient Lighting | Optional |
| Heated Front Seats | Included |
| Heated Rear Seats | Optional |
| Cooled Front Seats | Optional |
| Massage Seats | Optional |
| Heated Steering Wheel | Optional |
| Leather (Real/Synthetic) | Real |
| Panorama Roof | Optional |
| Technology | |
| Heads-up Display | Optional |
| Active Cruise Control | Optional |
| 360 View | Optional |
| Night Vision | Optional |
| Safety Features | |
| Frontal Collision Avoidance w/ Ped | Included |
| Active Lane Correction | Optional |
| Rear Cross Traffic Avoidance | Optional |
| Blind-spot Alert | Included |
| Warranty | |
| Car | 4yrs/ 50,000 miles |
| Battery | 8yrs/100,000 miles |
6. 2023 Audi e-tron Chronos Edition ($86,400)
Our final entry into our best luxury electric cars list is the 2023 Audi e-tron Chronos Edition. If you’ve been waiting for a versatile electric SUV then we save the best electric car for last. The 402 horsepower e-tron has two electric motors that push all four wheels from 0 to 60 in 5.5 seconds.
The Audi e-tron’s pace may be slower than the other luxury EVs on our list, but the others can’t tow your camper or small boat to the mountains on the weekend with the e-tron’s 4,000 lb towing capacity. However, the short 226 miles of range will limit your alpine explorations to more like foothills.
The Audi e-tron with the Chronos Edition package comes complete with heated leather seats and steering wheel, front seats with cooling and massage, and multi-color ambient lighting. For the price of an electric snowblower, you can also upgrade your e-tron with a panoramic sunroof. Personally, I chose the snowblower.
The dash of the Audi e-tron Chonos Edition looks nearly identical to its gas-powered sibling. The 12.5 inch display features a full 360-degree view, head-up display, and active cruise control, and unlike the Audi’s Porsche cousin, the e-tron Chronos Edition comes fully equipped with safety features like rear cross-traffic alert, front collision avoidance, and active lane correction.
With an all-in price of $86,400, the Audi e-tron Chronos Edition is a great luxury electric SUV option. While I personally prefer the looks of the Audi e-tron over the Lexus RZ 450E, the additional 30 “stacks” would force me to take a longer look at the nearly identically optioned Lexus RZ.
2023 Audi e-tron Chronos Edition Features Breakdown
| Price | $86,400 |
| Battery | |
| Charge Time @ 9.6kWh | 10 hours |
| Max Rapid Charge | 150 kWh |
| Battery Size | 95 kw |
| Charge Port Location | Driver Front Fender |
| Motor | |
| Motor Size | 300 kW |
| Motor Count | 2 |
| Horsepower | 402 hp |
| Torque | 490 lb-ft |
| Performance | |
| Range | 226 miles |
| 0-60 | 5.5 seconds |
| Top Speed | 124 |
| Drivetrain | AWD |
| Tow Capacity | 4000 lb |
| Interior | |
| Seating Capacity | 5 |
| Display | 12.5 in |
| Ambient Lighting | Multi-color Led |
| Heated Front Seats | Included |
| Heated Rear Seats | Included |
| Cooled Front Seats | Included |
| Massage Seats | Included |
| Heated Steering Wheel | Optional |
| Leather (Real/Synthetic) | Real |
| Panorama Roof | Optional |
| Technology | |
| Heads-up Display | Included |
| Active Cruise Control | Included |
| 360 View | Included |
| Night Vision | Optional |
| Safety Features | |
| Frontal Collision Avoidance w/ Ped | Included |
| Active Lane Correction | Included |
| Rear Cross Traffic Avoidance | Included |
| Blind-spot Alert | Included |
| Warranty | |
| Car | 4yr / 50,000 miles |
| Battery | 8yr / 100,000 miles |
Final Thoughts
It seems to me that most luxury electric car manufacturers are throwing everything including the kitchen sink into their EVs. Some understand the needs and desires of EV buyers but many are still treating electric cars like a novelty.
Electric cars with limited mileage and lack of (what should be standard) safety features are just missing the mark, and no amount of multi-color ambient light and sports sounds are going to make up for it.
Very good article! We will be linking to this particularly great article on our site. Keep up the great writing.
Spot on with this write-up, I honestly believe that this website needs far more attention. I’ll probably be returning to see more, thanks for the information!
Really appreciate the kind words, Patria. Hope to see you back!